Warning: overclocking is an advanced procedure that can ruin your equipment. Overclock at your own risk and perils.
- When should you overclock your CPU?
- Can you overclock all the processors?
- How does the overclocking work?
- Overclocking is it safe?
- A word about the cooling of your CPU
- How to overclock a CPU
- How OverClock using the BIOS / UEFI
- Intel
- AMD
The overclocking of a processor allows you to get a little more power from your hardware, which potentially allows your PC to run a little better the games. Although this is not safe, it can be an excellent method for getting a little extra life with older processors or to get the most out of any new processor you buy.
When should you overclock your CPU?
There is no good answer to this question. Your CPU does not need to be overclocked, but it’s something that people will do regularly for better performance. According to our experience, overclocking can be a great way to extend the life of a build if you need more time to save for a new PC. It’s also a great way to start with a new PC and get the best possible performance for your money. You can of course overclock your CPU at any time.
Can you overclock all the processors?
CPUs can only be overclocked if they have an unlocked multiplier. Some processors will be locked and can not be overclocked. To find out if your processor can be overclocked, you will want to check the specifications of this specific processor on the manufacturer’s website. For the most part, Intel chips with a K can be overclocked, and the amd FX and Ryzen chips can be overclocked. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s sites if you have any doubts about your own brand and CPU model.
How does the overclocking work?
Many processors have a little more free space than the clock that manufacturers will place on them. Indeed, Intel and AMD ship processors to a speed that guarantees stability. Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, there may be a different free space for more speeds on different batches, but it’s important for businesses to sell them at clock speeds and defined prices so that consumers can make informed choices when buying a processor.
There are two methods for overclocking a CPU, or using the BIOS / UFEI or using software that each have their own benefits and risks. It is at this stage that we begin to expose ourselves to the potential dangers of overclocking.
Overclocking is it safe?
Yes and no. The overclocking is safe when done carefully, but according to the overclocking method, the skills of the overclocker, the cooling solutions of the PC and other factors, there may be some risk. The main risk concerns the stability of the PC. If you overclocked it and starts planting a lot, then it’s a bad overclock. At the end furthest from the ladder, if you do something like manipulating the tension of the motherboard to the CPU and increase it too much, you may need to get a new CPU.
Another factor is that some CPUs will remain stable with a higher overclock than an identical CPU, because of the above-mentioned problems with flea making. Once again, that’s why manufacturers sell processors at defined clock speeds they know that the set of the lot can work with perfect stability. This means that you and a friend can have the same chip, bought the same day, but their overclock may not be stable on your CPU, or vice versa.
The last thing to consider is that the overclocking will probably cancel the guarantee of your CPU, so all that is wrong will hit you directly in the pocket.
A word about the cooling of your CPU
If you want to overclock your CPU, a new cooling solution may be necessary. If you want more power from your processor, you must expect more heat. To avoid potential problems such as misguiding to approach the maximum temperature of your CPU, known as TJ Max, you may need to upgrade your cooling. Products such as NH_D15 or Corsair H150i Pro may be required to maintain low temperatures for significant over-clocks.
You must also run a program as a basic temp, as this will allow you to monitor the temperature of your processor when you use your computer, which is very important after the application of a new overclock.
How to overclock a CPU
Intel
For Intel processors, you can download the Intel Extreme Tuning software utility. It will allow you to change the power, voltage, core, and memory settings you will need to edit to get a stable overclock. The software is easy to use, adds a security layer to overclocking and will also allow you to test the stability of an overclocking.
AMD
AMD users had previously two software options, depending on their processor. Ryzen owners can use the Ryzen Master Software. People who owned older AMDs could use the Overdrive program, but AMD has now abandoned, and their advice is to move on to a Ryzen processor, without surprise.
If this is the first time you overclocked a CPU, a software solution would be recommended because of the safety factor because it limits the potential damage you could cause your hardware.
How OverClock using the BIOS / UEFI
It is also possible to overclock your CPU via the BIOS. This is the method of choice for experienced overclockers, but it lacks the integrated security features of the software provided by CPU manufacturers. However, this can give you much more control over the overclock.
The exact way of proceeding normally depends on the motherboard, so for a detailed guide, you may want to search for a specific tutorial that covers the brand and model of the motherboard, in combination with the CPU you want overclock.
Many modern cards will have a simple option for OverClock, allowing you to easily apply a low-level overclock, once again, it will depend on the map. It is advisable to spend more time than you need to read on the motherboard and the CPU, because there is nothing such as being too prepared.
To access the BIOS, you must hold a key when starting. This is normally to delete or F2, and will be displayed on the monitor during the startup process. The exact way of which everything is arranged in the bios will depend on the manufacturer of the card, but you will seek an option to change the CPU multiplier, if there is no obvious overclocking option in the BIOS. The processors have a basic speed and a multiplier, and by modifying the multiplier, you can increase the maximum clock speed of the processor. You want to increase the multiplier of the smallest possible number, test the stability of the overclock, then increase it again.
The true risk of overclocking through the BIOS lies in the entry of your base voltage. If you want more power from the CPU, you must send it more voltage. Modern motherboards should show you the recommended base voltage depending on the multiplier, and this is the value you need to enter. If you are not sure of this value, take note of the basic tension of your standard manufacturer’s clock and increase it very slightly from there. You can also search on the Internet to find the settings that other people have used for this type of CPU.
Playing with heart tension is the real danger of overclocking, we want to repeat again how you should do a lot of research and be extremely cautious at this point.
Execute something greedy in CPU, and if the PC does not plant, you are clear. You want to find a point where the PC plant, then remember a little, test again, and it’s your new stable overclock.
Once again, you want to pay close attention to the CPU temperature, read everything you can on the motherboard and the CPU, and try to find a dedicated video or written tutorials for the overclocking that use the same material combination Whether you are trying overclock with for the best results.