Overclocking Your PC

*Disclaimer I lacrosse_man16 of Zuneboards am not to be help responsible of whatever you do to your computer such as failure to boot or blow up in your face. (It wont blow up but it might never work again.)

Things You'll Need

* Needle-nose Pliers
* Computer Fans
* Heat-sink (That can handle 2x the speed of your CPU currently)
* Computers
* Screwdriver Sets
* Computer Power Supplies
* Processors
* Back-up Drives


The Process

Step One
Get whatever tools you need: screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, motherboard manual, cooling hardware, etc.

Step Two
Find out whether your motherboard can be adjusted in the BIOS setup, with jumpers or not at all.

Step Three
Find out clock-speed limitations of the motherboard.

Step Four
Run all Windows and any third-party diagnostic applications you have. Fix all system problems.

Step Five
Make a complete backup of your system, documents and applications you don't have on CD-ROM. Do not overwrite these copies.

Step Six
If you have a BIOS-adjustable motherboard, make changes according to your motherboard manual, and skip to Step 15.

Step Seven
Shut down computer.

Step Eight
Leave computer plugged in to surge suppressor.

Step Nine
Disconnect all peripherals from computer.

Step Ten
Remove cover of chassis.

Step Eleven
Ground yourself to computer with any professional grounding equipment you have. Otherwise, ground yourself by touching a metal part of the chassis.

Step Twelve
If your motherboard has adjustable jumpers, locate the jumpers that control the CPU speed.

Step Thirteen
Use needle-nose pliers to change jumper settings. Move jumpers to positions indicated in your motherboard manual for the clock speed you want. Check the Internet for recommendations.

Step Fourteen
Install a CPU heat sink, heat-sink compound, and a specialty cooling fan, if appropriate and possible.

Step Fifteen
Put system back together, and reboot.

Step Sixteen
If computer does not boot, and CPU still works, try lowering the clock speed. If that doesn't work, restore the original configuration.

Step Seventeen
Check all functions, and run a CPU-intensive program.

Tips & Warnings

* CPUs have rated and maximum speeds. Exceeding the maximum speed is far more likely to cause problems than more conservative adjustments.
* Overclocking an Intel processor explicitly voids its warranty. Other manufacturers have similar exclusions. Intel prevents overclocking of some CPUs by disabling higher multiplier settings.
* Expect a shorter life for an overclocked processor, including the possibility of its immediate failure.
* Prepare to deal with seemingly unrelated problems that can be caused by overclocking: destruction of other internal components, lost data, system and application crashes, and an inability to boot the system. Such problems can occur randomly or materialize well after you have altered your motherboard.


For an even more detailed how to go Here

[Dizzy]

Possibly stupid question: Is it worth it?

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Possibly stupid question: Is it worth it?

Yes if you are poor and cant afford a new one, or you just don't want to buy a new computer. Or you just want more out of what you got.

[Gow616]

Good tutorial, lacrosse.

Just an addendum for nForce Motherboard owners:

Most overclocking can be done through the Bios and to get a feel of how far you can push the system use nVidia's nTune.

Also, keep in mind temperature increase due to overclocking so if you don't have the fans and heatsinks to support it...don't do it!

I recommend the Zalmon 9500/9700 for a CPU Heatsink and fan because it can take a serious overclock and it keep it pretty cool. Although, it still nowhere near a CPU Cooler (i.e. the Refrigeration Unit) it can allow you to get some more speed out of that CPU without causing a temperature increase.

My personal CPU is just slightly overclocked from its stock 2.6ghz to 2.8ghz.
CPU is AMD Athlon X2 5200+

[Gow616]

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Possibly stupid question: Is it worth it?

I know users who push their expensive parts with overclocking. It is a way to get the most out of your hardware as Intel and AMD chips are made for overclocking. Video cards another one that benefit from this as well. Of course, it all depends on the motherboard because some MoBos don't overclock or if they do they don't do it well.

Overclocking is just a part of the computer user experience for gamers who want every drop of horsepower out of their rig.

However, I don't recommend it for average joe schmoe users.

[Dizzy]

Originally Posted by lacrosse_man16

Yes if you are poor and cant afford a new one, or you just don't want to buy a new computer. Or you just want more out of what you got.

What about lessening the life-span?

It's probably not something I'll do unless I've got a computer that I don't really need anymore.

[IE3I STEVO]

im gonna pass cuz this scares me

Originally Posted by Dizzy

What about lessening the life-span?

It's probably not something I'll do unless I've got a computer that I don't really need anymore.

It really wont effect your computer at least for the lifespan you will own it for. It will go for like 4 years. I replace mine every 2yrs.

[Gow616]

Originally Posted by Dizzy

What about lessening the life-span?

It's probably not something I'll do unless I've got a computer that I don't really need anymore.

With a stable and safe overclock the lifespan is not shortened nor is it lengthened.

The tutorial is mostly for advanced style of overclocking and the BIOS option is recommended over it for average users who want to overclock. Sometimes the hardware can't keep up with the latest demands in software, especially in gaming, but benefits can be reaped in all aspects of the computer experience.

One example is being able to convert videos faster.

[Gow616]

8 Page article from the Jan. 2008 issue on newstands now.

All credit goes to article's authors, Gordon Mah Ung and David Murphy, and the fine team at Maximum PC who have a habit of writing great articles on Computer tips. If you have a chance pick up an issue.

Page 4 and page 5 are steps for overclocking an Intel CPU.

Page 6 and page 7 are steps for overclocking an AMD CPU.

Page 1


Page 2


Page 3


Page 4


Page 5


Page 6


Page 7


Page 8

[scrizz]

I got my e4400 @3.2GHz on stock volts

[Robb4248]

It's actually not a wise choice to keep your processor OC'd while not needing it. My friend had his 3.2 P4 running at 4.6 for about a year... last week, it finally gave way. I suggested cleaning it with rubbing alcohol, he did, and the processor runs like the day it was bought.

Not always the best decision, but meh, totally worth it :p

[scrizz]

well these core 2s can oc a good bit on stock voltages.

[Robb4248]

When you overclock, you change the voltage, fyi

[Gow616]

When you overclock you over clock the core. When you change the voltage you are overvolting. The second is quite a dangerous thing to do if you do it improperly.

With Overclocking if you clock too high the computer won't start and you have to reset your BIOS setting if it doesn't do it automatically.

With Overvolting you can apply too much voltage to the processor and fry it.

You can overclock without changing the voltage as some processors can achieve a higher clock with stock voltage. Of course, the actual voltage of a processor ranges between two numbers (stock).

In my experience, I have had pretty good experience with my AMD processor and like the Intel Core 2 Quad's overclock potential and wait with little anticipation to see how well the AMD Agena 9600 2.4ghz (Stock) Quad overclocks. Hopefully, Maximum PC does an article on overclocking quads or at least post the voltage info to save me the trouble that risk of overvolting.

[Stuart]

Nice, ive already overclocked my pc but im sure others will benefit

[mr.handsomeman]

that's to scary to mess with man.

[scrizz]

no it's not, it used to be.
with the chips they churn out nowadays, you can get a big increase w/out even having to mess with voltages and stuff