Introduction Overclocking essentially is taking your computer and making it work harder than it was shipped to work, to squeeze out better performance. Overclocking essentially is taking your computer and making it work harder than it was shipped to work, to squeeze out better performance. Sounds all good? Sounds all good? Well, there are plenty of drawbacks Well, there are plenty of drawbacks You immediately and irrevocably void your warranty on the overclocked hardware, and possibly other hardware. You immediately and irrevocably void your warranty on the overclocked hardware, and possibly other hardware. Overclocking your hardware poorly could very easily result in said hardware becoming unusable. Overclocking your hardware poorly could very easily result in said hardware becoming unusable. In extreme cases, if you don’t cool your system properly, the hardware could even catch on fire and damage other hardware nearby. In extreme cases, if you don’t cool your system properly, the hardware could even catch on fire and damage other hardware nearby.

Despite these drawbacks, many custom built computers are overclocked. Why? Despite these drawbacks, many custom built computers are overclocked. Why? It’s often cheaper to over clock a piece of hardware and add proper coolants to it, than to upgrade the hardware to a more powerful model. It’s often cheaper to over clock a piece of hardware and add proper coolants to it, than to upgrade the hardware to a more powerful model. This holds true for your memory, video card, and even processor. These are all overclockable. This holds true for your memory, video card, and even processor. These are all overclockable. Overclocked hardware, when supported by proper cooling systems, can perform many times better than they were built to. Overclocked hardware, when supported by proper cooling systems, can perform many times better than they were built to.

Preperation Before you begin the preliminary steps to over clock your system, be sure to back up any important files onto an external source. Before you begin the preliminary steps to over clock your system, be sure to back up any important files onto an external source. Acquire a few pieces of software that will facilitate your over clocking – Acquire a few pieces of software that will facilitate your over clocking – Motherboard Monitor, which you can get from will allow you to monitor your CPU temperature. Motherboard Monitor, which you can get from will allow you to monitor your CPU temperature. SiSoft Sandra Lite, obtainable from will allow you to stress-test your system after overclocking SiSoft Sandra Lite, obtainable from will allow you to stress-test your system after overclocking

Basics of Overclocking Your memory, video card, and processor all run at a speed governed by their internal clock. Your memory, video card, and processor all run at a speed governed by their internal clock. This speed is usually set at a stable and generally inferior level in order to guarantee that it performs as advertised. This speed is usually set at a stable and generally inferior level in order to guarantee that it performs as advertised. Not all hardware is overclockable. Most pre- assembled computers from popular companies such as Dell and IBM cannot be overclocked. Not all hardware is overclockable. Most pre- assembled computers from popular companies such as Dell and IBM cannot be overclocked. To overclock your hardware, you simply tell it to operate at a higher clock speed than it is currently set to, and it goes ahead and operates at that higher clock speed. To overclock your hardware, you simply tell it to operate at a higher clock speed than it is currently set to, and it goes ahead and operates at that higher clock speed.

Overclocking Over clocking your system is best done from your BIOS settings. The screenshot shows the BIOS screen along with the settings to overclock. Over clocking your system is best done from your BIOS settings. The screenshot shows the BIOS screen along with the settings to overclock. The full procedure to overclock would take too long to explain. The full procedure to overclock would take too long to explain. The basics are that you change the value of the CPU Clock Ratio, and then reboot and see if it works. The basics are that you change the value of the CPU Clock Ratio, and then reboot and see if it works. If it does, you run a stress testing program and test its stability. If it does, you run a stress testing program and test its stability. Then you repeat until you’ve reached the limit. Then you repeat until you’ve reached the limit.

Recovering from problems If your system becomes unstable as a result of overclocking it, you should clear your CMOS. If your system becomes unstable as a result of overclocking it, you should clear your CMOS. Your CMOS is a small blue chip located on your motherboard, as shown in the image. Your CMOS is a small blue chip located on your motherboard, as shown in the image. This can be done by changing the position of the clear jumper on your CMOS and then setting it back after a few minutes. This can be done by changing the position of the clear jumper on your CMOS and then setting it back after a few minutes. Unplugging your computer, removing the CMOS battery, powering the computer back up, waiting a few minutes, and then powering it off again and replacing the battery is another option. Unplugging your computer, removing the CMOS battery, powering the computer back up, waiting a few minutes, and then powering it off again and replacing the battery is another option. These procedures will reset your BIOS settings to factory defaults. These procedures will reset your BIOS settings to factory defaults.

Conclusion Why overclock? To get more performance without spending too much more money. Why overclock? To get more performance without spending too much more money. Drawbacks? Void your warranty and risk damaging your hardware. Drawbacks? Void your warranty and risk damaging your hardware. Much more information available online at various websites. Much more information available online at various websites. Make sure to back up your files before trying anything at home ! Make sure to back up your files before trying anything at home !