ARCHIVED: On a PC, what is overclocking, and is it safe?

Note: UITS does not recommend or support overclocking your computer.

Overclocking typically refers to running a CPU at a clock speed higher than that for which it was originally designed. The benefit of overclocking is that it sometimes allows you to achieve a modest boost in overall performance without purchasing new hardware. This is usually done by configuring the motherboard to run at a higher bus speed than recommended for your current processor, or by configuring the board for a faster processor than you actually have.

For example, according to some sources, a PC with an Intel Pentium III processor running at 933MHz can be configured to run at speeds equivalent to a Pentium III 1050MHz processor by increasing the bus speed on the motherboard. The majority of successful instances of overclocking boost performance by 10% or less (e.g., from 733MHz to 800MHz).

Proponents of overclocking claim that it is, in most cases, completely safe. However, you should note the following items carefully:

• Overclocking is not recommended or supported by major chip manufacturers (e.g., Intel, AMD, Cyrix). You will void your warranty.
• You should never attempt overclocking unless you are extremely familiar with computer hardware.
• You must make sure your system is very well cooled. Using standard cooling (i.e., standard fans and heatsinks), no heat transfer compound on the CPU/heatsink interface, and only one case fan invites danger. The number one problem caused by overclocking the CPU is overheating. Overheating will cause your CPU to fail, and can also cause permanent damage.
• Overclocking will sometimes introduce an element of sporadic performance in your computer. In other words, if you overclock your system, you may notice an increase in unexplainable crashes and freezes. If this happens, reset your computer back to its standard clock speed.
• Typically, the type, quality, and quantity of RAM modules present in the system are very important if you try to overclock your system bus. Some users have found that despite having a motherboard capable of overclocking, the RAM was not capable of running at higher (unsupported) bus speeds.

Warning: Attempt overclocking at your own risk.