Overclocking 101

[the_autopilot]

Since many people come to this forum asking over and over about overclocking, I have decided to make a (legit) post on overclocking. This is not an extensive guide on how to do it. Rather, it is an introduction/FAQ hybrid to overclocking or O/C'ing. A general idea of how a computer works is needed to understand this guide. This guide only refers to CPU overclocking.

Will an admin please sticky/pin this. Thank you.

Part 1: Intro

Some abbreviations to become familiar with:
o/cing-short for overclocking
mem-memory, sdram (not the hd)
HD-hard drive
CPU-central processing unit
Mobo-motherboard
Vid/gfx card-graphics card
Gigs-gigabyte
Megs-megabytes
Ghz-gigahertz

What is overclocking?
Your CPU runs at a certain clock rate, or speed. The faster the clock rate, the faster the CPU. All CPU's come with stock clock rate. Overclocking is the process of raising the clock rate of a CPU beyond, or over, the stock clock rate (hence the name overclocking). A faster clock rate yield better performance.

Pros of overclocking:
-More performance on the same CPU

Cons:
-May require more equipment (better heatsinks, memory, etc.)
-Uses more power (power bills do add up)
-May (in fact, probably will) void the warranty of the CPU, memory, mobo, etc.
-causes CPU to produce more heat
-risky

Should I overclock?
If you need to ask this question, then probably the answer will be no. Overclocking is risky and if you don

[the_autopilot]

Part 2: Heating:
The faster a CPU

[the_autopilot]

Part 3: OEM
If you have an OEM computer (HP, Dell, etc.), generally, you won

[Mehdi]

EXCELLENT guide with extensive information on just about everything to do with overclocking... great work, AP!  :)

Must be made sticky!  8)

[MWISimmer]

Well done a_p  

Liquid Nitro:
Used by insane overclockers who have been shocked one too many times by the power supply. CPU temperatures are generally -200*C.

OMG! If that's for real, that's EXTREME! Will that not harm the CPU? I know you said "short term O/C" but how long can one stay at  that low temp?
Nice to see you do a "real" O/C thread...  
Rob.

[the_autopilot]

Well done a_p  
OMG! If that's for real, that's EXTREME! Will that not harm the CPU? I know you said "short term O/C" but how long can one stay at  that low temp?
Nice to see you do a "real" O/C thread...  
Rob.

Its for real. I even wanted to do it once, and then a I figured I might as well save the money for a new computer.
[url]http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20031230/index.html[[/url]
Tom's hardware isn't the only whose done it before btw. The CPU can servive for as long a you want. Its short term only b/c you have to refill the nitrogen after it runs out.

[Skligmund]

I was gonna mention Tom's hardware on that.  :P

Water cooling can be shown here: http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=tweek;action=display;num=1120893720

My system, shows a bit more than what you will get in a boxed system. Not shown is the transmission cooler radiator hanging out my window, except in the referenced link.

During winter, CPU die temps can be below 32*F, or 0*C.

[congo]

I read that nitro cooled components can fracture when expanding from their extreme chill after all the fun is over.  

The submersion sounds way cool! Especially if it were done in a clear tank with some eerie green lighting...... Muahahahaha!  

[MWISimmer]

[quote]I read that nitro cooled components can fracture when expanding from their extreme chill after all the fun is over.

[the_autopilot]

It's the same with fingers if they come into contact (not advised).... just they snap off..  :o
Now, how much do you want that liquid nitro O/c ?
"I'd give my right arm"
Well you just might...  
Rob.

Its not actually that extreme, but I'm not sticking anything in liquid nitro. I actually had liquid nitro in my high school's chemistry lab to play with and it takes a while for an object to become brittle (actual time depends on what object). The instructor put rubber bands in and they froze and when dropped smashed like glass, but he dipped a banana in it for a second or so and then ate it. You would have to soak it in nitro for it to become brittle.

I read that nitro cooled components can fracture when expanding from their extreme chill after all the fun is over.  

As long as you slowlywarm up the components, you'll be fine. If you finish o/c'ing and then just remove the nitro and throw the components into your closet at room temp, yeah that will happen, but if you ease the temp back up, everything will be fine.