What is Overclocking?

[Eskimo]

Well, what is it.  From what I've seen it makes your computer run faster, but how does it work?  And, most importantly, is it safe to do?
Thanks

[the_autopilot]

Use search option on this forum. This has been asked so many times. Reading through some of the posts here will give you a good idea.

I will give you a general idea.

Every processor runs at a certain clock rate (measured in mhz, or now, ghz). This cycle rate determines the speed of the proceesor. By increasing the cycle rate of a processor above stock speeds, you will see a increase in performence.

However, power usage goes up and more importantly, thermal output is increased. Should a processor's temperature go too high, it becomes unstable and crash. It could also burn up (and become useless), but most CPU has thermal protection that prevents this.

If you are new to overclocking, don't try it unless you have a computer to spare as it can damage or destroy your computer.

[Fozzer]

Overclocking involves the following:

1) Removing the cooing fan and heat sink from the processor.
2) Resting a hot soldering iron on top of the processor.
3) Borrowing Sisters hair drier, switched onto maximum heat, and directed at the processor.
4) Turning up the the thermostat on the hot water radiators to maximum.
5) Set fire to the settee in the same room.
6) Wait for 5 seconds, (or less).
7) Go to the local PC repair shop and purchase a new processor.
8 ) Reverse all the above procedures.
9) Insert the nice, shiny, new new processor.
10) Promise never to try it again.

Sorted... ...!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul.

[the_autopilot]

Overclocking involves the following:

1) Removing the cooing fan and heat sink from the processor.
2) Resting a hot soldering iron on top of the processor.
3) Borrowing Sisters hair drier, switched onto maximum heat, and directed at the processor.
4) Turning up the the thermostat on the hot water radiators to maximum.
5) Set fire to the settee in the same room.
6) Wait for 5 seconds, (or less).
7) Go to the local PC repair shop and purchase a new processor.
8 ) Reverse all the above procedures.
9) Insert the nice, shiny, new new processor.
10) Promise never to try it again.

Sorted... ...!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul.

So thats what I ahve been doing wrong all these years....

[Skligmund]

yeah, I always made mine colder......

[Fozzer]

My usual advice regarding overclocking is: "Forget it, get a faster processor".... ...!

I compare it to my motor-bike.
Rather than shave 1/2-inch of the cylinder heads, fit high compression pistons, fit 2-inch carburettors fed by a Shorrocks super-charger, advance the ignition by 25 degrees, fit methanol gas bottles feeding directly into the inlet ports, strap a Rolls Royce turbo jet engine to the pillion seat, etc, etc,....
Blow the whole bleedin' thing up...
.....I just go out and buy a bigger/faster bike... ...!

Sorted... ...!

Cheers all...!

Paul.

[Gixer]

Yeah but overclocking is like fitting a Filter / System / sorting the fuelling really.  I do this on all my bikes.  Its like the final tweaks.  Though on my current bike (Busa) not sure it really needs the above at the moment  ;D

I never had a problem with overclocking yet, though I do not push the limits to far as it isn't worth frying anything.  It is however done entirely at your own risk which is why its best left alone if you dont know what you are doing.  There are even some tweaks that can be made in BIOS that aren't overclocking which will improve the speed of your system.  Of course this depends on what mobo you have.  But default settings in my mobo's BIOS were far from perfect.

[Fozzer]

My big worry is little Johnny getting carried away with magic word, "OVERCLOCKING".... ....!
So he fiddles with the BIOS, etc, settings in the perfectly good computer in his bedroom... ...!
...and trashes it... ...!
Then suddenly realises that it's not his computer....but his Dad's.... ...!
...ooopppssss... ...!

LOL...!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul...If it aint broke...don't fix it.... ...!

P.S...Have fun on a Honda... ...!

[Gixer]

Oh yeah deffo dont play around with the family PC as the parents coud get a little upset if it does start to plume smoke  8)

Read Read and Read more before even starting to attempt to overclock.  Try to have as much understanding as possible before taking the plunge.

Honda???? nah SUZUKI  ;D

[the_autopilot]

My usual advice regarding overclocking is: "Forget it, get a faster processor".... ...!

Ok, please direct me to a place where I can buy a AMD A64 clocked at 2.97 ghz.

Overclocking is a good way get more out of what you have. It is completely worth it.

Your advice is good for the mainstream computer user. However, most overclockers are computer enthuiasts, not mainstream users.

[Skligmund]

Yup!

Like at the time I bought this XP2100+.....

I was kinda broke, and I probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place! But now, I've basicly upgraded to an XP3500 (which never was introduced in the old 32 bit platform) for free! Well, if you don't include the 70 bucks I have in a cooling system..........

Oh, and my motherboard doesn't support 400 FSB, so in an attempt to get as close as I can, I set it to 180! 360 DDR is better than 333 IMHO.