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• Tools, Static & Cleaning
• Form Factor
• PC Case & Fans
• Motherboard
• Processor (CPU)
• Power Supply Unit
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• Solid State Drive
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Graphics Card
• Sound Card
• Network Card
• Computer Monitor
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Laptop / Netbook
• Building a Computer
• Overclocking
Operating System & Backup:
• Operating System
• Drivers
• Windows Tools
• User Accounts
• Backup
• Windows 10
Internet & Network:
• Internet
• Wi-fi or Cable
• Improve Broadband Speed
• Network Computers
Computer Peripherals:
• Printer
• Scanner
• External Hard Drive
• USB Flash Drive
Computer Security:
• Anti-virus
• Anti-Spyware
• Phishing
• Firewall
Common PC Problems:
• Slow Computer
• Hardware Failure
• Software Failure
• Printing Problems
Miscellaneous:
• Windows Shortcuts
• Glossary of Terms
• HTML Colour Picker
• Number Base Converter
Overclocking a computer is achieved by increasing the Base Clock Rate (BCLK) and the CPU Multiplier (if the CPU is unlocked). The actual CPU speed is determined by multiplying the BCLK by the CPU Multiplier. Raising the CPU Core Voltage will help you to keep the computer stable but will also generate more heat which is why you need to monitor the CPU core temperature and consider improving the cooling of your CPU and case.
At this point i would like to repeat that overclocking could damage or shorten the life of your computer's CPU, motherboard or RAM and invalidate your warranty. You should only attempt it if you are confident and aware of the risks.
How you overclock your computer and the terminology used will vary slightly depending on the type of motherboard, chipset, and CPU used and if you have an AMD or Intel processor.
Overclocking a computer will require a lot of time and patience as you increase settings, run stress testing software, and monitor CPU core temperatures repeatedly.
Overclocking a computer - BCLK, CPU Multiplier, and CPU Core Voltage.
First, download some free tools for benchmarking your computer, CPU-Z, temperature monitoring software, and stress testing software. Then run a benchmark program which will benchmark the overall performance of your Computer and give you a performance score which you an later compare with your overclocked computer. You should also check your CPU core temperature levels while running stress testing software so that you have a baseline to compare after overclocking.
Now, reboot and go to the CMOS setup page and find the overclocking page which may be called something like 'Frequency/Voltage Control', 'Cell Menu', 'CPU Menu', or 'Intelligent Tweaker' depending on your BIOS. Make a note of all the settings as it is important to record your settings as you overclock your computer.
Reduce the Memory Bus Speed:
You should then reduce your Memory Bus Speed (also called the Memory Multiplier or Memory Ratio) to prevent it causing problems as you increase the BCLK.
Increasing the Base Clock Rate (BCLK):
1. From the CMOS setup page, increase the Base Clock Rate (also called FSB or Bus Speed) by about 10% and save.
2. Record your new settings.
3. Reboot your computer and run a stress testing program for a while to confirm that the computer is still stable.
4. Check the CPU core temperatures level while stress testing.
5. If the computer is stable then return to step 1.
6. If the computer is unstable then return to the CMOS Setup page and reduce the Base Clock Rate to the previous stable setting.
Increasing the CPU Multiplier:
1. From the CMOS setup page, increase the CPU Multiplier (also called CPU Ratio) by about 0.5 and save.
2. Record your new settings.
3. Reboot your computer and run a stress testing program for a while to confirm that the computer is still stable.
4. Check the CPU core temperatures level while stress testing.
5. If the computer is stable then return to step 1.
6. The computer should now be unstable.
Increasing the CPU Core Voltage:
Increasing the CPU Core Voltage should make your computer stable again but this operation is the most dangerous as it will make your CPU core run at a much higher temperature and you risk damaging components if you increase the voltage too high.
1. From the CMOS setup page, increase the CPU Core Voltage (also called Vcore Voltage) by no more than 0.025 and save.
2. Record your new settings.
3. Reboot your computer and run a stress testing program for a while to confirm that the computer is now stable.
4. Check the CPU core temperatures level while stress testing.
5. If the computer is still unstable then you can lower the BCLK or CPU Multiplier until it becomes stable again.
6. If the computer is stable then you can try increasing the BCLK or CPU Multiplier as before using the above procedures.
Note that it is preferable to increase the BCLK or CPU Multiplier because increasing the CPU Core Voltage causes the most heat. If the CPU core temperature levels become too high then your computer will be unstable however you can improve cooling by using an improved CPU heatsink and fan and improving the case cooling or you could also consider using water cooling. The maximum temperature that a CPU core can operate safely under load varies between processors but many prefer not to get much over 70 degrees celsius.
Increase the Memory Bus Speed:
You should now now increase your Memory Bus Speed in small increments and using a Stress testing program as before until you get back to the original setting or until the computer becomes unstable and you have to revert back to a previous setting. Your Memory can be tested with 'MemTest86+'.
Stress Test:
If you are happy with your overclocked computer then you need to run a stress testing program for several hours to confirm that the computer really is stable. You can also run your benchmark program again and compare its performance score with the previous score before it was overclocked.
This is just a general basic overclocking guide and a new Motherboard will most likely have many more overclocking options which should be explained in the Motherboard manual.
More information can be found about the Motherboard Chipset and CPU & FSB on this website.
You can also overclock your Graphics Card and details about this can be found on the GPU Overclocking page.
It is always a good idea to have a look at an overclocking website/forum and see if anyone has overclocked a computer with the same components (Motherboard, Chipset, CPU, and BIOS) as yours, and what experience they have had.
There is a great deal of information about overclocking on the following websites: www.overclockers.com, www.overclockers.net, and www.tomshardware.co.uk
