What is overclocking?

Accelerating and ensuring the best hardware performance is as old a practice as the first computers. Today, overclocking is a widely used technique among enthusiasts and highly sought after by gamers who have a good computer at home.

The idea of ​​Overclocking is so prevalent that even simple processors have some level of online envelope. Intel units always feature TurboBoost , a type of throttling CPU clock that kicks in when it detects high demand from the system. AMD offers a similar solution, the TurboCore.

What is it?

The computer works by transforming electrical energy into information (in addition to heat and noise). Computer components are built to operate at a certain conversion rate: X amount of power equals X amount of processor clock, for example.

The most basic way to understand overclocking is to imagine the situation that you are not satisfied with this relationship and the processor, for example, reaches more speed. To work faster, almost feeding it with electricity. With more energy available, it tends to achieve higher clocks. Hence the term: overclock.

But it is not only the processors that can be accelerated, although they are generally the main objective. It is possible to speed up the operation of the RAM combs system, motherboard chipset, graphics processor and video card memory.

Increasing the supply of power components increases the heat dissipation, which often requires very advanced systems, such as coolants. Overclocking can even use liquid nitrogen to prevent the computer from overheating.

How does Overclocking work?

To break the default values ​​that guide the operation of system components, users must give direct instructions to the hardware. This can be done through specific software, often offered by manufacturers, and other resources, such as commands on the computer's BIOS interface, in the case of boards supporting overclocking.

The point is that playing with these operating limits requires a deep understanding of how each component works. Theoretically, the 6 GHz Core i7 can be used, but that does not mean that the operation will guarantee stable operation. To ensure correct component operation, you need to have temperature and sensitivity control to adjust overclocking at the slightest signal shock and blue screen.

Are there advantages to having an Overclocking?

Who knows the technique and is aware of the risks and needs in the process can make an old computer having a comparable performance with the most current machines. On recent systems, a good, balanced overclock can ensure 30% gains in machine performance in heavy gaming.

Are there risks?

Many. What causes an overclock to push the component of an operating system that breaks with the design of the manufacturer that generally invested millions and millions of dollars in a project that determined the best rate for the part.

With Overclocking, the user tests the physical limits of sensitive electronic components. Prolonged use of overclocking reduces the life of your system and inattention in the process could melt circuits, rendering them useless. It should be remembered that the guarantees given by most manufacturers do not cover the damage caused by over acceleration.

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Is there no specific hardware to overclock?

Yes. Processors and motherboards that are developed with this type of use in mind. With that, the boards, above all, receive a more robust finish, the use of capacitors and other high-quality electronic components, capable of withstanding the demanding conditions of use created by overclockers. When it comes to video cards, basically all of them support user acceleration.