Risks and precautions when overclocking

Overclocking cannot be done on all computers, as many think. There are many processors that have a lock for practice ( non-K Intel processor ). The blocking trend, according to manufacturers, will increase further.

For those who have doubts about the “magic” of increasing the speed of the processors, many experts in the subject say that the machines have been designed to have a higher speed than that normally used, so there will be no type of damage to the team. However, others think otherwise.

We can say that overclocking is a great way to improve team performance. The great advantage of all this is that it has no costs, but this does not ensure that the process will not be harmful, according to other experts. Overclocking can cause some instability, it can even compromise the processor.

Today's gamers often transform a high-end CPU or GPU into a processor with a 10% improvement. This is done so that instead of adding new pieces of hardware, they make the processor work faster and faster.

The beginnings of overclocking

Overclocking is not exactly a new technique. This activity is almost as old as the computers themselves, and those who started the process have been the manufacturers themselves. In 1983, IBM released a processor running at 4.7 MHz to maintain system stability. However, soon other assemblers tried to increase the clock of that processor to 10 MHz, making the battle of frequencies start.

At that time, a little work was needed to increase the CPU frequency, since it was necessary to change the quartz crystal that regulated the clock speed. However, at that time the hardware of PCs was completely integrated, and increasing the frequency of the CPU implied increasing the frequency of practically all devices.

This affected some applications and games, which were not prepared to work on an overclocked machine because they depended directly on the processor to regulate speed.

Thus, a racing game designed to run on a 33 MHz CPU running on a 66 MHz CPU, for example, could run faster than normal, which ended up making gameplay almost impossible. Who hasn't overclocked playing the Jumpers on a 486's motherboard? ?

Increasing the frequency of the processors due to both overclocking and natural evolution ends up leaving a series of applications without working, which led the engineers to create a "turbo button" on the machines. This button was, for a long time, an almost "mystical" performance tool, as some people claimed that it was enough to press it to leave the computer faster.

Despite this being true, curiously the turbo function was not to let the machine be faster, but rather to be slower (underclock) so that the older applications could work without problems.

In the most modern equipment, the timing of the applications is virtual, and the turbo button disappeared forever.

What is overclocking?

Rather than adding high-performance parts, overclocking involves changing the bus speed and / or the clock multiplier on the motherboard or graphics hardware. This means that even though the CPU or GPU remain physically the same, they are being executed at a faster frequency, and therefore executing more instructions in the same time period, due to a faster frequency, which means more instruction cycles per second.

Overclocking is basically a process in which the speed of the specific components of a personal computer are manually increased, through configuration and direct instructions to the hardware. The performance improvement achieved after the process can vary, but enthusiasts can make older components work like the latest releases.

If your team can't take it anymore, the best thing is to do a platform change.

The main focus of users who overclock their PCs is on the processor, memory, motherboard chipset, and graphics card. Each of these components has a different degree of sensitivity, and the maximum possible effects on each piece of hardware vary, depending on the specific parameters of each of the parts, respect for tolerance to high voltages, cooling and other structural attributes.

Be careful when overclocking

Overclocking can be a complicated process and rarely provides a smooth improvement the first time you experience it. Although there are downsides to overclocking, you will find many tutorials and articles on the web that will guide you through the process. You can find these items, just search for the word "overclocking" followed by your CPU or GPU model on a search site. Overclocking software is also available for virtually any processor.

Don't try this unless you know what you're doing and your CPU or GPU isn't fast enough to deal with the games you want to play. Overclocking is certainly cheaper than buying a new, faster PC.

A user who does not have a good understanding of your hardware can end up seriously damaging your computer. Parameters that can be modified in the process involve data transfer rates, the multiplier of the CPU and the speed of the FSB (Front Side Bus) of the motherboard, among others.

We recommend reading our overclock guide for socket X299 (LGA 2066)

The damage that can be caused by the process can be severe on the point of disabling a piece of hardware. Changes in the voltage of the components are particularly dangerous, since they can cause serious physical damage to the equipment, in case the configured voltages are greater than those supported by the structure. Therefore, the user must be fully aware of the overclocking limits that their equipment supports.

Problems that can cause overclocking

The main problem caused by the process is the overheating of the processor. A processor can operate safely, without damage, with outdoor temperatures of up to 60 or 70ºC, with the ideal temperature of 50ºC. Above the set temperature, the processor may have some drawbacks (check this information in the specifications of the manufacturer of your processor).

However, small overclocks do not offer great risks, and thus, they are considered almost entirely safe, although the greater the incentive to increase speed, the greater the risk of damaging the processor.

Do not forget that the higher the processor warming, the more the reliability of the equipment will decrease, as well as its useful life. To understand the process, by increasing the speed of the system, the components of the equipment will work faster. With all this, the system will have a higher performance, with a higher processing speed of the memories, the HD, the GPU, in short, everything.

But in case all the necessary precautions are not taken, many inconveniences can arise. The main problem found is the reduction of the life time of a machine, as it can also have a sudden failure, even causing the processor to burn.

An overclocking considered safe can only be done on machines that are capable of withstanding superheating, thus, it can only be performed on the high-quality processor, with adequate cooling.

Processor life

Regarding the useful life of the equipment, it is worth noting that many professionals claim that everything depends on the intensity of the overclocking. In a simpler process, which does not need an increase in chip voltage, it will have an almost imperceptible effect, or even none at all.

We cannot forget that no processor manufacturer advises overclocking, just because it is considered a high risk practice, and can cause irreparable damage. If you intend to overclock your machine, be sure to ask yourself the following question: Do I really need to overclock?

See if you have equipment good enough for use. If you intend to change it shortly, this process may be unnecessary.

However, for those who, even knowing all the risks, intend to overclock, it is good to remember that, despite the fact that the process turns the machine into a much faster team, it is recommended that you seek professional help to know if your machine is really prepared to carry out the process.

Points to consider before overclocking

Before deciding, here is a list of important reasons why you should carefully consider deciding to overclock your CPU or GPU:

Hardware must support overclocking

Some components: CPU, motherboards and GPU are much more suitable for overclocking than others. If your hardware does not support overclocking and it is not something that is generally mentioned in the PC user manual, there is a risk of damaging the hardware. If overclocking is not mentioned in the manual for your motherboard (or PC), you can find help for overclocking on the internet by searching for the model number of your motherboard or PC.

Overclocking generally "voids" the manufacturer's warranty

If you decide to overclock, you may have the loss of your PC manufacturer's warranty. This also applies to the manufacturer of your motherboard, CPU and graphics.

Overclocking will shorten CPU / GPU life

Due to the effects of heat on the plate structure of today, processors operating at nominal speed eventually degrade. This process takes many years, so it is not normally a concern. However, the excess heat produced by overclocking the CPU automatically decreases its life. Those who overclock in general are aware of that, but they argue that the processor development rate will make any processor obsolete in three or four years anyway.

We always recommend overclocking your "sweet spot". That is, the best ratio: speed - voltage.

Due to the ever-present danger of heat damage, overclocking computer owners invest in the best fans and cooling systems for their processors. Without this cooling, overclocking a processor can be destructive.

Overclocking can cause crashes and errors

This makes sense: If you're pushing your hardware beyond its design specs, you're going to have trouble if the overclocking settings aren't exactly correct.

Overclocking generally involves a lengthy process of adjusting your processor's frequency to achieve maximum trouble-free operation. But even with the best options, you're likely to experience occasional crashes. For a few years now, everything has been much easier, and the input platform can be overclocked very stable and with almost no danger.

Buying new parts may be your solution

Finally, if your PC is a little older, deciding to buy new parts can be a great way to quickly improve your PC's performance. Or, if you prefer, you can buy a PC ready for the purposes you want and with the ideal configuration for your need.

A real hobby

Any user who has browsed a hardware forum should also keep in mind that there is a very large community of "overclockers" around the world.

Competitions are frequently held, in which competitors try to push their teams far beyond their limits, even resorting to absurd cooling techniques such as liquid nitrogen. This shows that overclocking can even take on a hobby aspect, a kind of sport, which, thanks to the structural risks to hardware, can be considered "radical".

Various championships measure who is capable of pushing hardware to its limits. For this, tools, modifications, liquid nitrogen and sometimes a little madness are used. After all, it takes courage to “play” with the life of a team that came out with a good amount of money.

The disadvantages of overclocking

The disadvantages are mainly those related to the hardware structure. Operating at levels much higher than those recommended by developers can reduce component life, and damage related to overclocking is generally not covered by the warranties provided by manufacturers or distributors. Also, cooling systems, if fan-based, can be disturbing by constant noise.

Final words on overclocking

Extreme overclocking is important to better understand the limits of technology. And since manufacturers must take this usage into account when developing their products, less extreme users also benefit from more reliable products. In addition, the results obtained with overclocking serve as a prelude to the normal operation of possible PCs that we will have from here to the next generation.

One last detail, before overclocking your components, analyze if it is suitable for this, study more about it, check the maximum recommended voltages of the components, study your motherboard, graphics card (GPU), its memory modules: frequencies and voltage, the software / BIOS you are going to use and test carefully, always going up little by little and continuing to test the stability for the objective you want: a game, specific applications or normal use. Although you can always ask us from the web or the most updated hardware forum.

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