How to Achieve Your Fastest Overclocked CPU to Achieve Your Fastest Possible PC Speed

Overclocking is the process of operating a component used for computing at a higher clock rate, which means more clock cycles per second, for which it has been tested, approved and specified by the vendor or manufacturer.

If you don't know already, it may interest you to know that overclocking is not just an accident, unintentional incident, or some enthusiasts trying to have some fun, but sometimes it is also done by professionals to push boundaries of computing capacity with the intent of improving the productivity. Sometimes, they also want to test and evaluate the component beyond the specifications of the component, before deciding the where and how to use them, since sometimes component delivers more or less than what is mentioned in the specifications. So, it just helps in getting little bit more performance boost without buying an extra hardware or paying for upgrades.

AND, last but not least - Many computer enthusiasts overclock their CPU's regularly to get the best value from their systems.

If you do know that already, we are about to tell you how to set up your computer to achive your fastest overclocked CPU speed which your computer can acheive while still rmaining a stable working machine.

However, if you are a newbie to the concept of achieving the fastest overclocked CPU, let us explain that a CPU is basically a chip that sits at the heart of a personal computer and controls the logic of a computer. The faster it runs the better, and most of the current CPU chips can be run (or "overclocked") AT SPEEDS WELL ABOVE THE GUARANTEED SPEED at which they were sold.

BUT, before you start, with the CPU being such a critical component, it can only be overclocked at your own risk. DO NOT PROCEED FURTHER if you are concerned about the risk of overclocking. You must stop now in reading this, unless you agree that no liability falls upon this article writer in the event that any damage or cost is incurred as a result of overclocking, and your continuation of reading this article is an acceptance of that condition.

The main unwanted consequence of overclocking is that an overclocked CPU will only make your desktop or laptop hotter, so you may need additional cooling methods so that CPU doesn't get overheated. Overclocking is not generally supported well by standard heat sinks and fans, but many PC sellers these days are providing an overclocking facility, and in those cases at least some additional heat sink capacity is usually provided as standard.

However, some overclocking enthusiasts are saying that a CPU while getting overclocked may not result in RAM modules operating at higher speeds, and if so the real benefits can be limited. Also, overclocking any original equipment manufacturer system, such as a Dell, or HP are quite difficult to overclock, so your best bet is to build a custom system if you wish to overclock and then you can add a large heat sink and very often achieve a much faster computer for your bucks than if you bought a pre-made system.

Recommended Overclocking Method

In order to overclock your CPU, first you need to establish a performance 'baseline". Do a Google search for some free software that will run and time the operation of some processor intensive applications. Run the test programme and note the time recorded.

Now you can start to adjust your PC's speed upwards.

Do that first by booting your system into the BIOS screen, increase FSB speed in 5-10MHz increments and reboot after each increment to ensure that the system can still boot properly in a normal mode.

If the system refuses to boot, then try to increase the memory voltage slightly and try again, or increase the chip set voltage and finally the core voltage.

At some point you will find that your system fails to re-boot. Dont' get worried. It is all part of finding the maximum performance your sytem is capable of!

So, if nothing works and you don't get a boot on a setting, just restart and the reduce FSB speed little bit, and reset the voltages to their previous values and retry.

Once it restarts without a problem, then let it run for a few minutes and use the manufacturer's CPU temperature monitoring application to see what the CPU temperature is running at, and also notice the processor's temperature in BIOS, make sure that it is under 70°C. (Some manufacturers will use slightly varying recommended maximum CPU temperatures so it is good to check those on their web sites.)

Measure and compare the results of this overclocked system to the performance baseline established earlier. If benchmark results are not met or system has crashed, then either reduce the FSB speed settings slightly or increase voltages to compensate and retry. Based on FSB speed, use a memory divider to achieve higher speeds.

Once a you have achieved the benchmark speed you set out to gain, or as nearly as possible raised your PC's speed toward that, observe and make sure that the system is generally stable.

Finally, re-run the benchmarking speed testing software you installed earlier, and you should see an appreciable improvement. If you don't, then you have the alternative of resetting you system to its original settings, or leaving it as it is. However, you look at it, you will at least then have the satisfaction of knowing that your PC is running as fast as it can be made to do so.

The above does not apply to anything other than desktop PCs and ALL ACTIONS ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SOME MAY NEGATE YOUR PC'S WARRANTY. (Refer to your supplier for the conditions of sale.)