To speed up the computer beyond the manufacturer's specifications in order to run faster. Common in the gaming world, overclocking the CPU is accomplished by changing the clock ratio of the frontside bus (FSB) in the BIOS setup (see CPU multiplier). Older methods were changing a jumper on the motherboard or changing the clock crystal. Although enhanced cooling systems are typically added when a CPU is overclocked, over time, the CPU or the motherboard may not be able to handle the increased speed. See mod, multiplier lock and CPU cooler.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- GPU-Z 0.3.7 (Windows)
- GPU-Z application was designed to be a lightweight tool that will give you all information about your video card and GPU. Main Features: support NVIDIA and ATI cards; displays adapter, GPU, and display information; displays overclock, default clocks and 3D clocks if available; validation of results.In version 0.3.5 ATI Radeon...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Dell Studio XPS 8000
- Dell's Studio XPS 8000 offers an attractive chassis and mostly up-to-date features. Its configurations start as low as $699, but our $1,329 review unit is a solid upper-midrange performance desktop that will play games and handle more demanding digital media tasks with little difficulty. For the very price-performance conscious, both...
- Product reviews 2009-11-10
- Hardware 2.0 'Very Best Kit List' for Nov/Dec 09
- These are consistently your most useful columnsI really look forward to these, especially since I'm thinking about building a new video editing machine. One that can handle full frame 1080 24p h.264 video. I can transcode it with cineform but unless you're doing a lot of color work, it's...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-03
- Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Hardware components
- Another ideaThe KH family must look forward to Santa's arrival if those are your ideas of gifts!One I think worth considering is and external drive and a back up program. You know which friends need those. (Sorry Zack :- Well, those choices were...... different.Why the i7 extreme, when you can...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- First Clarksfield reviews: Core i7 laptops look impressive
- Core I7 920 performance is great.Good informative article. The Intel Core i7 920 processor is a good choice for Socket 1366 gaming because of its low cost high overclock ability.Remember that most name brand computers cannot be overclocked.I wrote some more about the 920 cpu here: http://bit.ly/12Y4vU
- Discussion threads 2009-10-08
- HP silent on Core i7-based Elite Pavilion PC problems
- Not surprised.Over the last couple of years both HP's and Dell's quality control has virtually fallen off of a cliff. Acer and Gateway never pretended to have any QC, so I guess they don't have any lower to fall.For a new PC, I would only consider a Lenovo system, an...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-29
- Velocity Micro Edge Z30 (Intel Core i7)
- We've written about Falcon Northwest's new Core i7-based gaming PC, and now Velocity Micro gets a turn to showcase Intel's new mainstream-priced desktop chip. Our Velocity Micro Edge Z30 review unit comes in at $1,349 and features an overclocked Intel Core i7 860 chip. It also outperforms a pricier Dell...
- Product reviews 2009-09-10
- Microsoft trains Best Buy Linux assassins
- A whistle-blower over on Overclock.net has posted details of how Best Buy staff are trained to counter buyers' interest in the Linux operating system. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Image galleries 2009-09-09
- Microsoft trains Best Buy "Linux assassins"
- A whistle-blower over on Overclock.net has posted details of how Best Buy staff are trained to counter buyers' interest in the Linux operating system. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Blog posts 2009-09-09
- CPU-Z 1.52.2 (Windows)
- Find out everything about your computer you ever wanted to know with this program that gives you information such as processor name and vendor, core stepping and process, processor package, internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, partial overclock detection, and processor features including supported instructions sets. This program supports detection...
- Software downloads 2009-08-27
- CPU-Z 1.52.1 (Windows)
- Find out everything about your computer you ever wanted to know with this program that gives you information such as processor name and vendor, core stepping and process, processor package, internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, partial overclock detection, and processor features including supported instructions sets. This program supports detection...
- Software downloads 2009-07-28
- Writing On Your Palm Second Edition (Mobile)
- If you want to capture your inspiration the moment the muse whacks you in the head while still being able to go back and edit later to your heart's content, this book is for you.If you want to have the advantages of writing in the computer age while still keeping...
- Software downloads 2009-07-08
- Digital Storm 950Si (Intel Core i7)
- The $3,636 950Si is the first PC we've reviewed from Digital Storm, and for the most part we've come away impressed. The system itself came with an overclocked, but more importantly stable Intel CPU, and but for a minor design flaw it seems competently built. Digital Storm could have pushed...
- Product reviews 2009-07-02
- Asus G71GX-RX05
- Editors' Note: This review is part of our 2009 Retail Laptop and Desktop Back-to-School roundup, covering specific fixed configurations of popular systems that can be found in retail stores. Do you want a little more flash with your computing experience, but you're on a budget? The Asus G71GX-RX05 serves...
- Product reviews 2009-07-01
- Intel Core i7 950/975 CPUs on the way ... anyone interested?
- Intel Core i7 950/975 CPUs on the way ... anyone interested?... by your own petard.No divine worship here. While you offer up your '$350 gaming system' and 'performance PC' recommendations ... I simply buy a stock PC for much less from a royalty OEM. Unless one has specialised needs (as...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-03
- New dual, triple and quad core CPUs from AMD
- New dual, triple and quad core CPUs from AMDMeh, quad cores are overkill......for most consumers, including me. I mean, last time I checked we didn't have Minority Report type touch-holographic applications, right? Why do I need a quad core system if I'm only using Word, Final Draft, Firefox...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-02
- Asus W90Vp-X1
- If you're on the fence deciding between buying a desktop gaming PC and monitor or going with a less powerful, but more mobile laptop, let us introduce you to the Asus W90Vp-X1. It isn't much to look at as gaming notebooks go; however, it has everything we expect and more...
- Product reviews 2009-04-15
- Intel launches new chip logos, rating system
- Intel launches new chip logos, rating systemIndependent rating systemI'd trust this breakthrough more if the rating was done by an independent entity.RE: Intel launches new chip logos, rating systemah, so THIS explains why my PC is slower than it was a year ago!Meaningless logosYou are right. My brother the plumber...
- Discussion threads 2009-04-07
- Extreme PCs and homebrew systems are here to stay
- Extreme PCs and homebrew systems are here to stayExtreme vs HomebrewWhy would hard economic times push enthusiasts to STOP building their own computers? I just built an HTPC for ~$800 and modestly overclocked it in order to get a little more juice. It's the first time I've built a computer,...
- Discussion threads 2009-03-09
- Hardware 2.0 “Very Best Kit List” for Mar/Apr 09
- Hardware 2.0 “Very Best Kit List” for Mar/Apr 09Enthusiastic about overclocking.The person for whom you're identifying this hardware plays games which can benefit from overclocking?Suggesting that it's appropriate to describe for whom you're making these recommendations. And perhaps to add choices for people with different plans for what they'll...
- Discussion threads 2009-02-24
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