Overclocking What is it, what is it for and what are the risks of applying it to your PC?

With the development of technology, today, there are many processes that can be carried out to optimize different devices and thereby improve the experience of each user. Thus, one of the most renowned processes in recent years, It’s about overclocking.but still many people do not know what it is.

That is why, it should be noted that it refers to a practice that manages to improve everything that concerns a computer and especially his CPUs, Graphic card me RAM. Taking into account that its main purpose is that the component in question manages to do more operations every second to increase your performance.

So, with the aim of learn more about overclocking and what it is for, we have made this post. In which, in addition to that, you will also be able to know what its main pros and cons are, its most used techniques, the requirements that the computer must meet for it and well, everything you should value around this practice.

What is Overclocking and what is it for?

It refers to an expression that, translated into Spanish, means “over the clock” and this is precisely what this technique seeks. Since overclocking is a process that serves to increase the clock speed of the components (like the CPU, for example), so that they run faster than they were designed to. That is, manages to increase its productivity beyond the original factory values.

In this sense, the present technique seeks to achieve a higher clock speed of a processor or a better frequency of an electronic component, at all times. Which, will imply that the device exceeds the operating characteristics once detailed by the manufacturer. Thanks to this, it will be possible to optimize the user experience on the computer, without having to buy a more powerful and high-end.

In such a way, overclocking allows you to save a few eurosbut it is also considered quite a tricky technique and, therefore, the user must be very careful when doing it. For more details, it is appropriate to define what are its most interesting advantages and the main disadvantages that it revealsnext:

Advantage

Thanks to the fact that overclocking brings together a series of techniques that have the ability to force the components of a computer system to work at a higher speed than the original and thus, it can accelerate the performance of the PC components to optimize the final speed of the same; of course, it is a process that exhibits notable benefits for its users.

Here we detail the most important of them:

• By overclocking, your computer will be able to run faster because it promises increase hardware speed and agility.
• It gives you the possibility of getting a better functioning of your equipment, no need to spend money. Since it is a completely free technique that manages to optimize operation and thus avoids the purchase of new high-end equipment at a higher cost.
• It is an ideal practice for gamers who still can’t get proper equipment to run their video games. Since, by using overclocking, they will make your computer’s CPU operate faster and thus, they will not be limited by said component or by the graphics card of the computer in question. Thus achieved, more FPS in your games.
• Once this technique is carried out on any computer, it will be possible render videos much faster than usual.

Disadvantages

Since this technique is based on increasing the frequency and voltage, of course causes much more heat and increases current consumption; which could generate serious problems in the equipment and with it, the cons that overclocking exhibits appear.

Here are the main disadvantages about it:

• In case of not having a good cooling system for the PC, the higher current consumption and the heat given off, will noticeably affect other components of the computer. Which would cause serious damage to it.
• If you want to prevent the above from happening, it will be mandatory for you to purchase a new cooling system in order to stabilize the temperature. Which, would involve spending extra money.
• Once you run an overclock, the lifespan of your hardware may decrease greatly. So even though you’ll eventually get the most power, after a few years your computer probably won’t work at all.
• According to all computer manufacturers, overclocking is a technique that is not recommended to use. Therefore, when doing it, will void the warranty offered by those manufacturers and thus, in the event that the equipment suffers any damage to the processor due to overheating, it will be impossible for the company to assume its replacement or restoration commitment.

In short, although overclocking allows you to optimize the performance of your computer without spending money, after a while it is likely that this saving will be totally truncated. Well, you will have to invest in a more powerful cooling system and, in the worst cases, even buy a new CPU.

What should I keep in mind before overclocking my computer?

Before overclocking your PC, it is truly critical that take into account a series of premises about what this technique concerns. Since, as you could see in the previous part, despite the fact that it is a process that guarantees certain advantages, it could also put some aspects of your computer and/or system at risk.

Well, in that sense, the main parameters to assess before applying overclock, refer to cooling and also functional stability. Bearing in mind that, due to the heat given off and the considerable current consumption that the technique generates, the existing risks are eminent.

Refrigeration

It is no secret to anyone that the vast majority of electronic circuits produce heat formed by the same movement of electric current and thus, if the clock frequencies in digital circuits and applied voltage increase, simultaneously, it will also increase the heat created by components operating at higher performance levels. Well, the relationship between clock frequencies and thermal design power is directly proportional.

Consequently, much more cooling is needed to prevent hardware damage from overheating. Since, in order to optimize performance, overclockers are responsible for accentuating the voltage of the chip to raise the potential and this is what generates significant heat. Therefore, common cooling systems (designed for the amount of power reported during use without overclocking), do not are sufficient to support said technique without limitations.

In this sense, overclock circuits need optimal and greater cooling, which is generally based on: large heat sinks, powerful fans, as well as heat pipes and water cooling. It is also recommended to compare the experiences of other users and thus know the cooling they use before proceeding to force their machine to take it to the maximum extremes.

functional stability

Because the overclocking process works externally to what the equipment manufacturer recommends for its proper operating conditions, it is classified as a technique that, when working incorrectly, it would lead to system instability. From which, the components of said system could misbehave and even become truly unusable.

In this way, it is possible that the system does not boot because the user exceeded the required limit by increasing some value, and it is also possible that the system beeps when the machine is turned on. Like many other bugs regarding functional stability; which is difficult to determine even with the help of hardware stability testing software toolssince they require a great engineering effort.

Other premises

• It is very important that you inform yourself in detail before proceeding to overclock your PC. Since, any error when inserting any parameter could cause totally irreversible damage that would end up consolidating the disuse of your computer.
• Given the significant effects of heat on the board structure, processors running at conventional speed today can eventually degrade. Thus, when overclocking and due to the excess heat generated by this technique, the CPU decreases its useful life automatically.
• Generally, overclocking involves a lengthy process of adjusting the frequency of your processor in order to achieve maximum trouble-free operation. But, even using the best options, it is possible that the machine experiences occasional crashes and errors.

Main risks of speeding up my PC hardware beyond its capacity

Before using an overclock technique, It is opportune that you value the main risks that exist when forcing the CPU above its original capacity. Since, this could generate serious consequences regarding the functioning of your PC.

In this sense, it is known that the ventilation of a tower will be absolutely crucial to keep the temperature under control and thus ensure the stability of the system. But, If the maximum temperature recommended for this process is exceeded, the risks are abominable and are based on the following:

• surely you will get a thermal throttling problem which is in charge of maintaining the balance of the consumption of electronic devices and protecting, from any damage, the components of your equipment. Therefore, the circuitry or the chips can end up with damage.
• In case of exceeding the recommended temperature, also lower system performance will be obtained, because the processor and graphics card of the machine will be affected by the high temperatures produced during the process.
• By losing system stability, certain software issues may occur associated with information loss.
• Due to the high power consumption of the computer while overclocking, failures may occur with respect to the hardware where the greatest risk is fireboth on the CPU and also on the motherboard.
• Any error, no matter how small, could damage your CPU and other computer components. Since its design is not adapted for this type of procedure where its factory capacity tends to be forced.
• When you push your hardware beyond its design specifications, it’s likely that there are problems with the system configuration and with it, different crashes and errors usually occur.
• If the hardware in question (mainly the CPU, motherboards and GPU) does not support overclocking due to its original characteristics, there is a great risk of damaging it instantly because it is a process cataloged as “destructive”.

What are the most used overclocking techniques to speed up a computer?

Among other details, we highlight that there are several overclocking methods that users can use to significantly speed up their computer, depending on the type, model and brand of the microprocessor. However, many people do not know how to distinguish between these techniques and, for this reason, it is valuable to define the most famous of them here:

Overclock BCLK

Basically, the BCLK is the factor that determines the overclock of your motherboard. Thus, a technique of this type is defined as one that has the ability to increase the performance of your entire motherboard and, consequently, everything that is directly connected to it will be “overclocked” also.

However, it is considered a really dangerous overclocking and, therefore, it is recommended to carry out this technique when in reality the user knows the secrets of the process and chipset of the motherboard of his computer. Taking into account that, if carried out correctly, the results that can be obtained are surprising.

Overclocking multiplier

It is defined as an overclocking practice executed through increasing the multiplier and, although it can also be a bit delicate, this type of technique is guaranteed not to cause problems in the rest of the buses of your equipment. Considering that, compared to the previous method, this one is much simpler to understand and, in addition, it manages to obtain a more effective processor speed.

For its part, it should be noted that it can only be done on some models of AMD micros and, therefore, it is not a technique supported by all computers on the market. On the other hand, it is opportune to delimit that, in this technique it is crucial to keep in mind the value of the microprocessor core voltage.

What requirements must my computer meet in order to overclock it?

Finally, if you are interested in using this method to improve the performance of your PC, it is also very important know what you need to have to be able to overclock your computer or, to know what are the requirements that he must meet to carry out said technique on him without any limitation.

Next, we mention each one with its main characteristics:

An overclockable motherboard

Generally, the requirements that the machine must meet in order to support overclocking on it, are based on your CPU. Bearing in mind that the motherboard is one of the three main factors that must be assessed in order to enjoy the advantages of this process.

Well, in this sense, it is worth noting that the motherboards compatible with overclock, in the Intel generations, They are usually those whose model begins with the letter “Z”. That is: Z77, Z87, Z97 and Z170.

An unlocked processor

It is also decisive that the computer has a processor whose multiplier or CPU Ratio is fully unlocked. Given that, in addition to being the second mandatory requirement to be met, this feature is also facilitates better control voltage and frequency, in order to find the exact point for optimal balance. In the case of AMD, these processors they are the ones that belong to the FX series. Now, regarding the Intel processors that have this particularity, we clarify that they are those that have a model that ends with the letter “K” (for example: i5-6600K or i7-6700K).

Additionally, it is worth clarifying that overclocking can also be done on other older or lesser processors, but it is possible that there is some limitation around BIOS. On the other hand, if you don’t have an unlocked processor, it’s best to accept the limits of your hardware and not overclock because otherwise the damage could be irreversible.

an air sink

Either by liquid or air cooling, it is relevant to have an optimal heatsink for your machine. Since, this will prevent any overheating in the CPU and thus, damage with respect to software and hardware can be avoided, caused by excess heat. Taking into account that an air cooler with a cost of 30 euros (at least) or a liquid cooling cooler that exceeds 60 euros is considered ideal. As, are those that offer a higher quality, in a generalized way.

Now, as an additional detail of great interest, we note that for this reason the overclock is performed on the CPU, instead of the GPU. In view of that, in the first, it is much more comfortable to install a heatsink whose cooling improves the standard one, notably.