Depending on who you talk to, overclocking computer is either extremely dangerous or no big deal. Those who say it’s extremely risky have a point - overclocking your computer can lead to overheating which can then cause pesky computer errors, file corruption, and data loss. Those who say it’s no big deal also have a point - overclocking in moderation is possible under certain conditions.
Overclocking a computer involves changing the settings of your computer’s CPU speed and/or the motherboard’s bus speed to levels above the intended speeds set by the manufacturer. Did you know that manufacturers test the speed of their CPU chips and find out at which point they fail their test? These tests are extremely rigorous, testing for every conceivable use.
For the sake of simplicity, let’s say that chip speeds can be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the fastest. Now, let’s say that a chip fails at level 8. The manufacturer will then rate the chip with a speed rating of level 7 - one step below its failure level.
An overclocker wants more speed and is willing to gamble that even though the chip failed the manufacturer’s rigorous tests at level 8, it will probably perform just fine at this level for his purposes. Many times, the overclocker is right.
Occasionally, manufacturers install higher rated chips on computers requiring lower ones due to shortages or other factors. When this happens, a computer model rated, say level 6, may actually have a level 9 CPU chip installed. The chip has been purposely underclocked, so overclocking brings it back up to speed.
Overclocking gives your computer a bit of a boost but in many cases, that boost comes with a price tag: computer errors, overheating, fire hazards, and the diminished lifespan of the computer’s internal components thanks to the heavier burden and overheating.
If you want more speed out of your computer, overclocking has its share of cons. Instead of taking drastic steps, why not take PC performance steps that reduce risk rather than increase it? Your computer comes with numerous tools built-in that can improve performance and a variety of third party applications are available as well. The Tech Jocks at Filetonic.com are constantly adding articles about PC Performance with steps that the everyday computer user can easily follow.
Celeste Stewart | August 29th, 2008
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