HARDWARE

Overclocking is the process of running a computer component at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second) than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer. This is more usually practised by enthusiasts seeking an increase in the performance of their computers than professional users, as overclocking carries risks of less reliable functioning or even damage. Some purchase low-end computer components which they then overclock to higher clock rates, or overclock high-end components to attain levels of performance beyond the specified values. Others overclock outdated components to keep pace with new system requirements, rather than purchasing new hardware.

People who overclock their components mainly focus their efforts on processors, video cards, motherboard chipsets, and RAM. It is done through manipulating the CPU multiplier and the motherboard's front-side bus (FSB) clock rate until a maximum stable operating frequency is reached, although with the introduction of Intel's new X58 chipset and the Core i7 processor, the front side bus has been replaced with the QPI (Quick Path Interconnect); often this is called the Baseclock (BCLK). While the idea is simple, variation in the electrical and physical characteristics of computing systems complicates the process. Power consumption of digital circuits often increases with frequency or clocking speed. The high-frequency operation of semiconductor devices as used in computers to a certain extent improves with an increase in voltage; but operation at high speed and increased voltage increases power dissipation and heating. Overheating caused by higher dissipation, and operation at higher voltage regardless of power, can cause malfunctioning or permanent damage. Increasing voltage supplied and improving cooling can increase the maximum stable operating speed, subject to these risks.

CPU multipliers, bus dividers, voltages, thermal loads, cooling techniques and several other factors such as individual semiconductor clock and thermal tolerances can affect it.