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The processor is one of the most expensive components in a computer. The price of modern CPUs can exceed the cost of all other components of the computer assembly, especially if we're talking about about server models.

When the user is faced with the task of slightly increasing the performance of the central processor, for example, for a more stable frame rate in a particular game, it is possible not to replace the CPU, but to overclock it. Intel and AMD processors can be overclocked, also called overlocking.

Overclocking allows you to increase the processor clock speed, which increases the number of instructions that the chip executes per second, that is, it increases CPU performance. In this article, we will consider the option of software overclocking of Intel and AMD processors, but it is also possible to carry out overlocking by replacing the BIOS.

Is it safe to overclock a processor?

The essence of overclocking a processor and video card is the same - the user, by replacing the original software “at a low level,” increases performance. If you look at this question With technical side, then the voltage on the key components of the board simply increases, which allows for an increase in power.

Almost every processor running native software only operates at 50-60% of its maximum power. Accordingly, it can be accelerated by bringing it closer this indicator to 100%. But it is worth remembering that overclocking the processor is accompanied by:

With proper overclocking, the risk of burning out the processor is minimal. It is important to understand that the capabilities of a particular CPU model are not unlimited, and it will not be possible to increase performance by 50-100%. It is recommended to overclock by no more than 15%.

Please note: Overclocking the processor also increases the performance of the RAM, which may negatively affect it.

Preparing to overclock the processor

Before you start overclocking the processor, it won’t hurt to read forums on the Internet with information from “experienced” specialists on a specific CPU model. The fact is that some processors, for example the basic i3, i5 and i7 series from Intel, are difficult to overclock, and it is better not to increase their power by more than 5-8%. At the same time, the line of K-series i-processors from Intel, on the contrary, is designed for overclocking, and the performance of such CPUs can be increased by 15-20% without any particular risks.

It is also important to know the overclocking potential so that clock cycles do not skip. At strong increase performance and signs of overheating appear, in order to reduce the temperature, the processor may begin to skip clock cycles. In this way, it will protect itself from failure, but the quality of its work will be significantly lower than before overclocking.

• Update motherboard BIOS;
• Test the stability of the processor in normal mode. To do this, you need to install and use a diagnostic application, for example, S
• Determine the processor clock speed using the CPU-Z utility.

Once the preparation is complete, you can begin overclocking the processor.

Please note: Methods for overclocking processors for desktop computers and laptops do not differ from each other. Despite this, when overlocking the CPU on laptops, you must be extremely careful and not raise the system bus frequency on the motherboard to high values.

How to overclock an Intel processor

Overlocking Intel processors can be done with several applications, each of which has its own pros and cons. Some of the programs are not suitable for certain processor models, others are not recommended for use by amateurs, and are suitable for professionals. Below are three of the most popular programs for overclocking Intel processors, of which at least one should be suitable for your CPU model and motherboard.

Important: To overclock an Intel processor, you need to know the model of the clock generator of the motherboard installed in the computer. The easiest way to determine it is to disassemble the system unit (or laptop) and study the inscriptions on the motherboard. Some experts argue that when overclocking, you can use the brute force method, selecting all available options clock generator in the program until the correct one is found. We strongly do not recommend acting in this way; you must take care of determining the clock generator model in advance.

Overclocking an Intel processor with CPUFSB

One of the most common and convenient programs for overlocking a processor is CPUFSB. It is compatible with almost all modern CPUs from Intel, including support for overclocking i-series processors, that is, Intel Core i5, i7 and others. When overclocking a CPU, the CPUFSB application acts on the clock generator, increasing the reference frequency of the system bus. Among the advantages of the application, one can also highlight the presence of the Russian language, and the disadvantages include its cost, since the program is not officially distributed for free.

To overclock a processor using the CPUFSB utility, you must:

Please note: After restarting the computer, the overlock settings will be reset. To prevent this from happening, you can set the value of the overclocked frequency in the “Set CPUFSB at next startup” column. Due to this, the application will automatically raise the frequency by a predetermined amount upon startup. If you need to keep the processor overclocked constantly, you can put the CPUFSB program in startup.

Overclocking an Intel processor with SetFSB

The operating principle of the SetFSB application is identical to that used in CPUFSB. The program also increases the system bus reference frequency by influencing the clock generator, which causes an increase in processor performance. Unlike CPUFSB, the SetFSB program does not support the Russian language. The utility is distributed for a fee on the developers' website.

Before you start overlocking using the SetFSB program, you need to look at the website of the application developers for a list of motherboards with which it works. If the board used on the computer is not listed, the application will not work.

It is worth noting: Unlike CPUFSB, the SetFSB application works well with relatively old processor models - Intel Core Two Duo. If you plan to overclock just such a CPU, you should give it preference over its competitors.

To overclock the processor using SetFSB, you must:

As with the CPUFSB program, overclocking results will be reset after rebooting the computer.

Overclocking an Intel processor with SoftFSB

SoftFSB is a well-proven program that is available for free and allows you to overclock your processor with ease. This utility has one significant drawback - its developers stopped supporting it in the mid-2000s. As a result, the program can only work with relatively old motherboards and Intel processors. It is often used system administrators in enterprises where computers have not changed for decades, and demands on their performance are growing even from standard applications.

SoftFSB works on the same principle as SetFSB, as well as CPUFSB, that is, by influencing the clock generator. Overclocking the processor in the application is performed according to the following algorithm:

The above describes the operating principle of the three most popular applications for overclocking Intel processors of different generations. Dozens of other programs designed for CPU overlocking work in a similar way.

How to overclock an AMD processor

As in the situation with overclocking a video card based on an AMD chip, you can use standard software from the manufacturer to overlock the processor. This allows the risk of chip burnout to be brought closer to zero. In this case, there are two options - use the Catalyst Control Center program, which is installed along with the drivers on the computer, or download a special application for processor overlocking - AMD Overdrive - from the official AMD website.

Please note: Despite the fact that software from the chip manufacturer is used for overclocking, AMD takes responsibility for warranty obligations, if overlocking is performed. This is indicated when the Overdrive function is activated, which is responsible for overclocking the processor.

To overclock an AMD processor using the Catalyst Contol Center program, you must:

As you can see, the Catalyst Control Center application does everything for the user, depriving him of the ability to control the process, which not everyone will like. The AMD Overdrive application allows you to take part in overclocking an AMD processor in more detail.

Overclocking a processor is an increase in the speed of the chip compared to the performance declared by the manufacturer. The most popular method is magnification. In this case, the processor cycle is slightly reduced in time, but it does the same amount during this clock cycle. This means that the speed of calculations is increasing. The advent of multi-core processors has given rise to another overclocking option - unlocking cores disabled by the manufacturer. But this is the lot of professional overclockers, and we will leave witchcraft with cores outside the scope of this article. Let's look at just a few of the most safe options overclocking a laptop processor.

Why overclock a laptop processor?

Let's start with the question "why". Getting more performance for the same processor price seems like a good deal. In addition, as the chip bus clock speed increases, the memory usually runs faster. As a result, applications begin to work a little faster. To be fair, on modern desktop chipsets you can overclock the CPU and RAM in different ways. But not in laptops.

Where might you need more laptop processor performance? Obviously, in games and heavy applications like Adobe Photoshop, which are very demanding on the CPU. Modern browsers also actively use the processor on “heavy” pages on the Internet. Website developers today are actively using the multimedia capabilities of HTML 5 and Flash. That is, greater performance is required in almost all daily tasks of a laptop user.

Overclocking a laptop processor: step by step

Attention! When overclocking a processor yourself using our tips, you need to remember the following things:

• Overclocking the processor increases performance, but at the same time energy consumption also increases. This means your laptop’s battery will last less time and the chip will heat up more. It is necessary to ensure good ventilation inside the case. At a minimum, do not cover the special slots located on the bottom and back of the laptop.
• In the long term, overclocking can reduce the lifespan of the processor.

Easy overclocking using Windows

The safest option for laptops is “overclocking” by changing the power supply mode.

1. Open the Power Options program in Windows 7 or 8.1.

2. Install “High Performance” - a special power supply scheme that requires maximum performance from the processor.

Thus, we overclocked the laptop processor using standard means and without any risk.

Software overclocking using special utilities

Here begins a description of overclocking methods that involve a certain risk for the average user. Therefore, do everything carefully and in very small steps.. For example, if the processor frequency is 1 GHz, then demanding that it reach the peak of 1.5 GHz is stupid. The maximum that can be done safely is +10-15%. All other numbers are achieved only by special means with changes in the cooling and power supply systems of the chip.

1. Download the CPU-Z program.

It doesn't know how to overclock the processor. But CPU-ID will give us complete information about the chip that is installed in our laptop. Knowing this information, we can understand how many additional gigahertz we can expect.

2. Download the special SetFSB utility. This program is capable of controlling the processor clock speed without using the BIOS.

Carefully study the list of laptop models supported by the utility. You won’t find the latest ones on this list, since the situation with program support is currently unclear. But the utility supports old laptops manufactured approximately before 2014. The sequence of actions is simple. We increase the clock frequency of the processor bus in small steps and look at the result.

3. We test the laptop for stability after overclocking. The fact that after overclocking the laptop works when you launch the Internet browser is already good. But we need to check whether it can withstand a more serious load. The Prime 95 utility will help us. Its advantage is the minimal file size and the absence of the need to waste time on installation.

If you run the CPU-Z program described earlier during the test, you will see that the processor operates at the highest frequency that it is allowed. If something is unstable: a blue screen appears, freezes, then the frequency should be reduced.

Overclocking a laptop processor through BIOS

Overclocking the processor is also possible through BIOS settings. But this only applies to individual models. And, I must say, quite rare. It should be understood that a laptop is, first of all, mobile device with long battery life. The options for overclocking the processor here are not as wide as with personal computers, but you can do something. The general course of action is something like this.

1. We enter the BIOS. Depending on your laptop model, you should hold down or frequently press the Del, Esc, or F12 key when turning on the power. There may be other key combinations. This varies by manufacturer, so check your laptop online or in the user manual.
2. The item under which the settings are hidden may have different names. For example, CPU FSB Clock or CPU FSB Frequency. All we can do is slightly increase the bus clock speed.
3. We increase the clock frequency. Reboot the laptop.

After overclocking, be sure to test the reliability of the laptop using the Prime 95 utility.

Do you need to overclock your laptop?

Laptops are not designed to overclock the processor. On the contrary, mobile chip manufacturers have done everything to ensure that the user does not need such overclocking. The frequency automatically decreases when the processor is idle and increases when the system needs the chip. The most reliable way not to break anything is to use switching the laptop power supply circuit. The processor will stop reducing its frequency, which will give you a small performance increase compared to economical operating modes. To be fair, let us remind you that the high-performance mode is automatically turned on if you simply plug the power supply plug into the laptop. For not the newest laptop models, there is an additional alternative to overclocking the processor - the SetFSB utility. And you can check the stability of operation in the new overclocked state with the Prime 95 program.

Overclocking a computer will be relevant for those who do not have the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new equipment. With proper overclocking of the processor, overall performance can increase by an average of 10%, to a maximum of 20%. However, it is important to remember that overclocking may not always produce tangible results. For example, if your computer has 1 GB of RAM installed, then simply increasing it to 2 GB can give a more noticeable increase. Therefore, the real increase can only be determined experimentally. Below we will tell you how to properly overclock, but first about precautions.

Precautionary measures

Attention! Overclocking a processor can damage the processor. If you do not have overclocking skills, we strongly do not recommend overclocking yourself. Before you begin, read the specifications of your processor, and also visit thematic forums dedicated to overclocking.

Below we have compiled tips to help you overclock safely:

1) If you are a beginner, only increase the processor frequency. It is better not to change the core supply voltage.

2)Increase the frequency gradually, by 100-150 MHz. This will avoid critical errors and processor overheating.

3) After each promotion, perform system testing. This includes stability testing and continuous temperature monitoring. The temperature must be monitored throughout the entire overclocking process! If you exceed permissible frequency, the protection will work and the settings will be reset. As the CPU frequency increases, its heat dissipation also increases. Long term exposure critical temperatures may damage the processor crystal.

4) If you also decide to increase the core supply voltage, then you should do this with the very minimum possible step(usually 0.05V). However, the maximum limit should not exceed 0.3 volts, since increasing the voltage is more dangerous for your CPU than increasing the frequency.

5)Overclocking should be stopped after the first failed stability test or when the permissible temperature is exceeded. For example, there is a processor with a frequency of 2.6 GHz. Its stable operation was observed at a frequency of 3.5 GHz. At 3.6 GHz the first glitches appeared. In this case, overclocking stops and the last stable frequency is set, that is, 3.5 GHz.

Note: If your computer is stable at maximum frequency, but the CPU is overheating, you should consider adding additional cooling or replacing the existing one.

Note 2: Laptops are not very good candidates for overclocking as their cooling capabilities are quite limited. In this case, it would be more advisable to replace components with more powerful ones.

Now we can move directly to overclocking.

CPU overclocking

Step 1. Download the necessary utilities. You will need benchmarking and stress testing software to properly evaluate the results of overclocking. It is also worth downloading programs that allow you to control the temperature of the processor crystal. Below we have provided a list of such programs:

CPU-Z is a simple monitor program that will allow you to quickly see your current clock speed and voltage.

Prime95 is free program benchmarking, which is widely used for stress testing. It is designed to run long-term stress tests.

LinX is another stress testing program. A very convenient and flexible program for stress testing the processor. This program loads the CPU at 100%. Therefore, sometimes it may seem like your computer is frozen. Best suited for stability testing.

CoreTemp is a free program that allows you to monitor the temperature of the CPU die in real time. Can be used on an ongoing basis together with the CoreTemp gadget. It also displays in real time the current processor frequency, FSB bus and its multiplier.

Before you start overclocking, run a basic stress test. This will give you a baseline for comparison and will also show you if there are any stability issues.

Step 2. Check your motherboard and processor. Different boards and processors have different capabilities when it comes to overclocking. The first thing to look at is whether your multiplier is unlocked. If the multiplier is blocked, then overclocking will most likely not be possible.

Step 3. Open BIOS. It is through it that your system will be overclocked. To launch it, press the “Del” key during the first seconds of computer startup (when the POST screen appears).

Note: Depending on the computer model, the BIOS entry keys may vary. Basic ones: “F10”, “F2”, “F12” and “Esc”.

Step 4. The tabs may differ in new and old BIOS versions. Typically, older computers have AMI (American Megatrend Inc.) and Phoenix AWARD versions of the BIOS installed.

In Phoenix AWARD, open the "Frequency / Voltage Control" tab. This menu may be called differently, for example, “overclock”.

In AMI BIOS this tab is called “Advanced” - “JumperFree Condiguration” or “AT Overclock”.

New computers come pre-installed with a UEFI BIOS version with a full graphical interface. To find the overclocking menu, go to advanced mode and look for the “AI Tweaker” or “Extreme Tweaker” tab.

Step 5. Reduce memory bus speed. This is necessary in order to avoid memory errors. This option may be called “Memory Multiplier” or “Frequency DDR”. Switch the option to the lowest possible mode.

Step 6. Increase the base frequency by 10%. This corresponds to approximately 100-150 MHz. It is also referred to as bus speed (FSB) and is the base speed of your processor. Typically this is a lower speed (100, 133, 200 MHz or more) that is multiplied by a multiplier, thereby reaching the full core frequency. For example, if the base frequency is 100 MHz and the multiplier is 16, the clock speed will be 1.6 GHz. Most processors can handle a 10% jump without issue. A 10% increase in frequency will correspond to an FSB frequency of 110 MHz and a clock speed of 1.76 GHz.

Step 7 Run the operating system and then stress test. For example, open LinX and run it for a few loops. At the same time, open the temperature monitor. If there are no problems, you can move on. If the stability test fails or there is sharp increase temperature, then you should stop overclocking and reset the settings to default. Don't let your processor reach 85°C (185°F).

Step 8 Continue steps 5 and 7 until the system becomes unstable. Run a stress test every time you raise the frequency. Instability will most likely be caused due to the processor not receiving enough power.

Increasing frequency through a multiplier

If your motherboard has an unlocked multiplier, then overclocking can be done using it. Before you start increasing the multiplier, reset the base frequency. This will help you make more precise frequency adjustments.

Note: Using a lower base frequency and a high multiplier makes the system more stable, a higher base frequency with a low multiplier gives a greater performance boost. Here you need to experimentally find a middle ground.

Step 1. Reset the base frequency to default.

Step 2. Increase the multiplier. Once you have lowered the base frequency, start raising it in minimal increments (usually 0.5). The multiplier may be called "CPU Ratio", "CPU Multiplier" or something like that.

Step 3. Run the stress test and temperature monitor exactly as in the previous section (step 7).

Step 4. Continue increasing the multiplier until the first crashes appear. Now you have the settings at which your computer runs reliably. While yours temperature indicators still within safe limits, you can start adjusting voltage levels to continue overclocking further.

Increasing core voltage

Step 1. Increase the processor core supply voltage. This item may appear as "CPU Voltage" or "VCore". Increasing the voltage beyond safe limits can damage not only the processor, but also the motherboard. Therefore, increase it in increments of 0.025 or the smallest possible for your motherboard. Excessive voltage surges can damage components. And let us remind you once again: do not increase the voltage higher than 0.3 volts!

Step 2. Run a stress test after the first promotion. Since you left your system in an unstable state with a previous overclock, it is possible that the instability will go away. If your system is stable, make sure that temperatures are still at an acceptable level. If the system is still unstable, try reducing either the multiplier or the base clock speed.

Step 3. Once you have managed to stabilize the system by increasing the voltage, you can return to increasing either the base frequency or the multiplier (same as in the previous paragraphs). Your goal is to get maximum performance from minimum voltage. This will require a lot of trial and error.

Step 4. Repeat the cycle until the maximum voltage or maximum temperature is reached. Eventually you will reach a point where you can no longer achieve any productivity gains. This is the limit of your motherboard and processor, and it is likely that you will not be able to get past this point.

Clock frequency is the number of oscillations that occur in one second. The number of synchronizing cycles, if we talk about a personal computer, is the operations (program code instructions) that the processor performs during this period of time. The performance of a PC directly depends on the clock frequency and it can be overclocked by increasing the number of oscillations.

« Hertz" - this is the name of the unit with which frequency is measured. This unit of measurement was developed by Heinrich R. Hertz. At the end of the 19th century, a physicist conducted a special experiment that proved the wave nature of light. According to Hertz's theory, light is nothing more than electromagnetic wave, propagated by special waves. And the longer electromagnetic radiation(wave), the brighter light we see. The color of light directly depends on the wavelength.

There are two types of clock frequency - external and internal. The board, processor, and RAM exchange information (data), and the external frequency is responsible for this. But it depends on the internal one how quickly and correctly the processor itself will work.

Once you overclock your processor, you will encounter some problems, quite significant ones. After completing the procedure, your personal computer will begin to consume more electricity, in some cases the increase is very noticeable. Overclocked processors suffer from increased heat dissipation. And most importantly, devices break down faster, because they have to work in extraordinary mode. Along with an overclocked processor, the number of oscillations (clock frequency) of the RAM also increases, therefore, it can also quickly fail.

What should you do before overclocking?

Maximum clock speed is bad. On the one hand, a personal computer increases its performance significantly, and on the other hand, when the processor heats up to its maximum permissible value, it reduces the temperature by skipping oscillations (cycle). Therefore, if you want to overclock the device to the maximum, then you must take care of a good cooling system. Without cooling, you will not get the maximum percentage by which you overclocked the processor. It will decrease due to the fact that it will skip cycles, trying to lower the temperature. Also, do not forget that electricity consumption also increases. In order for an overclocked processor to work efficiently, you need to install a new power supply.

Before overclocking your processor, follow these three steps:

1. The computer's BIOS must be updated to the latest version.
2. You should know how the processor cooling system works: whether it is installed securely and whether there are any malfunctions.
3. Determine the processor clock frequency and its initial value by looking in the BIOS, or using special programs.

Review of programs for overclocking Intel processors

SetFSB

Before using this utility, go to the official page and check if there is a model for your personal computer in the list of approved motherboards. The advantages of this program include its light weight (only about 300 kb), ease of learning and management, high efficiency work, regular updates.

Recommendation! The developers of the program do not recommend using it for beginners who do not understand the dangers it may pose. And besides, an inexperienced user is unlikely to be able to independently find out what model of clock pulse generator is in his computer. It is specified manually.

• What model of clock generator is on the motherboard? Select it from the "Clock Generator" drop-down list.
• Click "Get FSB". You will see two frequencies - the device itself and the system bus.
• Move the slider carefully, constantly measuring the processor temperature. This can be done using a specialized utility.
• When the slider position is optimal, click Set FSB.

CPUFSB

How to overclock a processor using CPUFSB:

• Find your motherboard model in the drop-down list.
• Find the PLL chip model in the drop-down list.
• Click on “Take frequency”. You will see the initial frequency of the device and system bus.
• The frequency increases in the same way: with careful movements until the required level is reached. Do not forget to monitor the processor temperature using a special program. Once the desired values ​​are set, click “Set Frequency”.

SoftFSB

This program is also intended only for experienced users who understand motherboard models and clock generators.

• Find your clock generator and motherboard model.
• Find out which one this moment bus and processor frequency.
• Gently move the slider until you find the desired frequency. At the same time, do not forget, as in similar programs, to monitor the processor temperature.
• When the optimal number of clock cycles is selected, click on “SET FSB”.

These utilities, which you met above, can be used for both personal and laptop computers. But when overclocking the processor on laptop computers, you should be as careful as possible so as not to harm or damage the processor. The system clock speed should not be increased to the maximum value.

Before you start overclocking a processor, you need to have a clear understanding of how it works and why you should do it. To overclock, you need to increase the frequency of the chip. As the frequency increases, it will work faster. The logic is simple...

However, do not forget that ill-considered overclocking can lead to unpredictable consequences (instability of the computer, shutdown, and worse). So you take a risk. This needs to be understood.

Overclocking leads not only to an increase in frequency, but also to an increase in heat generation. All modern processors use a two-level overheating protection system. If a certain temperature threshold is exceeded, the processor will forcibly lower its frequency as well as the supply voltage. Consequently, its heat generation will decrease. When the temperature rises further, the computer simply turns off. In practice, it often turns out that this does not happen and the computer simply freezes. Then you need to turn it off and on again using the button.

Don't be intimidated by the negative consequences and intimidation associated with the topic of overclocking. With a balanced approach to the overclocking procedure, as in any other issue, and timely temperature control, the risk of damaging the elements is minimal. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that if the processor is used at the edge of the permissible temperature and voltage, it can burn out. Therefore, in your appetites you need to look for a compromise between performance and the acceptable operating mode of the elements. It is convenient to control temperature, voltage and frequencies using the OCCT program. The program is free for personal use.

First, a little theory. To imagine all this, let's consider the process of formation of these frequencies. For normal operation A computer, laptop or netbook requires synchronous or in-phase operation of individual microcircuits and their components. Because the different devices operate at different frequencies, then the method of dividing/multiplying a certain reference frequency is used for this. Frequencies are generated by the PLL chip, which is a clock generator. It generates clock frequencies for the operation of the processor and other chips. It looks something like this:

As you can see, this chip is quite large, with a lot of legs. Many may have a question: how does the microcircuit set the desired frequency? In fact, everything happens simply. The frequency is set by a combination of voltages at the desired pins of the microcircuit. All these voltage combinations are read from the registers. It is installed by the BIOS when you turn on your computer or laptop. Register values ​​can also be changed from operating system using special utilities. Another option is to set the voltages directly: that is, by soldering the wires to the desired pins of the PLL chip and applying the required voltages to them. All this information is indicated in the documentation (datasheet). Such documentation can be found on the Internet by the name of the chip and the word datasheet in Google. These chips are manufactured by ICS, Realtek, Silego and others. For ICS release PLLs, the chip model is written in the last line, and Realtek and Silego in the first.
There are three ways to overclock a processor:

1. using BIOS settings;
2. using special utilities;
3. soldering at the pins of the microcircuit and applying the necessary voltages to the pins of the PLL chip.

Let's consider each of these methods separately.

First way is well known to owners of desktop PCs, in which the BIOS contains many settings necessary for overclocking. This method is the simplest

Conversely, many laptops and netbooks have very limited BIOS settings. Because there are no settings for overclocking.
Second way often used for laptops and netbooks. One of the most popular overclocking utilities is SetFSB. It supports a large number of various PLLs.
Third way It is not suitable for everyone and is the most labor-intensive and dangerous. It requires certain knowledge and experience and such intervention will void the warranty. It is an output if the laptop is blocked from changing the frequency. This lock is installed so that the operating frequency is set only once when the laptop is turned on. It is not possible to change it, for example, using the same SetFSB.

Overclocking the processor using BIOS

Basically, processors, motherboard chipsets and memory chips operate at average performance levels. From this we can conclude that there is still sufficient potential. There are many video tutorials and guides on the issue of how to overclock a processor. For example, you can look at:

First, you need to study the description of your motherboard: look at what is associated with the BIOS, find the sections that are responsible for the frequency of the FSB, RAM, multiplier, memory timings, PCI/AGP frequency dividers, voltages. It is possible that the BIOS will not have such parameters, in which case overclocking will have to be done by switching jumpers installed on the motherboard. The instructions describe the purpose of each, and in addition, the board itself already contains such information near the jumpers. For some motherboards, the BIOS settings are hidden by the manufacturer itself and you need to press a certain key combination to unlock it (for example, motherboards made by Gigabyte). In any case, all the necessary information is in the instructions or on the manufacturer’s website.

Step-by-step instruction

You need to go into the BIOS (to do this, press the Del key when the first data appears on the screen after rebooting/turning on the computer). To be sure, you can press this key several times. Try to read the inscriptions that you see on the monitor when you start the computer, since sometimes a different combination or key is required to enter the BIOS - for example, F2. In Gigabyte, after entering the BIOS, you need to press Ctrl-F1 to access all functions on motherboards.

We need to find a menu that contains data for changing the frequencies of the memory bus, system bus and timing control (as a rule, all this is located in one menu). Many BIOS for modern motherboards have sections for overclocking the system. This item may be called: M.I.B, ​​MB Intelligent Tweaker, Quantum BIOS, etc. There are many options.

On the screen we will see something like this:

In older versions, these processor and memory frequency settings can be found in the Frequency/Voltage Control sections, Advanced (JumperFree Configuration) menu tab. In any configuration, we need a section containing control of processor frequencies and voltage.

There is no need to be afraid of an abundance of unfamiliar information, depending on different BIOS versions and the fact that all the necessary options may have different names. It won't be difficult for you to find everything you need. In these sections, to improve performance, you just need to set one of the required values ​​- Colonel, Genera l in the Dynamic Overclock item. If the BIOS does not have these sections, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparations.

To overclock, we need to increase the processor frequency, which is the product of the multiplier and the bus frequency. For example, let's take the standard processor frequency of 2.4 GHz, its multiplier is x18, and the bus frequency is 133 MHz (133x18 = 2400 MHz). This means we can increase the multiplier, the bus frequency (FSB), or both of these parameters. In many Intel processors it is impossible to change the multiplier; in some models it can be reduced to x14 using energy saving technology. Therefore, let's consider universal case– acceleration by increasing the bus frequency. In addition, this method can greatly improve overall system performance.

Why? Because all computer work is synchronized. And if we increase the frequency of the processor bus, the memory operating frequency correspondingly increases, the data exchange speed increases and, as a consequence, an additional increase in performance. Although there are some difficulties here. When overclocking the processor and memory at the same time, it becomes possible to stop ahead of time. It may turn out that the processor still has some headroom for overclocking, but the memory is already at its limit. For example, motherboards based on NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Intel Edition have the ability to overclock the processor without depending on memory. In any case, it is advisable to think about not being limited by memory or other devices.

We are looking for an option in the BIOS that is responsible for the memory operating frequency. Different names are possible and it is advisable to read the instructions for the motherboard. This option can be found in two sections: those related to overclocking and timings, or overclocking the processor. The first section may be called Advanced Chipset Features (Advanced). Here we are looking for the Memclock index value parameter, which is measured in megahertz.

Or it can be found in the POWER BIOS Features tab and the System Memory Frequency or Memory Frequency parameter with the memory frequency designation as DDR333, DDR400 or DDR266, and possibly PC100 or PC133.

Once we find this parameter, we need to set it to the minimum value. For selection desired value There are different options, it depends on the BIOS version. You can, for example, by pressing Enter, select the required value from the list that opens using the keyboard arrows, and sometimes you need to move through the values ​​using the “+” or “–”, Page Up, Page Down keys.

Why do we set the minimum memory frequency? It’s most likely not that low? We were going to increase the FSB frequency when overclocking the processor; accordingly, the memory frequency will also increase, but if you increase it with lowest value, and not from a preset value, then more likely that it will be within the acceptable limits for our memory, without stopping the processor overclocking. It is also recommended to set memory timings higher than those set by default.

This approach will allow us to further push back the limit of stable performance of our memory. And even when setting the timings at the start, a situation is possible when the motherboard mistakenly sets too small, ineffective parameters, and this way we can be sure that working timings are set for the memory. To make sure that everything is set correctly, you need to remember to save all changes in the BIOS and do a restart. Select the Save & Exit Setup option from the menu, or press F10 and confirm your consent by pressing Enter or “Y” (Yes) for older BIOS versions.

Basically, setting the memory frequency to a small value is enough and you can start overclocking the processor itself, but we won’t rush and make sure that nothing will interfere with us in the future.

As already mentioned, many things are interconnected in a computer, and as the processor bus frequency increases, not only one memory frequency increases, but also other frequencies (on SATA, PCI-E, PCI or AGP buses). Within some limits, this is even beneficial, since it slightly increases system performance, but if there is a significant excess of frequencies above the nominal, the computer may stop working. Nominal bus frequencies for SATA and PCI Express are 100 MHz, AGP – 66.6 MHz, PCI – 33.3 MHz. Almost all modern chipsets have frequency fixing. The AGP/PCI Clock parameter is responsible for this, for which the value 66/33 MHz is selected.

NVIDIA chipsets and AMD processors with Socket 754/939 are very demanding on the HyperTransport Frequency bus frequency. It is initially set at 1000 or 800 MHz, and before overclocking it must be reduced. Sometimes its real frequency is displayed, but it is mainly used with a x5 multiplier for a frequency of 1000 MHz, and with a x4 multiplier for 800 MHz.

This parameter may also be called HT Frequency. You need to find it and lower the frequency by choosing 400 or 600 MHz (x2 or x3).

When we have lowered the operating frequency of the memory and HyperTransport bus and set the PCI and AGP bus frequencies to nominal, we can begin overclocking the processor. Find the Frequency/Voltage Control section. (EPoX – POWER BIOS Features, ASUS – JumperFree Configuration, ABIT – μGuru Utility).

We need to find the item CPU Host Frequency, External Clock, or CPU/Clock Speed, which controls the FSB frequency. We will increase its value.

To what value can it be increased? It's different for each case. This depends on your processor, cooling system, motherboard and power supply. First, try increasing the frequency above the nominal by 10 MHz. Save the changed settings and boot into Windows. By running the CPU-Z utility, make sure that the processor is actually overclocked.

Check the stability of the processor in some special program(S&M, Super PI) or game. Don't forget to monitor the processor temperature. It is undesirable to exceed 60° Celsius.

For Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron processors, you need to use the RightMark CPU Clock Utility, ThrottleWatch, etc. When overheated, these processors can throttle and performance will be severely reduced. We don’t need “overclocking” with throttling, and in this case, we need to take measures to improve cooling or reduce the overclocking frequency. If everything went well, then you can gradually increase the frequency further until the system operates stably. As soon as you notice the first signs of overclocking: program crashes, freezes, errors, blue screens or exceeding the temperature limit - you need to lower the frequency and again make sure that operation is stable.
Is there a way to increase the voltage supplied to the processor? In some cases, this can really help, but comes with a lot of risk. This will lead to an increase in heat generation, which will already increase with overclocking.

It is not recommended to increase the voltage on the processor by more than 15-20%, but it is safer if it is within 5-15%. The main thing is to control the heat dissipation when increasing the voltage, and, if it has increased too much, improve the cooling of the overclocked component. If it happens that your system is overclocked and the board does not even start or starts and immediately freezes, then you need to reboot and correct your error in the BIOS. Starting with Insert pressed can help, and the board resets the parameters to nominal. As a last resort, you can always find the Clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard and move it to two adjacent contacts for about four seconds and return it to its place. This can only be done when the power is off. Then all parameters will automatically be reset to nominal. There are motherboard models that do not have Clear CMOS (the manufacturer operates automatic system reset BIOS settings) - you need to remove the battery for a while and the BIOS settings will be reset. And you will get everything back before the processor was overclocked.

Software overclocking method

If you are thinking about how to overclock a processor using software, then many different utilities have been developed for this. Before we begin describing software overclocking, it is advisable for us to install, if not already installed, an application for collecting system information. Let's focus on two options: and GPU-Z. These small utilities allow you to get everything necessary information about the components of your system. At the same time, CPU-Z reports information about the motherboard, processor and memory, and GPU-Z provides information about the video card.

CPU-Z allows you to obtain the necessary information about the installed processor, system bus frequencies, memory frequencies and latencies. This utility has a function that can be used to check the accuracy of overclocking values.

GPU-Z displays important information about the video card: name, type of GPU used, graphics processor, shader block frequencies, memory, memory bus width, number of raster operation units, etc.

To fine-tune memory latency, you can use the Memset utility, which will save you from having to make these settings in the BIOS.

Free CPU overclocking program

SetFSB is the easiest way to overclock a processor. The program allows you to adjust the FSB frequency directly from Windows. The program supports a wide range of motherboards and all you need to know is the PLL that your motherboard uses. You can easily find this by looking at the motherboard.

PLL chips are usually manufactured by ICS. You need to search the chip by name to find out the PLL version.

You need to select the name of your PLL chip from the drop-down menu list and click “Get FSB”. The program will search for the current FSB frequency and you can easily change it to the desired value by simply moving the slider.

When working with the program, it is important to remember:

• Don’t get carried away with changing the frequency, the consequences can be disastrous.
• Not all PLL chips provide the same frequency limits and some motherboards have limits on the available frequencies.
• If you want to access additional frequencies, then check the “Ultra” mode. When you select a new frequency value, click on “Set FSB” to use this value. If the system crashes, reboot and try again.

With this method, the voltage does not change, so the hardware will not be damaged.

SetFSB is updated frequently to support the latest versions of PLL chips. In addition to SetFSB, there are many other utilities. Major motherboard manufacturers provide overclocking software as part of the software package for their motherboards.

This article described the main methods for overclocking. Overclocking the central processor allows you to increase performance in processor-dependent applications. Accordingly, the higher the processor frequency you managed to obtain, the higher the result.

How to overclock a processor - video instructions