How to overclock the processor and not harm your computer

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Boost your device's performance with virtually no investment.

What is CPU overclocking

The base clock speed is indicated on the cover of the processor and on the packaging with it. This is the number of computation cycles that the processor can complete in one second.

Overclocking a processor, or overclocking, is increasing its clock speed. If it performs more calculation cycles, then it will work more productively. As a result, for example, programs will load faster, and games will increase FPS (frames per second).

Processors with an unlocked multiplier are primarily intended for overclocking. Intel has K and X series, AMD has Ryzen.

What is an Unlocked Multiplier

The processor clock frequency is the product of the clock frequency (BCLK, base clock) of the motherboard's system bus (FSB, front side bus) by a multiplier of the processor itself. The processor multiplier is a hardware identifier that is passed to the BIOS or UEFI (interfaces between the operating system and the motherboard software).

If you increase the multiplier, the processor clock speed will increase. And with it - and system performance.

If the multiplier is locked, you cannot change it using standard tools. And the use of non-standard (custom) BIOS / UEFI is fraught with system failure - especially if you have no experience in overclocking.

What parameters are important for performance

In BIOS / UEFI and overclocking software, you can usually change the following parameters:

• CPU Core Ratio is actually a processor multiplier.
• CPU Core Voltage - supply voltage that is supplied to one or each processor core.
• CPU Cache / Ring Ratio - Ring Bus frequency.
• CPU Cache / Ring Voltage - Ring Bus voltage.

The Ring Bus connects auxiliary elements of the processor (in addition to the computational cores), for example, the memory controller and the cache. Increasing the parameters of its work will also help increase productivity.

The set of parameters can be different, the names may differ - it all depends on the specific BIOS / UEFI version or the overclocking program. The Frequency parameter is often encountered - it is understood as the final frequency: the product of the CPU Core Ratio (multiplier) by the BCLK Frequency (base clock frequency).

How safe is it to overclock the processor?

AMD explicitly states AMD Ryzen Master 2.1 Reference Guide: "Damages caused by using your AMD processor outside of the official specifications or factory settings are not covered by warranty." Similar text can be found on the Intel website. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Intel Performance Maximizer Program: "The standard warranty does not apply when using a processor if it exceeds specifications."

Conclusion: if something goes wrong during overclocking, the responsibility for this will lie only with you.

Think twice before increasing the operating frequency of the processor: is the performance gain so important, or is stability and the absence of risks a priority.

To overclock the new tenth generation Intel Core i5, i7, i9 processors with an unlocked multiplier, you can buy the Turing Protection Plan. It involves a one-time replacement of a processor that has failed as a result of overclocking.

Also note that there is a "silicon lottery". Processors of the same modification can demonstrate different performance after overclocking. The thing is that the chips are not identical - somewhere microscopic defects after cutting silicon crystals are more pronounced, somewhere less. Thus, if you set your CPU to be overclocked successfully by an experienced and successful overclocker, there is no guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

How to prepare for CPU overclocking

To begin with, it is worthwhile to understand whether it will be possible to overclock the system at all safely.

Determine your processor model

Right-click on the "My Computer" icon ("This PC", "Computer") and select "Properties". The window that opens will indicate the processor model.

To get more information about it, you can install the free CPU-Z program. It will show you the key characteristics of the chipset and other components that are responsible for the performance of your system.

If you have an Intel K- or X-series or AMD Ryzen chipset, you're in luck. These are multiplier unlocked processors and can be overclocked without any dirty hacks.

We do not recommend increasing the performance of other models - at least for beginners.

All possible abnormal situations that may arise during the overclocking process are beyond the scope of this manual.

Note that manufacturers regularly release security patches for processor software that protect against overclocking. Of course, they keep overclockers from using the same tools for years, but they also keep the system from suddenly crashing.

Check your motherboard

If the motherboard chipset does not support overclocking, then you will not be able to change the value of even an unlocked multiplier. You can check your motherboard model in the System Information app for Windows 7 or 10. Press Win + R, type msinfo32 and look at the Main Board Manufacturer and Main Board Model.

Then search the Web for information about the chipset on which the board is built.

Models based on chipsets B350, B450, B550, X370, X470, X570 support overclocking for AMD processors, but not on A320. Information about boards and chipsets is available on this page. You can check the Overclock checkbox to immediately see the information you need

Boards for Intel X- and Z-series chipsets allow you to easily overclock processors with an unlocked multiplier. Boards based on W-, Q-, B- and H-series chipsets do not support overclocking. It is convenient to look at Intel chipset specifications here

In addition, models with the words Gaming, Premium and so on are usually suitable for overclocking.

We recommend updating your motherboard BIOS / UEFI. The new software version and installation instructions can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Check power supply specifications

Overclocking will require additional power. Moreover, if you expect a 10% increase in processor power, resource consumption will grow not by 10%, but much more.

You can use the BeQuiet Power Calculator and determine the system's power consumption. And then look at the sticker on the power supply: if the figure there is less than or equal to the calculated value, you should choose a model with a higher power.

Evaluate the cooling system

If you don't have a very powerful, budget cooler, then you should install a model with a higher performance before overclocking. Or switch to water cooling: it is not cheap, but much more efficient than a single "radiator fan".

The thing is that with an increase in the operating frequency of the processor, the heat dissipation increases very much. For example, when the Ryzen 5 2600 is clocked at 3.4GHz, it generates about 65W of heat. When overclocked to 3.8 GHz - more than 100 watts.

Download stress testing and overclocking software

Stress tests and benchmarks will help you check the stability of your system configuration after overclocking. There are such functions in these programs:

• ;
• Fire Strike;
• Time Spy;
• Aida64 (free demos are available);
• Prime95 (when using, you must select the Just stress testing option);
• Intel Burn Test.

Other benchmarks can be found, for example, on Steam.

Reset stats

Before overclocking, you should reset all settings in BIOS / UEFI to factory settings - at least those related to processor operation. Typically, the key combination for this is displayed after entering BIOS / UEFI.

A key or combination for entering BIOS / UEFI is usually displayed when the computer boots. Most often it is F2, F4, F8, F12 or Del. You need to press these buttons before the system boots. If none of the options fit, search the web for a combination for your motherboard model.

We also recommend disabling Turbo Boost in BIOS / UEFI. This technology automatically enhances the performance of the processor under high loads, but its activation may affect the overclocking results. The name of specific items depends on the model of your motherboard and the software version for it.

Remember to save your changes before exiting.

How to overclock a processor in BIOS / UEFI

The algorithm is the same for both Intel and AMD processors.

Determine the baseline characteristics of the system

Run one of the benchmarks (Cinnebench, Fire Strike, Time Spy, CPU-Z built-in tools, AIDA64, and so on) in one and all processor cores and determine the initial system characteristics. For example, Cinnebench will not only display your system's score in points, but also compare it to popular processor models.

CPU-Z analytics are simpler, but you can use these scores as a starting point to gauge your overclocking performance.

We also recommend determining the temperature of the processor under load. This information is displayed, for example, in AIDA64 and some benchmarks.

Increase one of the parameters

In BIOS / UEFI, find the CPU Core Ratio parameter (CPU Ratio, the name may differ depending on the software version) and increase its value. We recommend increasing the capacity gradually, adding one or two units to the multiplier, so that the risk of system failure is minimal.

Save the settings and the computer will restart. You can also increase performance for specific cores only.

Look at the result after reboot

Run the benchmark test and evaluate the results: how much the system performance has increased, whether it works stably, how much the processor heats up.

Look for the maximum allowable temperature for Intel products on this page: select the processor family and model, find the T Junction parameter.

On the AMD website, you can enter the processor model and look at the maximum temperature value in the specifications.

Repeat

If the system was able to boot, continue to gradually increase the CPU Ratio values. If the operation is unstable after changing the parameters, set the previous value.

Then gradually increase the other available parameters: CPU Core Voltage, CPU Cache / Ring Ratio, CPU Cache / Ring Voltage, and so on. You can increase the values and in pairs (frequency together with voltage) in order to quickly achieve the desired results.

In parallel, monitor the temperature of the processor. It should be consistently below the maximum values.

Conduct a stress test

Run the benchmark and let it run for half an hour or an hour. It is advisable at this time to be near the computer and monitor the change in indicators. If at some point the processor temperature reaches a critical point, the system becomes unstable or reboots, take one more step back: reduce the settings in BIOS / UEFI and run the benchmark again for half an hour or an hour.

Compare the results before and after overclocking to see how much your system's performance has improved.

How to overclock a processor using utilities

Processor manufacturers have made it easier for overclockers and released handy overclocking programs.

Intel Performance Maximizer

The automatic overclocking utility is designed for the ninth generation Intel Core processors - models with the K index: i9-9900K, i9-9900KF, i7-9700K, i7-9700KF, i5-9600K, i5-9600KF. For its operation, you need at least 8 GB of RAM, 16 GB of free disk space, a motherboard with overclocking support, improved cooling and 64-bit Windows 10.

Intel Performance Maximizer uses proprietary benchmarks to find the optimal settings for your processor. Experiments are carried out separately for each core and sometimes last for several hours, but then you can use the found configuration for maximum performance.

After installation, just run the utility and click "Continue". The computer will reboot, UEFI will start, parameters will change and tests will be carried out there. At the end of the procedure, you will see a window like this:

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

The utility is suitable for overclocking Intel K and X series processors (specific models are listed). To work correctly, you need a 64-bit Windows 10 RS3 or newer motherboard with overclocking support.

Working with Intel Extreme Tuning Utility is similar to overclocking a processor in BIOS / UEFI, but in a more comfortable interface. There is a benchmark, temperature measurement functions, and other tools.

After installation, you need to launch the utility, go to the Basic Tuning tab and click Run Benchmark. The program will evaluate the performance of your system before overclocking and give the result in points.

After that, you can gradually increase the multiplier values for all processor cores in the Basic Tuning section, or fine-tune the performance parameters in the Advanced Tuning tab. The algorithm is the same: increase by one or two units, run a benchmark, evaluate the results.

Once you have reached the maximum possible values, go to the Stress Test tab. Five minutes is enough for a basic check. A half-hour test will let you know if the processor is overheating under load. And lasting 3-5 hours will allow you to check the stability of the system, which can work with maximum performance around the clock.

AMD Ryzen Master

Integrated overclocking utility: it can increase not only the performance of the processor, but also the video card and memory. Here we will only talk about overclocking the processor with AMD Ryzen Master.

Note that the manufacturer previously offered the AMD Overdrive utility. But it is no longer officially supported, and AMD Ryzen Master has much more options.

Once launched, you will see a compact window:

Here you can gradually increase the CPU Clock Speed and CPU Voltage values, then click Apply & Test to apply and test the new settings.

The Advanced View option allows you to change the values of individual parameters (voltage and frequency of cores, frequency of the built-in video card, memory timing) and save them as profiles for different games and operating modes.

There is also an Auto Overclocking function to automatically overclock the system.