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Max Slowik
Kurtis
Sharka Corp
Aug. 29, 2006

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An Overclocking Primer

Overclocking is when you force your processor to run at speeds higher than its designated rating. In many, if not all cases, this means that it performs better. It's kind of like upgrading that way, only instead of buying a new replacement processor you're buying a heatsink and investing a little time and elbow grease.

Computers aren't magic, they're little chemical physics devices that rely on heat and charge to do what they do. They are designed to operate on silicates, electricity, and the laws of entropy, not some ideal mathematical plane of theory. These forces aren't inherently stable, and overclocking doesn't push them out of their element. Every microprocessor is different: no two could be expected to operate exactly the same way. The manufacturer can't be expected to test them and then mark them at their peak, either. To be safe, they test them and set them lower than they are expected to perform. This helps ensure that the chip that winds up in your hands will do at least what its label says it will. Realistically, it does more.

Sometimes, when AMD stamps out the processors, the entire batch is capable of outstanding performance. But they still have to fill in the orders for low-end processors, and they have no choice but to mark what could very easily be a faster processor as a slower one.

So this is what you've got: a chunk of glass that does math. (This I don't get, maybe I lied and it's magic after all.) It runs on fire, unpredictable though that may be. Overclocking isn't about breaking the rules or risking your equipment, it's about finding the actual limitations of the devices and running them at full capacity.

There are many resources to help you learn how to do this. The best step-by-step guide I can recommend is here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=795444.

Fair warning: although your motherboard manufacturer has these options built right into the hardware, it's probably the number one thing that's on the Will Void My Warranty list. It is definitely going to release you from your contract with AMD. And lastly, while there's not much likelihood that this will damage your equipment, it is possible. Fortunately, your hardware has so many safeguards built in that if you push things too hard, your computer will probably shut itself off before it even comes close to harm.

(Far be it for me to advocate dishonesty, there are no black boxes inside your computer that keep tabs on what you were doing when you let all the magic smoke out.)

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Page 2 of 12

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: An Overclocking Primer
Page 3: The Contenders & Testing Methodology
Page 4: Zalman CNPS9500
Page 5: Zalman CNPS9500AM2
Page 6: Scythe Ninja Plus+
Page 7: Scythe Mine
Page 8: Noctua NH-U12
Page 9: Thermaltake Sonic Tower
Page 10: Thermaltake Mini Typhoon
Page 11: Overclocking & Temperatures
Page 12: Conclusions & Final Recommendations

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