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I have overclocked a half dozen CPU's. It is fun to get something for
nothing. If this is a totaly new concept for you I recommend reading up on it with the
links that follow. Overclocking (also called speed margining) increases the heat load
inside your case, so if you overclock, you need to review the Computer Case Cooling
performance of your box. If you jumped here directly, please go back to see the CCC title page first. Here is an example of overclocking;
Overclocking resources;
- From TOM'S HARDWARE GUIDE, by Thomas Pabst, Overclocking of Pentiums or Compatibles
is an outstanding resource. Listed below are some quotes and links (all to the same page).
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- What is overclocking? "The term 'overclocking' describes the
process of running your CPU at a clock and/or bus speed that the CPU hasn't been specified
for - logically, that speed is usually higher."
- Why not Overclock? This section reminds us of the thermal CCC issue:
"Although there are millions of tales of damaged CPUs and other system components,
in most cases overclocking is completely harmless. There are, however, a few things to
take into consideration. "
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- "Your CPU could be damaged by so-called 'electromigration'. Electromigration
takes place on the actual silicon chip of your CPU in areas which operate at a very high
temperature, and can cause permanent damage to the chip. Before you start to panic, you
should first realize a few things. CPUs are designed to run at temperatures between -25
and 80 degrees Celsius. To give you an idea, 80 degrees Celsius is a temperature that
nobody is able to touch for longer than 1/10 second. I have never come across a CPU at
this temperature. There are plenty of ways to keep the CPU case at less than 50 degrees
Celsius which increases the probability of keeping the chip inside at less than 80
degrees. Also, electromigration does not immediately damage your chip. It is a slow
process, which more or less shortens the life span of a CPU running at a very high
temperature. A normal CPU is meant to live for about 10 years. However, in ten years
nobody is going to be using a CPU with today's technology. I won't even use my CPU anymore
in 2 months. If you want to be kept free from this electromigration scare, you have to do
as much as possible to cool the CPU. Cooling is the Numero Uno Oncho in overclocking!!!
Never ever forget that! These terms don't necessarily apply for Cyrix, IBM, and AMD CPUs.
Because of the already high rate of heat production at their original clock rate, you must
work extra hard to keep them cool in overclocked conditions. I've come across several dead
Cyrix 6x86 CPUs so far, so be careful or just let it be! "
- How to Overclock Your CPU, STEP-BY-STEP
by Scott Wainner includes a flow chart of the process for those preferring visually
oriented guidance.
- The newsgroup news:Comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips
offers The Official "Overclocking"
FAQ If youreally get into this OC thing, don't forget to read a few posts on this
newsgroup.
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