So, Should You Overclock?įor the vast majority of modern PCs, the answer is no. Keep in mind that overclocking your CPU will instantly void its warranty, too. These PCs would probably get more benefit out of overclocking the GPU instead. However, most modern PCs don’t need extra CPU power to play modern titles. If you have an older, weaker CPU or you’re utilizing very demanding programs, overclocking your CPU could provide some obvious benefits. In addition, overclocking your CPU might not provide as much benefit as you might think. Oftentimes, you’ll need to look at power draw and consumption, fan speed, and other metrics, too. While some motherboards come with software bundled in that can make the process easier, it’s not always as simple as speeding up your processor. Not only that, but overclocking your CPU isn’t easy. However, at worst, you could damage parts of your PC. If an inexperienced individual overclocks their CPU too much, it can even lead to catastrophic results.Īt best, you could just send your computer into an infinite boot cycle. You probably already know a couple of the drawbacks of overclocking your CPU.

Of course, one of the other benefits of overclocking your CPU is simply to say you did it! Overclocking is a delicate process that can turn bad quickly, and doing it right is an achievement in and of itself. If you end up permanently frying the CPU you just bought, that computer chip is no more than scrap now. You can also lose money with it just as quickly as you can save. Depending on how long your overclocked CPU lasts (which can be unpredictable), you could even end up saving money in the long run. If you’re good with the overclocking process, you might even be able to get away with buying a cheaper CPU than you need and cranking the speed up yourself. However, if you do it right, you could get significantly better performance out of your CPU.

As a general rule, CPUs that are overclocked tend to run hotter, use more power, and wear out faster in the long run. However, that doesn’t mean there are no risks involved.

Benefits of overclocking cpu