What are the pros for overclocking your CPU?

Answer 1

Pros: Most things work much faster from higher clock speeds. Overclocking pushes the CPU to run at a higher clock speed than it came. Specific performance improvements include, but are not limed to:Improved gaming performance, faster overall performance, faster load times, more responsive computer, not harmful if done properly. Cons: Some cons are unavoidable, even if done properly, such as: More heat, more fan noise and signifacantly increased power usage, while others are only an issue if done incorrectly, such as: System instability, reduced component life, self destruction from overheating, complete CPU and/or motherboard failiure from overvolting too much, power supply faliure from starting by overclocking WAAAAAAY too high, power supply faliure can destroy the entire computer. 95% of all store bought computers can not be overclocked. The first step in overclocking is to clean ALL the dust out of at least the fans, vents, CPU heatsink(the metal thing with copper pipes and fins) and off the motherboard. It would be better to clean the dust out of everything though. After that, start the computer and press the correct key. When you first hit the power button, you will see something like"Press F2 To Enter Setup". Quickly press that key. If you get a screen with lots of text, you are in the right place. If not, try again. You must press the key on the first screen after you turn it on. Now, use the arrow keys to enter the part that says"CPU Clock Speed" or similar. You usually go higher with the +\- or arrow keys. Go up by about 20%. For example, if it was at 2.4GHz, go up to 3GHz. Now go to "Save And Exit". Once it starts up, download a CPU stress test program such as Prime 95. Let it run on the harshest setting it has for at least 30 minutes. If it shut down or their was an error in the middle, go back to Setup and turn the CPU voltage up by 0.5 volts and try again. If it worked, go back to Setup and turn the clock speed up by 0.3GHz. Stress test again. If it fails, turn up the voltage and try again. If it passes, turn up the clock speed by 0.2GHz and retest. When it becomes unstable and more voltage does not help, turn it down by 0.1GHz and retry. If it is stable, turn the voltage down by 0.2 volts and retest. Turn down the voltage until it is unstable. Then up just enough to keep it stable. You want just enough voltage for it to be stable. Now you can try overclocking by 0.1GHz. If it is stable, keep going until it is unstable. After turning it down by 0.1GHz, leave the stress test running for at least 3 hours. Leave it at that if it is stable. If not, go down and retest. Once it is stable, turn down the voltage as much as possible for it to still be stable. You will not cause damage if you follow these steps carefully. It takes patience and time, but is worth it in the end.

Answer 2

http://gamerstech.weebly.com/overclocking.html