Gone are the days when computers were used for calculations and work. With the evolution of the processors, the system becomes more powerful with each generation. With the rise of demanding software, these processors are used to their maximum potential.
Even after experiencing the best performance, some users need to go beyond the limit. Processes like overclocking have thereby become the means of quenching this thirst.
Overclocking is a process in which the clock speed of a processor is further increased. This optimization enables the processor to perform more calculations in a stipulated time. As a result, the data is handled at a tremendous speed, resulting in enhanced performance. As simple as it may sound, the overclocking process is a bit complex.
To make you aware of the process, this article will guide you through important overclocking details. It will also deal with certain concerns related to the overclocking process and its effect on the life of the CPU.
Overclocking
Since the CPU is the most important part of the system, its performance affects the performance of other components. Whenever overclocking of a processor is mentioned, the whole process is related to its default clock speed. The clock speed is limited to a set speed to keep the processor energy efficient and generate less heat.
This limitation works like a double edge sword, which also limits the performance of the CPU at higher loads. To increase the clock speed beyond the set limit, several factors of a processor are considered, including the compatibility of the CPU, motherboard, voltage input, and even cooler settings. Users also have to access the computer’s BIOS settings to add a multiplying factor.
How CPU Overclocking Works?
We already know that overclocking is related to the clock speed, which belongs to the CPU cores. Other parts are a part of the overclocking, but cores remain the top priority. For a CPU to be overclocked, it must be compatible with the process. After checking the compatibility, the voltage input for the process is checked. At higher voltage, the CPU remains stable and supports the overclocking process.
The heat generation is more in the overclocking process, which raises the need for a cooling system. When these basic things are set, the user can move forward to the BIOS settings. BIOS settings give access to important parents like the CPU multiplier, which increase the speed ratios. By closely governing these factors, an optimum setting is chosen to keep the system stable and cool while churning out maximum performance.
Overall Duration of CPU Overclocking
Depending on several factors, the time span of the overclocking process varies from system to system. No standard rules exist for how long a CPU can be pushed to its limit under overclocking. The user can set an overclocked CPU to its default setting since the effect is not permanent. With the help of software or the BIOS settings, the processor is reset to the default settings.
Overclocking a processor, in the long run, might cause certain changes in the hardware components. Sometimes when the governing parameters are incorrectly handled, the processor or other components might experience damage. Before learning about these issues, we shall go through the advantages and disadvantages of the overclocking process.
Advantages of Overclocking a CPU
- With an overclocked CPU, the overall performance of the system increases drastically. The higher computational power helps decrease the loading time of games and software.
- The CPU’s performance boost comes at a lower cost than buying a high-end CPU. This helps in limiting the monetary investment of the user in other components.
- One of the major advantages of the overclocking process is that it is controllable. The user controls and sets several factors, improving the customization. As a result, the system can be tuned to the user’s demand.
Disadvantages of Overclocking a CPU
- Some CPUs brands do not allow overclocking of their CPUs. As a result, the warranty on the processor might become void after the process. This might jeopardize the processor’s repairs at the brand’s end.
- The CPU runs at a higher clock speed, with an increased power supply voltage. As a result, a tremendous amount of heat is generated on the CPU surface and the CPU socket. The motherboard may damage under these conditions if cooling is not adequate.
- When the power supply input is incorrectly done, the CPU might receive uneven voltage. This damages the circuit and can cause further damage to the CPU. Besides this, the system might become unstable and crash the software or games. Higher power input also crashes the power consumption of the system
Longer exposure to these problems can damage the CPU. Since most users get confused about overclocking and its effect on the CPU’s lifespan, we will discuss this point in the next section.
Does Overclocking Damage the CPU?
Overclocking might look like a profitable option for most users to increase the CPU’s performance. Most of them don’t know about the aftereffects of an overclocked CPU. Overclocking can damage a CPU in the long run and within a shorter period. The higher voltage causes a rise in the temperature of the CPU and its socket. This might damage the CPU and motherboard if not controlled properly.
Besides the overheating issue, the improper setting in the BIOS causes an uneven setting of the CPU multiplier. Other components, like the GPU, might crash as the safety threshold is breached. As a result, the computation process, software, and even the games start to freeze or crash. Therefore the overclocking process can damage the CPU along with other hardware components.
Factors that Reduce the Overall Lifespan of an Overclocked CPU
Now we are aware of how overclocked CPUs are at risk of damage. One major impact of this damage is the reduced overall lifespan of the CPU. To understand the effect of several factors on the CPU’s life, we advise you to go through them in detail.
1. Overheating
Overheating is one of the major reasons which reduces the lifespan of a CPU. The increased voltage and clock speeds result in the generation of huge amounts of heat. A prolonged operation in high temperatures causes thermal degradation of the CPU, which can cause irreversible damage. If the temperature is not maintained, other components might wear out, ultimately reducing their lifespan.
2. Running Over the Limits
Overclocking surely means pushing the CPU’s specification beyond its limit. If the user makes changes with respect to these limits, the processor will perform with stability. When certain tolerances related to the CPU specifications are not maintained, it runs at a very critical limit. Operations beyond these limits increase stress on the processor, thereby reducing its lifespan.
3. Damaged CPU Cores
Excessive running of the CPU at overclocked mode can damage its cores. This usually happened due to the spike in power beyond its specified limit. This phenomenon can also cause electrical currents strong enough to damage the pathways of the core. Rescued CPU cores cause instability in the system along with a reduction in the performance and lifespan (in case a core fails completely).
4. Reduced Stability of RAM
RAM is an independent component that relies on the CPU to adjust the settings of the memory controller. The overclocked CPU affects various timings and frequencies of the memory. Due to uncontrolled overclocking, the stability of RAM is disturbed. The reduced memory stability affects the data handling process, which can lead to data corruption. The damage to memory can be long term which reduces its efficiency.
5. Spike in Power Consumption
We already know that overclocking needs a stable and higher current supply. Keeping the voltage high helps in delivering power to all the required components. This eventually increases the power consumption of the CPU and other components. Since a large amount of power is being supplied, it increases the temperature of the power delivery circuit. The heated environment accelerates the aging and degradation of the CPU and motherboard.
6. Incompatibility
Not every CPU and hardware component is designed for overclocking. It is important to check the compatibility of the CPU with this process. When an incompatible CPU is overclocked, it experiences tremendous load. Making the system insatiable, the overclocked CPU might get damaged quickly. This eventually affects its life span. Other components also have to face the same issue.
All these factors lead to the reduction of a CPU’s lifespan. The regularly overclocked CPUs tend to age faster than the units which are not overclocked regularly. An overclocked CPU has an over 50% reduced lifespan of the non-overclocked unit. Similarly, the GPU ages faster with a 2-3 years reduction compared to the non-overclocked unit. An overclocked system’s RAM shows a 40 to 50% reduction in lifespan.
Overclocking – FAQs
Ans: During the overclocking process, the temperature of the CPU rises to an average of 80 degrees Celsius. Due to the overloading conditions, the temperature can further rise up to 100 degrees Celsius for short intervals. The CPU remains at 80 degrees for continuous working to avoid any thermal damage.
Ans: Yes, overclocked CPUs are prone to overheating problems due to the nature of the power supply. The voltage level is increased to match the power requirements of the boosted processor and components. As a result, the power circuit experiences a higher load of current which increases the temperature of the CPU.
Ans: Overclocking of a CPU always carries a risk of damage since it is a complex process. To keep the lifespan of the CPU unaffected by overclocking, the process must be done with precautions. By monitoring several factors, including BIOS settings, temperature, voltage supply, etc, the user can prevent excessive load on the CPU. It will thereby help the user maintain the life of an overclocked CPU.
Ans: Certain brands offer special software to assist the user in overclocking the CPU. This software has all the monitoring features to keep an eye on the important parameters. This allows the user to overclock the CPU automatically. The precision of the software reduces any form of human error in the process, making it safe.
Conclusion
Overclocking has become a popular alternative for boosting the computer’s performance amongst performance-oriented users. This process helps in running the hardware components beyond their factor-set limits. No matter how good this process might look, it does have certain flaws. This article tries to help you undertake what overclocking is. It also guides you through the effects of this process and how the lifespan of the CPU is affected. With this information, you will surely overclock responsibly.
