Overclocking basicsįor this guide, I’m using an Asus Maximus VIII Hero Alpha motherboard with an Intel Core i7-6700K processor. MSI motherboards even have a physical OC Genie button you can press to turbocharge your PC. If these manual steps seem a little tough, then check out the likes of Asus Dual Intelligent Processors 5, Gigabyte EasyTune, AMD’s Ryzen Master, or Intel’s Extreme Tuning Utility. However, some motherboard manufacturers offer convenient apps that attempt to safely overclock your CPU for you. We’re about to get hands-on with a motherboard’s UEFI BIOS software, which allows fine-tuning of your hardware settings. I recently upgraded my gaming rig with the NZXT Kraken X62 which pumps coolant over the CPU via a sealed system, then extracts the heat via a large radiator and double-fan assembly, mounted in the top of the case. Consider upgrading to a better-performing air cooler (such as those from Noctua) or investigate all-in-one liquid coolers, which work much like a car’s radiator. To keep your overclocked PC stable, your job is to keep it cool.īudget CPU coolers (the stock heatsink-and-fan assembly that ships with many processors) are going to struggle here. If your PC becomes a little too toasty, integrated fail-safe measures should shut off the power before those expensive components are damaged. The more you push your processor, the hotter it’s going to get.

Stable overclocks entail a delicate balance of speed and heat.

It’s known as the “silicon lottery” for a reason! Some processors can tolerate higher operating speeds better than others-even those of the same model and specification. Pricier enthusiast processor lines (identified by a K or X suffix, such as the Intel Core i5-10600K Remove non-product link), on the other hand, are sold unlocked and can therefore be overclocked.Įven then, bear in mind that processors are unique slabs of silicon and electronics. Intel, however, locks most of its mainstream CPUs to prevent smart users from purchasing a budget component and jacking up its performance. If you’re Team AMD, you’re probably in luck, as all modern Ryzen processors can be overclocked in B- and X-series AM4 motherboards. First, not all processors can be easily overclocked. There are a few guiding principles worth considering before you overclock a CPU.

Windows 10 not recognizing overclock