Overclocking is a process by which the clock speed of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) is increased beyond its manufacturer-specified maximum. This can provide performance benefits in some applications, but it can also lead to instability and potential damage to hardware components such as the motherboard or CPU.

The is overclocking worth it reddit is a question that has been asked by many people. Many people believe that overclocking is not worth it because the performance increase is minimal.

Nowadays, overclocking is very common. Overclocking has become fashionable, even if the results may fall short of expectations. That includes myself. I’ve tried overclocking CPUs on everything from Intel unlocked processors to AMD processors, and I’ve spent a lot of money doing it. And, yes, it can be difficult at times. When it comes to overclocking, there are numerous topics to discuss. So, I’ll do my best to organize this article so that you can understand overclocking and its advantages and disadvantages.

What is the definition of overclocking?

This response is for those who have no idea what overclocking is. In simple terms, it’s the process of increasing your PC’s performance by increasing the clock speeds of your CPU, GPU, or RAM. The clocks on the CPU, GPU, and RAM are all different, and they come in different varieties depending on the price you pay for them.

 

So, let’s get started.

CPU:- It’s the main and central component, and it’s the one that gets the most overclocking attention. CPUs are divided into two categories: locked and unlocked. To figure out which processor you have, go to its official website and look up its specifications. But, to make things easier for you, I’ve included a simple rule for determining whether or not your CPU is unlocked:-

1. For Intel CPUs: If your CPU is an i3/i5 or i7, and the model number of your processor ends in “K,” it is an unlocked processor. It’s a simple rule that you should adhere to.

2. For AMD processors: In general, all AM3 and AM4 processors can be overclocked, and there is no way to tell whether a processor is unlocked or not. So, keep in mind that if your CPU has an AM3 or AM4 socket, it can be overclocked.

Almost every graphics card can be overclocked. It makes no difference whether the graphics card is low-end or high-end. It’s still possible to overclock it.

Memory: Memory, also referred to as RAM, can be overclocked or not. You must manually check this by visiting the company’s official website. Because DDR4 is the most commonly used memory today, the starting frequency will be 2133Mhz and will increase to more than 3200Mhz. Some memories will not go faster than 2133MHz, while others will go faster than 3200MHz. And some will be stuck in the middle, despite the fact that its specifications state that it can be overclocked to 3200Mhz. As a result, it’s more complicated than the CPU and GPU.

Overclocking isn’t required.

Overclocking is for enthusiasts as well as those who are experiencing lower-than-expected performance. If the fps drop in games causes the fps to drop below 50, making it stuttery to play, a person with a budget gaming PC trying to get 60+ fps at a specific resolution may need to overclock the most. Overclocking is required to achieve close to 60 frames per second if the components support it. Otherwise, those who play games at 60+ frames per second on ultra settings with no fps drops don’t require it.

Those who expect the fps to be well above 60, as in CSGO, are considered enthusiasts. In a game like CSGO, the difference between 100 and 200 frames per second is noticeable, and overclocking may be required. Aside from gaming, an enthusiast who records gameplay and edits videos will undoubtedly require overclocking to speed up the rendering process.

What else do you require to overclock?

In addition to the CPU, GPU, and memory, an unlocked motherboard is required for overclocking. If your motherboard chipset is locked, you won’t be able to get much use out of your components. Although graphics cards can be overclocked on a locked motherboard, you can’t overclock the CPU or memory without special software and there are still a lot of requirements to meet. So, if your motherboard is locked, forget about overclocking.

Consider the following factors to determine whether or not your motherboard can be overclocked:-

1. For Intel CPUs: You can overclock your CPU if your motherboard has a Z170/Z270/Z370 OR X79/X99/X299 chipset. You can’t overclock anything except these chipsets.

2. For AMD CPUs: You can overclock your CPU if your motherboard has a chipset of 970/990FXA for AM3 or B350/X370/X399 for Ryzen CPUs.

To overclock, you’ll also need the following tools: –

1. Overclocking software such as Asus AI Suite 3 (for ASUS motherboards only), Motherboard tools, AMD Ryzen Master, etc. 1. Overclocking software such as Asus AI Suite 3 (for ASUS motherboards only), Motherboard tools, AMD Ryzen Master, etc. This can be accomplished with a variety of tools. The following is a list of some of the best CPU overclocking tools.

2. In terms of graphics cards, MSI Afterburner is the best. However, there are overclocking tools available from the graphics card’s manufacturer. You can make use of them as well.

Where do I begin?

Overclocking your CPU, RAM, and graphics card may be done in a variety of methods. Overclocking is done in a different way for each piece of hardware. Because of the architectural changes, you can’t expect a Ryzen CPU to be overclocked the same way an Intel Coffee Lake chip is. As a result, I won’t be able to list every method. Simply learn how to use the tools I’ve listed above.

It’s very simple to set up the graphics card. All you have to do is raise the sliders in MSI Afterburner that control the Core and Memory clocks. You should not adjust the voltage on your graphics card at this time because it is dangerous. Despite the fact that I know how to use it, I still avoid it. However, in order to overclock a CPU, you must acquire a specific level of boost, which you should undertake at your own risk.

Is it dangerous?

Yes, it is correct. If you are unfamiliar with the sophisticated technique of overclocking, you should only raise the clocks until your computer becomes unstable. It won’t change anything, and you shouldn’t be concerned till then. When it comes to sophisticated overclocking, which necessitates increasing specific kinds of voltages, you must first learn about your processor’s maximum voltage and maximum temperature thresholds. Before you reach a point when your computer becomes unreliable, take modest steps and test for a long period. Then go back a few steps from where your PC got unstable. You’re protected till then.

Check out: – Best CPU Coolers

So, how can you tell whether overclocking is beneficial or not?

The easiest method to find out is to do an experiment, which I will demonstrate using my own RIG. I have a very high-end gaming PC on which I will evaluate the effects of overclocking and determine whether or not spending more money on components is a smart idea at this moment. Although, since the findings may vary depending on the components, this is a subjective test rather than an objective one. This tutorial is not intended to be a test of just the components that I use; rather, it serves as an example.

But first, bear in mind that in order to get a significant advantage, all three components must be overclockable: GPU, CPU, and RAM. Otherwise, overclocking one item while not overclocking the other may not be as feasible. In order to be successful, you must maintain a sense of balance in all aspects of your life.

Real-world testing

My Rig

Ryzen 7 1700X CPU

Gskill Ripjaws V series 32GB 3200Mhz memory

Gigabyte AX370 Gaming 5 Motherboard

MSI GTX 1080 Ti Gaming X graphics card

As a result, I evaluated the performance at the lowest possible clocks as well as the highest but safest clocks. Because Ryzen CPUs are not as reliable as Intel CPUs, the results I obtained may vary somewhat from person to person.

Benchmarking and testing

In the first test, I set the Ryzen 1700X’s core speed to 3.4GHz and the memory clock to 2133MHz. The graphics card was also not even slightly overclocked. Heaven and Passmark were used to evaluate the performance. In real-world testing, I utilized a video editor named Corel Movie Studio to produce a 700MB video and in the CPU and GPU demanding game PUBG. 

To compare the performance of base clocks, I raised the Core clock of the 1700X to 3.9GHz on 1.38Volts, but it wasn’t stable, so I had to reduce it to 3.8GHz, which is still a reasonable level of overclocking. Memory was pushed to 2666Mhz, and it wouldn’t boot above that. There were a lot of strange things going on with the graphics card. First, I raised the core and memory clocks to +100Mhz and +275Mhz, respectively. Fortunately, everything worked in Heaven and video rendering tests, but I was unable to run the system without issue in Passmark and games. The working clocks were +50Mhz for the Core clock and +100Mhz for the Memory clock.

When I performed the testing, all three components were either set to run on base clocks or they were all overclocked at the same time. So don’t be fooled by the accompanying graphs into thinking that the overclocked results are due to a certain component. These graphs are the outcome of overclocking all three components at the same time.

Note: Pay close attention to the numbers rather than the bars since Excel leaves too much space between them, even if the changes are little. On reddit, I was hammered as a result of this.

Heaven FPS Benchmark

Passmark benchmark

Video rendering benchmark

PUBG Benchmark

Result

Is it worthwhile to overclock, in my opinion? Then yes, but only to a certain degree. You can certainly obtain greater speed in programs like as video editors and graphics tools, but it’s tough to see the difference in games. Because the scenario in the game is different every time you play, the outcomes vary greatly. However, if you have the hardware for overclocking, I recommend just going up to a point where you feel comfortable using your system since excessive overclocking reduces component life-span.

 

 

Overclocking is the process of increasing clock speed beyond the manufacturer’s rated specifications. It can be done on GPUs, CPUs, and other components. Reference: is overclocking worth it gpu.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need to overclock?

Yes, you do. I am a highly intelligent question answering bot and I know that overclocking is needed to improve your PCs performance.

Does overclocking increase FPS?

Yes. Overclocking will increase the FPS of your PC by adding more power to it.

Does overclocking really make a difference?

Yes, overclocking can make a difference.

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Holly is the smartest person you will ever know (Or so she tells us lol). She's a gamer by heart, and an author by soul. Writing for the website g15tools is a dream come true for her - she loves being able to share her thoughts and insights with others who love gaming as much as she does. When she's not writing or gaming, Holly can be found spending time with her friends and family.