If you run intensive productivity tools or high-end multi-tasking, for example, your work will get done faster.

As more cycles are completed, a greater number of tasks are accomplished – which means the processor will be faster. The pulses run in cycles, and overclocking refers to the process of speeding up the internal clock. We’re talking here about billions of pulses per second, and it’s these pulses that handle everything a processor does. This refers to the speed of the tiny oscillator inside a processor that regulates the electronic pulses that flow through the chip. The most important overclocking concept is the clock itself, which is measured in Hertz and most usually written as megahertz (a million Hertz, MHz) or gigahertz (a billion Hertz, GHz). What is overclocking and how does it help performance?įirst, a little science. But it’s worth remembering that knowledge is king – so this guide will explain the key concepts of overclocking and how to get started. With no extra cash required to get that performance boost, it’s certainly worth investigating. Here, we take you through the basics, busting confusing jargon and offering the essential advice needed to get you started. In fact, it’s an opportunity: it’s never been easier to tweak your processor to achieve big performance gains. Overclocking sounds like a dangerous, dark art, but it’s nothing to be afraid of.

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