Overclocking

Overclocking is not a official technical term, overclocking is a popular term computer in English. Overclocking consists of 2 main words are "over" and "clock."

"Over" in the English dictionary means "above" or "beyond", while the "clock" states the crystal clock that controls the speed of the processor. Then overclock is to go beyond clock speed.

The complete terms of overclocking the processor means operating the processor at speeds beyond the speed of a standard. If there is then also a term overclock underclock, underclock have a meaning opposite to overclock, the processor operates at a lower speed. There is no benefit to be gained from the underclock, it is certain that there are users who do not underclock the processor computers.

Overclocking is the effort made in order to maximize / increase the speed of computer system performance by increasing the multiplier or bus speed.

By increasing the multiplier or bus speed or both would result in CPU clock speed is higher, the increase in CPU clock speed of the processor, the speed also increases. Besides the need to achieve overclocking a computer system that remains stable and secure in the sense of not crash or hang when used.

The main answer why overclocking done is to get the increased speed of the processor, but there are some more specific reasons, among others:

1. Gaining speed increase system performance computer permanently without charge or at a minimal cost far less when compared to buying a new processor.

2. Limited to just try computer skills.

3. Trying to find out how much improvement is obtained before deciding to replace the processor with higher speeds and the same type. For example overclock Pentium 75MHz to 90MHz before replacing the old processors (Pentium 75MHz) with a 90MHz Pentium true.

4. Extending the life of the old processor in an effort to save costs, before buying a new processor.

5. Extending the life of the processor time while waiting for a new type of processor released / produced.

6. To estimate the ability of the processor to be produced later in the higher speed version, overclock the processor with this purpose is usually performed in a short time and very extreme (very much improved speed).

Overclock is also aimed to determine the maximum (margin) the ability of a processor if the overclock. Achieved speeds of course limited by the capabilities of the processor, motherboard and supporting components. An example is to overclock a Pentium II 233MHz to 333MHz (100MHz increase). Overclock is mostly done by the user and hardware tester who then published on the Internet.

Overclocking is not the best way to get the increased speed of the computer system works, because it is the easiest way to purchase and replace it with a new processor or processor-overdrive. As mentioned above overclocking done to obtain increased performance / overall computer system performance with minimal cost or even no cost at all because it only requires a few configuration changes on the motherboard so that the computer system can operate faster. In other cases require some additional components such as coolant for heat problems.

Why processors can be overclocked?

There must be a reason why a processor can be overclocked. Surely not since the beginning of a processor designed to be overclocked because it is detrimental to the manufacturer.

The cause of the processor can be overclocked processors is because manufacturers to label their products with the word "certified for" not "designed for". This condition allows overclocking done on the processor. "Certified for" states the ability of the processor to operate at those speeds, while "designed for" express specialization processor speed is just for speed.

For example: an Intel Pentium processor by the manufacturer declared "certified for" 166MHz, the processor is a proven and recognized capable of operating at speeds of 166MHz, whereas when the processor manufacturer Intel Pentium declared "designed for" the 166MHz processor is made to operate only on speed of only 166MHz.

High quality standards preferred by the manufacturer before the product is released, is caused by intense competition among PC manufacturers processors, in addition to producing high-quality processor will cause the well to the plant.

Sometimes the processor is made on the same die with the processor die another class that has a higher speed.

For additional information necessary to explain that not every processor manufacturer does as explained below. More specifically the following explanation is based on the fact that occur in the processor manufacturer Intel. The factory always create a design for a processor capable of operating at top speed, after each processor is tested to see if the processor is operating properly at the given speed of the initial specification. If the processor is an indication not operate at 100% speed, the processor is retested at lower speeds, and so forth until the processor passes the test. The processor will then be marked / labeled in accordance speed test results are successfully passed. It is believed that when the factory test their processors to label processor speeds at 1 level lower than the results of tests that passed, this was done to further ensure the reliability of the processor. For example, a processor that passes the test at a speed of 200 MHz will be labeled 166 MHz. That is a 166 MHz processor the computer has been certified ("certified for") by the plant was able to operate at a speed of 166 MHz, even in extreme conditions. The condition in question is extreme temperature or elevated temperatures (above 60 ° C), a wide range of voltage change (no stable source of electric current), the use of

continuous operation (a few years of non-stop), and how the use of other weight.

Should be questioned about the differences between the official clock speed Pentium processors. An example is the Pentium 150 and Pentium 166. Strangeness is on differences in the use of the type of voltage. Pentium 150 using standard, while the 166 uses voltage Pentium VRE. Yet the fact that there is a Pentium 150 can operate at 166MHz only by changing the voltage of a standard type to VRE. It can be concluded that Intel sells Pentium 166 Pentium 150 with labels only to meet the needs of the market. At the end of 1997, there are rumors that Intel high-speed processor label with a lower speed, this is done 'just to' meet the market demand, re-labeling is done on a Pentium 200MHz MMX Pentium MMX166MHz MMX166 MHz Pentium because the demand is high while

processor is no longer manufactured. The issue may not be true, but there is no way to prove it because Intel has never issued an official statement.

Then what is the difference between an Intel Pentium MMX 166MHz with 200MHz MMX?

Actually that distinguishes architecture processor design is the size of transistors, a faster processor and a 0.25 micron colder than 0.35 microns. Between MMX 166MHz to 200MHz using the same transistor size is 0.35 microns. Users can only trust the specifications given on the product manufacturer. If labeled 166MHz means it can operate optimally at 166MHz, and it is possible to operate at 200MHz. There is a possibility that Intel will do the same for the other processors in the future.

With the 'difference' tolerance limits or margins do factory for component processors, then in ideal conditions it is possible to "force" components on the processor for higher speeds than the rate given by the manufacturer. The ideal condition in question is a good cooling, power supply quality and fairly, motherboard and memory are of high quality, and so on. There is further information on the factors that affect the overclocking results.

The process of forcing the processor components to work at higher speeds than the rate given plant then known as "overclocking". Based on the above information, it is advisable to overclock the processor speed of the higher level is the same as the speed of the processor at the speed of return in accordance with the test results which it passes (valid only for Intel processors), in the limit that is considered safe overclocking.

Formerly it should be emphasized that not every system or computer configuration capable of operating faster than ever with overclocking. The reason is that the previous system was maximized by the manufacturer or store selling computers in order to compete. Factory / shop typically uses the motherboard, memory, power supply of low quality which can suppress selling prices. Means the computer is very difficult or even impossible to do overclocking. If forced labor made possible the computer system will be uninterrupted or permanent damage. Besides overclocking is not recommended to be done on the computer / PC built-up assembly plant. Why? Factory Built-up PC assemblers have design components such as the motherboard, memory, vga, monitor the individual components are also designed specifically for each of the types of processors used, the components of the PC are labeled / special seals to ensure your PC is not 'touched' by the user or any other party. Built-up PC also rarely include motherboard manual and components specific to the buyer. User manual is needed for overclocking. Without books overclocking is done is to 'try' a highly risky, in addition to the warranty provided by the manufacturer will be lost if the label / official seal given order.

Which many believe now is overclocking was not safe, but then again knowing the right techniques and perform a variety of prevention then open opportunities for overclocking without "burning" the processor used.

Overclocking has risks that can result in damage to the computer system as it tries to operate the computer system faster than its specifications. This damage can be damage to the components or data corruption. If you know or have never experienced before, back up important data beforehand or that the data is secure. Better yet, if overclocking experiments conducted using a backup hard disk that does not contain important data.

Overclocking will shorten the processor, how long is unknown, but it all depends on the extent of overclocking is done.

The processor can be damaged so called electromigration electromigration had occurred in the area of ​​silicon chip processor that operates at very high temperatures, electromigration can cause permanent damage to the processor. Electromigration does not directly damage the processor, electromigration is a long process, so it can also be said electromigration shortens the life of the processor. Suppose the normal life of a processor is less than 20 years of work. But with rapid technological change, it can be confirmed before the 10-year users have upgraded or even buy a new computer.

If you want to avoid electromigration then one important thing to do is to keep the temperature of the processor to remain at normal operating temperature. How that can be implemented include using cooling heatsink and fan are good, if the level is high enough overclock is done then you should use a heatsink and fan are larger, or use a peltier cooler, use thermal grease, and make good air circulation in the casing CPU.

There is the possibility of problems that are not known to look before it is too late. An example is when the process of calculating the 2 +2 produces 5, this situation indicates the processor is damaged. Therefore it is not recommended for overclocking on the important work environment (databases & programming).

The risk of computer system crashes or hangs when the higher-clocked processor. No one wants the computer system crashes or hangs, especially for the business professional environment, prevent system crashes or hangs very important.