Advantages and Disadvantages Associated With Overclocking
Overclocking the components within your computer can be a lot of fun, but you really need to realize the ramifications of your actions along with the benefits that you stand to gain. Don’t take this article to mean that you shouldn’t overclock your computer, just that you should completely grasp what the end results can be.
Risks of Overclocking:
- You’ll most likely void your warranty:
What you’re doing to your system is modifying it to operate differently then it was initially intended to. Once you’ve overclocked the component, you will no longer be able to take advantage of the warranty that the manufacturer has offered.
- Your system has to deal with added stress:
Even with the proper cooling and management of your components, you still risk damage to them and a shorter lifespan by opting to overclock them. While this doesn’t always mean you’ll end up burning out your components, you need to understand that it is very possible for it to happen.
- Your system runs a lot hotter:
While frying an egg on your system may be appealing, you’ll need to do something about the heat your overclocked components will be giving off. Unfortunately, this means spending money. Higher voltage means more heat, and that heat can effect all the components in your system, not just the overclocked ones.
- Overclocking does not increase efficiency:
Instruction sets dictate what a CPU can do. You can’t add new instruction sets to your CPU, so overclocking can only do so much. Don’t think that overclocking will turn your $200 CPU into a $500 CPU.
- Overclocking will frustrate you, big time:
Overclocking can be very frustrating. Even if you’re patient you risk frying components or winding up with a computer that just won’t turn on for some unknown reason. Unfortunately, if you’ve hit the point of frustration and want to give up, the only easy option is to buy new components as your warranty is now voided.
Advantages of Overclocking:
- Improved performance:
Your overclocked component won’t run identical to the more expensive version operating at its new speed, but it will be a huge jump in performance.
- You’ll save money:
New hardware costs big money, and while overclocking won’t get you neck and neck with that new hardware, it will keep you close enough to not spend your vacation money on a new component.
- In-depth system knowledge:
Computer knowledge is gained through hands on activities. By opening up your system and getting a feel for it, you’ll be able to grasp a lot more than you were before. Even if this isn’t your first time inside your computer, you’ll definitely learn something new.
- Flaunt your stuff:
Unless you’re reading up on this site to understand what you’re friend or someone you paid will be doing to your computer, you’ll have full bragging rights. While you may not be able to convince your boss that you deserve employee of the month for overclocking, you’ll be able to proudly display your rig at the next LAN party.