For a lot of gamers, overclocking is a standard practice that helps them maximize their PC’s potential without paying anything extra to do so. Overclocking increases frame rate, emphasizes high-speed gameplay, and makes real-time gaming on a budget not only possible but probable. Hell, it’s even possible to overclock a monitor.
However, whether you have or haven’t heard of overclocking, you probably came here with questions: so, what’s the downside? Why doesn’t everyone overclock? Should I overclock? How is Kristen Stewart still getting roles? (The last one is a genuine question; please let me know if you know. I need answers.)
Finally, what is overclocking, and is it worth it for me?
Before you can ask yourself whether overclocking is worth it for you, your gaming goals, and your particular set-up, we’ll run through a quick break down of the definition and the basics you need to know about the process. Then, we’ll figure out whether or not overclocking is right for you with some risk weighing and my own opinions on the subject (which align with most people I’ve met in the PC gaming world).
Finally, if you’re not familiar with overclocking, there’s a quick FAQ for beginners after the main content of the article, which can further inform you further about the world of DIY-boosting your PC’s performance.
What is Overclocking?
Honestly, overclocking is super exciting. Maybe that’s just my personal nerdy bias, but when you think about the fact that simple alterations to your computer hardware can change the quality of your gameplay, I think you’ll be excited too. Overclocking isn’t the be-all and end-all for PC performance enhancement, either.
There are plenty more ways to optimize your rig so that you have a top-tier experience, regardless of how much you have to spend.
Overclocking is a method for increasing your CPU/GPU’s usage capacity (think increasing a unit’s max health or strength caps in an RPG). Other components of a PC can be overclocked, but the CPU and GPU are easily the most popular bits to alter. This is great for gamers because it allows a cheaper set up to perform as well as a more expensive one, in plenty of circumstances.
Pros:
Although we’ve discussed the benefits of overclocking, I’d like to summarize what we’ve discussed so far. Overclocking can:
- Improve your frame rate
- Quicker response times
- Upgrade your setup quality for free
Overclocking, in general, is a popular option for people who need to use slow programs or would like to speed up their current PC, whether they are working on AI and algorithms or working on a record kill streak in an FPS. Alright, so it’s great, but what are the downfalls? Why doesn’t everyone do this?
Cons:
- May damage your computer hardware
- May not help you with your specific needs
The biggest problem the gaming community faces with overclocking is that it’s potentially dangerous to your computer’s hardware — in particular, to your CPU, GPU, motherboard, and the files you have saved, either in your system memory or hard drive.
If you’re anything like I was when I heard about overclocking for the first time, you just saw your days gaming at your rig flash before your eyes while a church bell rings solemnly in the distance. Unless you’re not as dramatic as me, which doesn’t sound nearly as fun, but you’re almost definitely better at this adult thing.
Lucky for you, if you use the correct programs and monitor your system’s response, moderate overclocking is pretty safe — especially with newer CPUs.
Why Should I Overclock?
This is easily the most important question to ask yourself before deciding whether or not to overclock. Why should you?
It depends! I don’t play many games on CPU where frame rate and reaction times are important — heck, for the most part, I play turn-based RPGs. In my situation, it wouldn’t make sense to overclock because the risk outweighs the benefits — not because there’s much risk, but because I wouldn’t benefit enough from the process to warrant doing it for reasons other than study.
However, if you play shooters, real-time action RPGs, or any esports, overclocking is likely a great decision. Keep in mind that if you already have a pro setup, you won’t need to overclock. However, if you own a mid-range (or low-range) graphics card for gaming under $300, you are absolutely in the right place! If you’re on a budget, you’ll appreciate overclocking even more, as it’s a fantastic way to improve your existing rig without paying a penny.
Is the Benefit Worth the Risk?
In my opinion: absolutely. One of the biggest myths about overclocking is that it’s always going to snap your motherboard in two and start your house on fire. Honestly, the risk is there, but it’s pretty low and not anywhere near as horrendous as the horror stories on the topic (unless you’re doing it wrong, but hey, that’s on you).
Companies have been making increasingly safer CPUs knowing that their customers are growing more and more likely to overclock their system for max performance, but even if you have a dusty old box of a computer, you can see your overclocking capabilities by using a benchmarking program.
To benchmark, take a look at a program like 3DMark11 and run the test. Once it’s complete, screenshot your results or write them down. Depending on the program you use, you may receive an overall system score, which will give you a general sense of how safe it is to overclock your particular CPU.
This gives you a “benchmark” for where your computer starts so that you can weigh the risk and benefit as well as see the statistical improvements you make as you juice up your computer. This information alone will give you a fantastic idea of the pro/con ratio. It’s likely that you have a setup that can be safely overclocked, so long as you monitor your temps and overclocking software.
In that case, you will have a blast with pumping up your CPU.
If your system is iffy for overclocking, don’t do it. The best thing you can do from that point is to get a better CPU. The great news is, you can get a fantastic gaming CPU on a budget. If you’d like, you can even get a budget CPU that’s safer to overclock!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to overclock?
It depends on your situation, as outlined in the article. However, overclocking speeds up your computer in just about every way you can think of. As a gamer, you know what that means — more wins! So long as you benchmark your rig pre-overclock, your system will most likely be safe. For more tips on improving your PC gaming sessions, check out our guide on boosting gaming PC performance.
Do you really need to overclock?
Overclocking is helpful and makes real-time gaming more responsive (and more fun!). However, you don’t need to overclock if you don’t want to! It’s definitely not a necessity for having fun as a PC gamer. If extra speed doesn’t affect your play much, then there’s no need to worry about overclocking.
Can you overclock RAM?
Yes! Overclocking can be used for your GPU, CPU, and various other components of your PC you may not have even considered optimizing. That isn’t to say that you should overclock your RAM as soon as possible because it totally depends on your situation and what you do with your PC.
Does overclocking void warranty?
Yes. I personally don’t know of any CPU manufacturers who don’t void a warranty on overclocked hardware. This is important to factor in if your existing CPU has a current warranty, or if you’re considering purchasing a new CPU to juice up.
How can I safely overclock?
The best way to overclock safely is to know your system’s limits, and the limits of whichever particular PC component you’re speeding up. If you pay close attention to your temperature programs and use common sense, you can overclock securely in the majority of cases.
Final Thoughts
To answer the original question of this article, based on my research and pre-acquired knowledge, I think overclocking is more than worth it for gamers in search of a quality boost — especially if you’re trying to win more games and/or pay less money.
All things considered, you probably knew what overclocking entailed when you came to this article. Luckily, overclocking has gotten safer over the years and continues to be a source of consideration when hardware companies manufacture CPUs. What’s popular is not always the best or right thing for you — however, this is a trend backed by tens of thousands, if not more, gamers who benefitted from this cost-effective strategy.