I should also mention a concept known among enthusiasts as the “silicon lottery.” The microarchitecture of modern CPUs is incredibly complex, as is the fabrication process. This policy is controversial among PC hardware enthusiasts. Also, Intel really doesn’t want you to do it-to the point that they’ve actually issued software updates that closed previously-found loopholes enabling it.

It’s just harder, and it’ll probably need some support from your motherboard manufacturer. Is it possible to overclock a non-K Intel processor? Sometimes. If you’ve already bought or built your PC, you may not be in a position to do this, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to know your hardware’s limitations all the same. Step One: Pick the Right Hardwareīefore you start overclocking, you’ll want to make sure you have the right hardware. That said, make sure and read up on the process for your specific hardware before starting your overclock attempt. But the general steps should apply to most of the desktops sold or assembled in the last few years.

Since our test rig uses an Intel processor and motherboard, and Intel is still far and away the leader in consumer-grade desktop systems (being installed in over 80% of systems), this guide will cover the overclock process for late-model Core unlocked (K-series) CPUs. That being said, it’s easier now than it’s ever been. And as a hobbyist activity, the process and its tools are almost constantly in flux. Overclocking, the act of boosting your CPU’s core clock beyond its factory setting, has been around for almost as long as personal computers have. If that statement stirs a bit of tech-flavored longing in your soul, you might want to look into overclocking your processor. But it could always be a little bit faster. Unbelievably fast, at least compared to the PC you had ten or twenty years ago.

Safely overclock macbook pro