How to Overclock a Computer CPU

The manufacturer of your computer has a pre-set frequency that it specified when your computer was made. To overlock the CPU, you are trying to get the computer to operate higher than this particular frequency. This change may result in some gain in your computer's performance, although it does have its risks.

What you will need:

Computer fan, computer, heat-sink compound, needle-nose pliers, screwdriver, processor, computer back-up drives

Directions:

1. Gather your tools together, as specified above.


2. Determine the adjustments that are feasible with your motherboard, including if it can be done in the BIOS setup, or with jumpers.


3. Investigate your motherboard for time (speed) limitations.


4. While running Windows, check your diagnostic functions in Windows and any other diagnostic programs you have on the computer. Once you have determined if you have any system problems, fix them. 


5. Before beginning work on your computer, make sure that you have all of your files and documents backed up. It's good to secure a complete backup of everything and load the information onto CDs or flash drives.


6. Turn your computer off.


7. Make sure that the computer is still plugged into a surge protector.


8. Take off anything plugged into the computer (flash drivers, extra drives, etc.), and remove the chassis cover.


9. Be careful you are grounded prior to beginning work on the computer's interior.


10. Find the jumpers that moderate the speed of the CPU.


11. Alter your jumper settings by using a pair of needle-nose pliers. The positioning of the jumpers will be laid out in the manual, which will explain the desired clock speed. 


12. Hook up the instruments for the CPU heat sink, including the heat-sink compound and a cooling fan.


13. Return the computer components to their proper location, including the chassis.


14. Reboot the computer.


15. When you are trying to reboot, if it does not reboot, but the CPU is still working, you might adjust the clock speed. If you are still having problems, go back to the factory configuration.