Overclocking can damage your components, especially if the hardware is not designed for it or you push the voltages too high. You should only overclock if you are OK with the possibility of destroying your hardware. No two systems will overclock the same, even if they have the exact same hardware. This is because overclocking is greatly affected by small variances in the manufacturing process. Don’t base your expectations solely on the results you read online for the hardware you have. If you are primarily looking to increase video game performance, you may want to consider overclocking your graphics card instead, as you will likely see better results. Laptops are not good candidates for overclocking, as their cooling capabilities are limited. You will get much larger performance increases on a desktop computer where you can control temperatures better and will likely end up overheating your laptop or frying your CPU if you try it.

CPU-Z - This is a simple monitor program that will allow you to quickly see your clock speed and voltage in Windows. It doesn’t perform any actions, but its an easy-to-use monitor to help ensure everything is working correctly. Prime95 - This is a free benchmarking program that is widely used for stress testing. This is designed to be run for long periods. LinX - Another stress testing program. This one is lighter than Prime95, and is good for testing in between each change.

Many motherboards are designed for overclocking, and thus should give you full access to the overclocking controls. Check your computer’s documentation to determine your motherboard’s capabilities. Some processors are more inclined to successful overclocking than others. For example, the “K” line of Intel i7s are designed specifically to be overclocked (e. g. Intel i7-2700K). You can find your processor model by pressing ⊞ Win+Pause and looking in the System section.

Be sure to check your temperature levels during the stress test. If your temperatures are above 70 °C (158 °F), you will likely not be able to get much out of overclocking before your temperatures become unsafe. You may need to apply new thermal paste or install a new heatsink. If your system is crashing during the baseline stress test, then there is likely an issue with the hardware that needs to be sorted out before you begin overclocking. Check your memory to see if there are any errors.

Every BIOS is different, so menu labels and locations may vary from system to system. Don’t be afraid to dig through the menu system to find what you need. [1] X Research source

If you cannot find the memory frequency options, try pressing Ctrl+Alt+F1 on the BIOS main menu.

If your motherboard does not allow you to adjust the multiplier, then you can skip down to Part 4. If you can adjust your multiplier, then move on to the next section to try to get more gains. Make sure to record the settings you are currently at, in case you want to return to them later.

While every CPU has a different safe temperature range, the general rule of thumb is to not allow your CPU to reach the 85 °C (185 °F) level. To check your CPU temperature, try opening the Task Manager (Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc). If the information is not visible there, download a free third party monitor software. If you’re working on a laptop computer, you probably can tell if it’s overheating by placing your hand underneath it.

When raising your core voltage, increase it in 0. 025 increments. Any more and you run the risk of jumping too high and damaging your components.

Since the voltage settings increase temperature the most, your goal should be to maximize the base clock and multiplier settings to get the most performance out of the lowest voltage possible. This will require a lot of trial and error and experimentation as you try different combinations.

In general, you shouldn’t raise your voltage more than 0. 4 above its original level, 0. 2 if you’re using a basic cooling system. If you reach your temperature limit before you hit a voltage limit, you may be able to make more increases by improving the cooling system in your computer. You can install a more powerful heatsink/fan combo or opt for a more expensive but much more effective liquid cooling solution.

Use Memtest86 to perform memory tests as your raise the frequency back up.

When you open Prime95, select “Just Stress Testing”. Click Options → Torture Test and set it to “Small FFT”. Borderline temperatures are usually OK, since Prime95 pushes your computer more than most programs ever will. You may still want to back your overclock down a notch to be safe. Your idle temperature shouldn’t go above 60 °C (140 °F).