How To Overclock an AMD CPU

Level of difficulty: Difficult

When a user overclocks a processor, this means that the user enables the computer to operate at a frequency that is much higher than that specified by the manufacturer. A number of computer experts and processor manufacturers, however, contend that there is a considerable risk when one overclocks a computer and this risk far outweighs the slight gain in performance that could be achieved. A number of sites in the Internet have been known to provide guidelines and procedures for overclocking the computer’s processor.

Materials Needed:
- Processors
- Computer
- Heat-sink compound
- Needle-nose pliers
- Computer fans
- Motherboard manual
- Jumpers
Step 1
Secure all the materials required for overclocking the CPU such as needle-nose pliers, motherboard manual and cooling hardware. Determine whether or not the motherboard is adjustable in the BIOS setup with the use of jumpers. Also check for the motherboard’s clock-speed limitations.
Step 2
The user then launches all Windows and third-party diagnostic applications and tries to fix all system problems that would be discovered. Create a backup copy on a CD-ROM of all documents, applications and system while making sure that there would be no overwriting of these copies.
Step 3
If the motherboard is BIOS-adjustable, create the changes in accordance with the instructions provided in the motherboard manual and proceed to Step 7.
Step 4
If the motherboard is not BIOS-adjustable, execute a shut down of the computer and keep the computer connected in to a surge suppressor. The user must also remove all peripherals connected to the computer.
Step 5
The user then removes the cover of the chassis and grounds himself to the computer with the use of any professional grounding machine if one is available. If no grounding equipment is on hand, the user may ground himself by simply touching any metallic portion of the chassis.
Step 6
If the motherboard contains adjustable jumpers, the user may locate these adjustable jumpers that regulate the speed of the CPU. Once the adjustable jumpers have been located, change the jumper settings with the use of needle-nose pliers. The user may move the jumpers to a position that the motherboard manual provides for the preferred clock speed. The user may check the Internet for recommended clock speed. If appropriate and possible, the user installs a CPU heat sink, a specialty cooling fan and a heat-sink compound.
Step 7
Put back together the entire system and execute a system reboot. If the user notices a failure in system reboot despite a working CPU, the clock speed must be lowered. If despite the adjustment in speed there is still failure in system boot, the user may restore the original configuration. Lastly, execute a check of all functions and launch a CPU-intensive program.


You are currently viewing How To Overclock an AMD CPU on Uniblue's how to archive.