Hardware frying while Overclocking

[Mattd46612]

Is heat 99% of the cause if you fry your hardware while overclocking? What other factors are in the mix? Is it basically safe if you do it slowly and keep the hardware cool?

 

[Varun]

Yes it is safe if you keep the hardware cool. Here is why.

When you increase voltage to semiconductors the current raises exponentially. These pics are from LEDs and are just DC voltages though. (Current)(Voltage) = power (in watts) so you can see that more voltage = many more Watts.

The current doesn't really effect the semiconductor much though, but the heat will destroy it. As long as you can keep it cool you are fine.

p.s. this is a PN junction diode, rather than a CMOS transistor, but it illustrates my point.

 

[GuileVsGuile]

Gradual is the key word with overclocking. And i'm pretty sure heat is 100% responsible for hardware frying. As long as you increment slowly and keep your hardware cool and monitored, then you should be alright.

 

[KoolDrew]

Just be patient and you shouldn't run into problems. Follow the overclocking guide in the overclocking section.

 

[Mattd46612]

Im maxed out on my processor OC'ing as long as I have crap ram. But I ask mainly because I have a XFX 6800GT that I just installed and am itching to see how far it will go and what kind of benchmarking I can get. But it was $280 and I dont really want to fry it, although Ive never (knock on wood) fryed a piece of hardware yet.

 

[Valkerie]

so if it's damaged a little, will it degrade performance in the future?

 

[KoolDrew]

Im maxed out on my processor OC'ing as long as I have crap ram.

Just use a divider.

 

[Mattd46612]

Haha already have it at 133. Cant go any higher than 9x296 and its definetly the ram. The board from my testing goes wacky over 310.

 

[DanDaMan315]

I think more voltage actually stresses the chip more, which leads to shorter operating life. Don't wory about it though, now your proc will last 15 years, instead of 20.

 

[Mattd46612]

Im sure by the end of hte night I will decided to OC my 6800GT to check out its max and benchmarking scores. Although its looking very solid in its 3dmark03-05 and Aquamark03 scores even though its stock.