Why should I overclock my CPU?

[AcesTranquility]

Hi, I'm thinking of overclocking my CPU... What are the main advantages? Also how many fps increase will I see in games if I overclock my phenom 955 (3.2) to 3.8ghz? Thanks

 

[Gillbot]

Topic Title: Why should I overclock my CPU?

If you need to ask this, you shouldn't.

 

[AcesTranquility]

I know how to...i did Overclock to 3.6 but didnt see any changes. I never tested game fps. Just looking for a guess.i would test Joe but i cant get it stable

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: AcesTranquility
Why should I overclock my CPU?

There's only one reason (besides boredom, of course) to overclock any component, because it isn't fast enough.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: AcesTranquility
I know how to...i did Overclock to 3.6 but didnt see any changes. I never tested game fps. Just looking for a guess.

Okay, how much faster will my car be if I run alcohol in it, instead of regular unleaded?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: AcesTranquility
Hi, I'm thinking of overclocking my CPU... What are the main advantages? Also how many fps increase will I see in games if I overclock my phenom 955 (3.2) to 3.8ghz? Thanks

The main advantage is getting a faster CPU than you paid for

FPS increases in games really depends on several things (including):

1) What GPU(s) you use
2) What games you are playing; if they are more CPU-dependent than GPU-dependent
3) What resolution you game at

Generally, you will get some FPS increase in PC gaming with a fast videocard if you overclock from 3.2 GHz to 3.8 GHz

As a *coincidence* i just completed my 16-gaming benches and am publishing my results this coming Monday morning

Athlon II 250 X2 at 3.0 and 3.9 GHz
Phenom II 550 X2 at 3.1 and 3.9 GHz
Phenom II 720 X3 at 2.8 and 3.5 GHz
C2Q Q9550s at 2.83, 3.1 and 4.0 GHz

Each of these CPUs are tested both with HD 4870-X2 and GTX 280- maxed out games [4xAA/16xAF] at 19x12 and 16x12 resolutions

From my conclusion, there are definite increases in the FPS in some games to make overclocking the CPUs very useful (overall) in the above benching with all of the configurations

 

[AcesTranquility]

Thanks allot... Ill focus on getting those frequencies up. I game at 1600x1050 with a 4890 and like to play all the latest.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: AcesTranquility
I game at 1600x1050 with a 4890 and like to play all the latest.

In that case, unless you're running very high levels of AA, you are CPU-bound in nearly all games.

edit: So get to clockin'.

 

[betasub]

n/m