Overclocking CPU, means making the CPU run faster than the default manufacturer setting.
CPU Clock formula is as follow,
CPUclock = FSB * CPUmultiplier
Where FSB is the Front Side Bus Clock provided by the motherboard.
Today most people run 32-bit system, if your CPU is Intel then most probably it will be Locked, except for the Extreme Chip, which denoted by the letter “X” in its model number. If CPU is locked, this means multiplier value cannot be set above a certain value.
Before Overclocking CPU you have to change BIOS settings, make sure it you have set the BIOS to default setting, its important because system might be unstable or the operating system might refuse to start.
If system gets unstable, for such cases you have to reset the BIOS so your system is stable again.
Following are the Overclocking Procedures
1) Set memory timings to lower value, lower the memory timings the faster they are. Please refer to the manufacture’s specs for getting the best values. You’ll get a chance to modify them, if you’re not sure about if they’re good.
2) Little bit increase your FSB clock speed, leave the Vcore and other voltage setting at default. The “default” setting generally over-estimates but we’ll take care of them later.
3) Test system with application that uses memory extensively, if your system runs stable for some time you can go to your BIOS and increase the FSB a bit more and again follow the test.
4) If computer system becomes unstable during testing, try increasing Vcore and Vdimm by one level and retest. You can continue lowering the FSB or increasing voltages until you get satisfying results. Be careful, increasing Vcore higher than 15% than rated value, it may damage your chip.
5) You can now re-adjust memory timings to get better performance from memory.
6) Adjust your memory divider, if it is asked. Will choosing a memory divider value, the memory will be operating in “asynchronous” manner or mode. Adjust memory voltages manually while running asynchronously to make it stable.
7) Try lowering the Voltage Value when you satisfied with what you reached so far. We have to minimize voltages to minimize temperature.
NOTE: - There is a limit for overclocking the memory. For high FSB speeds you must have memory that must work with it.