There is a lot of debate over whether overclocking a CPU can actually increase FPS. Some people claim that it does, while others say that it doesn’t make much of a difference. So which is it? Does overclocking your CPU really improve your FPS?
In this article, we’re going to take a look at what overclocking is, how it can impact FPS, and whether or not it’s worth doing.
Table of Contents
What is Overclocking?
Overclocking is the process of making a computer or device run at a higher speed than the manufacturer intended. It’s usually done by increasing the clock rate, which is the rate at which the CPU processes instructions.
Overclocking can be done for different reasons. Some people do it to get more out of their hardware, while others do it to save money on a new purchase. It can also be done to improve the performance of a particular application or game.
How Does Overclocking Affect FPS?
The impact of overclocking on FPS can be both positive and negative. It all depends on how you overclock your CPU and what kind of hardware you’re using.
If you overclock your CPU too much, it can cause instability and crashes. This can lead to lower FPS or even no video output at all. On the other hand, if you overclock your CPU just enough, you may see a significant increase in FPS.
The best way to find out how overclocking affects your FPS is to experiment with different clock rates and see how it impacts your performance. Just be sure to keep an eye on your temperatures and make sure you don’t overheat your hardware.
Does Overclocking CPU Increase FPS?
Yes, overclocking your CPU can increase your FPS. However, it’s important to keep in mind that every situation is different. You may need to experiment with different clock rates to find the perfect balance for your hardware and game settings. Just be sure to keep an eye on your temperatures and don’t overclock your CPU too much, or you may run into stability issues.
Advantages of Overclocking Your CPU
There are a few advantages to overclocking your CPU. All of them are listed below. But keep in mind, there are worse for overclocking a CPU than good.
- Your Frames Per Second(FPS) in games may improve.
- You may be able to run certain applications or games that otherwise wouldn’t work on your computer.
- It unlocks the potential of your CPU so you may be able to do more with it.
- You may be able to reach higher clock speeds than the manufacturer intended, meaning you get more value for your money.
- CPU-based games like Assassin’s Creed, and FarCry 2 will get a great FPS boost.
Disadvantages of Overclocking Your CPU
Even though there are some benefits to overclocking your CPU, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of.
- Overclocking can void your warranty.
- You may damage your CPU if you overclock it too much.
- Your system may become unstable and crash.
- Your CPU will generate more heat and may require additional cooling.
- Overclocking your CPU can lead to a shorter lifespan.
All in all, overclocking your CPU may or may not increase your FPS. It all depends on your hardware, game settings, and how you overclock your CPU. To get the most out of your CPU, you’ll want to keep an eye on your temperatures and avoid overclocking it too much. You may run into stability difficulties if you overclock your processor too much.
Which CPUs are Overclockable?
The majority of CPUs nowadays are overclockable. However, there are still some that aren’t. AMD CPUs are generally more overclockable than Intel CPUs.
For Example, Intel CPUs that comes with the Surfix “K” are overclockable. Those are typically more expensive than the non-overclockable variants. However, the other varients are not overclockable and are factory locked. Even if you’ve got the best hardware to overclock an Intel CPU, you might not be able to reach the max potential because they are factory locked.
As for AMD CPUs, most of them are overclockable. The only thing you need is a compatible motherboard and BIOS that supports overclocking.
Which Type of Motherboard Do You Need to Overclock a CPU?
The differences between Intel and AMD motherboards can be quite significant. For example, an expensive Z-series motherboard is required to overclock an Intel processor whereas budget chipset boards like B series or H series won’t allow this type of performance tweakability in return for their low-cost tag – they only offer entry-level features which means no PCIe-4 slots if your system relies heavily on graphics processing units (GPUs).
While for the AMD CPUs, any motherboard with an AMD socket will allow you to overclock your CPU as long as it has a BIOS that supports overclocking. The X570 and B550 are the most recent chipsets from AMD that offer full overclocking support for both the CPU and memory.
Final Thoughts
Overclocking your CPU can be a great way to improve your FPS in games, as well as unlock the potential of your processor. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are risks involved with overclocking, such as voiding your warranty or damaging your CPU. Additionally, overclocking may not always result in an increase in FPS.
You’ll need to experiment with different clock rates and settings to find what works best for you and your hardware.
In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not overclocking is worth the risk. If you’re not comfortable with taking the risks, then it’s probably best to leave your CPU at its default clock speed.
