Advantages and Disadvantages Associated With Overclocking by Billy Zype

Before you start overclocking your computer, you'll want to make sure that you understand the good and the bad that can come out of this process. This information shouldn't be viewed as a deterrent, but rather a clarification of the pros and cons associated with overclocking your computer.

Disadvantages of Overclocking:

- It will void your warranty:

By tinkering around with your systems components in a fashion other than what it was meant to do, chances are you've voided the warranty. While this may not be that serious to some, fact is that you won't be able to return that product or even get support on it anymore.

- Lowered lifespan for your components:

Computer components are meant to have a lot of life to them. That is, if you're running them how they're suppose to be run. By increasing their voltage and stress, you can't always guarantee how long you've got until you'll be replacing that piece of hardware.

- High temperature environment:

While frying an egg on your system may be appealing, you'll need to do something about the heat your overclocked components will be giving off. Unfortunately, this means spending money. Higher voltage means more heat, and that heat can effect all the components in your system, not just the overclocked ones.

- Overclocked? Yes. More efficient? No.

Just because you've managed to overclock your CPU, doesn't mean that it's as efficient as a more expensive chip that operates by default at that speed. No matter what you do overclocking wise, the instruction set for the CPU will still remain at what it was mean to, limiting your efficiency gain.

- It isn't for everyone:

Overclocking can be very frustrating. Even if you're patient you risk frying components or winding up with a computer that just won't turn on for some unknown reason. Unfortunately, if you've hit the point of frustration and want to give up, the only easy option is to buy new components as your warranty is now voided.

Advantages of Overclocking:

- Increased speed:

Your overclocked component won't run identical to the more expensive version operating at its new speed, but it will be a huge jump in performance.

- Your bank account will thank you:

New components are outdated the second they hit the shelf, so why would you want to keep buying new hardware when you could tweak your old one? Overclocking can give you more life and versatility and leave a lot more money in your pocket.

- You'll know your system like the back of your hand:

Whether you have previous experience with computers or this is the first time you've opened one up, you'll gain a good grasp on how your system operates and what you may need to do to troubleshoot any issues.

- Geek Pride:

People don't mod their cars to keep in their garage. Gamers don't overclock their computers to not show off at the next lan party.

About the Author

Overclocking isn't an easy task so make sure you know how to overclock a computer plus have all the proper overclocking benchmark software when starting.