IS OVERCLOCKING SAFE???

[AJ]

I've been reading about overclocking and was wondering, is it safe???

What are its pros and cons?

Will I need to upgrade my cooling system?

[DevilDude]

Safe? As in will you kill yourself doing it? Probably not - unless it becomes an obsession

Whether or not you will need to upgrade your cooling system depends on what you have to cool with, the kit you are going to overclock and how much by. Generally speaking the more you want to overclock the better the cooling system you will need.

Pros:
Faster system
Bragging rights
Sense of achievement

Cons:
More heat generated
Reduced lifespan of chips
Possibility of burning out chips whilst trying out overclock speeds

My advice is if you can't afford to upgrade and you've no previous experience in overclocking, then don't. You do stand a Very good chance of burning up your chip if you're not careful and even if your chip is extremely well cooled, you will still reduce the life expetancy of the component.

Hope this helps

[Cobracon]

Very good advice, DevilDude. It's the same logic that can be applied to car engines and RF (Ham radio) amplifiers, too. You can over-clock/boost/drive them and get greater output, but in the end you generate excess heat and shorten their lives. The bottom line is if you want MORE, buy BIGGER stuff.......

[DevilDude]

Thank you, thank you...

/me bows, blows kisses to the adoring crowds

[AJ]

true, but if i never overclock anything 'cause i have no experience, how am i supposed to gain experience???

[Wizzard1]

Overclock old things untill they blow. Then go to mroe expensive stuff, and then more.... And then overclock you new $2000 rig till it almost fries, take 2 steps back, and grin.

[Marcin]