

To keep your overclocked PC stable, your job is to keep it cool.īudget CPU coolers (the stock heatsink-and-fan assembly that ships with many processors) are going to struggle here. If your PC becomes a little too toasty, integrated fail-safe measures should shut off the power before those expensive components are damaged. The more you push your processor, the hotter it’s going to get. Stable overclocks entail a delicate balance of speed and heat. It’s known as the “silicon lottery” for a reason! Some processors can tolerate higher operating speeds better than others-even those of the same model and specification. Pricier enthusiast processor lines (identified by a K or X suffix, such as the Intel Core i5-10600K Remove non-product link), on the other hand, are sold unlocked and can therefore be overclocked.Įven then, bear in mind that processors are unique slabs of silicon and electronics. Intel, however, locks most of its mainstream CPUs to prevent smart users from purchasing a budget component and jacking up its performance. If you’re Team AMD, you’re probably in luck, as all modern Ryzen processors can be overclocked in B- and X-series AM4 motherboards. First, not all processors can be easily overclocked. There are a few guiding principles worth considering before you overclock a CPU.
