How often do you update your BIOS or drivers to support your overclocked CPU?

1 Check your specs

Before you start overclocking, you need to know what kind of CPU you have, what its base clock speed and multiplier are, and what its maximum temperature and voltage limits are. You can find this information in your BIOS settings, or by using a tool like CPU-Z. You also need to check your motherboard, power supply, and cooling system, and make sure they can handle the extra stress of overclocking.

2 Backup your data

Overclocking can cause your system to crash, freeze, or corrupt your files, so it's always a good idea to backup your important data before you proceed. You can use an external drive, a cloud service, or a system image tool to create a copy of your data. You should also create a restore point in Windows, so you can revert to a stable state if something goes wrong.

3 Increase your clock speed

The first step of overclocking is to increase your CPU's clock speed, which is the frequency at which it performs calculations. You can do this by raising the base clock (BCLK) or the multiplier (also called the CPU ratio). The BCLK affects the speed of your CPU, RAM, and other components, while the multiplier only affects the CPU. You can adjust these settings in your BIOS, or by using a software utility like Intel XTU or AMD Ryzen Master. Start with small increments of 5-10 MHz for the BCLK, or 0.5-1 for the multiplier, and save your changes.

4 Test your stability

After increasing your clock speed, you need to test your system's stability and performance. You can use a benchmarking tool like Cinebench or 3DMark to measure your CPU's speed and compare it with other results. You can also use a stress-testing tool like Prime95 or AIDA64 to put your CPU under heavy load and monitor its temperature and voltage. If your system runs smoothly and does not exceed the safe limits of your CPU, you can proceed to the next step. If you encounter any errors, crashes, or high temperatures, you need to lower your clock speed or increase your voltage.

5 Increase your voltage

The voltage (also called Vcore) is the amount of power that your CPU receives from your power supply. Increasing your voltage can help stabilize your overclock and allow you to push your clock speed further. However, increasing your voltage also increases your CPU's temperature and power consumption, which can shorten its lifespan or damage it. Therefore, you should only increase your voltage by small increments of 0.01-0.05 V, and never go beyond the maximum limit of your CPU. You can adjust your voltage in your BIOS, or by using a software utility like Intel XTU or AMD Ryzen Master.

6 Fine-tune your settings

The final step of overclocking is to fine-tune your settings and find the optimal balance between performance and stability. You can do this by tweaking your BCLK, multiplier, and voltage, and testing your system after each change. You can also adjust other settings, such as the memory frequency and timings, the load-line calibration (LLC), or the fan speed and curve. You should aim for the highest clock speed and the lowest voltage that your system can handle without crashing or overheating. Once you find your sweet spot, save your settings and enjoy your overclocked CPU.