Overclocking, Before starting

Before getting down to work, we must first understand how the processor’s speed is reached. At present, the speed of the CPU is determined by two factors: the speed of the clock in the motherboard (whose values affects all the components in the computer) and the frequency multiplier (whose value only affects the processor).

When multiplied by each other, these values configured through the motherboard will determine the speed at which the processor works.

For example, if we imagine a computer that works at 600 Mhz, there are a number of ways of arriving at this figure:

Motherboard bus speed	CPU Multiplier	CPU Speed
133 Mhz	x 4.5	= 600 Mhz.
100 Mhz	x 6	= 600 Mhz.

In our case, the final speed of the processor is the same, but with the first configuration we increase the speed of the motherboard bus, thus raising the performance of all the devices installed in it (BUS, PCI, memories, etc.). Conversely, the second configuration is much more conservative and we do not overstretch any of the components in the computer.

The next step is to check what motherboard and CPU multiplier speed values are being used by the present system configuration and what values it allows. To do this, you need to consult the motherboard manual, which will give all this information in detail, and which will give an idea of the possible combinations. If you do not have the manual, look up the manufacturer’s website, where you will also find all the information.

At present, the speed of the motherboard varies between 66, 75, 83, 100, and 112 Mhz, although other boards have a wider selection: 50, 55, 60, 90, 95, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 133 and 150 MHz. This gives even greater flexibility when combining frequencies and, in any case, if your CPU refuses to work at a higher speed, you can always make the bus of the motherboard go faster, even with the CPU working at a similar frequency, and get higher CPU-bus PCI transfer speeds, which will give you an overall increase in the system’s performance.

The two values that determine the speed of the processor (frequency of the bus or clock and multiplier) are found on the motherboard. The method used to change them depends on the model of motherboard itself. There are several ways: