Overclocking The process of forcing a computer component to run at a higher clock rate than it was designed for is named overclocking. This process is usually practiced by PC enthusiasts. They practice overclocking in order to increase the performance of their computers. Some hardware supporters purchase low-end computer components. They then overclock these computer components to higher speeds. Others overclock high-end components to attain levels of performance that go beyond the original specifications. With overclocking their components users mainly focus their efforts on processors, video cards, motherboard chipsets and Random Access Memory (RAM). As every process overclocking has advantages and disadvantages. Take a look at the advantages first. In several cases a user can purchase a slower and cheaper component and then overclock it to the speed of a more expensive component. Also a faster performance in games, applications and system tasks is possible at no additional expense. Small overclocking of a component in systems with "bottlenecks" can help to realize the full potential of another component to a greater percentage than the limiting hardware is overclocked. And the last advantage to mention is that overclocking can be an engaging hobby itself and it also supports many dedicated online communities. Even if there are disadvantages of overclocking, a lot of these disadvantages can be reduced in severity by skilled overclockers. Only newcomer overclockers may make mistakes while overclocking. Theses mistakes can introduce avoidable drawbacks and may result in damage to the overclocked components. So there are some general disadvantages that are unavoidable by both: novices and veterans. Higher operation frequencies, increased voltages and heat have usually negative effects on the lifespan of a processor. Higher power consumption and therefore higher power bills result from increased clock speeds and voltages. Overclocked systems are usually tested for stability before usage, but stability problems may occur after the prolonged usage due to new workloads or untested portions of the processor core. Another general disadvantage is the fact that overclocking will not necessarily save money, because the non-trivial speed increases usually require premium cooling equipment in order to avoid unacceptably high temperatures. Overclocking has also a risky potential to end in component failure and most warranties do not cover defunct units that result from overclocking activities. visions new media