When you purchase a pre-built computer, it comes with certain out-of-the-box features. When you build your custom gaming PCs, you choose each part yourself.
The one thing both builds have in common, though? They are both limited by their default settings inside the software that runs the core components inside them.
Custom gaming PCs are no different. PC gamers know that upgrading their GPU, CPU, RAM, and so on can yield a better gaming experience and enhance specific software programs to run faster and more efficiently.
This article focuses on overclocking your custom gaming PC. It’s a tried-and-true method for squeezing out every last ounce of processing power you can get.
What Is Overclocking?
Overclocking is a process that allows computer users to change how fast their components run.
It means you can increase the speed of your processor (called clock speed) and RAM to deliver faster performance than the default settings allow. For example, you can overclock your RAM to make your computer load games faster, and programs run smoother.
The downside is that overclocking sometimes comes with the risk of frying your hardware. But there are many strategies for avoiding this issue.
What Can You Gain from Overclocking?
There are two significant benefits of overclocking custom gaming PCs.
- Faster gaming.
- Better photo and video editing.
It’s tough to quantify the first benefit because gamers will notice it most when upgrading their GPU. When you overclock your CPU and RAM, you will see an improvement in software speed and smoother gameplay (provided your graphics card is strong enough).
What about overclocking your GPU?
When you overclock your GPU, it will allow your graphics card to process frames faster. It means higher FPS (frames per second) in games.
However, this is just beneficial for gamers who want that extra speed boost. Most gamers won’t need to overclock their GPU because the default settings are fine for playing average frame rates.
How to Overclock Your Custom Gaming PC?
The gaming peripheral market size is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.4 percent from 2020 to 2025.
Now that you know the benefits of overclocking, read on to understand how it works.
Choosing the Right Parts for Overclocking Your Gaming PC
When you choose your custom gaming PC parts, it’s essential to consider their overclocking potential. If you don’t, you might not reach the maximum performance possible! And that means less FPS in games…which means a worse gaming experience.
You will also need to consider the cost of overclocking each component. For example, if you want to overclock your GPU, you might need an aftermarket cooling system. These can increase the price tag significantly (~$150).
The Amount of Power your PC Can Deliver
A more powerful PC will support overclocking better because it can provide the extra watts each component needs.
Another thing to consider is that some components (like hard drives, RAM, and GPUs) use dedicated VRMs (voltage regulator modules). These are like mini power supplies inside your PC.
So, if you want to overclock your graphics card for better game performance, you will need a powerful PC that can deliver more watts through the dedicated VRMs. Or else it won’t be able to handle the increased power demands from overclocking!
Using an Overclocking Program
You’ll want to start setting up your computer by adjusting your BIOS, so it allows you to overclock. But before we go any further, a word of warning: overclocking your computer with the wrong software can crash your entire system.
You want to use an app that gives you complete control over how much you change each setting. It is imperative to check whether or not the program has been tested on your specific motherboard.
How To Calculate the Proper Voltage Level for Your Gaming PC?
It’s essential to know the voltage level your PC needs for each overclocking setting. When you boot up your computer for the first time after overclocking, the BIOS will show you what voltage levels are applied to your components.
You can also look at how much power they are consuming (in watts). If any of these settings are out of range, your computer might crash.
For example, your CPU requires 1.3 volts for regular operation (not overclocked). However, you can overclock it to 1.35 or even 1.4 volts if you want more speed and power for intensive gaming and photo editing tasks.
But be careful! If the voltage level is too high, you could damage your CPU.
How to Reset Your Computer After Overclocking?
When you finish overclocking, there are a few things you should do.
First, reset your BIOS settings to their defaults by entering the BIOS menu and choosing Load Optimized Defaults. Then save the changes.
Second, check that all your computer’s voltages are still within the acceptable range. If they aren’t, you might need to uninstall the overclocking program and try again (using a different one).
Finally, reboot your computer and see how it performs. You can use this as a test before playing games to make sure it works properly.
