Overclocking increases performance and it has been the topic of discussion for almost two decades now, whether it’s CPU overclocking or the GPU, if done, you will always notice an improvement in FPS even if the difference isn’t very big. Although it is not easy to do it, one needs proper knowledge about playing with the frequency and voltage multiplier.
CPU increases performance when overclocked and the increment in FPS depends on the game as well, for instance, if the game is CPU bound and you’ve overclocked your processor then you will see a nice bump in that particular game. The same is the case with other games that are GPU-bound, you will only see a noticeable difference in frame rates once you have overclocked the graphics card and not just the CPU.
How much FPS can you get by overclocking your CPU?
People always ask how much of an increase they will get in FPS and the game’s overall performance by doing CPU overclocking. Well, it depends on the OC potential of your CPU, if you’re lucky enough to get a good CPU with an ample amount of silicon lottery that can withstand the increment in its frequency and higher voltages. Then you can certainly OC your processor by a great margin and it will give you a performance boost in heavily CPU-dependent games.
What can I overclock to increase FPS?
Performance boost relies on the nature of the game, but you can overclock three components in total: the processor, graphics card, and RAM, by doing so, your PC will also consume more power. Overclocking CPU and GPU can be tricky, but overclocking ram is the real deal where you’ve to look after a lot of stuff and it’s a great trouble as compared to the other components, and overclocking all of these components will increase FPS.
How much does overclocking increase FPS?
As stated before, that performance boost depends on the nature of the game, but it also relies on the amount of overclocking you’ve done either on your CPU, GPU or RAM. If you’ve bumped the clock speed of your CPU by a great number, then you will also see a much bigger number in the FPS counter of the game that is CPU-bound.
The same can be said for graphics cards and RAM, the higher the memory clock speed, the high the frame rate in games. There will be instances where you will only see a 2-4 extra fps and will also be instances where you will see around 8-10 or higher frame rates in games.
Is overclocking CPU safe?
The process of overclocking is not entirely safe as there are chances of frying up your motherboard if you have a motherboard with a bad VRM design and cooling system. However, if you’ve got the right components, then you can proceed to tinker with the settings in BIOS.
The platform doesn’t matter, you can use both an Intel or AMD-based platform for overclocking CPUs, but there’s a caveat for the intel core I series, which is that you can’t perform overclocking on any CPU or the motherboard. You need a K series processor and an expensive Z series motherboard to do OC which puts an extra cost over your head. While on the other hand, it’s a different story, and you can overclock the CPU even on their entry-level motherboards. And nowadays, overclocking of processor, RAM, and GPU can be done through third-party software instead of going into the BIOS every time.
For example, back in the day, older CPUs, that were not unlocked were also eligible for overclocking because of the taping method. People and enthusiasts used to this to get some extra fps without paying anything by simply just taping some of the contact points of the CPU and tinkering with the BIOS settings to bump up the clock speed and enjoy a free performance upgrade.
Can overclocking reduce performance?
CPU overclocking doesn’t reduce performance, but increases fps, when you bump the base clock speed, you are bound to get a performance boost in games as well. However, if the OC is not stable or you’ve given more than need voltage to the CPU.
This way, you will face game or system crashes and high CPU temperature due to more heat being generated by the CPU because it is consuming more power and to overcome that bit, you must invest in a good CPU cooler to keep your CPU under decent temperature. A good cooler helps a lot and gives you more headroom for squeezing the performance out of the processor.
Does overclocking RAM increase FPS?
Overclocking the RAM does give more fps, and to do that you need a motherboard with support for overclocking, otherwise, it won’t be possible. You can overclock RAM beyond its rated speed but that does require a lot of patience and knowledge as compared to overclocking the CPU and GPU.
For instance, if you have a memory kit with let’s say, 2666Mhz rated and you manage to overclock it over 3200Mhz, then you will surely see a noticeable difference in fps. And in case, you have a 2400Mhz memory kit and OCs it to 2666Mhz, then the difference in performance wouldn’t be worth the hassle.
What causes FPS to drop?
FPS drops could be due to many reasons like having not enough VRAM, unstable overclocking, less amount of RAM, and a weak processor with fewer cores, etc. Nowadays, games are harder to run and require a good enough CPU, quad-core processors are obsolete now because they cause some serious stutters in games, and a processor with more cores is a must at least a six-core processor is the minimum requirement of the newer games.
A great CPU also means high performance in both games and other productivity software because it is based on newer architecture, has more cores and the clock speed is also very high. So, while browsing through the processors, always try to pick the one that has at least six cores, this will significantly remove the majority of the fps drops and will deliver a more refined gameplay experience. Turning on V-sync can also help in making the gameplay smoother and it will also remove the screen tearing happening on the screen.
How to increase FPS without Overclocking CPU?
There are a few ways through which you can increase fps without overclocking the CPU, first one is if you do not want to spend on upgrades; in this regard, you can overclock your GPU and RAM to boost fps.
However, if you have some savings, then you can buy yourself a new CPU, GPU, or faster RAM kit - whatever is weak in the current build. This will also eliminate bottlenecks if there are any, and you will get more performance in games.
Effect of RAM on FPS
RAM in some instances can have a major effect on gaming performance, 16GB is the standard choice nowadays for gaming and work. But capacity doesn’t affect fps, what does affect the fps is the speed of the RAM kit.
If you have a RAM kit with a slower speed, then you’re a lot of performance. To get optimal performance at a decent price, you must have at least 3200Mhz speed on the RAM kit. 3200Mhz delivers a big boost in gaming performance as compared to a RAM kit with 2133 or 2400Mhz speed. Having a decent amount of memory in your PC also helps in giving you a stable frame time.
Effect of SSD on FPS
SSDs are some of the best things that have happened to the world, it has overhauled the way of working on your computer as well as playing the game. Even though it doesn’t increase fps, it does load the game faster.
On top of that, SSD delivers a much smoother gaming experience than a hard drive as it gives a great number on the 1% and 0.1% lows. This is not the case with HDDs as they provide the worst possible 1% and 0.1% lows when compared with SSDs and NVMe drives.
Effect of GPU on FPS
GPU is one of the main components needed to run a game, and the majority of the gaming performance depends on it. If you have a weak GPU, then the chances of getting playable fps aren’t going to be high and there will be a clear bottleneck with the CPU as the GPU can’t match the speed of the CPU, hence, not allowing the CPU to reach its full potential.
The more powerful the GPU, the more energy it will consume and the more fps it will give in return. This is why a good GPU is a must if you want a seamless experience while playing or working.
Tweaking the setting in the existing component
When your PC starts to get old, it will struggle in delivering a seamless user experience - to overcome that without spending a dime, you can overclock your hardware instead. Overclocking the CPU increase fps and the same is the result if you overclock your GPU and RAM kit.
You can overclock your GPU from any third-party software like MSI After Burner and for the CPU you have to go over into the BIOS. This is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to enhance the performance of your PC.
Upgrading the components
Technology is advancing day by day; hence, you will always find better hardware to buy. If you own an old system and can afford the upgrade, then it is recommended to do so. This will require a good sum of money, but it will be worth it if you invest in a better CPU, motherboard, GPU, RAM, and faster storage along with a quality power supply unit.
How much FPS do you gain by overclocking?
It all comes down to the point of how much-overclocked CPU is and the same for the GPU, there’s no denying that overclocking helps in increasing the fps, but it does require some effort from your side. Your hardware can deliver 5-15% more fps if you know how to overclock each component properly.
You have to look over the voltages and the amount of increment you’re doing with the slider; the potential of the CPU overclock can be halted if the cooling system of your motherboard for its VRMs isn’t good.
Is overclocking CPU good for gaming?
If the overclock is stable and has been done to the limit of the component (CPU), then you can expect a better seamless gaming experience, but it will generate a lot of heat and will also consume more power as well.
You must get yourself a good enough cooler for your overclocked CPU, so you don’t have to worry about the thermals of your CPU. A quality cooler provides headroom for a higher OC and keeps the thermals low at the same time and allows the CPU to run at its max clock speed.
Does overclocking CPU help performance?
Overclocking your CPU not only improves performance in games but also improves the overall performance of the system. Higher clock speed means faster processing and in case your GPU is bottlenecking with your CPU, then you can simply overclock your CPU to minimize the bottleneck of your system.
If you’re a creator and do a lot of video editing or rendering, then you can complete those tasks a lot quicker with an overclocked CPU. But keep in mind to have a sufficient power supply, a powerful GPU, and most important a great CPU cooler to keep the thermals down while overclocking your CPU as it consumes more power which results in a hot environment around the CPU.
