HotOverclocking.com

The term BIOS stands for basic input/output system and is the software that interfaces your computers components with the operating system. The BIOS are stored on a ROM (Read-only Memory) Flash Memory Chip located directly on the motherboard. The BIOS perform a series of common tasks such as:

• When you turn your computer on, the BIOS is what provides the instructions for your CPU to access your operating system on your had drive.

• Provides a POST (power on self test) to confirm that all your hardware is working properly when you turn your system on.

• The system BIOS authorizes activation of other BIOS chips on the components within your system, such as your graphics card.

• Interfaces your various hardware devices such as: keyboard, mouse, monitor, and USB ports.

• Monitors settings of your hard drive and the system clock. The battery located on the motherboard allow the BIOS to retain this information even when it has been unplugged.

Continue Reading: "Understanding Your BIOS For Overclocking"...

Popularity: 37% [?]

Overclocking the components within your computer can be a lot of fun, but you really need to realize the ramifications of your actions along with the benefits that you stand to gain. Don’t take this article to mean that you shouldn’t overclock your computer, just that you should completely grasp what the end results can be.

Cons of Overclocking:

• It will void your warranty:

  • What you’re doing to your system is modifying it to operate differently then it was initially intended to. Once you’ve overclocked the component, you will no longer be able to take advantage of the warranty that the manufacturer has offered.

• Added stress on your components:

  • Your components where tested to operate at their defaults for an extended period of time. By pushing their limits, you’re increasing the stress that is being applied to it. This will result and a shorter life span of the component when compared to an unmodified version.

• Increased heat output:

  • We’ve already discussed that overclocking your components involves increasing the voltage that is sent through them. The more current, the higher the heat output, and the greater the risk of heat related damage. Heat issues will also cost you as you’ll have to purchase various cooling devices to obtain your goal.

• Efficiency is not increased:

  • Just because you’ve managed to overclock your CPU, doesn’t mean that it’s as efficient as a more expensive chip that operates by default at that speed. No matter what you do overclocking wise, the instruction set for the CPU will still remain at what it was mean to, limiting your efficiency gain.

• It’s not always an easy task:

  • Overclocking can be very frustrating. Even if you’re patient you risk frying components or winding up with a computer that just won’t turn on for some unknown reason. Unfortunately, if you’ve hit the point of frustration and want to give up, the only easy option is to buy new components as your warranty is now voided.

Continue Reading: "The Pro’s And Con’s Of Overclocking"...

Popularity: 22% [?]

The reason manufacturers don’t push their product as far as you will with overclocking is due to the increased chance of damaging the component. Passing the defaults that they set for their component often results in the warranty being completely voided so precaution is not something you should be throwing to the wind unless you have a lot of money to burn.

You can easily reference the default CPU/GPU speed, temperature, and voltage through freeware software that you can install for any operating system. Before you even get started, it would be a good idea to run some tests and determine where your system stands before it is modified. You will generally find that someone else has overclocked that same component and listed out the max that they could achieve within a safe zone for those readouts. It’s always good to follow what others have done, especially if several of them have similar read outs, providing you with a general idea of where you should be for speed, temperature, and voltage as you over clock the component yourself.

Continue Reading: "How To Protect Your Components"...

Popularity: 24% [?]