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Examples of typical overclocking scenarios offer better illustrations of the cost savings and performance improvements than any amount of technical data. Table 2-3 reflects a substantial savings in cost for an overclocked slower-speedrated processor versus a nonoverclocked faster-speed-rated processor, for both AMD and Intel processors. Both the AMD Athlon and the Intel Pentium 4 represent the latest architectures from each of the largest industry players. Each platform offers rated processors that scale several hundred MHz within the same model family, with prices varying widely from the lowest to highest MHz offerings.
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Processor to Overclock |
Market Price[*] |
Potential Overclock[**] |
Equivalent to Overclocked Speed |
Equivalent Cost[*] |
Comparative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Intel Pentium 4 2000 MHz |
$143 |
2600 MHz |
Intel Pentium 4 2600 MHz |
$378 |
62% |
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AMD Athlon XP 1600+ @ 1400 MHz |
$53 |
1800 MHz |
AMD Athlon XP 2100+ @ 1800 MHz |
$141 |
62% |
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[*]Average market prices as of 4/11/02. [**]May not be typical of all processor samples. |
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The Athlon Thunderbird series of processors offers a great example of overclocking potential. A typical entry-level AMD system now comes configured with a 1000 MHz Thunderbird processor, as this chip offers a great price to performance ratio. However, overclocking can serve to further extend that ratio by allowing the processor to operate at a speed beyond the factory-defined 1000 MHz rating. For example, many of the best 1000 MHz Thunderbird processors can be overclocked to 1200+ MHz with little more than a minor change in the system's user-configurable BIOS configuration setup or motherboard jumper settings. The potential exists for even higher overclocking ranges with additional user effort, such as improving case or processor cooling to maintain better thermal regulation in order to reach higher core processor operating speeds.
Intel's latest Pentium 4 platform offers superb overclocking potential assuming the user thinks ahead when designing and assembling a custom-configured system. Even the earliest Pentium 4 1.5-GHz processors can usually attain 1.7+ GHz with little effort beyond a single change in the system's BIOS setup or motherboard jumper settings. As with the first example, those willing to undertake additional effort to increase cooling capabilities and other system design aspects can often witness much improved overclocking potential. Many of the best Pentium 4 1.5-GHz processors can attain operating speeds upwards of 2 GHz with a careful and patient system design plan.
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