Overclocking

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  overclocking
       
           Any adjustments made to computer hardware (or
          software) to make its CPU run at a higher {clock} frequency
          than intended by the original manufacturers.  Typically this
          involves replacing the crystal in the clock generation


          circuitry with a higher frequency one or changing {jumper}
          settings or software configuration.
       
          If the clock frequency is increased too far, eventually some
          component in the system will not be able to cope and the
          system will stop working.  This failure may be continuous (the
          system never works at the higher frequency) or intermittant
          (it fails more often but works some of the time) or, in the
          worst case, irreversible (a component is damaged by
          overheating).  Overclocking may necessitate improved cooling
          to maintain the same level of reliability.
       
          (1999-09-12)