Pros to Overclocking?

[Chri5]

Is there really an advantage to overclocking? For example, if my games don't push my 3570k to 100%, is there a real point to overclocking?

I'm currently running an overclock of 4.2GHz on stock cooler... (Didn't even realize it till yesterday... apparently I was messing around with overclocks a little while ago)

I'm switching to a cm 212+ tomorrow :) as it seems to be quiet and and quite the performer for the price.

Anyways my main question is, is there any point to overclocking if i don't max out my system?

[Barodil]

IT can improve your minimum FPS (most importaint) even if it has processingroom left and it will be faster in other things to. I saw a good jump in renderspeed with my aditiaonal 1,1Ghz on my 3770K - and it is not running at 100% because I use CUDA...

[MatadorZA]

I would always recommend overclocking CPU's even just a little bit on say a stock cooler. These CPU's are designed to be run all over the world where temps are consistently over 40 degrees. So if you live in an area where it is like 22 degrees your cpu can easily handle that hence why I say you should keep your overclock. It doesn't have to be at 100% load for you to see a performance boost. As long as your cpu is not under extreme heat load overclocking won't reduce the life span, especially if you have an aftermarket cooler like a Hyper 212 plus.

Like Barodil said, it will increase your minimum FPS which is definitely the most important.

[Chri5]

My temps with the hyper 212 evo (stock fan) at 3.4GHz are a bit high :/

They go up to around 65c after about 30 minutes on intel burn test.

Ambient temp in my case varies from 25c-28c. (room temp is probably around 23-24c

Graphics card goes up to 73c at full load and thus increasing ambient temp.

[fishymamba]

My temps with the hyper 212 evo (stock fan) at 3.4GHz are a bit high :/ They go up to around 65c after about 30 minutes on intel burn test. Ambient temp in my case varies from 25c-28c. (room temp is probably around 23-24c Graphics card goes up to 73c at full load and thus increasing ambient temp.

65C is nothing, 80C is when you should dial your CPU down a bit.

[Art Vandelay]

It can reduce stuttering in some games. Metro 2033 was almost unplayable without overclocking my CPU.

[Chri5]

It can reduce stuttering in some games. Metro 2033 was almost unplayable without overclocking my CPU.

which cpu do you have and what clock speed?

[algoat]

It definitely helps. I use my rig mainly for editing, encoding and transcoding, so a 30% increase in speed translates to a 30% savings in time.

[Teufel9000]

it'll help the overall system load and other stuff as well

[SOLO_AVENGER]

Plus it is also free performance!!! :D

[mgsstar]

CPU overclocking can sometimes give you better performance in games and you can get better performance without any additional cost. :)

[Godlygamer23]

Most of the time, you won't see a HUGE improvement in games, unless it's CPU bound(like Skryim), but if you run scientific projects like folding@home or BOINC, then overclocking will instantly give you better performance. Also, if you do any kind of video editing or file conversion, that's another area that you'll see a benefit.(unless it uses the GPU only) Even if your CPU isn't being pushed, you'll get much more performance per core.