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Asen Stoyanchev
Owner | Content Writer at Maximum Tech
Asen is a Microsoft Certified Professional turned blogger with 10+ experience working in the IT industry as a hardware and software support engineer.
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Latest posts by Asen Stoyanchev (see all)
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- Is 60 Degrees Celsius Hot For A CPU In 2022? [Must-Read] - June 7, 2022
- How To Handle CPU Temps Jumping: A Definitive Guide [2022] - June 2, 2022
As a gamer, it’s quite obvious that you want to utilize every possible performance metric from the hardware setup and one way of achieving it is overclocking the CPU.
But here is the million-dollar question, “does overclocking reduce CPU lifespan?” Yes, it technically reduces the CPU lifespan but that’s not something significant.
The average lifespan of the CPU is already extensive enough to last until the CPU is outmoded.
Overclocking includes increasing the voltage, so the CPU utilizes electricity, which eventually increases the thermals.
To illustrate, when the thermals go higher, the clocking speed won’t matter because the games and other apps will crash. Also, there will be dropping in FPS and micro stutters.
We understand that it’s a confusing topic and we have done the due research to share the answers that provide higher value!
Contents
Does Overclocking Reduce CPU Lifespan?
The short answer is yes, overclocking can reduce the CPU lifespan and the biggest reason is the heat. This is because overclocking will produce so much heat, and when it goes over the top, the CPU will eventually suffer.
However, there are various factors that impact it. For instance, mild overclocking won’t harm the unit and the reduction in lifespan is quite negligible.
If you increase the overclocking by a certain percentage, it won’t cause much danger.
For instance, when you overclock the CPU at 4.6GHz, the overall lifespan will be five years, which is alright because you need to upgrade the CPU anyhow. And when that’s required, check out our guide on the best CPUs for multitasking in 2022 or the top CPUs that work well with the GTX 970 card.
For this reason, it’s better to keep the temperature at less than 85-degrees Celsius to avoid harmful situations.
The second factor is voltage because 1.4 volts is the ultimate high that you can reach. If you go beyond this voltage, the CPU will be at risk of getting killed.
To summarize, even if overclocking reduces the CPU’s lifespan, it won’t create a problem as long as you aren’t exceeding voltage and heat.
Does Temperature Increase Reduce CPU Lifespan?
It’s clear that thermals can directly influence the lifespan of the CPU.
However, if you use a stock cooler, it can impact the lifespan but if the CPU is not going over 80-degrees Celsius to 85-degrees Celsius, you won’t have to worry.
It’s not easy to harness, particularly when there is full reliance on the stock cooler but it is not something impossible.
In case you are using the Intel CPU, you won’t be able to overclock on the stock cooler.
This is because Intel pushes the CPUs to a higher clocking speed, particularly in turbo mode but also throttles them.
For this reason, overclocking doesn’t provide much performance aspect. On the contrary, if you use AMD Ryzen, overclocking might add to the performance.
This is because their CPUs are unlocked by the factory, so you can overclock the CPUs, irrespective of the model.
However, how much you can overclock depends on the quality of chips but it does provide a small boost of performance. AMD CPUs come with a Wraith cooler, so you need to be careful about voltages and temperature.
Check our guide on the best CPUs under $200 for more info.
Does Overclocking Damage The CPU?
If you are overclocking the CPU extensively, it can damage the unit but enhancing the speed should be secure overall.
Whenever the CPU is overclocked, there is a minor risk involved but it shouldn’t be significant. Remember that overclocking voids the warranty.
So, if your CPU already shows better performance and doesn’t require more FPS, pass out on overclocking. This is because the stock turbo mode will optimize the performance rather than void the warranty.
On the other hand, if you experiment with voltages, it poses more damage to the CPU. This is because if you don’t understand the technicalities and increase the voltage by a higher margin, it can kill the CPU.
Still, the majority of motherboards and CPUs are designed with in-built protection or simply don’t allow the users to exceed a specific limit but there are still some chances of damages.
Is Overclocking Recommended?
There is no straight answer to this question because it depends on several factors. To begin with, if you don’t need more FPS, you must not overclock the CPU.
Even if you need more FPS, there are other factors to consider, such as its ability to impact the game performance by a low margin.
Any Dota 2 fan knows that with a good processor he or she can achieve pretty good FPS because the game is simply not heavy.
For instance, if the GPU is better than the CPU, overclocking is a reliable choice.
By the way, check out the useful video below that gives plenty of curious insights about the topic:
In addition to GPU, you should also consider RAM because if it’s not sufficient, it will result in micro-stuttering, and heavy games such as “Call Of Duty Warzone” will freeze.
Bu the way, if you’re a COD fan, check out our list on the best processors for Warzone.
In particular, RAM clock speed is more important if you are using the AMD CPU as it takes the benefit of faster RAMs.
To summarize, if it’s clear that the CPU is the primary bottleneck in the computer setup and doesn’t have a budget for upgrading, overclocking is suitable for increasing the FPS.
However, it’s better to increase the clock speed by small intervals and see its impacts on FPS.
How Much Performance Can You Gain By Overclocking?
Honestly, you can get extensive gain in performance through overclocking but it can be little as well.
In some cases, it increases the FPS by 50% but it can also be 3% to 5% because it only depends on the system’s bottlenecks and specifications.
In case the GPU is new and better than the CPU and has extensive RAM, overclocking the CPU will enhance the performance by a significant count.
In addition, overclocking can improve the old CPU, such as Quad Q6600. For instance, if you can conduct a BSEL mod, it increases the speed to 3.0GHz from 2.4GHz without reducing the lifespan or making the system hot.
How To Decide If Your CPU Can Be Overclocked Or Not?
If you are using the AMD CPU, the answer will remain yes because all of them are factory unlocked but it also depends on the motherboard.
For instance, the A320 motherboards don’t support overclocking because you must have B450 or the latest motherboards to suffice overclocking.
For this reason, it is better to check the manufacturer of your motherboard to determine if it supports overclocking.
If you are using the latest Intel processor, it will have an X or K at the end of the unit’s name. In the case of Intel, the motherboards with Z as suffix will support overclocking.
So, it is better to check the CPU and motherboard manufacturer’s websites to cross-check if the CPU can go through overclocking. Also, if you cannot find the unit’s page on the website, you can always search it online.
Are There Any Risks Of Overclocking?
Yes, there are risks of overclocking, such as;
- It can void the warranty
- If you conduct BIOS or BSEL mode on an outdated CPU, it can be extremely harmful
- Overclocking increases the temperature because if the CPU runs higher than 80-degrees to 85-degrees Celsius, it will cause permanent damage to the CPU, PSU, and motherboard
- Overclocking tends to increase the voltage, resulting in higher temperature and even voltage can damage the CPU
FAQs
What Shortens CPU Lifespan?
Excessively high voltage and temperature are likely to shorten the CPU lifespan. So, as long as you are keeping temperature and voltage in a safer boundary, the CPU will easily last for over five to ten years.
How Long Will An Overclocked CPU Last?
If you are using a high-quality cooler, the CPU will last for over five years when you overclock it at 4.5GHz.
Does Overclocking Increase CPU Temperature?
Yes, it can increase temperature. This is because the CPU is overclocked, the voltage is increased which eventually produces more heat.
Does Overclocking Reduce GPU Lifespan?
Yes, it can reduce the lifespan of your GPU. For instance, overclocking makes the PC limitless, so the unit will consume itself, resulting in a reduced GPU. In addition, it can also reduce the lifespan of the RAM and processor.
The Bottom Line
On a concluding note, overclocking is always an option but it requires considering multiple options, such as the quality of motherboard, model of CPU, and much more.
For instance, you don’t need to worry about an old CPU because even if it dies, it won’t cost a fortune to replace it.
On the other hand, if it doesn’t die down, it will enhance the FPS by multiple bounds.
In case you have a new CPU, it’s better not to overclock the CPU as it voids the warranty and there won’t be a significant gain in performance or speed.
To summarize, if you overclock the CPU, do it at your own risk as our recommendations are solely based on advice and we do not take responsibility for the potential damages.
Reference:
https://www.avast.com/c-how-to-overclock-cpu
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FAQs
Does Overclocking Reduce CPU Lifespan? (A Definitive Guide)? ›
Overclocking can potentially reduce the lifespan of a CPU, even if the cooling system and settings are appropriately configured. By overclocking, you are pushing the CPU beyond its factory settings, which can increase voltage and heat generation.
How long will a CPU last overclocked? ›It depends mainly on how much voltage you're feeding it and how cool it is. I know a guy who had a Core i7–3770k at 4.7GHz for 7 years. He was only giving it 1.31v and was using a water cooler. After +7 years it was like that 3770k had not missed a beat.
Can overclocking permanently damage CPU? ›When you overclock a CPU, you increase its clock speed and voltage, which can cause it to generate more heat and wear out faster. Over time, this additional stress can potentially cause permanent damage to the CPU, reducing its lifespan.
Are there any downsides to overclocking CPU? ›The main drawback of overclocking is that it can cause instability, overheating, and damage to your components if done improperly or excessively. Overclocking increases the power consumption and the heat output of your CPU and GPU, which can lead to crashes, freezes, artifacts, or even permanent failures.
Does overclocking RAM reduce its lifespan? ›Overclocking your ram will inevitably reduce the lifespan of your ram modules. This is because when you overclock you are surpassing the manufacturers specifications of the module. This can in turn generate more heat and eventually destroy your ram modules.
Can a CPU last 10 years? ›With consistent care and proper cooling, a normal CPU can last around 10 years. However, that doesn't mean it'll be as efficient as it was when you first bought it.
Is overclocking bad in the long run? ›However, you can cause damage if you remove voltage limitations to feed even more power to your GPU. Though most overclocking is relatively safe, remember the process entails increasing heat and power consumption, which could reduce the lifespan of your hardware over time.
Why does overclocking reduce lifespan? ›The reason why overclocking would reduce your CPU's lifespan, especially if you can't keep it particularly cool, is due to heat. Specifically, heat degradation over a long enough period of time will make your CPU gradually perform worse.
Is it bad to always overclock your PC? ›Overclocking can be bad for your hardware if you push your components too far. For example, while juicing your processer with excess voltage and clock speed may not immediately destroy it, you may see the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Over time, you'll negatively impact a poorly overclocked component's life cycle.
Is it worth overclocking old CPU? ›Overclocking is the process of increasing your CPU's maximum rated clock speed to get the most performance out of it. Practical overclocking keeps in mind the constraints of power consumption and heat generation. Overclocking a PC can be worth it if you stand to benefit from higher CPU clock speeds.
Why overclocking is not worth it? ›
Overclocking pushes the components above their limits, consumes more power and ultimately produces more heat. This is more so the case when overclocking the GPU and the CPU. Adequate cooling is necessary to keep the components within reasonable and operational temperatures and to prevent overheating.
Why you should not do overclocking? ›The biggest risk in overclocking your PC is that the temperature of your CPU or other hardware will increase. But even that is rare. It's almost impossible to “fry” your CPU by overclocking it or to crash your computer entirely. If the clock is set too high, your PC will simply reboot or bluescreen.
How much CPU overclocking is safe? ›Each processor is a little different, so there's no hard rule for how far you can push yours. However, the improvements should be marginal if you plan on using the overclock every day. In most cases, that usually means between 100Hz to 300Hz faster with adequate cooling.
How long does a CPU last? ›An average CPU can usually last up to 10 years if it is not being put under strain and is in a healthy PC. Although, if you are gaming, you may not want to wait until it dies to upgrade it. You would want to upgrade it every 1–4 years.
What happens if you overclock too much? ›If you push overclocking too much, it will result in freezes and crashes. If that happens, simply lower your overclock and try again until your PC runs smoothly.
How much difference does overclocking CPU make? ›Increasing a CPU's clock speed can improve its performance. Overclocking can extend the useful life of a processor by helping it keep up with increasingly demanding software requirements. Modern PC components are rated to run at higher temperatures than many users assume.
What happens if CPU is overclocked? ›Overclocking maximizes the speed and performance of your PC beyond its factory setting. Many gaming enthusiasts, for example, want to exceed the factory-set CPU speed to build a highly powerful gaming PC. Overclocking a CPU produces a more responsive computer and runs the hardware as fast as possible.
How many hours does a CPU last? ›Manufacturers typically provide the default "it isn't going to fail" figure of 100,000 hours, which is just over ten years. But most likely, it will continue to work until it's technologically obsolete. Thermal failure is the only mode I've seen personally for a CPU (as opposed to the support equipment).
How long will a overclocked GPU last? ›Overclocking has little effect on GPU lifespan. Modern electronics can be expected to last 10 years or more. By the time that the GPU actually fails, it will usually be old and obsolete. Excess heat can hurt the cooling fans, and worse, dirt and dust can not only increase heat, but clog the fan and coolers.
What is the fastest overclocked CPU ever? ›In less than three months, the Intel® Core™ i9-13900K has twice set the frequency overclocking world record. The ASUS overclocking team officially set a new world record for overclocking, pushing the 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900K past the 9 gigahertz barrier to 9.008 GHz.