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Originally Posted by ejhdmbfan
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How and why can you overclock a processor? What exactly happens and why do the manufacturers "underclock" their product? Wouldn't they want the fastest processor out there!?!
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The most common method of overclocking comes from the fact that chip makers will create a chip (CPU, memory, etc...) that operates at a given speed. To ensure that they will have a steady flow of "new" products, they start their new products at a conservative speed. As manufacturing processes improve and the chips become more reliable they bump up the speed. This is why you see CPU speeds increase incrementally over a period of time without any actual changes in the CPU (example Athlon XP 1600, 1700, 1800, etc...). It's the same chip operating at different speeds. Once a chip can no longer be reliably sped up, the manufacturer releases a new generation with newer features (Pentium 2, Pentium 3, Pentium 4).
Overclocking generally increases power consumption and heat (which can adversely affect the lifespan of the part). These are two things to avoid in a PDA. And, as mentioned above, CPU intensive tasks are usually limited to games and video on a PDA.
Overclocking CPU's generally involves adjusting the bus speeds, voltage, and/or the clock multiplier.
Desktop computers can see a real benefit from overclocking. My home computer is a 1.6ghz P4 operating at 2.5ghz. At the time it was built it was the equivelent of saving over $150 on the CPU alone.