overclocking

overclocking

   <hardware> Any adjustments made to computer hardware (or
   software) to make its CPU run at a higher {clock rate} 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 rate} 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)