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Build A FAST PC
Overclocking
Overclocking is, to put it bluntly, a poor man's attempt at solving an expensive problem. The problem is, namely, of getting the best-performing processor out there without paying an arm and a leg. I have several problems with overclocking. (The term overclocking simply means to push the performance of an item beyond its rated capactiy.)
One, that overclocking a processor marginally increases its speed (usually about 10-15%) while dramatically shortening the processor's extended life. The extra heat and processing burden on the processor will cause it to fail much sooner.
Two, that as a bargain PC builder, one could easily expect the overclocked PC to fail within 18 months, causing one to buy a new CPU and motherboard, almost doubling the inital purchase price.
Other items can be overclocked as well, including the RAM and the video card (the video card contains its own processor and RAM, which can individually be overclocked).
Overclocking also voids any and all manufacturer's warranties still left on the item.
And above all that, overclocking can require sodering a processor's circuits together and many other tedious and risky tasks, potentially allowing for several mistakes that will require another processor to be purchased.
If you are that desperate for a specific speed from your processor, wait several months and magically the processor will most likely be within your price range.
The low-end gaming community generally does overclock their processors, as they try to emulate what they can't afford. They generally don't care about longevity of the processor, because, within 18 months there will be a bigger and better processor that they must have for the newest game out. I do not condone this approach; I think it is dumb and careless overall.
Above all that, overclocking the processor will not be the solution to your speed (or lack thereof) woes. Check out this page that talks about computing bottlenecks.
