what is overclock

i see this come up a lot on threads and just wanted to know what overclocking was????

 

Hard to explain by me, but try this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overclock

Basically, forcing a CPU or GPU to run at a higher clock rate(cycle per second, aka 'hertz') then it is defaulted by manufacturer

 

Try doing a thread search, somebody posted about this before. Your answers should lie in there.

 

To put in simple terms, overclocking is pretty much pushing your hardware up a notch (turning the settings up above the recommended or default settings). For example graphics card, you can overclock it to give you better performance.

Overclocking works when the computer allows more power to move through the hardware. One of the consequences of doing this is that it creates a lot of heat in which it can shorten its life span or create permanent damages.

Lets see what else...haha I might have left out some stuff, feel free people to add to my comments.

 

You may try my article about it. I have written it as a simple explanation of a tricky thing!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=35293

Hope it helps,