If you see no improvements, your CPU is likely performing its best and you can tweak other parts of your computer for a performance bump. If you see an improvement, then the overclock has worked and you can keep increasing the multiplier by 1x to test further. If your computer boots up fine, run the benchmark as you did before, and compare the score with the pre-overclocking score. CPU manufacturers like Intel lock the frequency of some models of their lineup for added stability. The second thing you need for overclocking is a CPU that has an unlocked frequency. And if the cooler is severely limited, the system will eventually shut down to protect the components. If your cooler is not good enough, this excess heat will cause your CPU to thermal throttle, reducing its performance. And more power equals more heat generation.
When you increase the CPU frequency, the CPU draws in more power. Related: The Best Cooling Systems for Your PC And one of the steps that you can take to safeguard your CPU is to invest in better cooling. So, before you jump head-first and put a massive overclock on the processor, make sure you know the risks and how to minimize them. In other words, by overclocking the CPU, you are assuming the risk of general system instability and even component death. Overclocking is the process by which you increase the CPU frequency beyond the standard, manufacturer-decided frequency.
