Digital Home Thoughts: Core i7 Overclocking Examined

"The bulk of overclockers, however, are more concerned with the cost dividends. If you can take a $300 CPU and make it as fast or faster than one that costs $1,000, the money you save can go toward other components in your system. For these folks, it’s like getting a free high-end videocard. Whether you’re a cheapskate or a drag racer, you’ll find that Intel’s new Core i7 CPU is unlike any previous Intel CPU, and overclocking this beast requires more tinkering than you might expect. Follow along as we explore what it takes to push this chip hard."

It seems as if Intel goes through phases when it comes to being overclock friendly. Every few generations, Intel releases CPUs that can be insanely overclocked like the Core 2 Duo, or, and I'm dating myself a bit, the original Celeron. Then they realize they're cannibalizing their premium CPU sales and lock things down. That seems to be the case with the Core i7 series, where the low cost 920 needs work to speed it up while the 965 Extreme Edition is easier to boost. I do find it interesting that AMD is on the flip side with the recent release of the Phenom II which has proven to be very overclocking friendly. Should you be bitten by the speed bug, just be aware that you are going to need more than that stock cooler to keep things running reliably. While the investment may pay off, you could compromise stability, and possibly even your warranty.