Overclocking is the process of pushing your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) to their limits in order to achieve better performance. It comes with some risks, but when done correctly, overclocking can provide a significant performance boost to your PC. In this article, we will guide you on how to overclock your PC using Intel XTU software.

Step 1: Check Your Hardware

Before you attempt to overclock your PC, you need to ensure that your hardware is capable of handling it. Not all CPUs, motherboards, and cooling solutions can be overclocked to their maximum potential. You need to have a CPU with an unlocked multiplier, a compatible motherboard with good VRMs, and a good cooling solution to handle increased heat. Intel’s XTU website has a compatibility tool that checks your hardware for compatibility with XTU.

Step 2: Install Intel XTU

ou have verified your hardware’s compatibility, you can proceed to download Intel XTU from the manufacturer’s website. Install the software and follow the instructions provided.

Step 3: Tune CPU Settings

After installing Intel XTU on your PC, you can start tuning your CPU settings. Open the software and navigate to the overclocking tab. Here, you will see various settings for your CPU. These include the core voltage, frequency, and ratio.

You need to start by adjusting the CPU frequency. Increase it gradually until the CPU becomes unstable or crashes. This is known as finding the CPU’s maximum frequency.

After finding the maximum frequency, you can adjust the CPU voltage to achieve stability. Keep increasing the voltage until the CPU becomes stable.

Step 4: Tune GPU Settings

After tuning the CPU settings, you can start working on the GPU settings. Navigate to the GPU overclocking tab in XTU, and you will see various settings. These include the GPU frequency, voltage, and memory clock.

Similar to CPU overclocking, you need to gradually increase the GPU frequency until your system becomes unstable or crashes. Then start adjusting the voltage to achieve stability.

Next, you can tweak the memory clock to increase its speed. The process is the same as increasing the GPU frequency.

Step 5: Stress Test Your System

Stress testing is a crucial step in overclocking. It helps you to identify any instability issues with your PC. Intel XTU has a built-in stress test feature that pushes your CPU and GPU to their limits. Use it to test your system after you have made changes to the settings. If your system crashes or becomes unstable, you need to revert to the previous stable settings.