Why should I overclock ?

steveinspain · 14 Apr 2009 at 16:48

OK, as any of you who have read and replied to any of my threads will know by now, I am a beginner who asks lots of silly questions - however, I am learning, albeit slowly...
So, todays question is - why should I overclock ?
I don't play games, but am ripping loads of cd's, do a little photo-editing, so nothing major. My cpu is an E8400 wolfdale, mobo is an Asus P5QL with 4gb ram powered by a Corsair 650W psu. Temps are already low, and I am getting a sunbeam core cooler in a few days, so expect them to be even lower.
Now, for someone who uses his pc in a 'non-intensive' way (ie no games etc) would there be any point in overclocking, and what difference would it make - meaning just how would I see any difference ? I understand that gaming will be faster and easier, but for 'normal' use, just what difference does it make - do apps load faster, does the pc boot faster or what ?

So please explain exactly what happens IN EVERYDAY USE when one overclocks please !
Cheers,
Steve

steveinspain · 14 Apr 2009 at 16:54

Ha - I have, and understand what happens to the computer, but not what it would do for me and my use of the pc...

steveinspain · 14 Apr 2009 at 17:23

RJC said:
Performance increase for free.

Yeah, but how would that show itself to me..?
Part of me is keen to try, but I am unsure if I will notice any difference

steveinspain · 14 Apr 2009 at 18:15

Ben M said:
Things in Windows and general use will be faster, you'll have to wait for things less. You won't notice these things now because you're used to them, but if you were to go back to a slower system, you'd notice them straight away.

Right - That is the sort of answer I was looking for, along with neotiger, Gepatto and original.wood.
I understand that my pc will run faster, but never understood, not have never been given a reason to get a faster processor or overclock, in real terms given my usage of a pc.
I will try it, but for the fun, and only a little at a time, but guess I don't really need to push my pc too hard.

Reflux - I may be bad at explaining things, but I never understood what was affected by a faster processor - loading programs, photoshop etc clearly is, as I now know !

Cheers All !

steveinspain · 14 Apr 2009 at 18:36

reflux - you understand my ramblings - thanks for explaining further !

Years back, I asked my local computer builder why I needed a faster chip, and never understood the reply, despite many attempts. It just seemed like a marketing ploy.
I know I have a good chip, so will try it, but now with slightly more idea what to expect - plain English helps people like me, who are just about out of their depth !
selven - I will !