Can overclocking damage a computer?

[Captain Kirk]

salvage-this
.How's Ya?

"OEM" -- okay, that makes sense. So what your saying is that you have to 'custom' build it. This is the BEST build, and is the only way to OC.

It would be nice to build your computer with ALL of the "best" components that are on the market -- and it costs more than three times as much as $500, then I would then plan on getting on 1 component at a time. However, the building of this computer would be very slow -- that's the down side. So what do you think a build your own desktop with all the best hardware on the market would cost -- about $1000 (for just the tower)?

salvage-this

Both CPU and GPU need to compliment each other.

What does this mean -- if you OC one then you MUST OC the other?

spirit,
Yo Brother.

PCB? What is that?
I have never heard of a PCB...
Is this an importaint peice of hardware in a computer?
Is it essential to a computer's function, meaning that you could LEAVE IT OUT if you wanted.

spirit

a CPU which is preferably multiplier unlocked

Is this a good thing? I have never run across the "multiplier unlocked" expression before...

1) Does OC'ing the PSU increase the MHz capabilities of the computer?

2) Does OC'ing the CPU increase the MHz capabilities of the computer?

3) What is the difference between OC'ing the CPU and the PSU?

4) Spirit, can OC'ing damage the bios, or do you think it is the software/hardware he was using (mult rail as overclock tool)?

A) If you OC a computer, and shut it down improperly often, do you run the risk of damaging your computer (such as Bios)?

B) [I don't think that if you built a laptop from scratch that it would be able to have the proper cooling]
When building a laptop from scratch, is the case big enough to accomidate the implementation of a custom proper cooling system sufficient for an OC?

spirit

Crashes and instabilities can be caused by either having too little voltage OR too much voltage.

Sounds like OC'ing is an EXACT science!!!!

Jamebonds1,
Nice to meet you.

I'm part scottish. That's cool. But I'm not a full blood scott, only a smiggin'. That still counts right?

damage bios?
Wow -- this doesn't sound good!!!!
Is this what happened to you?

Jamebonds1

never buying mult rail as overclock tool.

Your talking about software? Oh -- its hardware.
And, are you sure that it was the "mult rail" (whatever that is) and not a matter of the difference between the OC setting and the amount of voltage?
As Spirit said, it seems to be an exact science: OC'ing.
Wouldn't a "high end" power supply such as the triple rail be an excellent fit for an OC?

5 Gigs? (CPU?)
Yeaaaaaaa!!!! Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to try that!

Captain Kirk
USS Enterprise

 

[salvage-this]

I'll update this with the answers to your questions when I get home from work. For now take a look at the 101s that we have.

http://www.computerforum.com/13239-cpu-101-needs-updating.html

Look over the definitions section. If you understand how a CPU gets its speed, you can understand how to tweak it.

http://www.computerforum.com/16346-overclocking-101-needs-updating.html

Take a look at everything but section 2 and 7.

They need to be updated to include newer parts so do not pay attention to the hardware recommendations. The basic info still applies today. Newer CPUs are just easier to work with. We can help bridge the gap there.

I'll be back on later with more info.

 

[spirit]

spirit,
Yo Brother.

PCB? What is that?
I have never heard of a PCB...
Is this an importaint peice of hardware in a computer?
Is it essential to a computer's function, meaning that you could LEAVE IT OUT if you wanted.

A PCB is a printed circuit board, so it's like a motherboard or your graphics card itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printed_circuit_board read that.

spirit

Is this a good thing? I have never run across the "multiplier unlocked" expression before...

Yes. Means overclocking the CPU is easier. The Intel K series chips (i5 2500K, 3570K, 4670K, i7 2600K, 2700K, 3770K, 4770K, 3930K), Intel X series chips (i7 975X, 980X, 3960X), AMD's Black Edition chips (Phenom II X3, X4, X6) and AMD's FX chips (FX-4xxx, 6xxx and 8xxx) are all multiplier unlocked.

1) Does OC'ing the PSU increase the MHz capabilities of the computer?

You can't overclock a PSU.

2) Does OC'ing the CPU increase the MHz capabilities of the computer?

Increases the MHzs of the CPU, yes. Anything else? No.

3) What is the difference between OC'ing the CPU and the PSU?

You can't overclock a PSU.

4) Spirit, can OC'ing damage the bios, or do you think it is the software/hardware he was using (mult rail as overclock tool)?

Overclocking can damage the motherboard, preventing it from booting/working which can prevent you from getting into the BIOS, but it can't really 'damage' the BIOS itself and if it somehow does, it's easy enough to reset.

A) If you OC a computer, and shut it down improperly often, do you run the risk of damaging your computer (such as Bios)?

Like always, the only things you risk damaging when shutting down improperly are your operating system and possibly your hard drive. Shutting down improperly is not a big deal anyway.

B) [I don't think that if you built a laptop from scratch that it would be able to have the proper cooling]
When building a laptop from scratch, is the case big enough to accomidate the implementation of a custom proper cooling system sufficient for an OC?

You can't really build them yourself. Let's just leave it at this: *laptops cannot be overclocked*.

spirit

Sounds like OC'ing is an EXACT science!!!!

It needs to be done carefully and you need to stress test whatever you have overclocked, so yeah.

I'm part scottish. That's cool. But I'm not a full blood scott, only a smiggin'. That still counts right?

You're talking to an Englishman here.

 

[StrangleHold]

Pretty simply, basically the two things that can kill components is voltage and heat.

 

[salvage-this]

Building a performance PC doesn't really have a maximum budget. I'm sure that I could pick the parts to go over 10,000 if I really wanted to get ridiculous. That is way over doing it. Here is how I would lay it out

The things that you can not skimp on for a gaming OC system are CPU, motherboard, GPU and PSU and cooling

CPU ~ $200
Motherboard ~ $130- $180
GPU ~ probably around $300 could be less or more depending on budget
PSU ~ $70 to $150 depending on the rest of the system
CPU Cooler ~ $30 to $100

Going off of that you are right around $730 for the base system with no drives, RAM, OS, Optical Drive or case to put it in. You can definitely make it for less than that but run it by us here to see if everything is good quality before jumping on anything.

Having a balanced system is all about not going too high end in one area but not in another. I'll give you an example

This CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116408

Paired with this GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121724

is really imbalanced. The CPU will max out it's processing power way before the titan will. This means that you will have bad gaming performance because the CPU is bottlenecking the GPU from processing at it's full potential.

Over buying a CPU is not necessary a bottleneck, but it does limit your GPU if you are on a budget

This
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116491

paired with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130808

That pair will make it so that the CPU has enough processing power but it is not fully utilized. The GPU does not have a lot of processing power but it is running at full capacity. I could have bought a $300 processor and spent $500 on a new GPU and had way better performance because it was a better balance. It has nothing to do with what is OCed or not. It's picking parts that have similar performance to create a good system.


I'm certainly not a PSU guru but a multi rail PSU can have problems with the voltage being "locked" on a rail that does not need all of the power available to it. So there is a chance that in a triple rail system you have your CPU that needs more wattage than what the rail allows. The PSU can't deliver the power so you have crashes and instability due to bad power delivery.

It's really personal preference but I recommend a good single rail PSU for a gaming/OC system.

 

[CrazyHV8000]

Yeah. That day I overclock at improper voltage and clock, it damaged BIOS data. Lucky I have dualBIOS. Like Neo live again in Matrix movie

The reason why I don't recommend triple rail power supply is because it is not the better choose for overclocker and gaming. If there are two 100 watt rail. There are two video card at about 75 watt each and CPU use 50 watt. What happening? Power Supply fail and shut down. Same to me when I overclock too much highest and cause my PSU to shut down.

 

[StrangleHold]

I prefer single rails myself. But your description of multi rails is aliitle off. Plus the rails will have more then 100W, thats just 8.3 amps. Were talking 500W and above quality supplies. They will have anywhere from 15 and up amps on each rail, even at just 15 amps thats 180W. There are two types of multi rail. A true multi rail and a single rail thats power is divided into multi rail. But either way, the CPU rail is isolated, nothing else runs off it. A good power supply will even have the PCIe running off different rails.

 

[spirit]

Overclocking to 5.0GHz requires some great cooling and a great motherboard too (if you want to do it properly). Something in the 4.5GHz range is more achievable than 5.0GHz.

Never use software to overclock, only the BIOS.

 

[Captain Kirk]

spirit,
Hello.

The PCB is the actual board itself before the components are put on it and before it is called a mobo; or, it can be any other "card" before the tiny components have been sautered to it, such as the GPU card or the RAM card?

spirit

You can't overclock a PSU.

That's strange. I thought just about everything could be overclocked. That article I looked at said there was literally a "mountain" of devices that could be OC'ed, but that we can only cover a few of this list... Therefore I assumed that the PSU was one of them.

spirit

but it can't really 'damage' the BIOS itself and if it somehow does, it's easy enough to reset.

Hmmm... Which would be done by? Reinstalling ANOTHER bios?

You can damage your OS and HD by not shutting down properly? By means of a hard (instant) shut off, for example?

People are not able to build laptops from scratch?

When you say stress test, you mean to do this with a software program?
This tests how much voltage the hardware component can handle?
I've heard of something like that.
Intel is faster, but AMD can handle higher voltage for a longer amount of time.

I'm more english than I am scottish, so don't feel like your a stranger here!

StrangleHold,
good to see you again.

Yes, it would seem so.
If my memory serves me correctly, I think that's what I read.
Now I know for sure what the main cause for hardware failure is!

StrangleHold,

a single rail thats power is divided into multi rail.

Interesting -- I didn't know that you could do this!!

salvage-this,
Howdy bro!

Are you serious about the $10,000 thing -- or was that a joke?
Is such a thing even possible?

Oh my gosh, a 6 Gig GPU -- yea, now THAT's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!1
oh, its $1,000 dollars.
You weren't joking about the price of the best hardware were you?

$50 for a chip. That's awesome! This is the CPU, right?
I'm still trying to figure out the difference between the CPU and PSU
I guess the mobo isn't the PSU...
That would make things a whole lot easier if it was, because then I would understand hardware a bit better.
That's right, PSU is the "power supply"...

What your saying is to not have one really high end peice of hardware and then one low end peice of hardware.
That you are better off with all "medium" end hardware than to have an IMBALANCE?

The rist of component failure increases if poor/average components are used in the system

Obviously, in the example that you gave, the computer would still run without any problems, and your computer wouldn't have any problems.
So why would you not want to do this? Would there be problems or something?
Oh, you mean for purposes of OC'ing specifically, right?

Oh, you won't be able to reach the hardware's performance capabilities, thus limiting the ability of the top end hardware that you have.
I see. That makes sense. Now I understand this part.

Holyc rapoli, a cpu chip for $1,000 dollars. You weren't joking man!
So if its a 6 core processor, then that means that it has the ability of a 6X3.3 GigHz = 20 GigHz computer? (assumming it has all the neccessary RAM)

A 1 Gig GPU for $64 -- not bad? What your saying here is that your CPU can accomidate the ability of a much higher GPU, and since 3D graphics is most of the gaming experience, the GPU is the most importain component in this process.

In your opinion a single rail PSU is better than a triple rail?
But techniquely, a triple rail is better?
OR are they the same; and it is merely the choice between two equally matched components such as AMD and Intel?

salvage-this

So there is a chance that in a triple rail system you have your CPU that needs more wattage than what the rail allows. The PSU can't deliver the power so you have crashes and instability due to bad power delivery.

From your viewpoint, the single rail certainly does seem much better!
But is this only because "you" don't know how to adjust the settings, or maybe have read the manual?
-- or is this problem due to the way that the hardware itself is manufactured?

Thanx for those links!
I hit the motherload here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamebonds1,
Hi!

Jamebonds1

Lucky I have dualBIOS.

"Dual" Bios -- you have 2 bios's?
Is such a thing possible? How did you do this? Is this is what is now coming out with the new systems?

Captain Kirk
USS Enterprise

 

[spirit]

spirit,
Hello.

The PCB is the actual board itself before the components are put on it and before it is called a mobo; or, it can be any other "card" before the tiny components have been sautered to it, such as the GPU card or the RAM card?

Basically yeah.

spirit

That's strange. I thought just about everything could be overclocked. That article I looked at said there was literally a "mountain" of devices that could be OC'ed, but that we can only cover a few of this list... Therefore I assumed that the PSU was one of them.

CPU, RAM and GPU are the three things which can overclocked. Nothing else really.

spirit

Hmmm... Which would be done by? Reinstalling ANOTHER bios?

No, by resetting the existing BIOS using the jumper on the motherboard itself.

You can damage your OS and HD by not shutting down properly? By means of a hard (instant) shut off, for example?

I'm talking about holding the power button in, but it doesn't damage anything if you don't do it regularly.

People are not able to build laptops from scratch?

Consumers can't easily, no. Easier to get a company to do it for you.

I am sure I've told you that multiple times?

When you say stress test, you mean to do this with a software program?
This tests how much voltage the hardware component can handle?
I've heard of something like that.

Yes, something like Prime95 will put the CPU at 100% load for long periods of time which tests stability.

Intel is faster, but AMD can handle higher voltage for a longer amount of time.

Wrong, especially the second part. You can't really go round saying 'one can handle voltage better than the other!' etc. It depends on all sorts of facotrs.

Are you serious about the $10,000 thing -- or was that a joke?
Is such a thing even possible?

Of course it's possible to spend tends of thousands. Whether you should or not is another debate.

Oh my gosh, a 6 Gig GPU -- yea, now THAT's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!1

Not really gonna happen with any CPU unless you're using something ridiculuos like liquid nitrogen to cool it. As of yet, 5.0GHz is a bit tricky, but can be achieved. 4.5GHz is more achievable.

I'm still trying to figure out the difference between the CPU and PSU
I guess the mobo isn't the PSU...

I think you should do some reading:

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

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

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

They're all completely different components. Think of the CPU as the 'brain' (calculations and stuff), the power supply as the 'heart' (powering the system) and I'm not sure what part of the human body the motherboard would be. Skeleton maybe.

That's right, PSU is the "power supply"...

Yes.

What your saying is to not have one really high end peice of hardware and then one low end peice of hardware.

Yes in most scenarios. It's important to have balanced hardware. Some components can be more powerful than others, for example in gaming systems I always recommend you spend the most on the graphics card, so the graphics card would end up being the most powerful component of the system probably, but what you don't want is combinations such as a 1000W PSU powering a really high end motherboard and lots of RAM and a massive hard drive but also powering a very weak CPU and a mediocre GPU. The GPU and CPU would be bottlenecking the system in this scenario.

Obviously, in the example that you gave, the computer would still run without any problems, and your computer wouldn't have any problems.
So why would you not want to do this? Would there be problems or something?

Assuming you're talking about bottlenecks, then you will be hindering performance by not having balanced hardware.

Here is a great video about bottlenecks which I recommend you watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGdo75gasaQ

Oh, you won't be able to reach the hardware's performance capabilities, thus limiting the ability of the top end hardware that you have.
I see. That makes sense. Now I understand this part.

Pretty much, yeah.

Jamebonds1,
Hi!

Jamebonds1

"Dual" Bios -- you have 2 bios's?
Is such a thing possible? How did you do this? Is this is what is now coming out with the new systems?

Captain Kirk
USS Enterprise

Some motherboards, especially Gigabyte boards, have two BIOSes. You can't add BIOSes, you're stuck with however many you have.

 

[salvage-this]

I really think you would benefit from learning to build and how the parts work together before we go OCing a sysem.

Take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIJx6Y3tofg

Yes I wasn't joking. You can spend a lot on a PC if you really wanted to. Building a system for 10k would be dumb. Huge waste of money.

I'm not saying always get middle of the road components. Get components that fit in your price range and compliment each other. Bottlenecks happen in systems of all price ranges.

Most people just say what CPU they have then the clock speed. Like Intel 4770k @ 4.7GHz, FX 6300 @ 4.2GHz. Not the total GHz of all combines cores.


Here is why I don't like to use multi rail systems in gaming PCs

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NOX/Coolbay_HX_APEX_700W/images/psulabel.jpg

for this PSU you have 4 +12v Rails

+12v1 = 18a
+12v2 = 18a
+12v3 = 18a
+12v4 = 20a

If you ran one GTX 680 off of one of the +12v rails the system would not run. The GTX 680 needs 38a on the +12v rail. On that PSU if all of the +12v rails were combined on a single rail, it would have enough power. (See where it says 600w 50a on all of the +12v rails combined)

Having 2 (+12v1 & +12v2) can be ok depending on the PSU, but I would be weary of PSUs with 3 or more +12v rails

 

[CrazyHV8000]

I really think you would benefit from learning to build and how the parts work together before we go OCing a sysem.

Take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIJx6Y3tofg

Yes I wasn't joking. You can spend a lot on a PC if you really wanted to. Building a system for 10k would be dumb. Huge waste of money.

I'm not saying always get middle of the road components. Get components that fit in your price range and compliment each other. Bottlenecks happen in systems of all price ranges.

Most people just say what CPU they have then the clock speed. Like Intel 4770k @ 4.7GHz, FX 6300 @ 4.2GHz. Not the total GHz of all combines cores.


Here is why I don't like to use multi rail systems in gaming PCs

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NOX/Coolbay_HX_APEX_700W/images/psulabel.jpg

for this PSU you have 4 +12v Rails

+12v1 = 18a
+12v2 = 18a
+12v3 = 18a
+12v4 = 20a

If you ran one GTX 680 off of one of the +12v rails the system would not run. The GTX 680 needs 38a on the +12v rail. On that PSU if all of the +12v rails were combined on a single rail, it would have enough power. (See where it says 600w 50a on all of the +12v rails combined)

Having 2 (+12v1 & +12v2) can be ok depending on the PSU, but I would be weary of PSUs with 3 or more +12v rails

That is point i'm talk about. BTW i kicked out my thermaltake triple rail!

 

[salvage-this]

I knew that is what you were getting at. Kinda hard to convey that point without doing the calculations. Hopefully that will lay it out so he can understand it.

 

[StrangleHold]

The GTX 680 needs 38a on the +12v rail. On that PSU if all of the +12v rails were combined on a single rail, it would have enough power. (See where it says 600w 50a on all of the +12v rails combined)

Having 2 (+12v1 & +12v2) can be ok depending on the PSU, but I would be weary of PSUs with 3 or more +12v rails

It doesnt work that way.

The GTX 680 doesnt need 38 amps. You do know thats 465W. That rating is for the entire average system, not just the GPU. A 680 under load pulls around 165 to 190W depending on the cards voltage and clocks by itself. The slot on the board can provide from 75 to over a 100W depending on the board. This comes from the 24 pin board power connector. The PCIe power connectors a 6 pin gives 75W and a 8 pin gives 150W. The 24 pin and PCIe are on different rails.

If the supply has 600W and 50 amps total on the 12V rail. It would power a 680 fine.

 

[salvage-this]

I was hoping that you would correct me if I was wrong. PSUs are not really my specialty.

It did seem rather high for a 680 but I was looking at what the spec sheet said on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130924

but if that is system usage then that makes quite a bit more sense.

Just for my understanding, is there a standard to how the rails are split on a multi rail system? or is it whatever the manufacturer decides?

Do manufacturers split the power up on different rails so they can use a higher gauge wire and not have any problems with overloading the wires?

 

[Captain Kirk]

spirit,
Howdy there!

You can't run a 6 Gig GPU without liquid nitrogen?
You mean in general, or to reach its full performance?

Man, with liquid nitrogen, then you'd be able to OC everything on the computer and not have to worry about any damage or bad instability side effects!!!
That'd be great...

A Stress test IS a benchmark, or this is something completely different altogether?
Do you need to perform a stress test or perform a benchmark before you OC?
OR, if you perform a stress test or and a benchmark, then you wont damage your computer when you OC?

You can OC the board?

Yea, I understood the basic concept before, but now I see how you can apply this to ALL components in a computer.
EXCELLENT strategy for building a computer!!!
So getting the "best" that you get in a specific peice of hardware in not always the best and, in a sense, can be rendered useless.
Good advice!!

But what would happen IF for some reason you did run into a bottleneck situation -- possibly unintentionally -- they said that you can "over stress" the GPU, for example.
Is it bad/or can hurt damage a specific peice of hardware if you "over stress" it?
In a GPU for example, this could be caused by turning up/not turning up the settings all the way.
Or would it only just cause a system instability situation?

salvage-this,
Yo, what'd up?

What -- you don't think it would be better to buy a computer than to buy a brand new car?
Come on.

Hey, I like taking the bus...

When I build my own computer, I am going to go with Intel and AMD.
I heard Intel had a better benchmark than AMD...

But a 6 core 3.3 GigHz can do the work of a 20 GigHz!
If somehow (don't ask me how it would be possible, its just theory/a question about computer power) the system requirements for a new program was 7 GigHz, could a 6 core 3.3 GigHz be able to run it?

I don't really know what that picture means, except the part about, "do not remove cover" caught my attention.
What I do know is that I don't see how the multi rail is any different, because each rail cannot produce more than 240W.
Therefore it doesn't seem like there would be a problem.
It sounds like its all about properly configuring the settings!!
It don't maybe I'm wrong.
Correct me on error, if there is one.

So your saying that a multi rail would be more liable to have a power surge, or extra voltage mishap?
OR, in the reverse spectrum, to never even have enough power to run your computer? (so no computer!!)?

What about someone who was an EXPERT at multirail systems AND their settings?
Would they say the same thing?
Or are we back to the preference thing again.

Note: I too prefer a single rail system. It sounds simplier and easier. And frankly, therefore better, as far as I'm concerned.
But it seems like there MUST be some "kind" of benefit, surely, for having a multirail system?

Jamebonds1,
Good day to you.

And now someone that even has a triple rail does not want it in their system anymore?
How good can a triple rail system be?

StrangleHold.
[MultiRail Expert]

Its good to have a MultiRail Expert onboard here.
There seems to be a bit of confusion on this subject.

And, I was "just" wondering WHAT an expert would say about such a situation...

Captain Kirk
USS Enterprise

 

[Okedokey]

Strangle beat me to it. Plus almost all PSUs are technically single rail (1 transformer coil).

The issue is complex and depends on the design standards, but the multiple rail vs single rail argument is almost completely nonsense. The key factor is quality and design standards applied.

The only other thing that I would add to Strangle's list of issues with overclocking is electronmigration.

 

[spirit]

spirit,
Howdy there!

You can't run a 6 Gig GPU without liquid nitrogen?
You mean in general, or to reach its full performance?

You can't even really get them to 6.0GHz at all regardless of what cooling you're using. And yes, I know people have gotten AMD FX-8120s to insane speeds but it probably wasn't stable.

Like I've said, 4.5-4.8GHz is probably the best you can get with most well-priced coolers. 5.0GHz is possible if you're using water cooling. Anything above about 5.2GHz is seriously pushing it. 5.0GHz is probably pushing it a bit.

Man, with liquid nitrogen, then you'd be able to OC everything on the computer and not have to worry about any damage or bad instability side effects!!!
That'd be great...

No because like I've said, not everything can be overclocked.

A Stress test IS a benchmark, or this is something completely different altogether?
Do you need to perform a stress test or perform a benchmark before you OC?
OR, if you perform a stress test or and a benchmark, then you wont damage your computer when you OC?

A benchmark will measure the performance of your hardware and usually give you a score (to put it very simply), but a stress test tests your system for stability. You usually run stress tests for hours and hours and hours or until your PC crashes.

You can OC the board?

Not really. You might have been able to when you used to have to OC on the Front Side Bus, but the FSB is gone and dead now, so don't worry about that (unless you intend to overclock anything which isn't multiplier unlocked).

Yea, I understood the basic concept before, but now I see how you can apply this to ALL components in a computer.
EXCELLENT strategy for building a computer!!!
So getting the "best" that you get in a specific peice of hardware in not always the best and, in a sense, can be rendered useless.
Good advice!!

That's the strategy most people use. Put the money where it's needed the most.

But what would happen IF for some reason you did run into a bottleneck situation -- possibly unintentionally -- they said that you can "over stress" the GPU, for example.
Is it bad/or can hurt damage a specific peice of hardware if you "over stress" it?
In a GPU for example, this could be caused by turning up/not turning up the settings all the way.
Or would it only just cause a system instability situation?

Well if in order to get more performance out of your GPU you overclocked it and you didn't do it properly then yeah, you could damage it.

But otherwise, all bottlenecks do is slow you down. They don't tend to 'overwork' any piece of hardware, or the piece of hardware which is bottlenecking you.

What -- you don't think it would be better to buy a computer than to buy a brand new car?
Come on.

Would you really spend thousands or even tens of thousands on a PC which is going to be outdated in a year? Technology moves along so quickly. For example, I purchased my i5 2500K in March 2012 (one of the last 2500Ks, I admit), and then in April 2012 it was replaced by the 3570K and now in June 2013 the 3570K has been replaced by the 4670K. So my 2500K is two generations behind and I've owned it for what - 15 months?

When I build my own computer, I am going to go with Intel and AMD.
I heard Intel had a better benchmark than AMD...

At stock, yes, the Intel chips are faster, but both can be overclocked. Although it's true that yes, 9 times out of 10 the Intel chips are faster, they are more expensive too.

But a 6 core 3.3 GigHz can do the work of a 20 GigHz!

No. It's the still the same 'GHz' (correct term is 'frequency' or 'clockspeed' by the way) as what it says on the box or whatever UNLESS it's been overclocked.

Let's take my i5 2500K for example. It's quad-core processor (so it has 4 cores), which is stock clocked at 3.3GHz. It's running at 3.3GHz, not 4x3.3GHz (13.2GHz). It's a common mistake people make with multi-core processors and often a technique salespeople use to sell chips. 13.2GHz sounds a lot better than 3.3GHz, doesn't it?

The other mistake which is often made is that people compare multi-core processors purely on their clockspeed. 'Oh, this 3.3GHz quad-core is DEFINITELY slower than this 4.0GHz dual-core because it runs at 700MHz less,' there's so many factors which determine speed, so you can't base what you're saying on one factor.

If somehow (don't ask me how it would be possible, its just theory/a question about computer power) the system requirements for a new program was 7 GigHz, could a 6 core 3.3 GigHz be able to run it?

No for the reasons I said above.

 

[StrangleHold]

I was hoping that you would correct me if I was wrong. PSUs are not really my specialty.

It did seem rather high for a 680 but I was looking at what the spec sheet said on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130924

but if that is system usage then that makes quite a bit more sense.

Just for my understanding, is there a standard to how the rails are split on a multi rail system? or is it whatever the manufacturer decides?

Do manufacturers split the power up on different rails so they can use a higher gauge wire and not have any problems with overloading the wires?

Like Okedokey said. Most multi rails on the market are really single rails split off in to multi . The amps listed on the rails are just the max that (one) can pull. You dont add them together to get a total for the 12V rail. Like say a 600W with 50 amps with four 18 amp rails. It really only has 50 amps total, each rail is just limited to 18 amp pull. Plus most quality PSU split up the components on the rails. Like the 4/8 pin CPU power connector will be on a rail by itself, then the molex/SATA power connectors on one then the PCIe power connectors on another.

 

[salvage-this]

Is there a way to sell what connectors are on what rails?