UTURE
YOND
made over the years. It is something
from within the hobby - is difficult
to appreciate many times. It needs
one to step back and reflect upon
overclocking’s discourse over
the years without the rose tinted
glasses.
One of the often unspoken
transformations is in how
overclocking need not justify its
existence for it to be worth engaging
in. We no longer participate in the
activity for the sake of improving
game performance. Its value
need not be tied into how it affects
games despite the fact that the vast
majority of overclockers initially
undertook this adventure for that
singular purpose. Its value is solely
contained within its competitive
nature and the desire to push the
limits. Much like the Luge has
no practical purposes outside of
being a sport, overclocking has an
identical appeal. It’s an “extreme
sport” in a computing context. It
won’t be for everyone, it may not
even interest most people. However,
there are enough people all over
the world that do take to it, find
it enjoyable and well worth the
investment in time and resources.
Since it is free from needing a
practical application, overclocking
has found its own value that cannot
“With the advent of subzero degree cooling,
overclocking took on a new
dimension, almost coming
into its own at least in a
resource sense where the
competition intensified.”
be exploited solely for financial gain. Note, that there’s
nothing wrong with using overclocking as a vehicle
with which you may attain financial compensation. In
fact I would even argue that, the business element
of it is necessary. However it is only beneficial when
undertaken in a way that doesn’t compromise the hobby
and its participants. Much like most hobbies, there’s a
level at which it is sponsored, professional and highly
competitive, overclocking could do with that as well
and indeed we are moving in that direction. It isn’t quite
there yet because of a great many reasons, but it is
not difficult for one to imagine a time where this is a
reality and in the same way that competitive gaming has
become a career for some. Overclocking can do that too.
Yes, it is hard to imagine at present, but consider
that we are currently in a symbiotic relationship with
vendors. Compare the quality of motherboard from
twenty years ago to what we have today. They have
changed and progressed in leaps and bounds. Whereas
we were previously concerned with keeping the
components functioning, let alone at a high speed. We
at present suffer fewer hardware failures, even though
the stresses we place on these components via the
environments and settings operate these computers at
are much harsher. It is with this continued streamlining
and focus of components that we have been granted
reprieve from temperamental hardware so we are
entirely concerned with performance and results.
Previously, one had to know how to modify their
GPUs via any one or more voltage modification guides.
A voltage trimmer, multi meter and rudimentary
soldering skills would see you through. As comfortable
as many competitive overclockers are with these
tools, it always had the potential of going wrong and
turning your investment into a door stop. Today that
Issue 34 | 2015 The OverClocker 17