Overclocking over the years has become increasingly popular and with that naturally comes the use of tools to assist in doing so. Whether you are a Intel or AMD User, I Have rounded up a short list of some amazing benchmarking, stress testing and general overclocking tools for you to consider.
You cant live without these essential overclocking tools
PRIME95
Its been around as long as I can remember and is the creme of the crop when it comes to stress testing your overclocks. It works by processing intensive mathematical sums and equations placing extensive load on your RAM, CPU and Power Supply.
Most people including myself suggest running prime95 for a minimum of 12 – 24 hours, If your computer crashes or produces a blue screen of death then you know your overclock is unstable. This is an amazing tool that any overclocking enthusiast must have.
PRIME 95
CPU-Z
CPU-Z is a live reporting desktop application that allows you to see more information about your RAM, Motherboard, processor clock rates, voltages and even bus speeds. It’s easy to use with zero installation and really out shines any other live reporting tool out there.
CPU-Z
CPU Tweaker
This nifty little desktop application provides all the features your would expect when working from the bios, It can be good for testing new overclocks on the fly. Rather then being focused on one platform (AMD/INTEL), Cpu tweaker is a more generic tool with a wider compatibility range.
CPU Tweaker
Intel Desktop Control Center
The Intel Desktop Control Center is an official overclocking tool for Intel processors. It has the ability to overclock your CPU with a simple click of the mouse, memory control settings and reports. The only downside to this tool is its limited to socked 1156 / 1366 that are running the DX8SO, DP55SB, DP55KB Chipsets.
This is a real shame because this tool shows a a lot of promise
Intel Desktop Control Center
AMD Overdrive
What ever Intel does AMD are bound to follow, AMD Overdrive is a cpu overclocking tool solely for AMD users. it provides an extensive tool set to modify your system from the comfort of your windows desktop. It has an impressive array of options and tweak from fan monitor, voltages, buses, the ability to change cpu clock speed, multipliers and voltages for the CPU, Memory and HT technology.
AMD Overdrive
3D Mark
While not strictly a stability testing tool, The 3d Mark suite of video stress testing tools do a great job of placing load on your graphics card and provides a quick, accessible and free way for overclockers to check their performance gains.
This is an essential tool that any serious overclocking gamer needs to have in his arsenal.
3D Mark