Can I Overclock My Laptop?
Probably not. Apple’s line of notebook computers does not support overclocking and hasn’t for many years. Most modern consumer PCs also prevent overclocking. The BIOS is locked, meaning users can’t change the settings to control the processor’s operation. How will you know if a laptop can overclock? Most laptops with this feature advertise it. Try visiting the manufacturer’s website or review the laptop’s manual. Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to see if they work.
How to Overclock a Laptop With a Turbo Button
This is an easy way to overclock a laptop, but will only work with PC laptops that have this feature installed from the factory. An overclock button is a safe, simple way to overclock a laptop, though the performance boost will be limited. The laptop will run hotter, and louder, then it would otherwise. Make sure the laptop’s vents are not blocked when using this feature. Many laptops label this a ‘Turbo’ or ‘Boost’ button.
How to Overclock a Laptop With Software
Laptop overclocking, when available, is usually controlled by first-party software from the processor manufacturer (AMD or Intel). The steps above will let you achieve a modest overclock. Overclocking is complex, however, and maximum performance depends on many variables.
Download AMD Ryzen Master here. Download Intel Extreme Tuning Utility here.
Generally speaking, you must first select the Manual option. This will reveal or unlock the processor clock control for all processor cores. Want to push your laptop further? AMD users should read How To Geek’s guide to overclocking with AMD Ryzen Master. Intel users should read our guide to overclocking an Intel processor.
Can I Overclock My Laptop With the BIOS?
The vast majority of laptops do not support overclocking with the BIOS. The BIOS is the most basic operating system on a PC. In the past, the BIOS often had settings that let users tweak a wide variety of settings, including those that would overclock the processor. This is called an unlocked processor. Only a few high-end processors, like the AMD Ryzen 5950HX and Intel Core i9-12900HK, can be sold unlocked. Those that are unlocked are designed to be overclocked with first-party software.
Is It Safe to Overclock a Laptop?
Overclocking a laptop is risky. Laptops have built-in safeguards that should shut down the laptop if hardware damage is possible, but you could cause damage if you set a value far outside its normal range. It’s best to make small changes and test them frequently. It’s important to watch for signs your laptop is overheating. If it does, immediately disable the overclock. Continuing to use an overclock on a laptop that is overheating can cause permanent damage.
MacBook Pro High-Power Mode
The Apple-silicon powered 16" MacBook Pro has a special feature called High-power mode. This is not the same as overclocking, but it does allow the MacBook Pro to use its processor a higher speed for longer than it would normally.
