Intel's LGA 775 Core 2 series has been an extremely successful line of desktop processors. Most models are somewhat overclockable, and some are real overclocking monsters. Both Intel and nVidia have recently produced motherboard chipsets really conducive to overclocking. In the past, it was obvious that all but a handful of motherboard manufacturers considered overclocking as an annoyance, but today, nearly all motherboard manufacturers incorporate overclock-specific features into their motherboards and BIOS, and advertise their motherboards as overclock-friendly.
Depending on the BIOS, overall, the Core 2 is an easy overclocker. Gains are easily seen by merely raising the FSB to increase the CPU speed. There are certain models, or particular steppings of models, that aren't great overclockers, but if the CPU happens not to be a great overclocker, gains can also be seen by lowering the CPU multiplier to keep the processor running at or near stock speed, and just increasing the FSB, or Front Side Bus, though usually a better motherboard is required for significant performance increases using that method.
Even though overclocking has come a long way from hacked BIOS, pencil tracing, etc, it still isn't for the squeamish. You can still fry your CPU or motherboard, though it is much harder due to safety measures built into Intel processors and most motherboards. But with a little preparation and forethought, nearly anyone can successfully give their rig some extra oomph by a mild overclock, or make it really scream with a serious overclock. Read on to find out how!
This primer is directed towards the begin overclocker, or for the enthusiast recently introduced to LGA 775 Intel processors. It will cover the bare basics, and is in no way intended to teach someone to be an extreme overclocker, nor will the seasoned Core 2 overclocker likely learn much if at all from this article.
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