Since the inception of IBM computers, a number of central processing units have distinguished themselves as top candidates in breaking speed barriers and increasing clock frequencies. Some had the ability to overclock, others achieved record numbers and exceptional performance levels. At that time, all central processing units were overclockable and all users had the opportunity. With the beginning of the new millennium, the new generation of games emerged, featuring graphics that heightened consumer excitement about owning superior CPUs with overclocking capabilities. There was also a group of enthusiasts who were avid overclockers.
Overclocking seemed like a necessary and routine task. While everyone rushed to find the necessary requirements to overclock their CPUs, Intel quickly changed the game by closing the clock speed multiplier based on requests from retail traders. Despite this, there were still some CPUs that are unforgettable and etched in our memories until this moment, and we can only reminisce about them in the past. What do you think about reliving those memories and remembering the most famous CPUs that stood out in overclocking and set record speeds?
Intel 486DX2-40
Launch date: 1992 | Frequency: 40MHz – 50MHz | Overclocked speed: 66MHz
The P24 DX2486 CPUs were the first to reach a clock multiplier with the Central Processing Unit, known as the ‘Multiplier’, which led to doubling the system bus frequency. At that time, it was possible to overclock the CPUs by changing the system bus frequency by using the integrated motherboards’ jumpers or DIP switches. The initial models of the CPU were launched at lower speeds of 20MHz, 25MHz, and 33MHz, but later models were released at frequencies of 40MHz and 50MHz.
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This was the perfect opportunity to buy a 486DX2-40 CPU for $400 and raise its base frequency from 20MHz to 33MHz instead of buying the 486DX2-66, which had a value of $799. It was one of the best golden opportunities for the mid-range class of overclocking enthusiasts. However, exceeding a frequency of 33MHz was nearly impossible due to the high base clock speed of the CPU. But at the same time, the DX2486-66 CPUs were almost completely limited and had no ability to increase the base clock frequency – therefore it was possible to increase the clock multiplier and reduce the bus frequency to achieve rates like 2x40MHz = 80MHz, but of course not everyone was lucky.
Before the launch of the Pentium MMX processor, there was animosity and hatred towards a capped multiplier by retail traders due to the ability of users to overclock their CPUs and the decreased demand for high-performance CPUs. Unfortunately, the Pentium MMX had bad luck due to Intel’s response to the demand of retail traders by closing the clock speed multiplier. This left users with relying on the system bus speed to increase the CPU’s operating frequency. Just like today, there were unlocked multiplier MMX CPUs that offered better opportunities for users in overclocking capabilities, even though they were sold for around $590, such as the MX 233 model, which was expensive but preferred by overclocking professionals.
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At that time, the MMX 166 was seen as the gem for the mid-range class, priced at around $400 and with a base bus frequency of 75MHz, which means it could increase the multiplier to 3 or 3.5 to reach speeds of 225MHz or 266MHz. But there were many concerns about stability and temperatures.
Intel Celeron 300A
Launch date: 1998 | Frequency: 300MHz | Overclocked speed: 500MHz
The end of the last century was legendary thanks to the 300A processor, which introduced a whole new concept of overclocking. Launched in 1999 with a frequency of 300MHz, there was no problem overclocking it to 375MHz and sometimes even reaching speeds of up to 500MHz. The overclocking potential largely depended on the type of motherboard used and its ability to handle overclocking, but any high-end motherboard could achieve speeds exceeding 460MHz for this processor. If you didn’t want to tamper with the voltage and exceeded 2.0V, all you could achieve would be around 450MHz, which was a decent increase.
Intel Pentium III 500E
Launch date: 1999 | Frequency: 500MHz | Overclocked speed: 775MHz ~ 667MHz
With a basic bus frequency of 100MHz and a clock multiplier of x5, the Pentium III 500E processor was launched at a frequency of 500MHz. It was easy to increase the Front Side Bus (FSB) to 133MHz to achieve an operating frequency of 677MHz. All that was needed was a motherboard with a 370 chipset, but to reach 750MHz, one would need a newer and more advanced generation of motherboards designed specifically for this processor.
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Believe it or not, this processor was priced at around $300, but stood proud in comparison to another processor worth $850, the Pentium III 800. There were many warnings about overclocking, and there were risks and damages that were countless and incalculable.
AMD Athlon 700 (Thunderbird) / Duron 600 (Spitfire)
Launch date: 2000 | Frequency: 700MHz / 600MHz | Overclocked speed: 1000MHz / 900MHz
AMD attempted to close the loophole to reduce fraudulent attempts to sell CPUs under false higher specifications, which was achieved by not allowing voltage manipulation or multiplier adjustments on all K7 CPUs. However, overclocking enthusiasts quickly found a way to unlock the hidden performance in the CPUs by manipulating the silicon circuit bridges, allowing them to achieve significantly higher levels of performance, even reaching prices comparable to CPUs that sold for hundreds of dollars, while their official price did not exceed $110.
Intel Pentium 4 1.6A / Celeron 2.0 (Northwood)
