How to Overlock a Gateway Computer

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Gateway is among the companies offering factory-overclocked processors. This makes their offered products easier and more effective for overclocking. Doing this process by yourself will surely give a rewarding feeling, especially if you enjoy your computer at its newer and faster speed. However, be aware of the risks of overclocking your Gateway computer before you decide to do it.

Materials Needed:
- Gateway processor
- CPUFSB or similar applications
- Performance Test or other similar programs
Step 1
Make sure that you are ready to face possible damages with faulty Gateway overclocking. If you are ready, remove all the chords connected to the computer. Ensure that its electricity connection is already disconnected. Remember also that you might void the processor’s warranty if you try to overclock it.
Step 2
Open the CPU case and carefully get the processor. Just touch it on its side or you might incur physical damages to it when you touch beyond that.
Step 3
Find the Gateway’s PLL IC or the clock chip. This thing regulates the front side bus of the processor, meaning, it dictates the maximum speed the processor is allowed to function. This PLL IC is commonly placed near the crystal, which is mostly with a label 14.3MHZ. The PLL IC usually has a stamped name of its manufacturer. Some of the possible names you can find are the ICS, Pericom, RealTek, CMedia, plllabs, IMI, Winbond, Cypress, and ICW.
Step 4
Check if the PLL IC can possibly be overclocked. You will know that if its model is supported for this activity. Most old PLL ICs can be overclocked. However, most of the newer versions cannot, especially if the computer still has a warranty.
Step 5
Get an application to help you with the overclocking like the CPUFSB made by Podien. This program supports almost all PLL ICs in the world. However, this is a commercial application but you can download a free 30-day trial version.
Step 6
Install the CPUFSB and reboot the GateWay computer.
Step 7
Start CPUFSB. You will see the sign 'please register' on your screen. Click 'OK'.
Step 8
A new screen will appear. Click the arrows under the PLL manufacturer. Look for your PLL IC’s brand.
Step 9
A box next to that contains the specific types of PLLs. Choose which type your PLL IC belongs to.
Step 10
Press the button 'Get Frequency'. Your FSB setting should be the same with the actual frequency.
Step 11
Set only a small increase to the speed and run the benchmarking software to see if the speed changes. You can use the 'Performance Test of Passmark' to do this.
Step 12
Remember, the voltage of the CPU may also affect the result of this Gateway overclocking. Aside from that, you should consider the cooling, stability, and the functional correctness of overclocking.