If you do not have a K series CPU you will be limited as to how far you can overclock. The unlocked processors are denoted by the K at the end of the processor model, such as the Intel Core i7-2600K. This means in order to overclock the 2 nd generation Intel Core processors to their limit, you need to have a processor with an unlocked multiplier. This meant that unless your motherboard did not support overclocking, you would be able to overclock your processor.Īlthough you can still overclock the 2 nd generation Intel Core processors by raising the base clock, you will only be able to adjust the base clock by 7-8%. If you were lucky enough to have one of the Extreme or K series CPUs with the unlocked multipliers, you could also raise the multiple to overclock. With the first generation of Intel Core processors you were able to raise the base clock to overclock. The new 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family, aka Sandy Bridge, architecture has changed the way you overclock your processor.
