What you need to know
- Some folks have been toying with the idea of overclocking Non-K Alder Lake CPUs.
- Intel has said this is a bad idea.
- Not only does Intel say overclocking these processors isn't covered by warranty, but it's also straight-up not recommended as it runs the risk of damaging the hardware and destabilizing the system at large.
Where there's a will, there's a way. And where there's a way, there's a voided warranty and a damaged processor with a reduced lifespan.
Such is the case with 12th Gen non-K processors, which Intel has confirmed are not designed for overclocking, meaning if you dare to do so, you're going into uncharted waters on your own time and money against the guidance of the company who made the thing you're about to run the risk of frying. In a comment to Tom's Hardware, Intel said the following:
Intel's 12th Gen non-K processors were not designed for overclocking. Intel does not warranty the operation of processors beyond their specifications. Altering clock frequency or voltage may damage or reduce the useful life of the processor and other system components, and may reduce system stability and performance.
So there you have it. If you're one of the folks thinking it's time to push those non-K units past their official breaking points, prepare for the worst and know that Intel does not sanction your actions.
In case you're a PC aficionado who does like to dabble in overclocking, you can either A) ignore Intel's warnings or B) check out the best motherboards for Intel's Core i9-12900K. That's an option for people who don't want to tempt fate quite as much. And if you're out of the loop on the current processor landscape, rest easy: We have a roundup of the best CPUs for your custom PC.
