OC Genie, and OC Genie II, is a now-regular feature that is found on select MSI motherboards. The system is designed to allow users to overlock their RAM, some GPUs and central processor, improving speed and performance for a given period of time. This is the east method of overclocking a computer there is, so if you’re just starting out in modding, then this is a great start.
To overclock your PC using MSI’s OC Genie, you’ll need to ensure that your motherboard is equipped with it.
Using the Hardware Button
The simplest way to activate OC Genie is to use the hardware button. If your MSI motherboard is compatible with the system, then you will see a circular button labelled ‘OC Genie’ directly on the board.
When you press the button, the processor will scan your system and detect the best overclocking setup for you, and initiate it. This isn’t ideal for people who are super familiar with overclocking, as it doesn’t allow you as many settings. It is, however, extremely convenient for moderate-to-regular users of applications that demand more power from your system, whether it’s gaming or video editing.
Using the BIOS
If you’re not already familiar, BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a ROM chip that is found on all computer motherboards. It is used to allow the user to set up their computer at the simplest level, meaning that the operating system does not need to be loaded up. These BIO chips contain instructions for how the computer should work, including switching on and off, loading operating systems, and identifying problems.
The BIOS chip and system can be used to activate overclocking on your OC Genie-equipped motherboard.
The most common way for accessing the BIOS is during bootup. The combination of keys that need to be pressed and held right on boot up depends on your computer, but in many instances it will be F2 or F11 on the keyboard. If you hold down these keys during your boot up, your Windows operating system will not boot and instead you will be faced with a black screen with white or green text.
Once you’re in the BIOS, you will see the OC Genie option, where you will be able to switch it on and tweak with some settings.
It’s important to remember that the BIOS will automatically set your clock speed to a safe level and at a sufficient and sensible voltage. If you are planning on tweaking your clock speeds beyond the basic settings, it’s important you know what you’re doing. This can be pose a risk to your computer. You should be aware, though, that it is not possible using OC Genie to get optimal performance with minimal power consumption – this is a consumer-level option for people who enjoy gaming and other power-hungry apps.
What’s the Risk?
Should you decide to use OC Genie to overclock your PC, you should be aware that there is technically a risk to your PC, but it’s not very high. OC Genie is designed to give you overclocking abilities without pushing your computer too far. It’s the simplest form of overclocking there is, and it won’t attempt to overclock a processor that can’t handle it.
Another reason why you shouldn’t expect any damage to your computer is that most modern processors are actually designed to be overclocked in the first place. Intel Core processors are commonly used for overclocking, giving gamers, animators and video editors the power they need for big projects. PCs using these chips will often feature a ‘Turbo’ mode which will push a 3.4GHz processor right up to 3.8GHz and beyond.
If you go beyond recommended turbo clocking speeds, or your PC wasn’t advertised with a Turbo Boost feature, it’s important you invest in plenty of quality cooling units. Whether you install more powerful fans, or choose a more modern liquid cooling unit, you’ll be ensuring that your hardware doesn’t overheat and fry. This is a common problem that people experience when trying overclocking without full knowledge of how it works.
Why Should I Overclock?
In short, overclocking gives your computer better performance. Not only will video and applications run more smoothly, but a user will be able to open up more applications and use them simultaneously.
Stick to these simple guidelines and you should have no trouble, and if you’re using OC Genie, rest assured that it’s designed to protect your computer!
