overclock or not

[jb2003]

I wonder if cpu speeds are the set at the true full potential of cpu or just what is the optimal to insur contiual operation and avoid a warranty replacement?

[Calum]

Please, explain your question a bit better.
Exactly what do you want to know?

[jb2003]

Will overclocking a cpu a slight amount say a 10 % increase in speed( is this overly optimistic) damage a cpu(I use AMD) ? Ive been led to believe that manufacturers set the speed at the lower end of a processors potential so as to not risk overheating them,etc. Or are the speeds given by manufactures truely what the processors are the optimally designed to run at. In automotive engines,the engines put out x horsepower based on average potential. With some modifacations and some tweaking most engines will put out at least another 10-30% of horsepower.

[Calum]

You can overclock a CPU, but the speed it is sold at (stock speed) is what it has been designed for.
Past that speed, there is no guarantee that it will not be damaged.
Overclocking can get you a good increase in speed for free, but you must be extremely careful.
If you go too far or too fast, you risk frying the CPU and/or other components.
It depends on the CPU and cooling, as well as the room temperature, as to how far you can overclock.
Does that go some way towards answering your question?