overclock

[ oh-ver-klok ]

verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to modify (a hardware component, as a processor, graphics card, or memory) so as to increase the speed of that component beyond the specifications of the manufacturer:

   You can overclock your video card to improve its performance.

Other Words From

• over·clocked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overclock¹

1985–90; over- + clock ¹ (in the sense “a circuit that governs the speed of other circuits”)

Example Sentences

Alienware is releasing a pair of new gaming monitors, including a 25-incher with a 360Hz variable refresh rate and a 27-inch Quad HD option that can overclock to 280Hz.

From The Verge

Sojourn’s ultimate ability, Overclock, supercharges her railgun’s secondary fire, allowing her to fire it multiple times at max damage for a short duration.

From The Verge

According to the Overwatch blog post introducing Sojourn, Overclock is if Genji’s Dragon Blade ability used a gun instead of a sword.

From The Verge

Probably an original Motorola Droid, seeing how I was eagerly reading about how modders had managed to overclock its chip to over 1GHz.

From The Verge

“Most use their Earths as decorations or conversation pieces, as I see you have a lovely brass clock on your mantelpiece. Some take on human form and go down onto the surface of the planet itself, to experience it directly. And there are always enthusiasts, who enhance the technology, overclock evolution — there are clubs and competitions for that.”

From Nature