New CPU Overclocking Record Set, 8.20GHz

Reaching an 8.20GHz frequency is not an easy feat, but the overclockers from XtremeLabs.org managed to do it with an Intel Celeron D 347 central processing unit (CPU). Of course, as it is the case with most, if not all, serious attempts at breaking CPU overclocking records, the new height was reached thanks to a sturdy combination of high-performance memory, modified system components and, naturally, the mandatory quantity of liquid nitrogen for cooling.

The Intel Celeron D 347 processor is based on the now-famous NetBurst micro-architecture. The chip itself has a stock frequency of 3.06GHz and is made using the 65nm manufacturing process.

The platform used in the setting of the new record was made up of a modified DFI LanParty UT P35 (Intel P35, revision A2), high-performance memory from OCZ technology and, as already mentioned, a hefty quantity of liquid nitrogen to keep the chip from melting along with the motherboard and anything else in its vicinity. Combined, the system was able to push the chip at 8199.5MHz, which is also the highest clock speed to ever be validated by the CPU-Z database.

While this feat is definitely noteworthy in itself, it may have no particular relevance for consumers. While clock frequencies were a major factor in last-generation PC computing performance, today's systems no longer depend upon it so heavily. In fact, there is no evidence to prove beyond any doubt that the Celeron D 347 in question, even when running at 8.20GHz, would achieve higher benchmarking results than modern Intel Core i7 microprocessors at 3.00Ghz.

Unfortunately, TiN (the overclocker that set the record) neglected or did not have time to perform any such benchmarking tests. As such, it is unclear how much better the system could actually run compared with computer configurations based on the latest and most feature-rich Intel Core i7 CPUs.