When you install a CPU into a motherboard, the motherboard has instructions built in that tell it how fast to run the CPU. However, those instructions can be modified. For example, a motherboard can run a CPU at a speed that’s faster than it’s designed for, a practice known as overclocking. Gamers who overclock are basically pushing their computer hardware past its limits, which can result in better performance but also more heat. If you’re planning on experimenting with overclocking, do your research ahead of time, and make sure that your computer is properly ventilated.