Overclocking a [Raspberry Pi](https://www.ampheo.com/c/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-boards) can boost performance, but it must be done carefully to avoid overheating, instability, or hardware damage. Here’s how to overclock it safely and effectively:

**Important Notes Before You Begin**
* Overclocking voids warranty (on some models, like [Pi 4](https://www.ampheo.com/search/Pi%204))
* Use cooling: heatsink, fan, or active cooling is highly recommended
* Back up your SD card before making changes

**1. Determine Your Raspberry Pi Model**

**2. Edit the config.txt File**
1. Open terminal:

bash

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

2. Scroll to the end and add or modify the following:

**Example for [Raspberry Pi 4](https://www.ampheoelec.de/search/Raspberry%20Pi%204):**

ini

over_voltage=6         # Up to 6 (raises CPU voltage)
arm_freq=2000          # CPU speed in MHz
gpu_freq=600           # Optional: GPU frequency

Higher over_voltage = more heat and power. Max safe is usually 6.
Start small, then test stability.

3. Save and exit (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter)

4. Reboot:

bash

sudo reboot

**3. Monitor Temperature and Performance**
Check CPU temperature:

bash

vcgencmd measure_temp

Monitor frequency and throttle status:

bash

vcgencmd get_config arm_freq
vcgencmd get_throttled

**4. Stress Test Stability**
Install stress test tools:

bash

sudo apt install stress
stress --cpu 4 --timeout 60

Watch for:

* Thermal throttling (CPU slows to cool down)
* Crashes or freezes

**5. Add Cooling if Needed**
* Attach a heatsink
* Add a fan (5V or PWM-controlled)
* Use a case with airflow

**When NOT to Overclock**
* You’re running 24/7 tasks (e.g., server, NAS)
* You're using passively cooled setups
* Power supply is unstable (< 5V / 2.5A)

**Tip: Use raspi-config (for Pi 3 and earlier)**

bash

sudo raspi-config

* Navigate to Overclock (only visible on supported models)
* Choose a preset (e.g., Medium, High)

**Sample Config for Raspberry Pi 3:**

ini

arm_freq=1400
core_freq=500
sdram_freq=500
over_voltage=4