CPU clock speed is computed in hertz (Hz), and it returns number of cycles per second processor executes. CPU talks with motherboard at slower rate, known as Front Side Bus (FSB). The ratio between CPU clock rate and FSB rate is known as a multiplier. CPU speed is calculated as a product of FSB and multiplier. Such calculations are particularly vital when you attempt to increase CPU clock during hardware overclocking. But practical calculations are challenging as neither FSB nor the CPU multiplier are reported by standard operating system software tools.

Luckily freeware is accessible that permits to recover hardware information and monitor the overclocking progress.

Instructions

1. Step 1

Log in to an administrator account in Windows 7/Vista/XP.

2. Step 2

Download freely available programs that recover hardware/CPU information.

3. Step 3

Click "Start" in Windows XP/Vista/7 and select "Computer" to open Windows Explorer. Go to folder where the freeware was saved. Double tick setup file and follow the onscreen instructions to install the program.

4. Step 4

Run freeware installed in Step 3. It takes up to 30 to 60 seconds for program to recover system information.

5. Step 5

Choose tab "CPU" in program window. Record the numbers reported for "Multiplier" and "Bus Speed."

6. Step 6

Bus speed should multiply by multiplier to compute CPU speed. E.g. you received 333 MHz and 9.5 for bus speed and multiplier values. CPU speed is 333 MHz x 9.5 = 3163.5 MHz or 3.16 GHz.