Overclocking is the adjustment of clock speeds beyond the standard specifications for better performance. For example, raising the clock speed and lowering latency (wait states) of industry-standard values (JEDEC) on RAM can significantly impact PC application performance. Kingston FURY memory modules feature two simple approaches to overclocking memory: Plug N Play for novices and Extreme Memory Profiles for experts.
For PC enthusiasts (formerly known as hobbyists), overclocking is an art form that has its own subculture. The most extreme overclockers will go to great lengths to attempt to break world records, such as cooling their components with liquid nitrogen. However, not everyone who wants a powerful gaming rig needs to be an extreme overclocker to get better performance from their hardware. In the mid-2000s, Intel, AMD and NVIDIA devised methods that would allow for a simple overclocking of memory through profiles programmed onto the DIMM. These profiles defined clock speed, voltage and latencies. A system of checks and balances developed between the chipset/processor makers, the motherboard manufacturers and the memory companies to provide a stable platform. This makes it easier for enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike to push the performance of their memory modules.