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HANOVER, GERMANY -- Users looking to squeeze a little extra performance out of their Advanced Micro Devices or Intel processor now have an easier way to overclock their CPU, thanks to Elitegroup Computer Systems.

ECS, in Taipei, on Wednesday introduced its EZ-Buddie line of PCs, which let users overclock their CPUs by adjusting a dial located on the front of the PC case.

Expected to be available worldwide in May, the EZ-Buddie is based on either an Intel Pentium 4 processor, Intel Celeron, or AMD Athlon processor and will be priced starting from $700 to $800, depending on the exact configuration, said Frank Niessen, marketing director for ECS in Germany.

Risky Business

Overclocking can be a risky venture, and motherboard makers and CPU makers are quick to remind users that they will not take responsibility for attempting to run a CPU at a speed faster than that for which it has been rated. Promotional literature for the EZ-Buddie is no exception, warning, "Any CPU stressed beyond its limit is not guaranteed."

Overclockers can take some comfort in EZ-Buddie's system-monitoring capabilities. To keep users abreast of their EZ-Buddie's performance and to warn of potential failures of components such as the hard drive or CD-ROM, the EZ-Buddie includes a colorful display panel, called EZ-Watcher.

Located on the front of the case, EZ-Watcher displays the CPU clock speed alongside the CPU and system temperature. EZ-Watcher also monitors the motherboard, memory, hard drive, and CD-ROM to warn users of minor problems that could lead to more serious consequences, such as a component failure.

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