'''Overclocking''' is a term used when a [[circuit]] can accept a [[signal]] at a specific [[period]] which it cannot accept at a higher period. A [[syringe]] is a simple example.
'''Overclocking''' is a term used when a [[circuit]] can accept a [[signal]] at a specific [[period]] which it cannot accept at a higher period. A [[syringe]] is a simple example of overclocking.
Some [[staged recovery]] circuits also permit overclocking, and can function successfully at a rate faster than their [[recovery time]]. A [[Silver's reflector]] has a recovery time of 497 [[tick]]s, but can be overclocked to reflect a period-250 [[glider stream]], or any nearby period above 248, simply by removing a [[beehive]] after the first [[glider]] enters the [[reflector]]. However, a continuous stream of gliders is then required to maintain the circuit, with timing within a tightly bounded range.
Some [[staged recovery]] circuits also permit overclocking, and can function at a rate faster than their [[recovery time]]. For example, [[Silver's reflector]] has a recovery time of 497 [[tick]]s, but can be overclocked to reflect a period-250 [[glider stream]], or any nearby period above 248.
There are actually three{{cn}} distinct ways "overclocking" is used.<ref name="post58873" />
In some cases, like the [[syringe]] or the [[semi-cenark]]s, there are a few periods where the mechanism works, and then a few periods where it doesn't work, usually because of something like a temporary [[spark]] that has to get out of the way. And then the mechanism is safe to use any time after the official [[repeat time]]. With this more recent usage, "overclocking" doesn't add any extra restrictions to the use of the mechanism, it just means that it's not guaranteed to work for all higher periods.
In other cases, like the [[Speed tunnel]], [[Snark]], [[Snark64]] and [[Fx70]] conduits, it means{{cn}} that the mechanism behaves like a [[period multiplier]] in some periods, usually because of something like a temporary [[spark]] that evolves into another object that is then cleared by the next signal. With this more recent usage, "overclocking" doesn't add any extra restrictions to the use of the mechanism, its just that it's output behaves like a higher-period stream if overclocked.
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== References ==
<references>
<ref name="post58873">{{LinkForumThread
|format = ref
|p = 58873
|title = Re: Thread for basic questions
|author = Dave Greene
|date = April 4, 2018
}}</ref>
</references>
== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{LinkLexicon|lex_o.htm#overclocking}}
* {{LinkLexicon|lex_o.htm#overclocking}}
Revision as of 17:03, 2 September 2026
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Overclocking is a term used when a circuit can accept a signal at a specific period which it cannot accept at a higher period. A syringe is a simple example of overclocking.
Some staged recovery circuits also permit overclocking, and can function at a rate faster than their recovery time. For example, Silver's reflector has a recovery time of 497 ticks, but can be overclocked to reflect a period-250 glider stream, or any nearby period above 248.
