When overclocking a CPU, why is it important to increase core voltage incrementally?

Increasing core voltage incrementally during CPU overclocking is crucial because it helps prevent overheating. When you overclock a CPU, you are pushing it to operate beyond its standard clock speed, which can lead to increased heat generation. Each time you incrementally increase the voltage, you also raise the potential thermal output of the CPU. By applying only small increases, you can monitor the CPU's temperature more closely, ensuring it stays within safe limits and avoids overheating, which can lead to thermal throttling or permanent damage to the processor.

While managing heat dissipation is also important and is related to overheating, the primary reason for the incremental increase in voltage centers around actively monitoring and controlling temperature to prevent the risks associated with excessive heat. Maintaining warranty compliance and avoiding power supply overload, while valid concerns in the context of overclocking, are not directly connected to the reason for incrementally increasing voltage.