Introduction
Our readers are probably familiar with the overclocking potential of AMD Phenom II processors. We have published many tests, reviews and comparisons, various detailed guides that allow you to get similar results at home (for example, "").
But for our tests on Socket AM2 + or AM3 platforms, overclocking AMD processors with extreme liquid nitrogen cooling we used the Black Edition Phenom II models for a good reason. These unlocked multiplier processors are specifically aimed at the enthusiast looking to get the most out of the CPU they buy.
But this time we will focus on overclocking the processor with a locked multiplier. And for our task, we took a triple-core AMD Phenom II X3 710, which costs about $ 100 () and runs at 2.6 GHz. Of course, we cannot say that the processor lacks performance in the normal mode, and even three cores provide good potential. However, the processor multiplier is locked, so overclocking it is not as easy as the Black Edition models (the Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition with an unlocked multiplier operates at 2.8 GHz and costs from 4000 rubles in Russia).
What is a locked multiplier processor? You will not be able to increase the multiplier higher than the nominal value, and also, in the case of AMD processors, also the CPU VID (voltage ID).
Let's take a look at the standard formula: clock speed = CPU multiplier x base clock. Since we cannot increase the CPU multiplier, we will have to work with the base frequency. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in the frequency of the HT (HyperTransport) interface, northbridge and memory, since they all depend on the base frequency. If you want to update the terminology or frequency calculation schemes, we recommend that you refer to the article " Overclocking AMD Processors: The THG Guide ".
To cool the retail version of the Phenom II processor, we decided to abandon the "boxed" cooler included in the package and took the Xigmatek HDT-S1283. However, in hopes of overclocking the processor as hard as the Black Edition model, we wanted to find a motherboard capable of delivering a high base clock. Following our Comparative Testing of Motherboards for AMD Processors the winner in this area is the MSI 790FX-GD70, so it should allow us to push the limits of AMD's air-cooled processor.
In this article, we will take a closer look at different ways to overclock a processor with a locked multiplier, including regular overclocking via BIOS, AMD OverDrive utility, and MSI's proprietary OC Dial function on the 790FX-GD70 motherboard. We will consider in detail all three methods, compare their ease and the results obtained. Finally, we'll run some small benchmarks to see the gains from overclocking the CPU, northbridge (NB), and memory.
In each overclocking scenario, we first disabled Cool'n'Quiet, C1E and Spread Spectrum in the BIOS.
This is not always required, but when determining the maximum base frequency, it is better to disable all these functions so as not to understand the reasons for unsuccessful overclocking. When you increase the base frequency, you will probably have to reduce the CPU, NB and HT multipliers, as well as the memory frequency, so that all these frequencies do not reach the limit value. We will increase the base frequency in small increments, after which we will conduct stability tests. In the 790FX-GD70 BIOS, MSI calls the HT base frequency "CPU FSB Frequency".
That was our plan, but first we wanted to see what the "Auto Overclock" option in BIOS with a nominal 200 MHz base frequency can do. We set this option to "Find Max FSB" and saved the BIOS changes. The system then went through a short cycle of reboots, and after 20 seconds it booted up with an impressive base clock of 348 MHz!
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After successfully confirming the stable operation of the system at such settings, we realized that the value of the base frequency will not be a limitation for this combination of CPU and motherboard.
Now is the time to start overclocking the processor. In the Cell menu, we set the values back to the default ones. Then we set the "CPU-Northbridge Ratio" and "HT Link speed" multiplier to 8x. FSB / DRAM divider was lowered to 1: 2.66, memory latency was manually set to 8-8-8-24 2T.
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Knowing that the CPU would run stably at 3.13 GHz (348 x 9), we immediately jumped to a base clock of 240 MHz and successfully passed the stability test. Then we started to increase the base frequency in 5 MHz steps and test the stability of the system each time. The highest base frequency we got at nominal voltage was 265 MHz, which gave us an impressive 3444 MHz overclock without any voltage increase.
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Reducing the HT multiplier to 7x did not allow for an increase in overclocking, so it was time to raise the voltage. As we mentioned above, the CPU Voltage ID is locked and cannot be raised above 1.325 V, so the BIOS can set the CPU VDD Voltage from 1.000 to 1.325 V or set the automatic value to "Auto". However, the CPU voltage on the motherboard can still be changed by setting the offset relative to the CPU VID. The offset is set in the MSI BIOS by the "CPU Voltage" parameter, where values of 1.005-1.955 V are available for a processor with a VDD of 1.325 V.
We set the CPU voltage to a fairly modest 1.405 V, and then continued to ramp up the base clock in 5 MHz increments, reaching a maximum stable value of 280 MHz, which gave a processor frequency of 3640 MHz, a HT Link frequency of 1960 MHz, a northbridge frequency of 2240 MHz and 1493 MHz for DDR3 memory. Quite normal values for long-term use of a 24x7 system, but we wanted to achieve the best.
We continued our tests by lowering the northbridge multiplier to 7x and then increasing the CPU voltage to 1.505 V. The actual CPU voltage dropped to 1.488 V during load tests. At this voltage, the Phenom II X3 710 processor reached a stable 3744 MHz frequency with a base frequency of 288 MHz. In our open bench, the CPU temperature during the stress test of Prime95 hovered around 49 degrees Celsius, which is 25 degrees above our room temperature.
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If you are not familiar with the AMD OverDrive utility, then we recommend that you read the article " Overclocking AMD Processors: The THG Guide". Today we will go straight to Advanced mode to the Performance Control menu.
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Overclocking a Black Edition processor through the AOD (AMD OverDrive) utility is pretty straightforward, but now we are dealing with a locked multiplier. First, we need to lower the NB and HT multipliers, as well as the memory divisor. The "CPU NB Multiplier" parameters on the "Clock / Voltage" tab, as well as the "Memory Clock" parameters on the "Memory" tab are highlighted in red, that is, they will change only after the system is restarted. Remember that the HT Link frequency cannot be higher than the Northbridge frequency, and changes to these "white" multipliers are not automatically made after a reboot, unlike the "red" values. We avoided this problem by making changes to all of these values in the BIOS beforehand.
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We quickly found out that the base frequency changes with the AOD utility were not performed even after pressing the “Apply” button. You can see this if you compare "Target Speed" and "Current Speed".
To start overclocking, in the BIOS, you must first change the value of the base frequency to any value relative to the default 200 MHz. Any value will do, so we just set it to 201 MHz.
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After making the above overclocking preparations, we began to increase the HT frequency using the AOD in 10 MHz steps. Everything was great until we unexpectedly hit the 240 MHz threshold. After that the system either "hung" or restarted. We did some fine tuning and then found that the problem starts after 238 MHz. The solution turned out to be setting the base frequency to 240 MHz in the BIOS. Then we raised the HT base frequency in 5 MHz steps, and then again rested on the 255 MHz level. After setting 256 MHz in BIOS and loading, we were able to get the same maximum frequency at nominal voltage as before.
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Please note that due to processor blocking, the CPU VID engine is already set to the maximum of 1.3250 V. To raise the CPU voltage, you need to use the CPU VDDC engine, which sets the bias voltage. In addition to setting 1.504 V for the CPU VDDC, we increased the NB VID and NB Core voltages to 1.25 V. This allowed us to increase the HT base frequency to 288 MHz without any problems.
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Besides the rather rich multiplier and voltage adjustments in the BIOS, the MSI 790FX-GD70 has other overclocker-friendly features. Pay attention to the keys and OC Dial located on the bottom of the board. The power and reset keys will be useful for those testing the system outside of the PC case, and the depressed clear CMOS (Clr CMOS) key is also more convenient than a regular jumper. MSI OC Dial function consists of OC Drive knob and OC Gear key. They allow you to change the base frequency in real time.
The OC Dial function is activated via the "Cell" menu in the BIOS. The OC Dial Step can be increased if needed, but we used the default 1 MHz step. The OC Dial Value indicates the changes made with the OC Drive knob. The "Dial Adjusted Base Clock" value indicates the current base clock, that is, the sum of the FSB Clock + OC Dial values.
Again, we prepared for overclocking by lowering the NB and HT multipliers in the BIOS, as well as the memory divider. The OC Drive knob can be rotated from the BIOS screen, but under the operating system, the OC Gear key acts as a toggle. After holding OC Gear for a second, appears and the OC Drive knob starts to operate. The knob has only 16 positions, which allows you to increase the base frequency by 16 MHz in one turn. After completing the adjustments, pressing OC Gear again turns off the function, which is recommended to protect stable performance.
We started overclocking by turning the OC Drive knob and monitoring the base and other frequencies in the CPU-Z. However, after the next change, the system automatically rebooted. Upon entering the BIOS, we found that the reboot occurred after the same 239 MHz base clock that we had problems with in AMD OverDrive.
After this small glitch, the system booted into Windows without any problems at the base frequency of 239 (200 + 39) MHz. We continued to increase the OC Dial value up to 65 MHz, then the voltage needed to be increased.
We have increased voltages and decreased multipliers. On Windows, we controlled the OC Dial in 10 MHz increments. The system started to "crash" after reaching the base frequency of 286 MHz, while the OS refused to boot when the "OC Dial Value" value was greater than 86 MHz.
After setting the CPU FSB frequency to 250 MHz, we rebooted the OS. This time we were able to increase the base frequency with the OC Dial up to our maximum stable level of 288 MHz.
Squeezing out more performance: fine tuning
With the Phenom II X3 710 running at a decent 3744MHz clock speed, it's time to squeeze some more performance out of the system.
We started by overclocking the north bridge, which improves the performance of the memory controller and L3 cache. By setting the CPU-NB Voltage to 1.3V and the NB Voltage to 1.25V, we were able to increase the northbridge multiplier from 7x to 9x, which gave the northbridge frequency 2592 MHz.
A further increase in voltages still did not allow Windows to load with a 10x NB multiplier. Remember that because of the base frequency of 288 MHz, each increase in the NB multiplier results in a 288 MHz increase in the northbridge frequency. The chipset heatsink stayed pretty cool to touch, but reaching 2880 MHz at the northbridge would most likely require a higher CPU-NB voltage boost than we wanted. In this regard, Black Edition processors certainly offer a lot of flexibility. By using a combination of a multiplier and a different base clock, we could get a higher clock speed of the northbridge with a similar CPU overclocking. For example, at a base frequency of 270 MHz, the system was completely stable with the northbridge at 2700 MHz, but without the possibility of increasing the multiplier, the CPU overclocking dropped to just over 3500 MHz.
Of course, you can get a small performance boost by increasing the HT Link frequency, but 2.0 GHz already provides enough bandwidth for such a system. Here, increasing the HT multiplier to 8x will result in a 288 MHz increase in the HT Link interface clock rate, which will result in 2304 MHz - higher than we usually set, and stability will certainly be lost.
Instead of wasting time increasing the HT Link frequency, we decided to overclock the memory. In this case, a 1: 3.33 divider would cause our Corsair DDR3 modules to run at too high a frequency of 1920 MHz, so we decided to tackle the latencies. We found 7-7-7-20 latencies to be completely stable in Memtest 86+, Prime95 and 3DMark Vantage benchmarks. Unfortunately, the Command Rate 1T gave stable four cycles of the Memtest 86+ without errors, but resulted in a loss of stability in 3D tests. The result of our subtle overclocking is shown in the following screenshot.
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Although we manually adjusted the memory latency for the current overclocking test, additional tests showed that the "Auto" setting did not affect the result. With a memory divider of 1: 2.66, setting the DRAM Timing delays in the BIOS to the "Auto" position resulted in the 9-9-9-24 mode. Interestingly, the "Auto" delays with a 1: 2 divider led to the 6-6-6-15 mode, and at this frequency the 1T Command Rate parameter gave stable operation.
In performance tests, we'll take a look at our overclocking efforts separately. First, we'll look at the performance gains from increasing the frequency of the northbridge alone, then we'll examine the effect of memory frequency and latency on performance.
Test configuration
| Hardware | |
| CPU | AMD Phenom II X3 710 (Heka), 2.6 GHz, 2000 MHz HT, 6 MB L3 cache |
| Motherboard | MSI 790FX-GD70 (Socket AM3), 790FX / SB750, BIOS 1.3 |
| Memory | 4.0 GB Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D, 2 x 2048 MB, DDR3-1333, CL 8-8-8-24 @ 1.65V |
| HDD | Western Digital Caviar Black WD 6401AALS, 640 GB, 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache, SATA 3.0 Gb / s |
| Video card | AMD Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5, 750 MHz GPU, 900 MHz GDDR5 |
| Power Supply | Antec True Power Trio 550W |
| Cooler | Xigmatek HDT-S1283 |
| System software and drivers | |
| OS | Windows Vista Ultimate Edition, 32-bit, SP1 |
| DirectX version | Direct X 10 |
| Display driver | Catalyst 9.7 |
Tests and settings
| 3D games | |
| World in conflict | Patch 1009, DirectX 10, timedemo, 1280x1024, Very High Details, No AA / No AF |
| Applications | |
| Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 | Version: 11.0, Rendering Dragon Image at 1920x1080 (HDTV) |
| Synthetic tests | |
| 3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.02, Performance Preset, CPU score |
| Sisoftware Sandra 2009 SP3 | Version 2009.4.15.92, CPU Arithmetic, Memory Bandwidth |
| Overclocking modes | ||||
| Stock (full-time) | Stock VCore OC (stock without voltage rise) | Max OC (maximum with voltage rise) | Tweaked OC (maximum after fine tuning) | |
| CPU core frequency | 2600 MHz | 3444 MHz | 3744 MHz | 3744 MHz |
| Northbridge frequency | 2000 MHz | 2120 MHz | 2016 MHz | 2592 MHz |
| HT Link Frequency | 2000 MHz | 2120 MHz | 2016 MHz | 2016 MHz |
| Memory frequency and latency | DDR3-1333, 8-8-8-24 2T | DDR3-1412, 8-8-8-24 2T | DDR3-1546, 8-8-8-24 2T | DDR3-1546, 8-8-8-24 2T |
Performance Results
This article was intended to be more of an overclocking guide rather than a performance test. But we decided to run some tests anyway to show the performance gains after our overclocking efforts. Take a look at the table above for a detailed explanation of each test configuration.
In the Sandra Arithmetic arithmetic test, the results increase after increasing the CPU clock speed, and the fine tuning of the overclocking (Tweaked OC) did not show any benefit from the overclocked northbridge.
On the other hand, overclocking the north bridge gives a serious increase in memory bandwidth. Thin overclocking (Tweaked OC) is in the lead, and a slightly lower frequency of the northbridge at maximum overclocking (Max CPU OC) yielded lower results than when overclocked with stock voltage (Stock Vcore OC).
Overclocking our Phenom II processor resulted in a noticeable improvement in the CPU benchmark in 3DMark Vantage. The additional throughput due to the acceleration of the north bridge significantly increased the result.
World in Conflict is highly dependent on CPU performance. We tested it at low resolution without anti-aliasing, which allowed us to expose very high details, but at the same time we did not run into the performance of the GPU Radeon HD 4870. Not surprisingly, as the CPU frequency increases, we get an increase in the minimum and average frame rates (fps). But notice the substantially better minimum frame rates after overclocking the northbridge. The performance of the memory controller and L3 cache is very important for this game, as overclocking the northbridge gave the same 6fps boost in minimum frame rate as overclocking the CPU at 1100MHz.
Overclocking the CPU drastically reduced render times in 3ds Max 2009. Memory bandwidth is not that important here, as overclocking the Northbridge gave a gain of only one second.
All tests were performed after setting the BIOS to 8-8-8-24 2T delays. In the diagrams, we used the "Tweaked PC" fine overclocking setting of 3744 MHz for the core, 2592 MHz for the northbridge, and 2016 MHz for the HT interface. We tested the four stable modes of memory operation, which we talked about in the article.
We see no difference in the CPU arithmetic test. However, the low latency turned out to be slightly better than the high operating frequency.
Here we see that the bandwidth has increased after increasing the memory frequency. With a divider of 2.66, we see very little difference between Auto (CAS 9), CAS 8, and CAS 7 low latency.
Here, our two manual modes are in the lead, although the difference in the 3DMark Vantage CPU test is negligible.
The scaling in World in Conflict seems almost perfect, the minimum delays are leading, which gave an increase of 1 fps in the minimum and average frame rates. Note the noticeable drop in the minimum frame rate as you lower the memory frequency.
Tighter memory latencies on an overclocked system did not benefit 3ds Max 2009 rendering times.
Overclocking without increasing the voltage gives a pleasant performance increase compared to the standard settings and at the same time much better efficiency than with maximum overclocking (with increasing voltage). Also, note that the performance gains from increasing Northbridge frequencies are not "free".
Some readers like to overclock without increasing the multiplier, which allows enabling Cool'n'Quiet technology without noticeable loss of stability.
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Conclusion
The Phenom II X3 710 processor delivers an impressive return for its $ 100 () price. However, locked Multiplier and Voltage ID values result in a loss of overclocking flexibility compared to Black Edition processors. However, if you get an overclocking-friendly motherboard (for example, the MSI 790FX-GD70), the X3 710 can provide the same core frequency as other air-cooled Phenom II processors.
Of course, your overclocking results may vary. This is especially true of overclocking a processor with a locked multiplier by increasing the base frequency. If you are planning to overclock a locked Phenom II processor on a tighter budget, we recommend that you pay careful attention to your motherboard choice so that it allows you to add an offset to the CPU VID and can handle a higher base frequency. However, if you plan to overclock the processor on an inexpensive motherboard or want to squeeze the maximum out of the CPU on an enthusiast motherboard like ours, it is better to pay another $ 20 and take the Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition processor (from 4000 rubles in Russia), work with which is much easier.
AMD's OverDrive utility has been quite useful in the past for overclocking Black Edition processors, but in this configuration it is no longer so ideal. Of course, none of the problems we encountered were critical, but we would not recommend doing any serious overclocking with AMD OverDrive on our motherboard with a locked processor. However, the utility is still useful for monitoring voltages and temperatures, or even for preliminary testing of small changes in the base frequency, in order to enter them into the BIOS later.
MSI OC Dial technology is also not flawless, but it performed better in our case than AMD OverDrive. In addition to the "Auto Overclock" option to find the maximum base clock (Max FSB), MSI OC Dial technology can save you a lot of time when you need to quickly change the base clock. The biggest problems will be how to get to the MSI OC Dial adjustments after installing the board in the case, since it will be quite crowded in systems with a bottom PSU and multiple graphics cards.
As a result, if we consider overclocking a locked processor, then it is impossible to bypass or replace the adjustments through the good old BIOS. Thanks to easy navigation and a wealth of multiplier and voltage adjustments, the 790FX-GD70 has shown its best side. Whether you use the OC Dial function or the AMD OverDrive software utility, overclocking a locked Phenom II processor will still start and end in the BIOS.
If you overclock the "Vishera" processor, you will get a set of different parameters in the UEFI / BIOS. Although, compared to the Intel platform, there are not so many of them. Below we have listed the most important of them.
Voltages "Vishera"
- CPU Voltage
CPU Core Voltage - differs from one CPU to another depending on the VID / quality of the processor. This is the tension that most overclockers should watch out for.
- CPU-NB Voltage
Northbridge voltage in CPU (not to be confused with chipset voltage); this part of the CPU operates in its own frequency and voltage domain. The CPU-NB frequency determines the speed of the memory controller and L3 cache. The CPU-NB component has a significant impact on the overall system performance. At high frequencies, it is recommended to raise the CPU-NB voltage to improve system stability.
- CPU Voltage Offset
Most motherboards allow a bias voltage to be set to increase the voltage above the CPU VID voltage range. The offset voltage is added to the VID value and can affect overclocking on both the positive and negative side. The actual voltage is calculated as follows: CPU Voltage + Offset. Example: VID 1.350 V + offset 0.100 V = 1.45 V actual voltage.
- NB Voltage
Chipset voltage. When overclocking by increasing the multiplier, you do not need to increase it.
- HT Voltage
If you want to overclock the AMD processor also via the HT interface, then you may need to increase this voltage.
- V DDQ
Memory voltage. Depends on the memory sticks used.
LLC / Loadline Calibration:
Prevents Vdroop effect (voltage drop under load). Unfortunately, this setting is not found on every AMD motherboard.
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Auto overclocking options
Some motherboards have special parameters for complex overclocking of the system, allowing you to increase its performance without going into the subtleties of configuring individual components. This method is available for novice users, but its effectiveness may be low, and in some cases the system may even be unstable.
Dynamic Overclocking (D.O.T.)With this parameter, you can use the dynamic overclocking technology that is used in a number of MSI motherboards. The system monitors the load on the processor, and when it reaches its maximum, its performance will be increased, and after the load drops, the processor will automatically return to normal mode.
Possible values:
□ Private, Sergeant, Captain, Colonel, General, Commander - choosing one of the specified values will allow you to set the processor acceleration level from 1% (for Private) to 15% (for Commander).
Some MSI motherboards allow advanced dynamic overclocking settings. The Dynamic Overclocking Mode parameter allows you to select components for overclocking, and using the CPU D.0.T3 step 1/2/3 setting and PCIE D.0.T3 step 1/2/3 setting, you can adjust the overclocking levels for the processor and PCI bus Express.
CPU Intelligent Accelerator 2 (C.I.A. 2)C.I.A. 2 is a dynamic overclocking technology similar to D.O.T., but used in Gigabyte motherboards.
Possible values:
□ Disabled - dynamic overclocking technology is not used;
□ Cruise, Sports, Racing, Turbo, Full Thrust - selecting one of these values sets the processor acceleration level from 5% (Cruise) to 19% (Full Thrust).
Memory Performance Enhance (Performance Enhance)This parameter allows you to increase the performance of RAM in motherboards from Gigabyte and some other manufacturers.
Possible values:
□ Standard (Normal) - RAM overclocking is not used;
□ Fast, Turbo, Extreme - select one of the overclocking levels. The effect of these values may vary depending on the motherboard model.
AI Overclocking (Al Tuning)This parameter, which is available on some ASUS motherboards, allows you to select one of the available overclocking options. Possible values:
□ Manual - all overclocking parameters can be changed manually;
□ Auto - optimal parameters are set;
□ Standard - standard parameters are loaded;
□ AI Overclock (Overclock Profile) - the system will be overclocked by the amount set using the Overclock Options parameter (possible options are from 3 to 10%);
□ AI N.O.S. (Non-Delay Overclocking System) - uses dynamic overclocking technology similar to D.O.T. Configurable in more detail using the N.O.S. Option; depending on the board model, you can set the overclocking level as a percentage or the sensitivity of the dynamic overclocking system.
AI Overclock TunerThis parameter is used to select the overclocking mode in a number of new motherboards from ASUS.
Possible values:
□ Auto - automatic adjustment of parameters (default mode);
□ H.M.R. - tuning memory operation in accordance with the Intel Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) standard. This standard must also be supported by the memory modules, and the extreme Memory Profile is used to select the current memory profile;
□ D.O.C.P. - when this value is selected, you can set the desired operating mode of the RAM using the additional parameter DRAM OS. Profile, and the base frequency (BCLK) and multiplication factors for memory and processor will be automatically matched;
□ Manual - all overclocking parameters are manually configured.
Robust Graphics Booster (LinkBoost)This parameter allows you to speed up the video system by increasing the clock frequencies of the video adapter.
Possible values:
□ Auto - the video system operates normally at the default clock frequencies;
□ Fast, Turbo - The video system operates at higher frequencies, which slightly improves performance (especially in Turbo mode).
Intel Turbo BoostThis parameter allows you to enable dynamic overclocking technology for processors of the Intel Core i7 / 5 family. Intel Turbo Boost Technology automatically increases the frequency of the processor when one or more cores are loaded and the processor is not overheating. Possible values:
□ Enabled - Turbo Boost technology is enabled. When all the cores are loaded, the processor multiplier can be automatically increased by 1–2 steps, which corresponds to an increase in the clock frequency by 133 or 266 MHz. If only one core is loaded, the processor frequency can be increased by two steps or more, depending on the processor model;
□ Disabled - Turbo Boost is disabled.
CPU overclocking options
As you know, each processor operates at a certain frequency, which is indicated in its technical characteristics and is defined as the product of the base frequency and the multiplication factor.
CPU Clock Ratio (CPU Ratio Selection, Multiplier Factor, Ratio CMOS Setting)The parameter sets the multiplication factor for the central processor. Most modern processors only allow decreasing it or not reacting at all to changing the ratio. However, there are models with an unlocked multiplier in the range of manufacturers (for example, the Black Edition from AMD), which can be easily overclocked by simply increasing the multiplier. Possible values:
□ Auto - the multiplication factor is set automatically depending on the processor;
□ 7.0X, 7.5X, 8.0X, 8.5X, 9.0X, 9.5X, etc. - by choosing one of the indicated values, you can force the processor to work with a special multiplication factor, as a result of which its clock frequency will differ from the rated one.
CPU Host Clock Control (CPU Operating Speed)The parameter enables manual control of the FSB frequency (BCLK) and the multiplication factor, which may be needed during overclocking. Possible values:
□ Disabled or Auto Detect - the processor clock frequency is set automatically; this value should be selected for system operation in normal, non-overclocked mode;
□ Enabled (On) or User Define - the processor clock frequency can be changed manually using the CPU FSB Clock parameter (this value is used during overclocking).
CPU FSB Clock (CPU Host Frequency (MHz), FSB Frequency, External Clock)This parameter sets the frequency of the system bus FSB, or the external frequency of the central processor, with which all other frequencies are synchronized. Changing the FSB frequency is the main way to overclock processors, and the range and step of adjustment depends on the chipset and motherboard model.
If you are not going to overclock your computer, set this parameter to Auto, or disable manual tuning for the processor operating mode using the CPU Operating Speed parameter or similar.
BCLK Frequency (Base Clock)This parameter is used in systems based on Core i3 / 5/7 processors and allows you to change the base frequency, which affects the operating frequencies of the processor, QPI bus, RAM and its controller. The nominal value of the base frequency is 133 MHz, and the step and adjustment range depend on the board model. To access this parameter, you may need to enable manual frequency tuning using the Base Clock Control parameter or similar.
QPI Frequency (QPI Link Speed)This parameter allows you to set the frequency of the QPI bus, which is used to connect the Core i3 / 5/7 processor with the chipset.
Possible values:
□ Auto - QPI frequency is set automatically in accordance with the passport parameters of the processor;
□ хЗб, х44, х48 - multiplier that determines the QPI frequency relative to the base one (133 MHz);
□ 4800, 5866, 6400 - in some boards, instead of a multiplier, a numeric frequency value in megahertz can be used.
CPU / NB Frequency (Adjust CPU-NB Ratio)This parameter allows you to set the frequency of the memory controller integrated into the AMD processor. Depending on the model of the board, the frequency in megahertz or a multiplier relative to the base frequency can be used as values.
CPU Voltage Control (CPU VCore Voltage)Using this parameter, you can manually change the voltage of the CPU supply, which is sometimes necessary when overclocking. Possible values:
□ Auto (Normal) - processor supply voltage is set automatically in accordance with its passport parameters;
□ the numerical value of the voltage in the range from 0.85 to 1.75 V (depending on the model of the motherboard, the range and step of adjustment may be different).
In some boards, the CPU Over Voltage parameter is used for the same purposes, which allows you to increase the voltage relative to the rated voltage by a specified amount.
Additional processor voltagesATTENTION
Excessive supply voltage can damage the processor. For most modern processors, an increase in voltage of 0.2-0.3 V is acceptable.
Modern processors, in addition to computing cores, can contain cache memory, a RAM controller, and other components. For them, some boards have the ability to adjust the supply voltage and signal levels, but their effect on the stability of an overclocked system is usually small. Here are some of these parameters:
□ CPU VTT Voltage - voltage of the QPI bus controller and L3 cache (Intel Core i3 / 5/7);
□ CPU PLL Voltage - supply voltage of the phase-locked loop. This parameter is relevant for Intel quad-core processors;
□ CPU / NB Voltage - voltage of the memory controller and L3 cache in AMD processors;
□ CPU Differential Amplitude (CPU Amplitude Control, CPU Clock Drive) - adjust the amplitude of the processor signals;
□ Load-Line Calibration - enabling this parameter will improve the stability of the supply voltage under a heavy load on the processor.
Advanced Clock Calibration (NVidia Core Calibration)This parameter is intended to improve the overclocking potential of Phenom and Athlon processors. Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) technology is supported in the new AMD processor chipsets to automatically adjust the operating frequency and voltage of the processor.
Possible values:
□ Disable - ACC technology is disabled, this value is recommended for the standard (non-overclocked) operating mode;
□ Auto - ACC technology works in automatic mode, this value is recommended for acceleration;
□ All Cores - when this value is selected, you can use the Value parameter to set the ACC level as a percentage for all cores at the same time;
□ Per Core - unlike the previous option, you can configure the ACC for each core separately. Manual ACC tuning may be necessary if the system is unstable when set to Auto.
This parameter aroused great interest among computer enthusiasts, as it allows unlocking inactive cores and transforming a dual- or triple-core Athlon / Phenom processor into a quad-core one. Read more about this below.
RAM overclocking options
The RAM works on control signals from the memory controller, which generates a sequence of signals with some delays in between. The delays are necessary for the memory module to have time to execute the current command and prepare for the next one. These delays are called timings and is usually measured in memory bus clock cycles. Among all the timings, the most important are the following: CAS # Latency (tCL), RAS # to CAS # delay (tRCD), RAS # Precharge (tRP) and Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS).
When the BIOS is configured by default, all the necessary memory parameters are set automatically. Each memory module has a special chip called SPD (Serial Presence Detect), which records the optimal values for a particular module. To overclock, you should disable automatic memory tuning and set all parameters manually, and when overclocking the processor, you will not have to increase the memory frequency, but, on the contrary, lower it.
The number of RAM parameters available for configuring can vary greatly for different models of motherboards, even those based on the same chipset. Most motherboards have the ability to change the memory frequency and main timings, which is quite enough for overclocking (Fig. 6.2). Fans of careful optimization and overclocking can choose a more expensive board with many additional settings, and in the cheapest boards, manual memory tuning tools will be limited or absent altogether. RAM parameters can be found in the overclocking section, in the Advanced Chipset Features section, or in one of the subsections of the Advanced section.
Rice. 6.2. Basic parameters of RAM
DRAM Timing Selectable (Timing Mode)
This is the main parameter for adjusting the RAM, with which you can select manual or automatic mode of setting parameters.
Possible values:
□ By SPD (Auto) - parameters of memory modules are set automatically using data from the SPD chip; this is the default and should not be changed unless necessary;
□ Manual - parameters of memory modules are set manually; when this value is selected, you can change the settings for operating frequencies and timings.
Configure DRAM Timing by SPD (Memory Timing by SPD)The meaning of these parameters is completely similar to the DRAM Timing Selectable discussed above, and the possible values will be as follows:
□ Enabled (On) - RAM parameters are set automatically in accordance with SPD data;
□ Disabled (Off) - the RAM is manually configured.
Memory Frequency (DRAM Frequency, Memclock Index Value, Max Memclock)The parameter displays or sets the frequency of operation of the RAM. In most cases, this frequency is set automatically in accordance with the information from the SPD. By manually adjusting the frequency, you can make the memory speed up, but not every module will work stably.
Possible values:
□ Auto - the frequency of the RAM is set automatically in accordance with the SPD data (by default);
□ 100, 120, 133 (РС100, РС133) - possible values for SDRAM memory;
□ 200, 266, 333, 400, 533 (DDR266, DDR333, DDR400, DDR533) - possible values for DDR memory;
□ DDR2-400, DDR2-566, DDR2-667, DDR2-800, DDR2-889, DDR2-1067 - values for DDR2 memory;
□ DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR2-1333, DDR2-1600 - values for DDR3 memory.
On some cards, this parameter is read-only, and the System Memory Multiplier parameter must be used to change the memory frequency.
System Memory Multiplier (FSB / Memory Ratio)Determines the ratio (multiplier) between FSB frequency (BCLK) and memory frequency.
Possible values:
□ Auto - the relationship between FSB (BCLK) and memory frequency is automatically adjusted according to the SPD data;
□ ratio (e.g. 1: 1, 1: 2, 3: 2, 5: 4) or multiplier (2, 2.5, 2.66, 3.00, 3.33, 4.00, etc.) ), which defines the relationship between FSB frequency (BCLK) and memory frequency. The specific set of values depends on the chipset type and board model.
The manual setting of the multiplier is used during acceleration, in this case the multiplier (ratio) is lowered so that it does not go beyond the permissible limits when raising the base frequency. You can control the actual value of the memory frequency using the Memory Frequency information parameter or diagnostic utilities such as CPU-Z (www.cpuid.com) or EVEREST.
CAS # Latency (tCL, DRAM CAS # Latency)This parameter sets the delay between the onset of the column sample signal (CAS #) and the start of data transfer.
Possible values of this parameter depend on the type of modules used and the model of the board. For DDR memory, the adjustment range can be from 1.5 to 3 clocks, for DDR2 - from 3 to 7 clocks, for DDR3 - from 4 to 15 clocks. Decreasing the CAS # Latency value will speed up the memory operation, but not all modules can work stably at low latencies.
RAS # to CAS # delay (tRCD, DRAM RAS-to-CAS Delay)This parameter changes the delay time between the line sampled signal (RAS #) and the column sampled signal (CAS #).
The adjustment range depends on the board model and can be from 1 to 15 clock cycles. The lower the value, the faster the access to the cell, however, as in the case of CAS # Latency, too low values will lead to unstable memory.
RAS # Precharge (tRP, DRAM RAS # Precharge, SDRAM RAS # Precharge, Row Precharge Time)The parameter sets the minimum allowed time to recharge the string after it is closed.
Possible values are from 1 to 15. At lower values, the memory works faster, but too low can lead to its instability.
Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS, DRAM RAS # Activate to Precharge, Min RAS # Active Time)The parameter sets the minimum time between the line activation command and the close command, that is, the time during which the line can be opened.
The adjustment range depends on the board model and can be from 1 to 63 clock cycles. There is no unambiguous relationship between the value of this parameter and memory performance, therefore, tRAS should be selected experimentally for maximum effect.
DRAM Command Rate (1T / 2T Memory Timing)The parameter sets the delay when transmitting commands from the controller to the memory.
Possible values:
□ 2T (2T Command) - the delay is equal to two clock cycles, which corresponds to a lower speed, but greater reliability of the memory;
□ IT (IT Command) - one clock cycle delay increases the speed of the RAM, but not every system can operate normally.
In some BIOS versions, the 2T Command parameter is encountered, when enabled, a delay of two clock cycles is set, and when disabled, a delay is set in one clock cycle.
Extreme Memory Profile (H.M.R.)This parameter allows you to enable support for extended memory profiles. This technology was developed by Intel and assumes writing additional sets of parameters to the SPD chip for operation at an increased frequency or with minimal delays. To use this technology, it must be supported by your memory module.
Possible values:
□ Disabled - the memory is operating normally;
□ Profile !, Profile2 - Selects one of the higher performance memory profiles. To find out the parameters of these profiles, refer to the detailed specification of your module.
Additional memory optionsAs noted, some motherboards have additional memory options. They have less impact on performance than the main timings discussed above, so in most cases they should be left at their default. If you have the time and desire to experiment, you can use them to slightly increase the speed of memory. The most common parameters are:
□ tRRD (RAS to RAS delay) - delay between activation of rows of different banks;
□ tRC (Row Cycle Time) - the duration of the cycle of a row of memory;
□ tWR (Write Recovery Time) - delay between the end of the write operation and the start of precharge;
□ tWTR (Write to Read Delay) - the delay between the completion of the write operation and the beginning of the read operation;
□ tRTP (Precharge Time) - the interval between the read and precharge commands;
□ tRFC (ROW Refresh Cycle Time) - the minimum time between a row refresh command and an activation command or another refresh command;
□ Bank Interleave - defining the interleaving mode when accessing memory banks;
□ DRAM Burst Length - determination of the size of the data packet when reading from RAM;
□ DDR Clock Skew (Clock Skew for Channel А / В) - adjusts the offset of clock signals for memory modules.
DDR / DDR2 / DDR3 Voltage (DDR / DDR2 / DDR3 OverVoltage Control, Memory Voltage)ATTENTION
Changing memory timings can lead to unstable operation of the computer, therefore, at the first failure, you should set the default timings.
This parameter increases the supply voltage of the RAM chips for their more stable operation at higher frequencies. Selecting Auto (Default) will set the memory chips to the standard supply voltage, which is 2.5 V for DDR, 1.8 V for DDR2, and 1.5 V for DDR3.
For more efficient overclocking of RAM, you can slightly increase the supply voltage by choosing one of the suggested values. The range and step of adjustment depend on the board model, and both absolute and relative voltages can be used as values.
Some boards may have additional parameters for setting the reference voltages separately for each memory channel, for example, Ch-A / B Address / Data VRef. Almost always, they should be set to Auto, and their adjustment may be necessary only for extreme acceleration.
ATTENTION
To avoid irreversible damage to memory modules, do not set excessively high voltages, and also take care of more efficient cooling of the modules.
All measurements were made using a Mastech MY64 multimeter.
Search for software to detect instability
The software chosen to detect instability can be roughly divided into three categories:
- Programs originally targeted as stress tests of the system. This category includes LinX 0.6.4(testing was carried out in 2560 MB mode for the old version of Linpack, as well as in three modes, with available memory of 1024 MB, 2560 MB and 6144 MB for the latest version of Linpack, with support for FMA instructions), OCCT 4.3.2.b01(CPU test: OCCT in Large Data Set, Medium Data Set and Small Data Set modes, as well as CPU: LINPACK test in AVX mode with 90% of available memory), Prime95 v27.7 build2(in Small FFTs, In-place Large FFTs and Blend modes), CST 0.20.01a(a combined test that includes the Matrix = 5, Matrix = 7 and Matrix = 15 modes).
- Programs that are used as tests of system performance, or that emulate one or another load that occurs in the daily work of a PC. Got here Cinebench R10(x CPU test), Cinebench R11.5(CPU test), wPrime 1.55(test 1024M), POV-Ray v3.7 RC3(All CPU's test), TOC [email protected] Bench v.0.4.8.1(Dgromacs 2 test), 3DMark 06(CPU1 + CPU2 test), 3DMark Vantage(CPU1 + CPU2 test) and 3DMark 11(this time, separately Physics Test and separately Combined Test).
- Several processor-dependent games. These included Colin mcrae dirt 2 Deus Ex: Human Revolution(Detroit), F1-2010(built-in performance test), Metro 2033(built-in performance test), Shogun 2 Total War(Battle of Okehadzam) and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim(Estate "Golden Flower").
For stability, the state of the system is taken, in which no problems arise in its operation within 10-15 minutes of the test.
CPU instability
In this subsection of the article, we will choose software that makes it easier to identify the instability of the processor, with obviously stable memory and CPU_NB frequencies. The technique is relatively simple: with a fixed value of the supply voltage, select the maximum overclocking for each of the programs and calculate the test at which the minimum frequency of stable operation will be reached. Well, in parallel with the search for stable frequencies, you can also evaluate the behavior of the system during overclocking for a particular test. To avoid instability caused by overheating of the CPU, all tests were performed with the CPU supply voltage of 1.25 V.
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MSI P35 Diamond motherboard is a high-end model based on Intel P35 platform, which not only contains the latest hardware, but also has overclocking potential. Everyone knows that the BIOS is the soul of the motherboard, which determines its functionality and performance.
Below is the BIOS setup menu for the P35 Diamond motherboard. All functions related to performance, except for peripherals, system time, power management, are located in the "Cell Menu" section. Those wishing to adjust the frequency of the processor, memory or other devices (for example, the bus of the graphic card and the South Bridge) can use this menu.
Attention: Overclocking performance is dependent on environmental conditions, so we cannot guarantee that the following settings will work on every motherboard.
Remember, if you are not familiar with BIOS setup, it is recommended that you use the "Load Optimized Defaults" option to quickly complete the setup and ensure the system is working properly. Before overclocking, we recommend that users first boot the system with "Load Optimized Defaults", and only then do the fine tuning.
Cell Menu section of P35 Diamond motherboard
All overclocking settings are located in the "Cell Menu" section. They include:
D.O.T. control (dynamic acceleration technology control)
Intel EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology)
Adjust CPU FSB Frequency
CPU Ratio CMOS Setting
Advanced DRAM Configuration
FSB / Memory Ratio
PCIEx4 Speed Controller
Adjust PCIE Frequency
Auto Disable DIMM / PCI Frequency
CPU Voltage
Memory Voltage
VTT FSB Voltage
NB Voltage
SB I / O Power (South Bridge I / O Power)
SB Core Power
Spread Spectrum
The user interface of the "Cell Menu" section is very simple and groups similar functions into groups; users can compare similar functions and adjust settings step by step.
Before starting overclocking, set the "D.O.T. Control" and "Intel EIST" functions to Disabled (default is enabled). These functions should be disabled in order to set custom processor and system bus voltages. After making these settings, the "CPU Ratio CMOS Setting" option will appear.
Adjust CPU FSB Frequency:
After loading the optimized settings, this function will automatically detect and display the CPU frequency. For example, for Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 processor, the value "333 (MHz)" will be displayed here. Frequency tuning can be done with the numeric keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys. During adjustment, the value shown in gray "Adjusted CPU Frequency" will change according to the set frequency.
CPU Ratio CMOS Setting:
Depending on the rated frequency of the processor used, for example 1333MHz, 1066MHz and 800MHz, the range of multipliers will be different. Usually the frequency is lowered to a minimum, which improves stability and ensures overclocking success.
Advanced DRAM Configuration:
This item is for setting the delays in the memory duty cycle. The lower the corresponding value, the higher the speed. However, the limit depends on the quality of the memory modules used.
Advice:
If you are using conventional commercially available overclocked memory modules, we recommend going to Cell Menu> Advanced DRAM Configuration> Configure DRAM Timing by SPD, set the latter to Disable. ... Next, there are 9 additional items that will enable users to achieve better memory performance.
FSB / Memory Ratio:
This setting determines the relationship between FSB and memory frequencies. If it is set to "Auto", the memory frequency will be equal to the processor FSB frequency. If it is user-defined, follow rule 1: 1.25. For example, a 1333MHz processor with DDR2-800 memory, then 1333MHz / 4 x 1.25 x 2 = 833MHz. DDR2 memory frequency will be 833MHz.
Advice:
To meet the wishes of overclocking enthusiasts, MSI has created a special "Power User mode" in the "Cell Menu". Just press "F4" and a hidden menu will appear. The Power User mode menu items are memory-oriented and include the SCOMP and ODT values.
Adjust PCIE Frequency:
Usually the PCI Express bus frequency has no direct relation to overclocking; however, fine-tuning it will also help overclocking. (The default setting is 100, it is not recommended to increase it beyond 120, this may damage the graphics card.)
CPU Voltage:
This point is critical for overclocking, however, due to the complexity of the relationships, it is not easy to find the best setting. We recommend that users adjust this value with caution, as improper installation may damage the processor. According to our experience, with a good fan, there is no need to set the CPU supply voltage limit. For example, for Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 processor, it is recommended to set the voltage in the range of 1.45 ~ 1.5V.
Advice:
The P35 Diamond motherboard uses DDR3 memory modules. According to the JEDEC definition of DDR3, its frequency range is between 800 and 1600MHz. The default values are 800, 1066, 1333 and 1600MHz. Therefore, when installing some special DDR3 modules, we recommend that you set the minimum FSB / memory frequency ratio, and fine-tune the memory supply voltage to achieve success.
VTT FSB Voltage:
To ensure similar supply voltages for all main devices, the VTT FSB voltage must also be increased. The increase should not be large, so as not to cause a negative effect.
NB Voltage:
Northbridge plays a decisive role in overclocking as it is important for maintaining the stability of the processor, memory and graphics card. This is achieved by increasing its supply voltage. We recommend that users fine-tune this setting.
SB I / O Power (South Bridge I / O Power):
The southbridge manages the connection of peripheral devices and expansion cards, which have recently played an increasingly important role on the Intel platform. The ICH9R's standard supply voltage is 1.5V, which determines the voltage setting for the I / O devices. We recommend raising the voltage to 1.7 ~ 1.8V, which will increase the stability of the joint operation of the North and South Bridges, and also help overclocking.
SB Core Power:
Previously, during overclocking, the South Bridge was ignored, but as the supply voltage rises, it increases performance.
Also, remember that MSI in the voltage settings highlights different values in different colors: gray corresponds to the standard value, white means a safe value, and a dangerous one is highlighted in red.
Advice:
MSI warns you to check your fan speed and temperature frequently. Good cooling plays a decisive role in overclocking.
Attention:
The P35 Diamond is a powerful overclocking motherboard that provides full overclocking and system protection. In case of three unsuccessful overclocks in a row, the system will automatically set the default BIOS settings for reliable system boot. Before overclocking, make sure each of the components is able to withstand its mode. MSI will not be held liable for any damage caused by unsuccessful overclocking. This article is for informational purposes only.
Once all the parameters are set, we recommend that you save them using the "User Settings" function in the BIOS menu, which makes it easier to load the settings, and also allows you to restore the default settings in case of unsuccessful overclocking. The user can save two sets of settings and select the desired one.
Under User Settings "Press Enter" to save BIOS settings.
If the overclocking fails, users are left with the option to enter the User Setting section to set more appropriate parameters to restore normal operation.
How to Overclock P35 Diamond Motherboard
Sooner than expected, the Intel platform entered the era of DDR3 memory. DDR3 memory has lower operating voltage, heat dissipation and higher clock speed. It has better overclocking efficiency than DDR2. However, the chipset and memory modules still lack an overclocking environment and this limits the potential of DDR3.
MSI's MSI P35 Diamond comes with DDR3 memory and looks very similar to the P35 Platinum. It has more potential than its predecessor. The P35 Diamond motherboard can support Intel 1333MHz multi-core processors and use 1066MHz DDR3 memory modules with outstanding performance ().
When overclocked, the P35 Diamond has the same excellent performance as the P35 Platinum, but with a few differences. Thanks to DDR3 memory, users have the ability to fine-tune certain components, such as supply voltage and frequency ratios, which will affect overclocking results. In conclusion, we will dwell in more detail on the subtleties that should be borne in mind when starting overclocking.
Advice:
Overclocking increases the supply voltage of the main devices, and they generate more heat than usual. Therefore, cooling becomes an important issue during overclocking.
Attention:
OC is a software environment that any computer user comes into contact with every day. The stability of the OS determines the performance of the system. We recommend that users set the default settings during OS installation and do not enable any overclocking or optimizing features.
We used an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 processor with the P35 Diamond motherboard. Memory modules provided by Corsair CM3X1024-1066C7 DDR3-1066, Nvidia GeForce 8600GTS graphics card, Western Digital WD740ADFD hard drive.
Memory modules Corsair CM3X1024-1066C7 DDR3-1066 / 7-7-7-21 / 1024MB / 1.5V
DDR3 memory has lower operating voltage, heat dissipation and higher clock speed for better overclocking performance. When installing memory modules, it is important to adjust the supply voltage.
BIOS default setting:
Window view of the program for determining system parameters (CPU-Z 1.40):
The next step is to enter the "Cell Menu" section in the BIOS. Next, we set the frequency to 450MHz, the frequency multiplier is 8, which guarantees stability. According to the P35 chipset specification, increasing the CPU frequency also changes the memory frequency. Therefore, to achieve stability, we change the FSB / memory frequency ratio by 1: 1.
The following image shows the operating parameters we measured (depending on the environment)
After finishing the settings, you can press "F10" to save the parameters and click "OK" to restart the system with the new parameters.
Overclocking usually focuses on increasing the frequency of the processor, which reduces stability, but remains a widely used method. The following shows the performance gains achieved by overclocking.
According to the results, the performance improvement is about 5% and the system is very stable. Of course, users can define settings for their environment through a step-by-step selection.
