June 12th, 2009
[Tips] AMD Phenom II Overclocking Guide for daily use
Computer Hardware & Software, Tips & trick, by brigs.
These is just a simple guideline for homy user to optimizing their system with straight and easy finger without wasting time for many experiment trial and error. Optimization here are for most safely using daily 24/7. So i’ll make system stability is more important point than a lighting fast clock speed indeed. Well, as we know that Advance Micro Device or AMD just release few month ago new Phenom II processor to the market. Some model that we can found here rightnow :
1. X3-710/X3-720 BE “Heka” Core with Triple core + 6Mb L3 cache and AM3/AM2+ compatible
2. X4-805**/X4-810 “Deneb” Core with Quadcore + 4Mb L3 cache and AM3/AM2+ compatible
3. X4-920/X4-940 BE “Deneb” Core with Quadcore + 6Mb L3 cache and only AM2+ compatible
4. X4-910**/X4-925**/X4-945**/X4-955 BE “Deneb” Core with Quadcore + 6Mb L3 cache and AM3/AM2+ compatible
** –> These series is not retail product and use only for OEM partner
AM3 platform is using and sporting dual channel DDR3 until 1333Mhz and for 1600Mhz, 1866Mhz, and up usually can only achieve with overclocking method. For backward supporting with older socket such AM2 and AM2+ AMD capability to using dual memory controller (IMC) on their processor. So any user with easy can upgrade what their choice for motherboard platform such AM2+ with DDR2 or AM3 with DDR3 support
Specification Test :
AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE cooled by TRUX 120 Extreme + 12cm TT Smart case fan.
MSI 790FX – GD70 AM3
PDP Patriot DDR3 2×2GB PC8500 with D9-GTR based IC
WD Blue 320 AAKS
Gainward HD 4850 Golden Sample
PC Power & Cooling 750W
AOC 931FWZ
ATI Catalyst Suite 9.5
Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP2 with latest update
Software Test :
World in Conflict
FarCry 2
In short time, there is 5 main parameter that mostly as major effect for balancing in the “Dragon” platform :
1. BIOS or Basic Input Output System, these is look like a soul for any motherboard. Without good support from motherboard manufacture and then a good motherboard with high quality component is looking just wasting cause the limited tweaking ability. Even now that so many software to help us like AOD, Asus Tuner, etc. They tweak easy from the windows, actually are directly connecting to BIOS by translating a hex code to change parameter from installed hardware.
Some basic BIOS parameter that you must optimizing at beginning :
a. Disable any motherboard component that not been installed or we are not using it, like : floppy disk, paralel or serial port etc. That mean for saving more power in the circuit and eliminate bug if found.
b. Disable more for feature processor that we do not using such SVM or Secure Virtual Machine (Pasifica), Cool & Quite, CPU Micro update, CIE, etc. These means for maximizing a power processor itself.
c. My recomended use AHCI mode before installing operating system especially for Vista OS. That means is modern harddrive feature “Native Command Quering” can working for minimize seek time while loading file system later.
CPU VDD or Vcore –> it’s your processor VID voltage control
CPU NB VDD — > allow your control voltage of CPU Northbridge or IMC controller inside processor. Juice with small step cause can make a lot of heat. I found in 1.4v can flying IMC to 2.8Ghz
CPU Voltage & CPU-NB Voltage –> Offset voltage for CPU VDD & CPU-NB VDD if you take for > 1.55v
CPU PLL –> CPU Phase Locked Loop, it’s your CPU clockgen voltage control.
CPU DDR-PHY –> Clockgen for CPU-NB, add in tiny step for test stability in IMC overclocking
DRAM Voltage –> it’s your DDR3 DRAM vdimm, default value at 1.6v
NB Voltage — > 790FX NB voltage. I have found that 1.2 – 1.25v very help in stability at full load overclock test
NB PCI-E and I/O Voltage –> Help system stability when you play with multi GPU environment more than 2 with PCIE clock more than 120mhz.
HT Link Voltage –> Hyper transport voltage control. In small step can make HT Link speed up to 2.6Ghz.
The first time that i tried overcloking over a year ago, my CPU got overheated and got fried.:’-
new generation cpu is moderating safe for user overclock, old one like k-7 didn’t have proper core diode temperature monitor