Archive for the ‘Overclocking’ Category

This is a small write up to briefly describe certain phrases and words that are used within the BIOS which relates to overclocking. The idea of this guide is to give you, the user, a simple understanding so that you don’t get thinking “But wait, what does this actually do?”

AI Tuning

Allows you to overclock your system via various options. Manual will allow you to set the overclocking parameters yourself, where as AI-Overclock will set the settings for optimum performance while retaining stability.

CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)

An option which causes the CPU to reduce in clock speed and voltage when the computer is in a halt stage, or at idle. This option is always recommended to be off when you are overclocking because people fear that the CPU will not be performing at its full potential unless the CPU is at 100% usage.

C2/C2E Support

Similar to C1E support, in that the voltage and core frequency will reduce to save power when in an idle state.

C4/C4E Support

Also similar to C1E and C2E support, however this is a more advanced technology than C2E, in that it saves more power by reducing the CPU voltage and frequency. This option is only configurable if C2E Support is enabled.

CIA2

A simple option which allows automatic overclocking of the CPU when under load. This option is preferred to have off when manually overclocking, and on when not so that you can get the maximum performance of your CPU. There are various options for this, each next one having a bigger effect than the last.

• Cruise – Increases CPU frequency by 5% or 7% depending on CPU loading.
• Sports – Increases CPU frequency by 7% or 9% depending on CPU loading.
• Racing – Increases CPU frequency by 9% or 11% depending on CPU loading.
• Turbo – Increases CPU frequency by 15% or 17% depending on CPU loading.
• Full Thrust – Increases CPU frequency by 17% or 19% depending on CPU loading.

Remember that is essential to make sure your CPU can actually safely run at the speeds before setting the option. This is excellent if you would like your CPU to generate less heat when idle.

CPU Clock Ratio

Previously known as the CPU Multiplier, this is an options which allows you to set the multiplication asset of the FSB. For example: FSB x Clock Ratio = CPU Clock Speed. This option is set at a fixed number defined at the manufacturer, usually you are able to change this down a couple numbers, but never higher than what is specified by the manufacture. In order to set it higher, you would need an eXtreme CPU.

CPU EIST Function

This option is quite commonly used among overclockers. This will dynamically change the CPU frequency and core voltage when the load on the CPU differs. The purpose is to reduce the average power consumption. Most overclockers do not like to use this option when benchmarking, however after confirmed stability it would be appropriate to have this enabled. Note that this will often lower the multiplier from it’s highest possibility to the lowest when the CPU is at idle.

CPU Frequency

The final CPU Clock speed at which your Processor is running, this is determined by the Front Side Bus and the CPU Clock Ratio. This is measured in Gigahertz or GHz and is the biggest factor in determining the raw performance power of your CPU.

CPU Host Clock Control

This option can only be set to Enabled and Disabled, and basically opens up the option of the CPU Host Frequency.

CPU Host Frequency

The option which allows you to change your front side bus. The minimum is normally 100 where the maximum is normally 700. This is the main factor which determines your CPU clock speed and is the first option to adjust when overclocking your CPU.

CPU Multi-threading

This allows you to set whether the CPU can use more than one core and use multi-threading on the CPU. If this is disabled you may only use one core and you will not be able to use multi-threading on the CPU. Recommended to leave this at “Enabled” which is is by default.

CPU Smart Fan Control

The temperatures of the CPU will never remain constant over a period of time, and therefore when it’s cooler, you wouldn’t want the CPU fan blazing at full speed. This option, when enabled, will allow the CPU fan to dynamically change according to the CPU Temperature. Personally I don’t like this option enabled simply because noise doesn’t bother me a lot, and I prefer the CPU at a low idle temperature.

CPU Smart Fan Mode

When the CPU Smart Fan Control option is enabled, it will allow you set the more to suit the type of fan you are using. The options include “3 pin”, “4 pin” and “Auto”.

CPU Thermal Technology (TM2)

This is a CPU protection technology, which, when enabled, will reduce the CPU frequency and voltage in order to prevent overheating. This is a recommended option if you are uncertain whether your CPU clock speed is at a stable state, and can be disabled once you are sure that your system doesn’t need it.

CPU Warning Temperature

There is always the risk of overheating components when overclocking, and in fact it’s one of the more common reasons for instability. This option, when enabled, will cause the system speaker to beep when the temperature of the CPU exceeds the set numeric. The problem with this is not all computers have a system speaker, on the motherboard or connected on the case. It’s a good option to have but not the most reliable if you’re not completely aware of your PCs capability.

DRAM Voltage

This voltage is fed to the Main system ram in your computer. It will vary dependant on what type of RAM you have, and will fluctuate depending on the brand and model.

DRAM Timing Selectable

The two options here are Auto and Manual, of which manual allows the user to manually set the latencies or timings in the memory instead of being detected by the system BIOS.

The 4 main RAM timings which should be set and are always specified by the manufacturer are:

• CAS Latency Time
  • Options are: Auto (default), 3~7.
• tRCD
  • Options are: Auto (default), 1~15.
• tRP
  • Options are: Auto (default), 1~15.
• tRAS
  • Options are: Auto (default), 1~63.

Fine CPU Clock Ratio

This option is has the option of 0 or 0.5 and is only available on the 45nm fabrication of the Core2Duo CPUs. This is because some of these CPUs come with a x.5 Ratio and therefore you will need a BIOS and motherboard which supports that.

FSB – Memory Clock Mode

Options here include Auto, Linked and Unlinked. This is a very handy option to have, and basically sets the FSB and the RAM speed to be unlinked. The default option is for the RAM speed to be double the speed of the FSB, however this option will allow you to set the option to a ratio so that the speeds can change, and you can get the most of one component without being limited by another. This option completely clashed with the basic law of DDR.

Limit CPUID Max. To 3

An option which will allow you to limit the CPUID maximum value. It is recommended that you set this to disabled for Windows XP or later, and have it enabled when using a legacy operating system such as Windows NT 4.0.

MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T)

Menu used to configure the clock, frequency and voltages of certain components in the computer.

MCH Frequency Latch

This option allows setting the frequency of the chipset at system bootup. The  frequency options will differ, depending on the chipset, e.g.: The P45 chipset ranges from 200 to 400MHz. Note that this option can easily cause system instability and is best left on auto for simple overclocking.

Memory Frequency

This is the respective output speed from your memory. It will depend on the CPU Host speed, or FSB, and the memory multiplier. These two factors multiplied will give you the speed such as 667MHz. Remember that certain programs will read the memory speed as it is before DDR is applied, and therefore you will need to multiply that number by 2 in order to get the respective output frequency.

Overclock Options

A setting which allows you to set some preconfigured options to overclock the CPU in the system, such as 5%, 10%, etc. These options are manually configurable when AI Tuning is set to Manual.

PCI Express Frequency

This option allows you to tweak the bandwidth of your PCI Express bus, ranging from 90MHz to 150MHz. This option should be left at auto, which generally sets the speed to 100MHz. Anything higher than 100MHz may cause instability when properly using the GPU.

Performance Enhance (RAM)

3 options which allow the BIOS to determine at what performance level your RAM should run at.

• Standard – Lets the system operate at its basic performance level.
• Turbo – Lets the system operate at its good performance level. (Defa
• Extreme – Lets the system operate at its best performance level.

Robust Graphics Booster

Options here are Auto, Fast and Turbo. This basically enhances the graphics chip and memory’s performance depending on the load of the GPU. Leaving this on auto is recommended, and allows the BIOS to determine what option to use based on what the other configured options are.

SLI-Ready Memory

Enabling this option will allow you to set a profile setting to use your memory to it’s full potential, as well as your CPU. The Profile settings are basically preset CPU overclocking options which are available because the memory is assumed to handle the increase in bus speed without stability issues.

System Memory Multiplier (RAM)

RAM also works off the Front Side Bus, however the speed is specified by ratio or multiplier used. This can range from 2 to 4 which in turn would cause the FSB frequency to be multiplied by that number, giving you the speed of the memory.

E.g.: 333 (FSB) x 2.4 (Multi) = 800MHz (Respective Clock Speed)

eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) (RAM)

Supported by very few RAM modules, normally expensive. The memory will need to contain the correct SPD data on the module for the BIOS to be able to use this feature correctly. Generally the option will be greyed out if the data is not detected.

Getting the most out of your system isn’t an option when you’re a technology enthusiast — it’s a life style, a requirement, a way of living your life to the full. (I bet that’d be a good ad phrase). Today we’re going to be looking at the Asus P5Q Pro motherboard, with 3 variations of the Q9000 series of CPUs, as listed in the title.

The BOIS on this motherboards originates from American Megatrends Inc, so it’s one where we can expect certain options are similar, do the same thing and are repeated once or twice as you go through it.

For this tutorial, we will use a frequency of 3.2GHz – Note that a 3^rd party CPU Cooler is recommended for anything above 3GHz, all overclocking done is at your own risk.

So, let’s get to it.

Head into your BIOS by hitting Delete at the POST (power on self test) screen. From there we will head into the AI Tweaker section, where there are various options to change, relating to system performance.

AI Overclock Tuner	Manual
CPU Ratio Setting	08.0
FSB Frequency	1600
PCIE Frequency	100
FSB Strap to Northbridge	Auto
DRAM Frequency	DDR2-800
DRAM Timing Control	Auto
DRAM Static Read control	Auto
DRAM Read Training	Auto or Disabled
Mem OC Charger	Auto
AI Transaction Booster	Auto
CPU Voltage	1.28V to 1.3V
DRAM Voltage	1.9V

There are a couple of settings which have been deliberately left out, these options need not be touched as the automatic configuration is right for what we want to achieve.

After this, head into your Advanced tab in the main BIOS screen, and then into CPU Configuration.

C1E Support	Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit	Disabled
Intel Virtualisation Tech	Disabled
CPU TM Function	Enabled
Intel Speedstep (TM) Tech	Disabled
Intel C-STATE Tech	Disabled

And that’s it; you would now effectively be running your CPU at 3.20GHz with an FSB of 1600MHz and ram at 800MHz.

Once again I emphasise that these frequencies should be done with 3^rd party cooling and any settings altered in your BIOS are done at your own risk.

I would recommend the following programs to make sure your computer is running normally and properly.

CPU Z is used to monitor components of your PC so that you can see if everything is running the way it should.

Prime95 is used to stress the CPU at 100% and the RAM at its max to stress them, making sure they are stable.

RealTemp is the choice temperature monitor program to make sure your CPU doesn’t get too hot.