I've not seen a thread dedicated to PC overclocking so I figured to create one. Feel free to post anything on CPU, GPU, RAM overclocking and topics related to PC overclocking in general.
My first post will focus on AMD's Phenom II X4/FX overclocking.
In the last few years I've overclocked over a half a dozen CPU's, 3 of which were AMD Phenom or FX based.
Below are numbers that I got out of each and the settings used.
Phenom II X4 940 AM2+ CPU:
Mobo - Asus M3N-HT Deluxe
Stock 3.0 Ghz - max stable overclock 3.8 Ghz
Settings:
CPU Multiplier - x16.5
CPU Frequency - 230
Voltage - CPU 1.5V, NorthBridge 1.4V
Phenom II X4 965 AM3 CPU:
Mobo - MSI 970A-G46
Stock 3.4 Ghz - max stable overclock 4.2 Ghz
NB overclock - 2800 MHz
RAM speed - 1720 MHz
Settings:
CPU Multiplier - x19.5
CPU Frequency - 215
Voltage - CPU 1.52V, RAM Voltage 1.7V
FX - 8120 AM3+ CPU:
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
Stock 3.1-4.0(turbo) Ghz - max stable overclock 4.4 Ghz
NB overclock - 2900 MHz
RAM speed - 1800 MHz
Settings:
CPU Multiplier - x19.5
CPU Frequency - 226
Voltage - CPU 1.48V, RAM Voltage 1.6V
Summary:
When I was learning how to overclock AMD CPU's, there was a lot of trial and error. First thing I realized is how much importance fan placement, airflow and quality CPU cooling matter when it comes to overclocking. You ideally have to keep the CPU around 60 degrees at full load and the differentce between 60 and 70 degrees are a couple of well placed fans.
Second thing I learned is that CPU speed isn't everything. I could hit higher clockspeeds with all 3 CPU's but at the cost of RAM and NorthBridge speed which matter just as much. In terms or RAM performance, timings matter as much as overall speed.
Overclocking performance increase is most evident in games. Some CPU bound games see a 10-20% increase in frame rate while something like Dolphin Wii emulator becomes much more playable once these CPU's are overclocked. The reason why I still consider these older AMD CPUs to be excellent value for gaming is because of overclocking ability. FX8120 and Phenom X4 965 should be able to hit 60 FPS on any game when overclocked which is ideally what 95% of 60 hz monitor PC gamers still need to avoid screen tearing.
