Tips to make overclocking your PC - Part 2

The master of overclocking Ronaldo Buassali presents another important collection of tips for anyone who wants to venture into the world of overclocking

Continuing our series of articles with tips for overclocking , we present the second part . The tips are the professional overclocker Buassali Ronaldo , world record holder in several categories.

TripAdvisor today serve in particular for those working with Intel socket 2011 platforms , but most of them fits perfectly to the decks in 1366 , 1156 , 1155 and newer, 1150. Some of this information also serve as reference for older platforms AMD , however, we should soon have more specific articles to these systems .

Overclocking is a technique that forces the computer components (usually processor, memory and video card ) to run up the original factory specifications . This extra performance makes the most powerful machine, but you must understand that some equipment may void the warranty if used above the original patterns . Such as overclocking can damage components before performing any procedure be sure to be aware of the dangers .

In today's article we will delve into the element processor ( CPU ) , with a brief introduction to the subject of memories .

Most of the changes about which we are treating the BIOS ( Basic Input Output System ) machine . To access this control panel , you must press the DEL key once turning on the machine. Remember that some components work with different keys like F2 or even F12 .

Overclocking the processor

Overclocking the processor is due to the increase in frequency as a result of a change in one of the two main parameters of its operation , the BCLK ( FSB ) , which is the "base rate " , and / or an internal multiplier ( ratio ) processor. See the example :

100 MHz ( BCLK ) x 34 ( ratio) = 3,400 MHz

Increasing the base frequency of 100 MHz to 110 MHz and keeping the multiplier at 34 we would have a CPU running at 3,740 MHz

Of course, not all processors allow the increase of these parameters . That is why many manufacturers identify models with " unlocked multiplier " as CPUs terminated with the K suffix Intel , for example. Some motherboards will not allow this type of modification to the equipment , so before performing an overclock is to find out whether your machine has the requirements for the process .


Most often , they are not necessary changes other than those two (increase the multiplier and / or BCLK ) to achieve a significant increase in the frequency of work, but there is a limit . This barrier can be overcome only with the increase in the operating voltages .

Below , see some of the main parameters and voltages present in the BIOS of computers . Remember that, as we mentioned earlier, not all motherboards available on the market have all these settings .

VCC ( CPU Voltage ) - It is important to check with the manufacturer 's recommendations for maximum tension. In reference platforms in this topic , the normal stress for this revolves around little more than 1.0 V. Voltages below 1.32 V are quite safe and can promote, depending on the processor , a great performance boost . To overclock a higher level , the indication is to keep below 1.42 V for use day to day ( as reference only ) . However , depending on the purpose of overclocking , this value can be even higher , reaching 1.60 V or more. As the CPU voltage is directly proportional to the heat generation , it is always important to have an adequate system of cooling .

VCCIO ( VTT ) - is the voltage of the memory controller on the processor. Her role is to help stabilize the overclocking memory when you need to change your criteria . Depending on the required level , it should be modified , but basically it should only be used when the goal is to achieve over the memories . This setting may cause damage to components if not used with caution. If you want to work with this setting , the ideal is gradually increased tension ( 0.02 or 0.03 volts ) , as is increasing the memory parameters (higher frequency and / or lower latency ) .

VCCSA (System Agent ) - It's a tension that should be changed with care. It helps when user wants to force up the BCLK and memory ( thus increasing the BCLK causes increased frequency of memory) . The observations of implementing voltage are the same for the VCCIO ( VTT ) , ie , tensions rise gradually.

VCC PLL ( Phase-Locked Loop ) - is an internal voltage of the CPU frequency generator. Is very important in temperature control . If you decline, the final temperature will decrease . In situations where the temperature is limiting , it is possible to achieve some MHz to more reducing this parameter. But it can cost ( or not ) the stability of the system.

Also , sometimes , its increase may cause greater stability for overclocking . Each CPU has a particular behavior with this parameter , leaving the user to find the best balance between warmth and stability of computer according to this value. As always , the recommendation is to increase or decrease the voltage in small steps to avoid problems .


DRAM Voltage - is the memory voltage . To increase the frequency and / or decrease latency , this configuration affects the stability of the system. There exists an exact value , because each chip has unique properties .

Some memories are fabricated with very low voltage (1.35 volts for example), but most modern memories operate from 1.50 to 1.65 volts. The maximum values ​​of increase depends on the level of increase required and the quality of the chip , but , depending on the purpose of the modification and equipment , you can reach 2 volts .

LLC - Load Line Calibration - When a processor is required , its voltage drops ( drop ) . The LLC is a resource that produces an " extra power " to prevent BSOD , lockups and crashes . This parameter must follow the same level of modification of other items , ie , higher overclocks require higher voltages .

PCH ( South Bridge Voltage ) - can be left in automatic overclocking usual . Only in cases of extreme overclocking justified his amendment .

Clock Skew ( tilt clock ) - It's a "fine tuning " to get the maximum overclock after the maximum values ​​were reached . It is best used with extreme cooling (below 0 ° C). The Skew function is to shift the starting point of the clock generator , aligning this with the CPU frequency synthesizer .

Electrical transients , noise source , capacitance and even the distance between the components ( CPU , RAM ) can interfere with the clock generator . When we increase the values ​​of the multiplier ( ratio) or BCLK , rates of data transfer also change , so that the bank transfer - in conditions of stability - will deteriorate . So , we rise or we delay the Skew (in picoseconds ) , aiming to change the arrival time of the information , aligning the CPU clock with the clock synthesizer . The same occurs with the Skew memory . It's very sensitive and detailed, to try to extract the last possible MHz .

IGPU - If you use the integrated graphics , you should stir the iGPU , but we will not talk at this time of GPU integrated .

The system BIOS also has some extra settings that can be modified to achieve better results . See what they are :

  •     Hyper Threading : activates or deactivates the active virtual processor cores ;
  •     CPU Core : allows to enable the number of physical cores you want to use ;
  •     Spectrum : spectral scattering ( interference ) - no use for overclocking , so it is recommended to disable this feature ;
  •     Virtualization : is only for those who are using virtualization ( more than one operating system running simultaneously) . For overclocking , the recommendation is to disable this option ;
  •     Internal PLL : Enable to more aggressive overclocks ;
  •     C1E : state of decreased activity - has no use for overclocking and should be disabled ;
  •     State C : are power modes - have no use for overclocking and can be disabled ;
  •     Turbo Boost : You should not enable this option to limit the overclock ;
  •     Intel Speed ​​Step ( EIST ) : This feature serves to lower the CPU voltage when in idle ( rest) . Has no use for overclocking and can be disabled ;
  •     Hardware Prefetcher : Search flows of data and instructions from memory to the second-level cache . Must be enabled ;
  •     Adjacent Prefetch : triggers two lines of 64 bytes of cache ( 128 bytes ) , increasing the use of BUS and thus processing more information . The recommendation is to enable this option ;
  •     Power Saving Mode : Power Saving - no use for overclocking and should be disabled ;
  •     Execute Disable Bit : protects the machine against malicious code into memory - does not alter the terms of overclocking ;
  •     Thermal Monitor : is a system to protect the system and should be disabled if more aggressive overclocks .

For the case of the new platform in 1150 , we still have the possibility of changing various features of the North Bridge , which can bring significant improvement in system performance . See what they are:
  •     VRIN : VRM voltage (power) - values ​​such as 2.4 volts for maximum reference voltage in air ( 2.9 V LN2 ) ;
  •     CPU Ring : voltage cache - values ​​such as 1.35 volt reference for maximum tension in the air ( 1.6 V LN2 ) ;
  •     VCCIO - in this case , with analog and digital parameters - ( +0.2 V ~ +0.5 V air LN2 ) ;
  •     PCH Voltage : PCH Voltage - 1.15 V ~ 1.20 V ar/LN2 ;
  •     VCCSA : Voltage System Agent - +0.23 V reference for the maximum tension in the air and LN2 +0.28 V ;
  •     DRAM Voltage : in Haswell CPUs depending up the chip and the level of overclocking , may be higher voltages required ( above 2.0 V ) , even at normal refrigeration. Limit for LN2 > 2.2 V.

Other important tips

To make the cores work without "parking " (decrease or stop activity ) and ensure better performance in multithreaded benchmarks and , in particular , the latest 3D software , you can perform the following configuration :

Core Parking :

In Windows , go to the system log and look for the key :

0cc5b647 - c1df - 4637 - 891A - dec35c318583

Change all minimum or maximum values ​​that appear with the number 64 to 0 ( zero) .

The number 64 indicates that all cores can be stopped , and the number zero otherwise , ie , all cores must remain active .

Another important for those who have video cards from NVIDIA tip is to install the NVIDIA Inspector , a software that allows viewing and conducting advanced settings on the video card .

As we know , the overclocking can result in malfunction of the machine . Often the problems encountered are reported by Windows itself , with its " famous " blue screens of death ( BSOD = Blue Screen Of Death ) .

Below is a list of the major error codes that appear when something is wrong and its recommendations :
  •     0 × 124 = increase or decrease the voltage of Vcore or VTT ;
  •     0 × 101 = increase Vcore voltage ;
  •     0x1E = increase Vcore voltage ;
  •     0x3B = increase Vcore voltage ;
  •     0xD1 = increase VTT voltage ;
  •     0x9C = increase VTT voltage (occasionally may require increased Vcore ) ;
  •     0X109 = increase tension of RAM ;
  •     0 × 50 = error in timing / frequency of RAM ( RAM or add voltage to VTT ) ;
  •     0x0A = increase VTT voltage ;
  •     = 0x1A error memory manager and can be caused by a faulty comb . Test the memory modules and , if no problems , try increasing the voltage of RAM . Another possibility is the lack of tension in the South Bridge ;
  •     0 × 19 = voltage error in the memories .

The aim of this paper is to show a little more of this thrilling activity that is overclocking . However , as we have said before , any modification suggested here is the user's responsibility , because working with the components above the factory settings may result in irreparable damage to equipment .

Article produced by Ronaldo Buassali ( rbuass ) and Jacson Schenckel ( schenckel bros ) .

Be sure to check out the first part of this article contains valuable information for those starting in the overclocking area .