How to Overclock an AMD CPU
Overclocking is a method used to make a CPU run quicker than it normally does. An AMD processor can see a performance increase of up to 25 percent by overclocking, and almost any processor can be overclocked by ten or 15 percent. This extra performance allows most programs to run noticeably quicker.
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Things You'll Need
- An AM2, AM2+ or AM3 processor
- A motherboard with overclocking features in the BIOS
Instructions
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Start the computer and open BIOS. On most computers this is achieved by pressing one of the function keys or the DEL key immediately after the PC begins to boot. If successful, the computer will boot directly into BIOS rather than moving on to its primary operating system.
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Find the section of BIOS settings that control the operation of the CPU. The name of this section can vary greatly depending on the motherboard manufacturer, so consult the manual. The proper section, once opened, should provide access to a menu that includes settings such as CPU multiplier, DRAM timings and reference clock.
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Attempt to adjust the CPU multiplier by changing the number listed upwards by 1. For example, if the multiplier is currently 9, change it to 10. If the CPU has an unlocked multiplier then the BIOS should reflect an increase in processor speed measured in megahertz. If the CPU has an unlocked multiplier, skip the next step.
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Adjust the reference clock upwards by 10Mhz. A change in processor speed should be reflected in the BIOS. The reference clock is the only method that can be used to adjust the processor speed of AMD processors without unlocked multipliers. However, the reference clock will also cause a change in the speed of the hypertransport link and the memory. These changes will be reflected in the BIOS as the reference clock is increased.
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When the method of overclocking the processor (either by CPU multiplier or reference clock) is apparent, gradually adjust the speed upwards in small steps. If adjusting the CPU multiplier, add 1 to the multiplier number. If adjusting by reference clock, add 25Mhz at once. Once the adjustment is made, save the changes in BIOS and reboot the computer.
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Continue the upward adjustments of CPU multiplier or reference clock until the system appears to be unstable. This will become apparent because it will freeze or will fail to boot properly. Once this occurs, go back to BIOS and lower the overclock by one step. Then boot into the operating system.
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Run a stress test on the computer using a program such as OCCT or PCMark. Keep the benchmark running for at least an hour to test basic stability. If the benchmark fails or the PC crashes, back down another step. Continue this until the computer passes the benchmark without any problems. This indicates that the maximum stable overclock has been achieved.
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Tips & Warnings
Stock coolers are often too slow to handle overclocking. Adding a more powerful CPU cooler typically will increase the maximum overclock.
When overclocking by reference clock, try to underclock the hypertransport link and the memory. Increasing the reference clock also increases the speed of these components. Underclocking them will counteract that change.
Overclocking rarely damages the CPU, but be aware of the potential for trouble. Damage as a result of overclocking is not covered by AMD's warranty.
In rare cases, a computer will refuse even to boot into BIOS if an overclock is too high. If this happens, remove the CMOS battery. This will cause the BIOS to lose its stored memory and revert to default settings, thus resetting the overclock and allowing the PC to boot again.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit AMD
