Ever wondered why you can’t get past 3.6GHz on that new Phenom II? Some may claim it is a bad chip, but I for one, can guarantee you that is almost always not the case.
I have been overclocking this chip for weeks and studying how it acts while doing so. I may not be an AMD engineer, or an electrical engineer, but here is what I have found:
1) Voltage
People always repeat the same/similar phrases about these chips “Up the voltage, AMD chips are tanks and can take it!” In fact, I have found with the new AM3 Phenom II’s that it is not always practical to up the voltage past 1.5Vcore if you are just looking for a 24/7 overclock. Before upping Vcore, take into account what else may be causing stability. It could be an unstable NB (IMC) or Ram. I suggest finding the max stable ram and NB clock before OCing the CPU cores.
Also, you may run into your system not booting with more than ~1.475vcore. This is because these new Phenom II’s actually dislike and do not tolerate high voltages a lot of the time. You are lucky to gain a chip with high leakage, so that you can sustain stability with 1.55V+
A common misconception is that these 45nm Phenom II’s are using dangerous amounts of voltage for anything past 1.4Vcore. Comon people, these aren’t 45nm Core 2’s or Core i7 CPUs. AMD’s 45nm process is completely different, and can maintain higher voltages without any traces of degradation. However, I do not suggest going over 1.55Vcore for a 24/7 air OC.
Last but not least, remember that voltage adds heat to these chips, of which they do not like under high clockspeeds.
2) Heat
The max heat these chips can tolerate without risking damage is 62C. However, instability and crashes can be caused all the way back into the 50-55C range.
Through experience, I, and many others have noticed that these chips LOVE cold. In fact, they scale way better with cold temperatures than adding more voltage to the mix. A great example of this can be seen with some Dry Ice results on these chips:
Take a good hard look at that overclock. 4.6GHz with only 1.408vcore. Simply amazing. Now do you see why voltage is not always the best?
If you plan on air cooling, pick up some nice high CFM fans (as long as you can stand the sound) and a nice heatsink cooler such as the Xigmatek S1283 or a Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120.
3) Multiplier Overclocking
If you are like me, and have a Black Edition cpu, you have probably figured out that overclocking is a piece of cake by just flicking up the multiplier and being done with it. This is not always the case.
I personally recommend against just using the multiplier. Many people have found that using a lower multiplier and a higher HT Ref. Clock can help increase your max overclock+stability slightly.
Not only that, but only using the multiplier will not always net you the best performance. Sure you can hit 4GHz with a 20X multiplier, and a bit more voltage. However, through benchmarking or game performance, you may find it is performing worse than someone else’s comparable 4GHz using a higher HT Ref Clock. This is because when you up the HT Ref Clock, it also increases ram speed, HT link speed, and NB (IMC) speed. Just remember to watch the stability on each of these.
4) Troubleshooting/Stability:
Here is a direct quote from our very own Chew*:
“Im sure some of you may have experienced a crash with cinebench………sometime you will blue screen, somtimes you will just black screen and sometimes the bench will just crash ( dissapear, etc just shut down ) and windows
will still be up………..the blue screen is NB vid/IMC memory related, the black screen is core clocks/cpu voltage related and the just crash/dissapear from desktop is temp related………….”
Next time you experience a crash, take a good hard look at that for reference. Chew* has more experience than I with these chips, and honestly, he is right about the crashes. I checked myself.
The best method of finding stability on your overclocks is to use Prime 95. Now it is usually debateable for how long you should run a program like this. For the Phenom II’s however, you need to wait all the way until you can be sure the IMC (NB) is stable. The NB is stressed the most during 512K FFTs. This happens about 2-3 hours into Blend, so I suggest running for at least 3 hours.
Here are a few fixes to common problems:
4GHz stable is not easy with these chips (mostly the quadcore Phenom II’s). Highly unlikely. In order to achieve 4GHz 100% stable, you need 32-bit windows and you will have to back off memory and NB clocks (maybe even going below stock). However, it would net you greater performance with a 3.8GHz and 2600-2800MHz NB.
If experiencing memory instability, try upping the NB voltage (not CPU-NB VID).
If experiencing overall instability, first check to make sure ram is in check at stock speeds. If that is not the case, try giving the CPU-NB VID +.100 or +.200v.
As a last resort, make sure you have the newest BIOS!
5) Tweak!
Honestly, I mean it. Mess around with as many settings (even if you think they won’t change anything) as you can. Every setup is different so experimenting won’t hurt. There is still more to be discovered about these chips!
And this concludes my basic Phenom II AM3 Overclocking Essentials Guide. Hope this will prove a useful reference in the future!
Phenom II AM3 Overclocking Essentials
63 CommentsBy Slappa on May 28, 2009
CATEGORIES: AMD, Cooling, Guides, Overclocking, Processors, Uncategorized
TAGS: Phenom II Overclocking Guide Essentials 955 X4 Quadcore AM3
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Great article, Very informative! Keep it up!
[...] I tried to keep it non-specific so a wide variety of setups could benefit from it. Check it out: Phenom II AM3 Overclocking Essentials Thanks Slappa! +rep, great guide! [...]
Slappa, I loved it. Great article, very informative and fun to read. Keep it up!
Thanks!
I love blogging here
Be sure to check out the Dry Ice Run blog I just posted a few minutes ago.
Thanks Slappa.
very helpful slappa. although i would wish to ask more about the impact of imc.
[...] be at your limit. Try reading this and try the one or two things listed that you have not tried. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] crap, triple post! here’s a good guide for you: http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ __________________ Ultimate Quad Core Clock for Clock Benchmarks: Foxconn A7DA/A7DA-S Owners’ [...]
[...] very well with them. I hate linking my own material, but I have a guide that may help you out http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ __________________ My Overclocking BlogAll Of My [...]
[...] voltage. How do temps look? Try to keep them as low as you can. Take a look at my guide here http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ __________________ My Overclocking BlogAll Of My [...]
[...] Asus M3A78-T 790gx Cooler: Mugen 2 with Ultra Kaze 3k OS: Win 7 x86 What kind of crash? BSOD? Good page to bookmark __________________ [...]
[...] here is slappa's guide for am3 cpus, this also applies for the 940be and 920: http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ i can see you've got the ud5p, it's a very mobo and hopefully you can be one of the few guys to [...]
[...] tell you. Here is a couple to start with. http://www.overclock.net/amd-general…ing-guide.html http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] may help. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] this a read. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] the OC'ing guides in the sticky section of the AMD General forum? This is a helpful article too. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
I’ve been researching this stuff for weeks now and I have to say, this is one of the best reads out there on overclocking this chip. I’ve had some great results with mine, and your writeup is one of the reasons I know what I’m doing. Thanks!
Thank you Jeremy!
I love to hear that I was of help. I, like you, researched for weeks, and gathered information from other people doing the same.
This guide is vague, rather just guidelines to remember when pushing these chips…..but a lot of people still miss these important details.
I think the next thing I am going to do is create a how to video on how to properly overclock a Phenom II.
[...] a good little article. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
Hi guys I have read over this info and im still stuck trying to get my 955 to go passed 3.7 . My system spec is
AMD 955BE, 8 gig kingston hyper x 1066, Asus M4N82 Delux, Corsair 850 Watt Psu, Geforce 280 GTX OC2.
Every time I try to reach 3.8 I BSOD or get an Instant mem dump. I have played with the voltages and it has made no diffrenc. My OC atm is – CPU 18.5 multi at 1.4 volts, ram not OC. HT 2,400 – NB 2,600 and it runs stable. Sone as I try to get the 3.8 which seems to be the most stander OC for the 955 I run into problems. My temps are CPU 38c Idel 46c under full load ( using the coolermaster V8) . Chipset 55c and mobo 28c . Any advice u could ive me would be of great help. Thanks
Probably the fact that your running 8GB of ram. That’s a lot more load on the memory controller. Try bumping up cpu-nb voltage by a few notches, testing each one as you go up to see if it’s made a difference in your stability. Also, you may want to try increasing vDimm just a tad as well.
[...] :S http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] prime stable. 4.0 is not yet no but its not a cpu issue its a mobo issue. this is a usefull link. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ __________________ The Beast & Bong 4.0ghz Heatkiller Club 9800gtx mod STEALTH Bong LOVERS [...]
Hi guys I posted about not being able to hit 3.8 with 955BE, Well no matter what I do I cant seem to get there without a bsod. Owell
I did how ever manage to get 3.7 on 1.4 VC, HT 2,600 ht volts 1.3, NB 2,800 nb volts 1.3 , CPU-NB volts 1.3, 8 Gig 1066 ram 2.2 volts timings 5,6,6,3-5,18,42,8,4 ~~~ 4,195,127.5 . T2 ungaged.
Runs stable on windows 7 64 it and XP x64 bit. Strange how I manage to get the NB and HT so high but cant get CPU above 3.7 even with the high voltage leack I have on my CPU. I am also able to get the NB to run at 3,000 but this gave no proformance change so went back to 2,800.
Dark,
Tune your ram and then try again.
If it still doesn’t work, go back to basics. What variable did you not take into account.
HEAT I SAY
Make sure your cooler is doing a good job. Keep temps down.
My CPU temp under full load afther 5 hours hits a max of 43c, I use the coolermaster V8 as well as the nvidia CM 830 case. So I have plenty of air flow. MB dose not pass 28c, MCP 58c – Ram unknow but is cold to touch. MB is the asus M4N82. So beleave me its defo not temp related.
[...] the second is to read a few stickies and definately read slappa's phenom II overclocking guide http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ that will get alot of the theory out of the way the rest i think is just getting a feel for your [...]
loved the article, i used auto-tune to oc my 955 (dont make fun, i was just curious to see what auto-tune would do) and my multiplier is 18.5 with 200 ht ref clock… whenever i upped my clock over 205, i would lose stability, but now im gonna try playing with the nb voltages! thanks a lot, this really helped
[...] your NB voltage or decrease speed, to get higher stability. also here is some useful information http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
[...] your NB voltage or decrease speed, to get higher stability. also here is some useful information http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ how does one find out what their stock NB voltage is? NBz i want a jumper on my MB the says [...]
[...] how you shot down my 1.5 month old board. But is it Vdrop that's hurting me? cause i read on here: http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ [...]
Very nice slappa!
About the second point. These chips scale with cold…
I run the warmer side of things, (air cooler), but found that vcore makes no difference on temps at all. The largest delta is an affect of CPU speed, followed by IMC speed, and finally IMC voltages. It is my limited experience, but it mirrors your reason of cold runs better. 50C load is big change though for overclocking. Unfortunately not yet experienced enough to know the next steps (as far as I have seen, there is no stopping it, the colder it gets, the farther it goes. AMD fanboy plus points here… for extreme guys it is a big selling point. The colder you get these little F’ers, the further they go. The “opposition” has moved to enterprise level chips to bypass cold bugs. interesting…
Absolutely Neuromancer,
On cold winter air around -10 C, I was able to run my 955 chip up to 4.5GHz. Not bad at all
I’ve been trying to explain oc’ing this chip to my friends and I’m so glad i found this. You made teaching them a very easy task. Great job on this post.
Hi have anyone tryed to OC the new AMD cheaper versions like 620 and 630 mine 630 just game in and with new mem and mobo i was able to juice it up from stoc 2.8gh to 3.9gh just air dint keep it there too long because aint got so goood cooling just old Katana 2 now orderd new cooling and trying to put it to 4,0 gh
when i get there ill post some CPU z picks and try to run that Prime 95 at least that 3 hours
but if some has allready OC the cheaper AMD cpus all info would be nice THX…
MBO:AsusM4A79XTD Evo,CPU:Athlon II X4 630,MEM:G.Skill 4GB Dual Kit Ripjaws DDR3-1600 F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH,,, GPU:Sapphire Radeon HD4890 Vapor-X 1Gb OC..Win vista 32bit Black..
here is my result after three hours with katana 2
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=791729
Sure have.. http://www.techreaction.net/2009/09/25/athlon-ii-x4-620-ferrari-this-mustang-can-hang/
[...] As for your 945, I am not able to get over ~3.75 stable on mine. Take a look at this guide here: http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ It suggests that blue screens are NB voltage and memory related. I'd try bumping up your NB [...]
Very nice article. Well written and easy to understand. Keep up the good work my friend.
Thanks everyone
[...] Slappa's AM3 Essentials Article [...]
[...] Phenom II AM3 Overclocking Essentials | Tech Reaction (tags: guides Tweaks am3 phenom amd processor overclocking) [...]
[...] the end of its life. going slightly off topic, AMD chips also seem to love the cold. there was someone who was able to get 4.6ghz on dry ice at only 1.4Vcore, quite low by AMD standards (took me 1.48V [...]
[...] bumping the CPU/HT Reference Clock (MHz) from the default of 200 to 225 (based off the results from this review where they bumped it to a whopping 240MHz, they say when you up the HT Ref Clock, it also increases [...]
[...] http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ these should help. read…. learn….. OC… __________________ 4 GHz Overclock Club C3 [...]
[...] stable oc, especially in the case of these p2 chips. Lower temps = lower voltage for same OC. Source I will admit right off the bat that I am no amazing OCer. The only OC i ever did was on my e6750 [...]
[...] tend to be better?? . . . . …..I did come across something that you should checkout & read, …click here 2 C & read… { section (4), Good information about's Troubleshooting Stability ! ! ! } Let's- keep us posted [...]
[...] did come across something, deal's with this 965BE[c3] chip, that you should checkout & read, …click here 2 C & read…, { section (4), Good information about's Troubleshooting Stability ! ! ! } Let's – keep us posted [...]
Under my own personal testing, i have found NB vid does NOTHING for stability. Here is my personal experimentation proof.
Stock core clock, and trying to OC just my NB to 2.8, everything else stock. At 2.8 anything under 1.50v CPU-NB nets me unstable, so, i figured i would test out what my NB vid would do in terms of helping this situation. I set my CPU-NB to a knowingly unstable vid, just one notch below 1.50 (stable) and went for an extreme 1.30vid on the NB…now my thinking behind this is…if 1.30 doesnt get it stable, nothing between stock 1.1 and 1.3 will get it stable. Well, it was not stable. That is my “proof” for saying NB vid does not affect the stability of the NB.
However, upping my CPU-NB vid to 1.50 netted me prime stable for around 5 hours before i decided to start on my core.
[...] [...]
This is the first page i seen about how to Overclock the Phenon II 955 that right on time about how you do it and that really work . i clock 3.7 Ghz at CPU 1.4V.. on what some would call a Basic MOB this Motherboard have been my learning tool it a ASUS M4A78L-M with a Corsair Hydro Series H50 High Performance CPU Cooler 4Gig of OCZ DDR2 800Mhz .when i feel the time is right i will move up to a Top MOB….
[...] theses guides, pretty much to the letter. http://www.techreaction.net/forums/showthread.php?t=367 http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ The part in the second link about the ksods vs bsods was probably the most helpful part to me. You [...]
I have notice that my Chip take High Voltage… 3.5 GHz at default voltage had to go up to 1.4V for 3.6 GHz, 1.45V for 3.7 GHz and 1.55V for 3.8 GHz. clocks here are stable in 4 instances of Prime95 at Voltage 1.55 only.. it was stable at all levels from 36 Ghs to 3.9Ghz on up
dont know if this is good or bad but i know one thing it really turn the cooler up the Corsair Hydro Series H50 was at a full speed Push and Pull set up…idle temp 35c load temp 43c to 45
Note that 1.4V and 1.45 all rebooted under stress but at 1.5 all was stable strange i hope i am doing all of this correctly my chip is a 955 Phenom II C2 version.. if any one have any ideal on this please let me know you can e-mail me at sostand@hotmail.com
[...] volts. While you may or may not need 1.5Vcore, it sounds like you do need more cpu/nb volts. Check this out. __________________ ATI 4830 [...]
1.4V for 3.6 Ghz anything pass that it would not boot with out up the Voltage At 3.8Ghz with 1.45V this system did not boot 1.475 did not boo .14.9 did not boot but at 1.5 it boot up at 3.8 and 3.9 and 4.0 Ghz but i like 3.8 better i think Asus Mob are off with the Voltage ran prime95 5hrs no problem at all stress temp was around 45 to 47 c and did not go any higher..i also notice that on High end Motherboard you don’t have to play around much with them if you set them to what it say then that what i is i notice on my MSI 790FX-GD70 it so easy to clock if you know what your doing it a cake walk…but the first thing it remember when overclocking is to keep it cool cool a system run Cold run better at Overclocked right now my mother board temp is idle 19c and my CPU temp is 24c…but i have a lot to learn yet………but all i have is time on my hands to test and test………….
[...] is 62C. However, instability and crashes can be caused all the way back into the 50-55C range. Source __________________ My main rig currently scores 19350 in 3DMark06 (CPU-Z) Next: Samsung F3 1TB [...]
[...] and then this one here alot of people have referred too http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ing-essentials Those are all on Black Edition or Phenom II overclocks….Both give slightly different info, but [...]
[...] think on this site http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ing-essentials they state that BSoD's are almost always CPU clock/voltage related….BSoD's being memory, and [...]
[...] found this article to be pretty helpful http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ __________________ The Official CM Storm Scout [...]
[...] is your chip with 50% more cores: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/…&postcount=240 http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ing-essentials side note: you won't be able to OC much with a stock cooler as many have pointed out before. may i [...]
[...] I read that on this site http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ing-essentials I think its Fear Of Oneselfs guide. Anyway, he says instead of raising CPU NB voltage, raise the [...]
[...] to help:http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/499526-phenom-ii-x4-9×5-oc-thread.html and here too:http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ing-essentials [...]
[...] 1 hour prime95 tests but failed 2 hours down. Sometimes your just at the threshold. *edit again* http://www.techreaction.net/2009/05/…ng-essentials/ a interesting read it might pay for you to read this and perhaps learn something new. Also I don't [...]