Overclocking Unlocked Intel®
Core™ Processors for High
Performance Gaming and
Content Creation
Michael Moen – Sr. System Engineer, Intel Corporation
Dan Ragland – Sr. System Engineer, Intel Corporation
JJ Guerrero – Sr. Technical Marketing Specialist, Asus
AIOS001
Risk Reminder
WARNING: Altering clock frequency and/or voltage
may: (i) reduce system stability and useful life of the
system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other
system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system
performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and
(v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does
not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its
specifications. Intel assumes no responsibility that the
processor, including if used with altered clock frequencies
and/or voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose. For more
information, visit:
3
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
4
Defining Overclocking
• What is Overclocking (OC)?
– The process of increasing clock rates beyond
specification
• Why Overclock?
– Increase performance for compute intensive tasks,
e.g., transcode, gaming, rendering
– Compete, Promote, Socialize
• How is this done?
– Obtain a motherboard optimized for Intel® unlocked
processors
– Change unlocked ratios or platform clock frequency
– Increase voltage on relevant interfaces
– Improve cooling on overclocked/overvoltaged
components
5
Overclocking Theory
General Principles
The Rule: Maximize frequency, minimize voltage/current and
maximize heat dissipation to meet personal stability requirements
What
Benefits
How
Processor Rendering, Music, Photo
Increase Power Limits and Max
Current
Raise Core voltage
Increase active Core ratios
Cores
and Video editing,
Transcode, Gaming
Physics, AI, Compute
Intensive
Processor Gaming frame rates,
Integrated Media Transcode
Graphics
Increase Power Limits and Max
Current
Raise pGfx voltage
Raise pGfx max ratio
(pGfx)†
Memory
Processor Graphics
performance,
Increase memory ratio
Raise memory IO voltage
Sound engineering, Photo Change timings
and Video editing
Increase system agent voltage
Platform
Base Clock
All of the above
Increase all domain voltages
Reduce weakest domain
frequency via ratios
† pGfx utilizes Intel® Iris™ Pro., Intel® Iris , or Intel® HD Graphics
6
Observed Frequency Trends in OC
Q: How much OC can I expect from my CPU?
A: There are many factors
– Every CPU is designed to meet nominal requirements with
intentional guardband – not specifically for OC
– Overclocking is the act of tapping into the intentional guardband
+ design conservatism + Si process conservatism
– This changes with each CPU process stepping, architecture change
and overall design targets
HEDT = High End Desktop. Today this includes Socket LGA2011.
This data was collected from overclocking forums and should be considered approximate for illustrative purposes only.
7
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
8
Intel® Core™ i7 Desktop Processors Based on
Socket LGA2011 with Intel® X79 Express Chipset
C
• Core Frequency
– Unlocked Intel® Turbo Boost
Technology limits†
Processor
Memory
M
1
2
3
Memory
– Unlocked core ratios up to 63 in
100MHz increments†
4
5
6
C
PCIE
– Programmable voltage offset
PEG
P
M
• Memory Ratio
DMI
D
– Unlocked memory controller
– Granularity in 266MHz steps
– Ratios supported up to 2400Hz
R
• DMICLK (aka BCLK)
– Fine Grain range ± 5-7%
– BCLK ratios = 1.0, 1.25, 1.67
DMI
R
D
×1
• PEG and DMI Ratios
– PEG/DMI ratios = 80/50, 64/40,
48/30
P
DB1200
– Ratio option must reflect selected
BCLK coarse ratio
CK505
~
R
P
D
Example : Core Freq x 1.25
at 64/40 x 1.25
requires PEG/DMI ratios
R
to keep at 8 GHz/5 GHz nominal
9
† Only some processors enable part or all of these features. Consult processor documentation for details.
Intel® Core™ i7 Desktop Processors Based on
Socket LGA2011 with Intel® X79 Express Chipset
Feature Overview
SKU
i7-4960X
6/15M
i7-4930K
6/12M
i7-4820K
4/10M
Cores/Cache
Turbo Ratio Overrides (100MHz
Steps)†
Up to 63
Up to 63
Up to 63
PL1, PL2, Tau, ICCMax Overrides
√
Yes
√
Yes
√
Yes
Real-time Core Overclocking (in
OS)
DDR Frequency Overrides
(266MHz Steps)
Up to 2400
√
Up to 2400
√
Up to 2400
√
DDR Timing Overrides
Enhanced Ratio Enhanced Ratio Enhanced Ratio
Coarse BCLK Ratios supported
with PEG, DMI ratios
Support (1.0,
1.25, 1.67)
Support (1.0,
1.25, 1.67)
Support (1.0,
1.25, 1.67)
† Memory ratio not fuse limited, but support above 2400 via ratio not
guaranteed. Use BCLK for higher frequencies.
10
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
11
Overclocking Design Tips
What board designers consider for unlocked
Processors
COLLABORATION
Work closely with Intel to understand the platform architecture and gauge
hardware requirements. This helps to define customized overclocking
options for different segments.
POWER DESIGN
Ensuring that onboard power delivery circuitry is capable of exceeding
processor power requirements under extreme loading conditions.
CIRCUITRY DESIGN
Tuning of trace layouts and platform microcode to extend overclocking
headroom for CPU and DRAM.
CUSTOM SETUP
Utilize customized hardware to mitigate platform overclocking obstacles.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Develop software and hardware solutions to provide automated overclocking
features.
These recommendations are the sole opinion of an expert overclocker based on experience. Intel does not endorse or support these recommendations. Intel
has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications
12
Overclocking Design Tips
How enthusiast board/system designs
influence overclockability
• High Quality Components
− Long-life solid polymer & MLCC Capacitors
− High current MOSFETs
− Low DCR inductors
− Advanced digital buck controllers
− More copper in power plane
• Efficient Cooling Through Layout Design
• Careful Analysis of Signal Integrity:
− Tight control of trace impedance on PCB, more
layers, shorter lengths & length matching
− Tuning of MRC to improve signal margins and
memory compatibility
• Dedicated hardware and software solutions:
− Hardware and software features that allow real-
time changes to overclocking parameters and
improve system stability for smooth overclocking
experience
• Intuitive UEFI
− Intuitive layout with customizable menus,
overclocking profiles (presets and user configured)
and extensive auto-rules for all parameters
− OC recovery with low-level UEFI flashing
capabilities
13
Live Demo:
Optimization of Core, Memory and
BCLK to achieve visibly better
performance experience on
content creation with a Intel®
Core™ i7-4960X Extreme Edition
Processor
14
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
15
Next Generation Intel Haswell Microarchitecture
×C
• Core Frequency
– Unlocked Intel® Turbo Boost
Technology limits†
CPU
Memory
– Unlocked core ratios up to 80 in
100MHz increments†
– Programmable voltage via iVR
×M
1
2
4
Memory
×C
3
×G
• Graphics Frequency (pGfx)
– Unlocked Intel® HD Graphics limits†
PCIe*
×P
PEG
pGfx
– Unlocked graphics ratios up to 60 in
50MHz increments
×G
×D
DMI
– Programmable voltage via iVR
×M
• Memory Ratio
DMICLK/BCLK
– Unlocked memory controller
– Options for 200 and 266MHz steps †
– Logical ratios up to 2933MHz†
DMI
×D
OC
BCLK
• DMICLK (aka BCLK)
– Unlocked PCH clock controller (1MHz
†
increments upwards of 200MHz)
Non-OC
100MHz
×P ×D
PCIe
• PEG and DMI Ratios
– Variable ratios (must reflect selected
BCLK frequency)†
PCIe = PCI Express*
† Only some processors enable part or all of these features.
16
OC VR Design on Legacy Platforms
VCORE
VPLL
VGFX
VIO
CPU
VSA
External VRs
External VRs
• In current generation platforms, CPU VRs are on the
motherboard
• Often, a separate VR exists for each rail to the CPU
• Voltage margining is accomplished using platform VRs
4th Generation Intel ® Core™ processor
changes this dramatically with integrated
voltage regulation
17
Next Generation Intel Haswell Microarchitecture
Voltage Planes for Performance Tuning
DDR
VDDQ
Core
VCCIN
• 1.5V Nom
for DDR3
Cores
• <=1.65V
for XMP
Last Level Cache
System
Agent
PCIe*
DMI
• 1.35V
Nom for
DDR3L
Ring
pGfx
pGfx
IOA,IOD
• VSA, VIOA,
VIOD: Up
to 500mV
Offset V
from
SA
• VCCIN: SVID 1.8V Nom up to 2.3V+, static V up to 3.04V
• VCORE: dynamic additional V, static V up to 2.0 V
• VRING: dynamic additional V, static V up to 2.0 V
nominal
• VGT: dynamic additional V, static V up to 2.0 V
PCIe* = PCI Express*
18
Next Generation Intel Haswell Microarchitecture
Voltage Override Modes
Fused V/f
Interpolation V/f
• Interpolation
(adaptive) in the
overclocking
region
• Default V/f curve
(SVID operation)
freq
freq
Offset V/f
Override V/f
• Positive /
Negative offset
applied to the
entire curve.
Important for
mainstream
overclocking.
• Override applied
to the entire
curve.
Important for
extreme OC.
freq
freq
iVR provides flexibility consistent with all
margining modes generally supported by
current generation external VR designs
19
Next Generation Intel Haswell Microarchitecture
Clock Tree
BCLK @100, 125 or 167
MHz +/1 5-7%
• Single BCLK input comes
from PCH in <1MHz steps
DR
• Acceptable input to CPU
limited by PIC Express*
(PCIe) and DMI PLL interface:
100MHz x ±5-7% PEG/DMI @ 5:5
125MHz x ±5-7% PEG/DMI @ 5:4
System
167MHz x ±5-7% PEG/DMI @ 5:3
Agent
Cache
• Frequency Relationships
f(GT) = BCLK/2*GT Ratio
f(Core) = BCLK*Core Ratio
f(Ring) = BCLK*Ring Ratio
f(DDR) = BCLK*1.33*DDR Ratio
-Or-
PCIe*
DMI
pGf
f(DDR) = BCLK*1.00*DDR Ratio
20
Enhanced BCLK Capabilities
Key Differences Between Generations
Intel® Core™ i7
processors on
LGA2011
3rd Gen Intel Core Next Gen Intel
processors on
LGA1155
Haswell
Microarchitecture
BCLK multipliers
{1.0,1.25,1.67} input
to CPU
CPU adjusts PEG/DMI
ratios {5:5,5:4,5:3}
based on BCLK multi
None
Select CPU PEG/DMI
ratios of {5:5,5:4,5:3}
depending on what
clock frequency you
request from PCH
Coarse
Adjustment
PCH output ± 5-7%
around frequency
points 100MHz,
External clock device
output adjustment ± 5- adjustment ± 5-7%
PCH output
Fine
7% over nominal
over nominal 100MHz
100MHz
125MHz, 167MHz
168 MHz
(non-continuous)
116.95 MHz
>167 MHz
(non-continuous)
Range Peak
Observed
†
4th Generation Intel Core processors deliver BCLK
overclocking experience consistent with current
generation high-end platforms based on LGA2011
† This data was collected from overclocking forums and should be considered approximate for illustrative purposes only.
21
Next Generation Intel Haswell Microarchitecture
Available Performance Tuning Ratios
Core
Turbo
DDR Ratios
Ratios†
DDR
• 266MHz Steps
up to 2933MHz
• Core ratios up
to 80
System
Agent
PCIe*
DMI
Cores
• 200MHz steps
up to 2800MHz
• Unlocked Turbo
Limits
• Timing
Overrides
Last Level Cache
• Current Limit
Override
• Manual or can
be automated
through XMP
1.3
• Graphics ratios
up to 60
PEG
DMI
Ratios
pGfx
Ratios†
Ring
pGfx
Ratios†
• Ring Ratios up
to 80
• Ring Ratio
typically <=
Core or GT
• BIOS sets based on requested BCLK f
• 100MHz: 80/50 (PEG/DMI Ratios)
• 125MHz: 64/40
PEG, DMI
Ratios
† = Changeable at OS Level
• 167MHz: 48/30
PCIe* = PCI Express*
22
Desktop: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7/i5
Processors Based on Socket LGA 1150
Unlocked “K”
Intel® Z87 Express Chipset
Intel H87 Express Chipset
†Others
Unlocked
Processors:
Turbo Ratio Overrides
DDR Frequency Overrides
Fine BCLK Overrides
√
√
Intel® Core™ i7
Processors
4770K
√
1
1
√
√
2
Intel Core i5
Processors
4670K
Coarse BCLK Ratios
√
iVR Overvoltage
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
†
This includes Intel Core i3, Intel®
Pentium™, and Intel® Celeron™
PL1, PL2, Tau, ICCMax Overrides
DDR Timing Overrides
pGfx Ratio Overrides
1 Actual Fine BCLK frequency adjustments
will be limited. ~5%
2 Coarse BCLK Ratios (1.0, 1.25, 1.67)
are unlocked with K SKU processors only
Note: Actual overclocking results will vary
and capabilities are subject to change.
• Turbo ratios and power, pGfx Ratios, iVR voltages are updateable real-time in OS
• Fine BCLK, DDR timings are changeable real-time over very small range
• Larger changes can be made with reset. BCLK range highly limited.
• DDR Frequency requires reset
23
Mobile: 4th Generation Intel® Core™
Processor Overclocking†
Summary:
• Core overclocking on select Intel® Core™ i7 SKUs
• Graphics and memory overclocking on all Intel Core i7 and Core i5 based -H, -M, and -U series processors
Turbo
Ratio
Overrides
iVR Over-
voltage
BCLK
BCLK
DDR Ratio & Processor
Coarse(1)
Fine(1)
Timing
Gfx Ratio
Overrides
Overrides
-H and
i7-4930MX
Unlimited
6 bins
6 bins
4 bins
4 bins
2 bins
2 bins
2 bins
None
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
-M Series i7-4900MQ
i7-4950HQ
i7-4800MQ
i7-4850HQ
i7-4702MQ
i7-4700MQ
i7-4750HQ
i5
No
No
i3
None
No
-U Series i7-4600U
4 bins
4 bins
4 bins
None
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
i7-4650U
i7-4558U
i5
i3
None
No
-Y Series All
None
No
No
No
No
No
1 Requires Intel HM87 or QM87 chipsets and results will vary.
† Actual overclocking results will vary and capabilities are subject to change.
24
Live Demo:
Mobile Overclocking using the
Intel® Core™ i7-4950HQ processor
in the Clevo W740SU Notebook
25
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
26
Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP)
• Expansion of the standard DDR3 memory
specification. Enables speeds, latencies
outside of JEDEC Specification.
– Easy, robust, overclocking solution designed
to take advantage of the unlocked capability
of Intel® Core™ Processors
– Predefined and tested Intel XMP profiles can
be loaded via BIOS or a specific operating
system-level tuning application
Intel® XMP compliant DIMMs available
– Supports all Intel Core i7, i5 Processors †
– Corsair*, G.Skil*, Kingston*, Patriot*, Crucial*
and others
– XMP Ready: Module has been programmed
Select XMP
profile via
System boots
with highest
supported
with an uncertified profile GOOD
enabled BIOS
or tuning app
and profile and
reset
– XMP Certified: Module has passed supplier
test and submission process for specific CPU
and motherboard BEST
JEDEC defined
parameters by
default
– Certifications posted at:
†CPU must support unlocked memory multiplier and be paired with
correct chipset. Intel XMP is overclocking
27
Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (Intel® XTU)
• Simple-to-use
Windows*
application
• Exposes CPU and
PCH knobs for
performance
tuning by user
• Real-time
adjustment of key
settings without
rebooting1
• Version 4.2 now
available for
download from
Intel or other
motherboard
suppliers †
†Motherboard BIOS must be configured correctly to work with XTU. Contact your motherboard supplier for more information.
1
Available select 3rd and 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor SKUs.
28
Intel® XTU and HWBot.org*
Combined Features
• Upload/Download overclocking
settings reliably
• Export/Import XTU overclocking
settings
• Compare benchmark scores and
configurations with others
• Link other benchmark scores to XTU
profiles
• Compete with others for higher
scores
• Integrated with existing social
networks: Facebook* and Twitter*
29
Live Demo:
Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility
v4.2 with AppTune Beta
Feature using a Intel® Core™
i7-4770K Processor
30
Live Demo:
SSD Overclocking Technology
31
Agenda
• Overclocking Theory and Trends
• High-end Desktop Overclocking Architecture
• Overclocking Design Tips
• Desktop and Mobile Overclocking Architecture
• Harnessing Overclocking
• Summary
32
Summary
• Intel® Core™ i7 Processors based on Socket LGA2011 offer
Core, DDR and BCLK overclocking experience on processors
with the highest core count and memory capacity
• Desktop and Mobile 4th Generation Intel Core processors offer
select SKUs with unlocked core, memory and graphics ratios
• Real-time overclocking offers an improved user experience for
content creation and gaming users
• The AppTune beta feature, in Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility v4.2,
is an exciting new way to tune system performance dynamically
and uniquely for each specific application
• Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of
the processor beyond its specifications
• For designers wanting to develop overclocking platforms,
documentation is available under NDA that details all tuning
knobs. Contact your Intel field representative.
33
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publicly announced for release. Customers, licensees and other third parties are not authorized by Intel to use code names in
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Intel, Core, Look Inside and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Copyright ©2013 Intel Corporation.
34
Legal Disclaimer
• Overclocking Disclaimer WARNING: Altering clock frequency and/or voltage may: (i) reduce system stability and useful
life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in
system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not
tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications. Intel assumes no responsibility
that the processor, including if used with altered clock frequencies and/or voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose.
• Overclocked Memory Warning: Altering PC memory frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and use
life of the system, memory and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause
reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data
integrity. Intel assumes no responsibility that the memory, included if used with altered clock frequencies and/or
voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose. Check with memory manufacturer for warranty and additional details.
• Overspeed Protection Removed Warning: Altering clock frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and
useful life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause
reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data
integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.
• Processor Numbering Notice: Intel processor numbers are not a measure of performance. Processor numbers
differentiate features within each processor family, not across different processor families: Go to:
• Intel® Turbo Boost Technology requires a system with Intel Turbo Boost Technology. Intel Turbo Boost Technology and
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 are only available on select Intel® processors. Consult your PC
manufacturer. Performance varies depending on hardware, software, and system configuration. For more information,
35
Risk Factors
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the following to be the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company’s expectations.
Demand could be different from Intel's expectations due to factors including changes in business and economic conditions;
customer acceptance of Intel’s and competitors’ products; supply constraints and other disruptions affecting customers; changes
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Rev. 7/17/13
36
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