AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE max overclock

danball1976danball1976 Wichita Falls, TX
edited January 2010 in Hardware
Ok, I was playing around with how much I could overclock my X3 720 Black Edition via the multiplier. I've never liked messing with bus speeds to overclock the CPU.

Seems best overclock over 2.8GHz is 3.6GHz (18 x 200 @ 1.4v [+.075v]). I tried 3.8GHz at 1.45v (+0.125v) (didn't go any higher on the volts because I didn't want to damage the processor), and kept getting BSOD's. I used the AMD Overdrive utility as well, ran the stability test at 3.6GHz for 10 minutes and it passed, never could get it to pass at 3.8GHz. I figure I can run it at 3.4GHz with no voltage increase as a compromise for more stability

Attatched is CPU-Z at 3.6GHz.

Comments

  • Cliff_ForsterCliff_Forster Icrontian
    edited May 2009
    danball1976 wrote:
    Ok, I was playing around with how much I could overclock my X3 720 Black Edition via the multiplier. I've never liked messing with bus speeds to overclock the CPU.

    Seems best overclock over 2.8GHz is 3.6GHz (18 x 200 @ 1.4v [+.075v]). I tried 3.8GHz at 1.45v (+0.125v) (didn't go any higher on the volts because I didn't want to damage the processor), and kept getting BSOD's. I used the AMD Overdrive utility as well, ran the stability test at 3.6GHz for 10 minutes and it passed, never could get it to pass at 3.8GHz. I figure I can run it at 3.4GHz with no voltage increase as a compromise for more stability

    Attatched is CPU-Z at 3.6GHz.

    I use the same CPU and on air, I experience very similar limitations. You can play with the bus speed a little, especially if you have good overclock able ram, and perhaps get it to 3.7, hitting 3.8 stable has been impossible for me, 3.6 easy, 3.7 with a little work, 3.8 I just can't get it there.
  • danball1976danball1976 Wichita Falls, TX
    edited May 2009
    I'm curious, if these CPU's can get to 3.6GHz with no problems, why don't they sell speed grades past 3.2GHz?

    However, I'm fine with 3.6GHz.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited May 2009
    Because you boosted the voltage and used extra cooling to get there.
  • MrTigernangMrTigernang
    edited May 2009
    danball1976 wrote:
    Ok, I was playing around with how much I could overclock my X3 720 Black Edition via the multiplier. I've never liked messing with bus speeds to overclock the CPU.

    Seems best overclock over 2.8GHz is 3.6GHz (18 x 200 @ 1.4v [+.075v]). I tried 3.8GHz at 1.45v (+0.125v) (didn't go any higher on the volts because I didn't want to damage the processor), and kept getting BSOD's. I used the AMD Overdrive utility as well, ran the stability test at 3.6GHz for 10 minutes and it passed, never could get it to pass at 3.8GHz. I figure I can run it at 3.4GHz with no voltage increase as a compromise for more stability

    Attatched is CPU-Z at 3.6GHz.

    Oh great ! What mobo did u use to overclock 720 BE ?
  • danball1976danball1976 Wichita Falls, TX
    edited May 2009
    The GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P (rev. 1.0)
  • jedihobbitjedihobbit Central Virginia, USA New
    edited January 2010
    Curious if there is anymore to this as I've gotten two systems with 720s to the same wall and actually backed one down to 3.5 and the other to 3.6??
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2010
    3.6GHz is about the upper limit of tri-core Phenoms. Some of the quads go up to 3.8, but yeah.
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