What is AMD OverDrive and how to use it

AMD OverDrive - what kind of program is it?

AMD OverDrive is a free processor overclocking program that is included with the purchase of most AMD components. The main task of the program is to safely “upgrade” the central processing unit (CPU) even if the user does not have a sufficient level of knowledge.

1. Ease of use.
2. Wide range of possibilities for editing CPU parameters.
3. Works with all AMD microchips.
4. Simple and clear appearance .
5. Availability of additional testing functions .

In addition, OverDrive provides the user with the ability to create different accounts for specific applications, can adjust the overclocking of the cooler and the power consumption of the video card , and allows you to customize the graphics part of the computer.

You can download AMD OverDrive from the official resource absolutely free.

OPEN HARDWARE MONITOR

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Free program

The Open Hardware Monitor program was originally created to monitor the operation of all important computer components, including the rotation speed of both main and additional coolers. But this utility also has a function that allows you to manually control the fans.

The function for adjusting the speed of coolers (Controls) is located in the section of the main window that provides monitoring data for a specific device. Those. if it is a CPU fan, then the option to control its speed will be located in the section with the name of the CPU model, if it is a video card, then in the section with the name of the video adapter. If the “Controls” function is missing in a particular section, this means that the device does not have support for controlling the cooler or the program itself does not support a specific model of motherboard, video card, etc.

To control fans from Open Hardware Monitor:

• Find the line “Controls” in the section with the device name.
• If this is, for example, a video card, right-click on the “GPU Fan” option, open the “Control” submenu, then “Manual” and in it select the desired rotation speed as a percentage.

Program installation

Before installing the application, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, otherwise there is a possibility of problems. The simplest one is that the program simply won’t see the processor, the most serious one is that the utility will interfere with the operation of the CPU, after which it will crash and work will not proceed correctly.

First of all, you should check the processor version . The processor overclocking program supports versions: HUDSON D3, or simpler 770, 780, 785, 890G, 790, 990X, 790,890GX, 790, 890, 990FX.

If the processor is in the list of suitable options, then you can proceed to the next step - setting up the BIOS. In the parameters you should disable :

• Cool'n'Quiet;
• C1E (may be called Enhanced Halt State on some models);
• Spread Spectrum;
• Smart CPU Fan Control;

After the preparatory procedures, you can proceed to installation. You should download the distribution and run the installation program. A warning from AMD on the main screen

It talks about the consequences of incorrect use of the application, which can lead to damage to the motherboard, central processor and other elements. The developer also states that after confirmation, the user takes full responsibility for the impact of the utility on the operation of the computer. After clicking OK, the installation will continue.

SetFSB

This utility is suitable for owners of modern computers who want to squeeze even more power out of their machine. Therefore, SetFSB is simply an excellent program for overclocking other devices from the same series, the frequency of which is limited by default by the manufacturer. In addition, the utility is compatible with almost all modern motherboards, which makes it truly universal.

Another benefit of SetFSB is that any changes you make will be reset when you restart your computer until you save them. This way, you can test the operation of the processor after overclocking and only then, making sure that it is functioning without failures, confirm the changes made. Simply put, even if you overdo it and your PC reboots, unable to withstand the increased load, all settings will be reset to factory settings.

How to use the program

When you start AMD OverDrive, the following menu appears on the screen.

This window provides basic information regarding all components of the computer. On the left side of the window there is a menu that allows you to go to other subsections. To overclock the processor, you need to go to the Clock/ Voltage , since all further actions take place there.

The standard overclocking mode involves simply moving the slider next to the desired parameter to the right.

For users who have Turbo technology , you should first click on the green button – “ Core Control ”. After this, a menu will open in which you need to check the box “ Enable Turbo Core ”, and then start overclocking.

The principle of overclocking a processor is the same as that of a video card. Some recommendations:

1. The slider must be moved smoothly without taking large steps. Each change should be saved by clicking the “ Apply ” button.
2. After each action, it is recommended to test the system performance .
3. Monitor the heating temperature (this is done using the “ Status Monitor ” - “ CPU Monitor ” tab).
4. When accelerating, you should not focus on the extreme position of the slider on the right. In some cases, being at this point will not only not help in increasing productivity, but will simply harm the computer . Sometimes the first step is enough to overclock your computer.

Over Drive utility

How to use the PC configurator (dns)
Over Drive is a free application for AMD 64 that has quite a lot of power. It is available for download on the official website of this company. Page where you can install the application After the initial start of the program, a dialog box opens on the screen. It provides users with information that they bear full responsibility for actions that may result in failure of the processor. After familiarizing yourself with it, access to the main page of this program opens.

Scheme of actions for overclocking a microprocessor:

• on the left side, open a special item called Clock Voltage;

Basic functions and settings

The AMD OverDrive processor overclocking program allows you to:

1. Accelerate GPU , namely:
2. Activate/deactivate some parameters. In this section of the menu you can also view the operating parameters of the video card.
3. Limit your electricity consumption . When power consumption is high, the graphics card operates at a higher frequency and the transfer from the CPU to the graphics processing unit (GPU) is synchronized faster. The lower consumption value gives minimum performance, with low cooler noise and temperature.
4. Set the operating frequency . You cannot adjust the frequency in laptops that operate only on battery power. In this menu, you can adjust the operation of the entire GPU by increasing the clock frequency.
5. Edit video card temperature . The standard temperature value is 95 degrees. Increasing the value will improve performance, but there is a possibility of failure due to overheating. To do this, go to the menu “ Performance ” – “ Frequency control or Games ” – “ Performance in games ”.
6. Adjust the speed of the cooler blades . If there is severe overheating, you can also change the fan speed. However, it should be taken into account that setting a high clock frequency and a low speed of the cooler is impossible, since these values ​​directly depend on each other.
7. Reset and force various settings . If the settings of the video card, in the user’s opinion, were performed incorrectly, then all parameters can be restored to default. To do this, go to the menu “ Graphics Settings ” – “ Forcibly set the maximum performance frequency ” – “ Disable ”.
8. Adjust CPU operation.
9. View information about your computer .
10. Edit the operation of the cores and the entire processor in automatic or manual modes.

Using AIDA64

In the AIDA64 program you can view all the characteristics of your computer hardware. It is distributed on a paid basis, but the developers provide a 30-day trial period. Downloading the installation package is available on the official website.

After installation and launch you must:

Expand the “Computer” section and go to “Sensors”. Pay attention to the “Temperature” column – the indicators there are important when overclocking an AMD processor. The temperature for each core should not exceed 70 degrees, otherwise you need to reduce the processor frequency.

Go to “Overclocking”

The line “CPU frequency” indicates the percentage by which it will be possible to safely increase the frequency. The initial value of the indicator is hidden in the trial version, but we can see it in the AMD OverDrive program, which will be discussed below.

Common problems

There are 2 main problems when using the program:

• amd overdrive does not see the processor ;
• does not overclock the processor;

Often, the problem lies in the preparatory stage - either the processor is not on the service list, or not all BIOS settings have been edited. You can also update your motherboard drivers to solve problems.

In most cases, updating drivers solves problems.

Modern programs and games require high technical characteristics from computers. Not everyone can afford to purchase new processors, since this often means purchasing a compatible motherboard, RAM, and power supply. You can get a free performance boost only through competent and thoughtful overclocking of the GPU and CPU. For overclocking, owners of AMD processors are encouraged to use the AMD OverDrive program, specially designed for this purpose, developed by the same manufacturer.

The most important parameter is frequency

As we said above, the performance of a processor is determined mainly by its frequency. But this is far from the only parameter of this kind. There are also other important frequencies:

— north bridge;

- RAM;

— HyperTransport channel (used in most modern AMD processors).

The basic rule regarding the frequency ratio: the value for the northbridge should be identical to that set for HyperTransport (or a little more). With memory, everything is somewhat more complicated (but we will not overclock it in this case, so we do not take into account the nuances associated with RAM now).

As such, the frequency for each of the specified components is calculated using a simple formula. The multiplier set for a specific microcircuit is taken, and then the product of it and the so-called base frequency is calculated. The user can change both parameters in the BIOS settings.

Having completed a short theoretical excursion, we move on to practice.

Overclocking an AMD processor using AMD OverDrive

Make sure your processor is supported by this proprietary program. The chipset must be one of the following: AMD 770, 780G, 785G, 790FX/790GX/790X, 890FX/890G//890GX, 970, 990FX/990X, A75, A85X (Hudson-D3/D4), otherwise you will need to use the application you can't. Additionally, you may need to go into the BIOS and disable some options there:

• “Cool'n'Quiet” - if the overclocking power approaches 4000 MHz;
• "C1E" (may be called "Enhanced Halt State");
• "Spread Spectrum";
• "Smart CPU Fan Control".

Set all these parameters to “Disable”. If you do not disable some of these items, it is possible that OverDrive will not see or be unable to overclock.

We remind you! Rash decisions can lead to fatal consequences. All responsibility lies entirely with you. Approach overclocking only with complete confidence in what you are doing.

The installation process of the program is as simple as possible and boils down to confirming the installer’s actions. After downloading and running the installation file, you will see the following warning:

ClockGen

KlockGen is a program that, unlike the previous one, is not as beautiful or convenient, but the main thing is that it is functional. In comparison with many small analogues, it is of interest because it works not only with the FSB bus, but also with the processor and RAM. For high-quality overclocking, there is also the ability to monitor temperature changes. The lightweight and compact utility supports many motherboards and PLLs, does not take up space on your hard drive and does not load the system.

But not everything is so wonderful: there is no Russian language again, and ClockGen itself has not been supported by its creator for a long time, so new and even relatively new components are incompatible with it. But old computers can be overclocked so that they get a second life.

Overclocking an AMD Radeon video card using Wattman (OverDrive)?

In this article we will tell you how to overclock Radeon video cards using the standard tools included in the Wattman or OverDrive driver package.

Dust removal

Before you start doing anything, I advise you to open the computer case and first clean the video card and CPU from dust, as this can greatly affect the degree of overclocking.

This procedure should be performed at least once every three months, especially for pet owners.

Update drivers and other software

Absolutely any manufacturer recommends installing the latest versions of the software, since with each new version there are some improvements and bug fixes.

After you download and update the AMD driver, it is also worth downloading and installing a program called 3DMARK, in which we will test the ability of the video card to “keep” overclocking.

• Download 3DMARK
• Let's move on to overclocking the video card!

Overclocking an AMD Radeon video card

1. Go to Radeon Settings
2. Next to the “Games” section
3. Go to “Global Settings”
4. Go to “Global Wattman (OverDrive)”
5. The first thing you need to do is increase the power consumption of the video card, otherwise overclocking will fail. Find the "Power Limit" section and move the slider to the right and click "Apply"
6. Next, we can begin overclocking the video memory (Memory) and video core (GPU). To do this, find these items and GRADUALLY raise the frequency of the core and memory (you can adjust everything together or separately). After a slight increase, click the “Apply” button
7. Then go to 3DMARK and start testing, if you suddenly start to notice picture freezes, artifacts or a “blue screen of death”, then the video card is working at its peak and you need to reduce the frequency on the core or memory, or all together. Repeat testing. If no flaws were noticed in the video, then you can increase the frequencies and test again until you get the video card to work at its limit!

How to overclock a monitor using an AMD Radeon video card?

In addition to overclocking your AMD graphics card, you can also overclock your monitor. To do this you need:

1. Go to the “Display” section and then click “Create” custom resolution
2. Slowly increase the “Screen refresh rate” in 1 GHz increments and press and then “Save”

Do you still have additional questions? Ask them in the comments, tell us what worked for you or vice versa!

That's all! Stay with the Android +1 , it will be even more interesting! Read more articles and instructions in the section Articles and Android Hacks .

Opportunities to improve speed

Overclocking a CPU is defined as making changes to its characteristics and settings to operate at higher frequencies than the manufacturer intended.

But in order to overclock the processor, it must have a certain “reserve”.

Old chips, in the 1990s and early 2000s, were released already overclocked and could not be accelerated. Modern CPUs are produced with a safety margin, ensuring increased reliability of the part. When marking a processor, numbers are applied to it that are approximately 10-15% less than its maximum frequency - for example, 2.7 GHz instead of 3.0.

There are known cases when the size of the “reserve” reached 50%. For example, single-processor AMD chips, whose frequencies could reach 350-400 MHz, were sold as cheap processors over 200 MHz. Taking into account the safety margin, they could be overclocked even to 450 MHz.

Now the manufacturer leaves users the opportunity to overclock processors using the BIOS, changing several basic characteristics.

They also use special software for this. The first method, using the BIOS, is considered more reliable, allowing you to easily return the settings to the original ones. But it is also more difficult to use.