Boutique Graphics PCs Duke It Out

Features
By published

System Settings

Frequencies And Voltages

Both AVA Direct and Digital Storm provide a custom overclocking service to squeeze every ounce of performance possible from their systems. As with all overclocked systems, BIOS configurations are the key to increased performance and stability. As in other reviews, we have included a table of some of these BIOS settings, so that you can get an idea of how far they can push their systems without potentially damaging them. Please note that proper cooling is essential for any overclocking procedure, to maximize the life and stability of the hardware. You should not attempt to overclock your system with these settings without at least similar cooling solutions to those made by these system vendors.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Setting AVA Direct Digital Storm
CPU Frequency3.50 GHz3.66 GHz
CPU Multiplier9X11X
FSB (Effective Frequency)389 MHz (FSB1556)333 MHz (FSB1333)
Ratio of Memory to FSB1:18:5
Memory Frequency (Effective)389 MHz (DDR2-778)533 MHz (DDR2-1066)
Graphics Core Frequency612 MHz655 MHz
Graphics Memory Frequency1080 MHz (GDDR3-2160)1125 MHz (GDDR3-2250)
CPU Core Voltage1.48Row 7 - Cell 2
CPU FSB Voltage1.38Row 8 - Cell 2
Memory Voltage2.19Row 9 - Cell 2
nForce SPP1.4Row 10 - Cell 2
nForce MCP1.5Row 11 - Cell 2

The AVA Direct system's FSB was overclocked by 46% from 266 MHz to 389 MHz, taking the CPU from 2.40 GHz to 3.50 GHz. The memory was greatly underclocked, by 37%, from 533 MHz to 389 MHz to run synchronously with the FSB (1:1 Memory to FSB ratio).

Intel's multiplier-unlocked Core 2 Extreme QX6850 processor allowed Digital Storm to increase the multiplier from 9x to 11x, resulting in a moderate 22% CPU overclock with no alterations to the standard FSB to DRAM clock ratios.