Boutique Graphics PCs Duke It Out

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.

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.