Updated: Tuning Cool'n'Quiet: Maximize Power And Performance

Voltage Ramps, Continued

Phenom II X3 710

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ClockCore Northbridge Voltage
1.6 GHz0.925V
1.7 GHz0.95V
1.8 GHz0.975V
1.9 GHz1.0V
2.2 GHz1.025V
2.3 GHz1.05V
2.4 GHz1.075V
2.6 GHz1.1V
2.695 GHz*1.125V
2.885 GHz*1.175V
2.940 GHz1.2V
3.06 GHz1.25V

* Overclocked: HT and northbridge 7 x 245 MHz

Phenom II X4 945

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ClockCore and Northbridge Voltage
1 GHz0.9V
1.9 GHz0.925V
2.5 GHz0.95V
2.6 GHz0.975V
2.7 GHz1.0V
2.8 GHz1.025V
2.9 GHz1.05V
3 GHz1.1V
3.13 GHz*1.125V
3.25 GHz*1.15V
3.38 GHz*1.2V
3.5 GHz*1.25V

* Overclocked: HT and northbridge 7 x 250 MHz

Phenom II X4 955

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ClockCore and Northbridge Voltage
2.4 GHz0.9V
2.5 GHz0.925V
2.9 GHz1.025V
3 GHz1.075V
3.6 GHz1.225V

Please note that these are synchronous voltage settings for both the core and northbridge. Obviously, with the right motherboard, you'll be able to tweak these settings further by choosing slightly lower core voltages. From our experience with these processors, you can reduce them by about 0.25V.

When overclocking the HyperTransport bus, you'll need to boost the northbridge voltage. Our sample Phenom II X3 710 would only work at 7 x 245 MHz with a voltage setting of 1.025V (compared to 1.0V for 1.9 GHz when not overclocked). And at 4 x 245 MHz, it needed 1.0V (compared to 0.925V for 1.6 GHz when not overclocked). In effect, the K10Stat setting for the processor looks like this:

Phenom II X3 710

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ClockCore and Northbridge Voltage
3 GHz1.25V
2.327 GHz1.05V
1.715 GHz1.025V
980 MHz1.0V

If you want to be able to have low power consumption and overclock at the same time, Black Edition processors with unlocked multipliers are your best bet.

  • DrgnRebrn
    Nice article! I'm curious to know if the "e" CPUs can be affected in the same way, such as the Phenom II X3 705e. I have chosen this CPU for a HTPC build because of it's already low 65W TDP. Also, what are the effect to power usage when using ACC features & enabling dormant cores?
    Reply
  • cyberkuberiah
    On the behalf of all readers , Welcome , and so to say , Hi! , Arnawa Widagda :)
    Reply
  • Inf3rnal
    I'd like to see same article about Intel i5/i7 power setting tweaking.
    Reply
  • razor512
    did any of these changes negatively effect performance?
    Reply
  • Very good article! Undervolting it's a great tweak to make and most of the people don't even know that it is possible as well as overvolting, getting a power efficient processor for no money! Thanks tom's for caring about this matter.
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    My old A64 3200+ is about to get this treatment
    Reply
  • autoimmune
    Inf3rnalI'd like to see same article about Intel i5/i7 power setting tweaking. O my GOD i bet the writers at Toms Hardware had not thought of that, and are not currently in the process of writing that article!
    Reply
  • whiz
    Oops!
    Reply
  • i love you guys. i have just the system that i am using as HTPC. i was wondering about ways to reduce the power usage as i dont use it for hardcore gaming or any other cpu intensive jobs. all i use it for watching blurays and tv and other movies and songs. i have an ASROCK 790gxh 128M mobo. and 1thlon x2 7750 kuma, that i bought from newegg for $59 (darn steal for the performance it gives. the machine has almost zero latency for any operation)
    Reply
  • Jerky_san
    Anyone know where to get k10stat?
    Reply