BIOS and Overclocking
FSB Frequency | 133 - 720 MHz (1 MHz) |
Clock Multiplier Adjustment | Yes |
DRAM Frequency | All Intel Ratios (by boot strap) |
PCIe Clock | 100.00 - 109.24 MHz (1.32 MHz) |
CPU Vcore | 1.2875 - 1.6000 Volts (0.0125 Volts) |
CPU FSB Voltage | 1.100 - 1.500 Volts (0.025 Volts) |
Northbridge (MCH) | 1.250 - 1.700 Volts (0.025 Volts) |
Southbridge (ICH) | Tied to MCH |
DRAM Voltage | 1.50 - 2.50 Volts (0.04 Volts) |
CAS Latency Range | tCAS: 5-10; tRCD: 3-11; tRP: 3-11; tRAS: 9-28 |
Intel has moved quite a distance from its previous position when it likened overclocking to thievery, as the company now provides a full set of adjustments for its high-flying DX48BT2 motherboard. Insane settings are available, such as FSB clocks up to 720MHz and a 1.600V maximum core voltage that can be extended to 1.900V by enabling the “CPU Voltage Offset” setting.
We found that the CPU Voltage Override (core voltage adjustment) did not work, however, as our Core 2 Duo E6850 retail CPU was always stuck at 1.35V. Enabling the CPU Voltage Offset did push it to 1.65V, but no software would detect the increase. We relied on a voltmeter to test these functions.
Intel even offers the GTL Reference voltage adjustment so highly sought after in top overclocking motherboard models.
All of the major memory timings are adjustable, as well as a few of the less familiar values. Intel doesn’t provide individual “automatic” modes for each setting, however.