CPU-Z
Below is the relevant info from CPU-Z, a handy freeware tool for getting detailed information about the current state of your CPU, motherboard and RAM.
|
|
|
This gives a bit more info, including the code name (Deneb), the supported instruction sets, and details about the relevant clock speeds. No major surprises here.
Overclocking
Traditionally, overclocking has been a troublesome, time-consuming process involving frequent visits to the BIOS setup screen, just-as-frequent stability tests with programs like Prime95, and the occasional fried component.
While the danger of dead hardware is still present, the tedium of trial-and-error can be lessened here with the use of AMD’s OverDrive utility, which can be gotten on their website. This tool allows for quick access to all relevant settings, including clock speeds, voltages, RAM timings and fan controls. Of particular interest, however, is the Auto Clock tool. With just a few clicks, it will begin making the most common adjustments for increased performance, including CPU core clock and voltages. It will also run a short but thorough stability test after each increment, allowing you to identify the point where the system becomes unstable.
Using this tool, and forbidding voltage adjustments, I was able to achieve a stable core clock of 220 MHz, resulting in a CPU speed of 2.86 GHz. This puts it on par with the somewhat more expensive Phenom II X4 925, and at a lower power draw. More adventurous tweakers may be able to achieve better results by boosting core voltage and adjusting the clock speed on a per-core basis, which can all be done from the OverDrive tool.
Do you peferr Intel over AMD or vice versa. I peferr Intel still even though AMD is clearly starting to give them a run for their money. I don’t particularly like Asus boards. I had bad experiences with Asus in the past. I peferr MSI, Intel, and Gigabyte.