Choosing The Right Components

The level of success achieved through overclocking will depend heavily on the specific components in your system. For starters, you need to choose a processor with the (ideally) proven potential to run at higher speeds than those set by the manufacturer. AMD currently offers a number of CPUs known to have significant headroom built-in, and its “Black Edition” processors are directly aimed at enthusiasts by providing the benefits of a fully-unlocked multiplier. We tested four chips from different pockets of the company's product portfolio to help illustrate the procedures involved in overclocking each one.

The key to successful processor overclocking is pairing the device with components that are also geared for the task. Choosing a capable motherboard and an overclocking-friendly BIOS is crucial to success. We will use a pair of Asus M3A78-T (790GX + 750SB) motherboards that not only give us ample controls in the BIOS, but that also offer Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) and access to AMD’s OverDrive Utility--central when it comes to getting the most out of a Phenom, specifically.  

Having the right system memory is also important when looking to maximize performance through overclocking. If possible, we recommend pairing high-performance DDR2 memory that is capable of exceeding 1,066 MHz with an AM2+ motherboard and 45 nm or 65 nm Phenom processors that support DDR2-1066.   

The frequencies and voltages increased when overclocking do come at the expense of added power consumption, so you’ll want to make sure to have a name-brand power supply with clean, stable voltages and enough reserve amperage to meet the heightened demands. An insufficient or aging power supply that is already loaded near its limit will likely hamper any overclocking efforts.

Increased frequencies, voltages, and power consumption will, of course, raise heat levels too, so system and CPU cooling will have a direct effect on overclocking results. Our intentions are not to set any overclocking or performance records with this demonstration, and we will just use modest $20-$25 air coolers for our CPUs.  

This is a strictly a “How-To” guide, intended to help those with limited overclocking experience embark on the fun and rewarding adventure of overclocking their Phenom II, Phenom, or Athlon X2 processors. Hopefully, we will convey enough tips to allow those interested in overclocking to begin unlocking the hidden performances within their systems.