As part of this review, we will describe how to overclock the i7-920. It will also consider its technical specifications and give recommendations for increasing the speed of a personal computer based on such a microprocessor. The information set forth below will allow the owners of such computing systems to significantly increase the speed of work by means of minimal material investments.
CPU Parameters
Before overclocking the Core i7-920, you need to consider its technical specifications. This chip was officially introduced in 2008 and was intended to be installed in the LGA1366 socket. The composition of this microprocessor included four computing cores. Thanks to HT technology, this CPU could simultaneously process up to 8 threads of program code.
The microprocessor consisted of one semiconductor crystal, which was produced according to technological standards of 45 nm. Its greatest power consumption was 130 W, and the maximum temperature was 67.9 0 C.
The system bus of the chip worked at a frequency of 133 MHz. However, its value can be changed in the BIOS. In the nominal mode, the minimum clock frequency was 2.66 GHz, and the largest - 2.93 GHz. The value of the multiplier of this chip could vary from 20 to 22. It is somehow impossible to go beyond this range. Therefore, the only way to increase the speed of the microprocessor in this case is to increase the frequency of the system bus. All other methods are blocked by the manufacturer.
Microprocessor
The CPU supply list includes the following components:
- Microprocessor in a protective box for transportation.
- User manual in a short version.
- Certificate of compliance with international standards of this electronic component.
- Warranty card.
- A regular cooler, in combination with which the overclocking of the i7-920 is unacceptable. It is designed only for the nominal operating mode of the CPU.
- Thermal grease for mounting a computer system.
The microprocessor package is typical and sufficient. But for the nominal operating mode of the CPU. If you plan to increase the clock frequency of the chip, then you need to use an improved cooling system. The rest of the above list is sufficient for the first launch of such a device and its further operation as part of a computer system.
PC package
Overclocking Intel i7-920 puts forward increased demands on the elements of the computing system. First of all, the computer motherboard should be full-format and based on reliable semiconductor elements. But since the LGA1366 platform was originally intended for the implementation of high-performance personal computers, all of its components without fail met this condition.
As previously noted, the standard microprocessor cooling system is excellent for use in nominal mode. In the case of increasing voltage and clock frequency, the CPU power consumption level increases. Therefore, in this case, the microprocessor should work in combination with an improved cooling system. An example of such a cooler is Noctua NH-U12P. When installing such a cooling system, it is also recommended to use improved thermal grease, for example, Thermaltake TT-1225T.
The maximum power consumption of the chip of this model should not exceed 130 watts. But this value is true for the nominal mode. In the case of acceleration, it can be exceeded. Therefore, the power supply must necessarily have a power margin. The minimum value in this case should be equal to 700 watts. But it is recommended to use those devices that are capable of delivering 900-1000 watts.
The RAM controller integrated in the CPU is three-channel. Therefore, in combination with such a chip, it is recommended to use special sets of modules that include three strips with the same frequencies. At the same time, their frequency should be 800 or 1066 MHz. When using faster RAM modules, the personal computer may become unstable.
Increased requirements are also being put forward to the computer case. The air must circulate perfectly inside it, additional fans must be installed in it for these purposes. Also, to obtain the maximum speed of the PC, it must be equipped with a solid state drive.
Acceleration technique. Sales order
Overclocking the i7-920 processor is as follows:
- To check the stability of the PC after increasing its speed, it is recommended to download and install diagnostic software on the computer, for example, the AIDA 64 software package.
- After turning on the PC, go to the BIOS. To do this, hold down the DEL key and after the interface of this system appears, release it.
- In the BIOS menu, select the MIT item and open it.
- Further in it we find the Advanced DRAM section. We enter into it.
- Then select Memory Multiplier. Lower its value from 8 to 6 using the Page Down button. Due to this, during overclocking, possible problems with RAM will be eliminated. We exit from this section of the BIOS menu, after saving the changes.
- In the next step, increase the CPU voltage. To do this, find the Advantage Voltage Control item in the menu and open it. Then you need to select Vcore. We translate it into Manual mode and force it to set the value to 1.424 V. This is the minimum limit at which any instance of such a processor will work stably. Again, save the changes.
- We return to the MIT section. In it we need to find the subclause BCLK Frequency. We increase it to 187 MHz. Save the changes again and exit the BIOS menu.
- After loading, we check the stability of the computing system using the AIDA 64 software package.
If necessary, you can increase the CPU voltage and system bus frequency. But not every chip of this model can work stably at their higher values.
Additional stability check
On this, the overclocking of the i7-920 is completely completed. But it is recommended to check the PC for stability. To do this, you need to run any resource-intensive software installed on the computer, and work for about three hours in it. If there are no problems, then you can leave the parameters of the system unit unchanged. Otherwise, we lower the frequency and voltage and test the stability of its operation again.
results
Overclocking the Intel Core i7-920 processor can increase its frequency to 3.8-4.2 GHz. Moreover, a number of factors affect the result. The latter include the cooling system, power supply, RAM modules and PC case. The better these elements are and the better they are organized, the more effective the result will be.
Feasibility of implementation
Overclocking Intel Core i7-920 can significantly increase the speed of the computing system. Moreover, as shown by the above results, the increase in speed can reach 15-20 percent. That is, the operation considered earlier is still relevant, it really can be performed.
Conclusion
Overclocking i7-920 was considered in this review material. This is a fairly simple operation, it can only be performed by increasing the frequency of the system bus of the PC motherboard. The results obtained make it possible to achieve even higher speed of the computer system. That is, the PC after performing such an operation will be able to solve even more time-consuming tasks.