CPU-Z states that my CPU multiplier for my AMD II x4 965 is limited to 17

[TehZaman]

I want to overclock my CPU using the Multiplier method (because it is easier) but CPU-Z says that my Multiplier is limited to 17. Has something gone wrong? or is it just CPU-Z because the 965 is supposed to be an unlocked CPU.

http://imgur.com/TofQvTP

My PC specs are:

AMD II x4 965
GA-78LMT-USB3 Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 1333Mhz 4gb RAM

 

[firo40]

Does your bios restrict it to 17. I'm assuming your multiplier is at 17 in the bios and cpuz is reporting that

 

[TehZaman]

Does your bios restrict it to 17. I'm assuming your multiplier is at 17 in the bios and cpuz is reporting that

My multiplier is set to 17, yes. It's the stock multiplier for the 965 black edition. I don't know if my bios is restricting it to 17, how do I find out?

 

[lazyboy947]

Go into your bios, and something like tweaking or overclocking, and where it says multiplier it is either at auto or 17 as shown above, either change to manual and then u can change above or lower than 17. I have the board with a X4 945 if its Rev 5.0 like i do it has one bios so it is most likely able to be changed.

 

[TehZaman]

Go into your bios, and something like tweaking or overclocking, and where it says multiplier it is either at auto or 17 as shown above, either change to manual and then u can change above or lower than 17. I have the board with a X4 945 if its Rev 5.0 like i do it has one bios so it is most likely able to be changed.

When I go into the BIOS and then to the overclocking menu, I can change the multiplier above 17. My question now is, Why is CPU-Z saying (4-17)?

 

[lazyboy947]

Its the stock specs for the cpu the lowest clock i think is probably 800mhz(cool n quiet speed) and make being 3400mhz. multiplier x200 the bus speed. Even though u can touch the multiplier and bus speeds it is past the stock clocks and is no guarentee of any higher speeds with stock settings.

 

[TehZaman]

Its the stock specs for the cpu the lowest clock i think is probably 800mhz(cool n quiet speed) and make being 3400mhz. multiplier x200 the bus speed. Even though u can touch the multiplier and bus speeds it is past the stock clocks and is no guarentee of any higher speeds with stock settings.

So it is saying 4-17 because I have "cool n quiet" enabled?

 

[lazyboy947]

No it shows 4-17 because its the possible multiplier range at stock settings, the only reason i mentioned cool n quiet is because its clock speed when turned on underclocks to 800mhz so may be the lowest possible range being the 4 multiplier. So at stock the possible range to move the multiplier is 4 to 17. the number before that is the actual current multiplier number

 

[TehZaman]

No it shows 4-17 because its the possible multiplier range at stock settings, the only reason i mentioned cool n quiet is because its clock speed when turned on underclocks to 800mhz so may be the lowest possible range being the 4 multiplier. So at stock the possible range to move the multiplier is 4 to 17. the number before that is the actual current multiplier number

When you say "stock settings" what do you mean by that?

 

[lazyboy947]

the spec that AMD puts the processor at to sell it. So out of the box, put into a motherboard it will run at 17 multiplier x200 bus speed to get 3400mhz clock speed at the set voltage and vast variety of other settings. Every cpu is different even in the Phenom II x4 line, the 965 like urs has a 17 multiplier, the 945 my friend has, is set at a 15 multiplier, and the high end 980 x4 has a 18.5 multiplier. All the same cpu just with a different factory clock speed.

This factory clock speed or base clock is for different pricing etc for amd and sometimes they cannot reach the speeds of the higher end cpus at "stock settings" so they get binned or put as a different chip. Taking your X4 965 from 3400mhz to a lower clock in the bios either by the fsb or multiplier is underclocking your 4-17 range, and upping the fsb or multiplier past the stock is overclocking and not supported by amd.

 

[TehZaman]

the spec that AMD puts the processor at to sell it. So out of the box, put into a motherboard it will run at 17 multiplier x200 bus speed to get 3400mhz clock speed at the set voltage and vast variety of other settings. Every cpu is different even in the Phenom II x4 line, the 965 like urs has a 17 multiplier, the 945 my friend has, is set at a 15 multiplier, and the high end 980 x4 has a 18.5 multiplier. All the same cpu just with a different factory clock speed.

This factory clock speed or base clock is for different pricing etc for amd and sometimes they cannot reach the speeds of the higher end cpus at "stock settings" so they get binned or put as a different chip. Taking your X4 965 from 3400mhz to a lower clock in the bios either by the fsb or multiplier is underclocking your 4-17 range, and upping the fsb or multiplier past the stock is overclocking and not supported by amd.

So the 4-17 just states what multipliers I can be between to stay within AMD's stock settings? But how come this isn't the case for other 965 owners using CPU-Z? http://hothardware.com/articleimages/Item1362/small_cpu-z-1.jpg

 

[lazyboy947]

I really dont know about that specific one but my 8320 which is overclocked shows 7-20 which im not sure y it shows that as it is overclocked but stock is 3500mhz and 20 would go to 4000mhz, and so does my friends stock non overclocked fx 8320. That 4-17 for you does not mean thats the only range you can go with that cpu. its an unlocked cpu and with that board you are allowed to raise it.

 

[TehZaman]

I really dont know about that specific one but my 8320 which is overclocked shows 7-20 which im not sure y it shows that as it is overclocked but stock is 3500mhz and 20 would go to 4000mhz, and so does my friends stock non overclocked fx 8320. That 4-17 for you does not mean thats the only range you can go with that cpu. its an unlocked cpu and with that board you are allowed to raise it.

So this just might be CPU-Z part just telling us the range from our current settings?

 

[lazyboy947]

Thats what it looks like, the number not in parentheses your "17" is what it is currently set to which is the important part.

 

[TehZaman]

Thats what it looks like, the number not in parentheses your "17" is what it is currently set to which is the important part.

If I overclock, I'd get a new range that relates to my new overclock settings, correct?

 

[lazyboy947]

Probably not, but that range doesnt effect anything. it most likely is the stock settings that is all. With my case i have my 8320 overclocked to 4ghz which is my top number but my current multiplier is not there. So most likely my cpu and my friends that both show 7-20 one is overclocked and one is not, is the range for the fx 8350 and the 8320 is a underclocked version of that cpu.

The range most likely will not change with an overclock or underclock, as i said the number outside the parentheses is the current multiplier and is the important one and the range is most likely for stock settings and has no use when overclocking what so ever.

 

[lazyboy947]

Just figured out y my range shows 20 and its because the FX line and AMDs APU line have a turbo speed and it will auto up the multiplier to a higher clock and my 8320 is up to 4ghz a x20 multiplier. my a8 5600k has a stock of 3600mhz and a turbo to 3900 and the multiplier range is 7-39 as the bus speed is 100mhz instead of 200mhz