Explain: Strap, BCLK, freq, and multiplyer?

Russell_PC

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Mar 13, 2012
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Hi everyone :)

Im fairly new to overclocking, as you can tell by this thread.
I have a slight understanding of how to OC but its pretty much limited to changing the multiplier, and then the vcore to stabilise it.

Id like to get familiar with the other important aspects of CPU overclocking

so if anyone could supply me with clear definitions on things such us bclk, stap, freq, etc
and explain what these things do, when to change them, how you change them, and why u change them.

I have an i7 3820 currently not OC, at stock 3.6ghz, and voltage of 1.25vcore.
Im cooling with the cooler master hyper 212, idling at 29 degrees, and 100% load at 45 degrees

thanks again everyone :)
your explanations, suggestions and definitions are very much appreciated!
 
When most are after the raw basic knowledge, Google is truly your best friend, our guides are written assuming you have the basic understanding of computer technology and BIOS terminology and settings.

We've entertained doing a BIOS guide 101 here and there are BIOS guides on the net, but most of them are behind since technology is changing so fast.

Terms regarding overclocking you asked about, BCLK (Base Clock) is the frequency the CPU is running.

For example the Intel Sandy Bridge i5 2500K BCLK is 100mhz (Megahertz).

The Multiplier is 33, X usually denotes the multiplier or 33X.

The chosen multiplier setting in this case the default multiplier is 33 multiplies the 100mhz BCLK.

100 X 33 = 3,300mhz or 3.3ghz (Gigahertz), and that is the end result speed the CPU is running at under those circumstances.

Overclocking is when those numbers are raised past their default settings to gain faster end results.

Since a 2500K sports an unlocked multiplier, to take advantage of the overclocking capabilities you increase the multiplier for higher output yields.

Say 40X X 100mhz = 4,000mhz or 4ghz, the new speed the CPU is set to run at.

The base clock is usually left at 100mhz with the Sandy Bridge K, because the base clock affects the operation of the entire motherboard and increasing it will lead to instability.

If you start with BCLK instability it increases when raising the multiplier level.

The best way to explain it is you need a solid foundation beneath you to be raising the multiplier to higher levels, because a shaky foundation is unstable, and the unstability increases as you raise the multiplier.

There are certain multiplier levels for an unlocked multiplier CPU that can be successfully run without increasing the voltage to the CPU (vcore), however the higher available CPU multiplier levels require vcore increases to acquire a stable overclock.

I suggest you study how to overclock the specific platform you are running, if overclocking is your intention.

I'm not trying to turn you away suggesting Google, sometimes it's better to seek out specific information using Google, most all of us did the same thing in the beginning of our own learning process.
 
wow thanks! :)
that is a huge help acutally. and thanks for making it so easy to understand.
so now I guess its time to get stuck into some research and expand on what uve told me here :)

thanks again you've set me off to a great start!
 


What a nice explanation <Ryan>, simple and concrete! +1