Thursday, July 7th 2011
A8-3850 Has Ineffective BClk Multiplier
"Empty Overclocking" is a term we just made up, to describe unreal overclocking headroom that does not translate into any performance improvements, with AMD's A8-3850 APU. This chip can be set to run at base clock multiplier value above 29x on some motherboards, that will increase clock speed being reported to you, but that "increased" clock speed will not translate to any performance improvements at all.
This means that the multiplier is ineffective in driving the clock above its maximum default value. So the next time you see screenshots screaming something like "6.00 GHz" on air with the base clock at its default 100 MHz, don't be fooled, trust only those overclocking feats in which the multiplier is set at the maximum default (29.0x) or lesser, and in which the overclocker has increased the base clock among other things.
Update: It seems like AMD is aware of the issue, and forewarned reviewers about it. Apparently a glitch in the BIOS code allows the users to "set" higher multiplier values than the chip can respond to, even as the chip doesn't run at those values. Utilities like CPU-Z read those BIOS-set values and display the effective clock speed, even as the actual clock speed doesn't budge. AMD recommends only the base clock increase method for overclocking. As always, AMD warned that overclocked chips are not covered by product warranties. Perhaps future BIOS updates by motherboard vendors will fix this bug.
Sources:
OCWorkbench, Newegg.com
This means that the multiplier is ineffective in driving the clock above its maximum default value. So the next time you see screenshots screaming something like "6.00 GHz" on air with the base clock at its default 100 MHz, don't be fooled, trust only those overclocking feats in which the multiplier is set at the maximum default (29.0x) or lesser, and in which the overclocker has increased the base clock among other things.
59 Comments on A8-3850 Has Ineffective BClk Multiplier
Joking aside I wonder the same thing myself.:confused:
Almost 100% (repectively cpu test ) performance increase anyone?
hwbot.org/forum/showpost.php?p=120967&postcount=2
Damn, this is a really stupid bug and one which could bring their products into disrepute, especially with uninformed and ignorant users and reviewers who will spread misinformation. Also, unsrcrupulous sellers will try to hoodwink clueless buyers.
Fix it quick, AMD and give Intel some competition for once.
THEN OCED
It can be with an option but this is all via registers and thus can be done in software.
My only concern is making it easy for the majority and it's in the works.
i am with you on that churchnit.
BTW i am sin0822, if you are wondering.
It changes the default multi string from 16x-47X ( IIRC thats the lowest to highest) to 32X-63X.
That is 31 possible multies. And the default is 29x which is 13 multis above the lowest.
Now if it was applied, the multipliers would shift to the high range but it would get applied once again to 13 multis above lowest which is 32X+13 = 45X so 4500 mhz which would certainly crash the system.
So that said it's a little more complicated as the range and lowest base multiplier both must be applied at same time.
32x aka 3200mhz should apply fine however even with no voltage applied.
There may be some other issues to however unless users purchased locked parts, that I can't help with.
that is pretty cool btw, i hope AMD takes note and makes it standard, it will help them with APU sales definitely. Multiplier OCing like sandybridge with the same high frequencies?
Honestly i really enjoyed playing with the APu system, but other reviewers hated it. I think they were just expecting to much.
Not sure about hitting sandy speeds at the same temps but yes on the extreme side of things and with the process refined more who knows.
AMD Llano costs 130$ and something. while the Core i7 2600k costs around 300$ and can't even come close in terms of gaming performance. Don't get me wrong, we all know what a core i7 is, a great cpu. But in a laptop, I would take a llano over the other if I'm considering gaming and battery life.
But talking about the desktop llano, I would really love:
1-Black Edition
2-Six cores model. And why not, eight core model.
3-integrated Dual GPU (or bigger GPU, yeah I think it will work way better)
4-keep price under 200 for all the above.
2= not realistic especially due to TDP and heat.
3= not realistic part 1, and 2 the gpu is actually very strong, the problem is TDP.
4= N/A due to 2 and 3.
The news article covers retail A8-3850, which do not (and are not supposed to) have an upwards unlocked multiplier. Even if the BIOS allows you to set multi above 29x, the chip doesn't actually respond to it, and keeps running at 29x.
So no, the news is entirely true.
"Empty Overclocking" is a term we just made up, to describe unreal overclocking headroom that does not translate into any performance improvements, with AMD's A8-3850 APU. This chip has an upwards unlocked base clock (BClk) multipler. Setting it above the factory default will increase clock speed (at least the clock speed that's reported to you), but that "increased" clock speed will not translate to any performance improvements at all."
I'm confused now.
You just told me that they do not nor are they supposed to have an upwards multiplier......
But the article states it does........
Either way the ball bounces here what is stated is not entirely true still................