Monday, December 14th 2015
Rejoice! Base Clock Overclocking to Make a Comeback with "Skylake"
Since Intel fully integrated the core logic (northbridge) with its processors, overclocking them by tinkering with the base-clock (BClk, the primary clock domain from which the CPU's clock speed is set using multipliers), became unstable, as it was used as a cadence for other key components on the chip, such as iGPU and PCIe root-complex. Apparently, with its 6th generation Core "Skylake" processors, Intel has de-linked base-clock from other clock domains, re-enabling overclocking using BClk, which is particularly helpful on non-K (upwards multiplier locked) SKUs.
Some of the first motherboards that enable BClk overclocking on Skylake CPUs come from Supermicro, the server/workstation motherboard maker that's dipping its toes into DIY enthusiast platforms these days. "Dhenzjhen," an overclocker from the Philippines struck gold by achieving a 5.00 GHz overclock on a Core i3-6320 dual-core chip, using a Supermicro C7H170-M motherboard (which is driven by an Intel H170 chipset). Shortly after news of this feat broke, ASRock fired an email to the press, stating that its Z170 Extreme7+ motherboard is able to support 4.50 GHz clocks on a Core i5-6600 quad-core chip, using an experimental BIOS. ASRock is validating this BIOS internally, and hopes to release it "very soon."
Source:
The TechReport
Some of the first motherboards that enable BClk overclocking on Skylake CPUs come from Supermicro, the server/workstation motherboard maker that's dipping its toes into DIY enthusiast platforms these days. "Dhenzjhen," an overclocker from the Philippines struck gold by achieving a 5.00 GHz overclock on a Core i3-6320 dual-core chip, using a Supermicro C7H170-M motherboard (which is driven by an Intel H170 chipset). Shortly after news of this feat broke, ASRock fired an email to the press, stating that its Z170 Extreme7+ motherboard is able to support 4.50 GHz clocks on a Core i5-6600 quad-core chip, using an experimental BIOS. ASRock is validating this BIOS internally, and hopes to release it "very soon."
89 Comments on Rejoice! Base Clock Overclocking to Make a Comeback with "Skylake"
...and I thought you were talking cache anyway?
#1 I have a BIOS to unlock non K SKu OC on asrock's mini ITX board which doesnt' have a dedicated clock generator.
#2 You dont' need a dedicated external clock generator to OC BLCK, you only need it if you want to OC BLCK really well (intel says above 250 needs a dedicated external, otherwise the PCH provides both the BLCK and the DMI/PCi-E seperatly).
AnandTech is going to review this overclocking functionality with a raised bclk when the new mobo arrives, so it will be interesting to see what performance gains they get, both with the core and the memory speed.
www.anandtech.com/show/9848/bclk-overclocking-intels-non-k-skylake-processors-coming-soon
sales volumes are always more at at the cheaper price levels.. this volume is met by artificially restricting chip performance to match demand.. its all pretty simple..
folks aint gonna buy the more expensive part if the cheaper part with few clicks of a mouse performs just as well.. intel lose nothing with multiplyer unlocked K parts because they are the most expensive parts anyway.. they will lose if folks can make the less expensive parts go faster.. it buggers up the entire pricing structure..
intel try and give the impression they are in favour of "overclocking" and providing its only done with the most expensive parts they are happy bunnies.. they wont be happy with this latest news.. he he
its worth adding that there is no true competition between the two players.. intel set the levels and amd struggle to keep up.. the same applies to graphics cards.. the better player rigs the market..
trog
It really isn't going to make a difference compared with a memory multiplier.
Why do you believe it will make a difference?
Gonna have to have dat OCF though. :banghead:
PS: Intel should really only make about 5 chips;They are hurting themselves with production costs for all the silly segmentation.
My greatest base overclock
I say welcome back to it, some of my best times fiddling were back when you could oc this way. glad to see it returning