Overclocking a computer for games. We increase processor performance. What can I do to prevent games from slowing down again? How to keep your system in order

Overclocking a computer will be relevant for those who do not have the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new equipment. With proper overclocking of the processor, overall performance can increase by an average of 10%, to a maximum of 20%. However, it is important to remember that overclocking may not always produce tangible results. For example, if your computer has 1 GB of RAM installed, then simply increasing it to 2 GB can give a more noticeable increase. Therefore, real growth can only be determined experimentally. Below we will tell you how to properly overclock, but first about precautions.

Precautionary measures

Attention! Overclocking a processor can damage the processor. If you do not have overclocking skills, we strongly do not recommend overclocking yourself. Before you begin, read the specifications of your processor, and also visit thematic forums dedicated to overclocking.

Below we have compiled tips to help you overclock safely:

1) If you are a beginner, only increase the processor frequency. It is better not to change the core supply voltage.

2)Increase the frequency gradually, by 100-150 MHz. This will avoid critical errors and processor overheating.

3) After each promotion, perform system testing. This includes stability testing and continuous temperature monitoring. The temperature must be monitored throughout the entire overclocking process! If you exceed the permissible frequency, the protection will work and the settings will be reset. As the CPU frequency increases, its heat dissipation also increases. Prolonged exposure to critical temperatures can damage the processor crystal.

4) If you also decide to increase the core supply voltage, then you should do this in the smallest possible step (usually 0.05V). However, the maximum limit should not exceed 0.3 volts, since increasing the voltage is more dangerous for your CPU than increasing the frequency.

5)Overclocking should be stopped after the first failed stability test or when the permissible temperature is exceeded. For example, there is a processor with a frequency of 2.6 GHz. Its stable operation was observed at a frequency of 3.5 GHz. At 3.6 GHz the first glitches appeared. In this case, overclocking stops and the last stable frequency is set, that is, 3.5 GHz.

Note: If your computer runs stable at maximum frequency, but the CPU overheats, you should consider adding additional cooling or replacing the existing one.

Note 2: Laptops are not very good candidates for overclocking as their cooling capabilities are quite limited. In this case, it would be more advisable to replace components with more powerful ones.

Now we can move directly to overclocking.

CPU overclocking

Step 1. Download the necessary utilities. You will need benchmarking and stress testing software to properly evaluate the results of overclocking. It is also worth downloading programs that allow you to control the temperature of the processor crystal. Below we have provided a list of such programs:

CPU-Z is a simple monitor program that will allow you to quickly see your current clock speed and voltage.

Prime95 is a free benchmarking program that is widely used for stress testing. It is designed to run long-term stress tests.

LinX is another stress testing program. A very convenient and flexible program for stress testing the processor. This program loads the CPU at 100%. Therefore, sometimes it may seem like your computer is frozen. Best suited for stability testing.

CoreTemp is a free program that allows you to monitor the temperature of the CPU die in real time. Can be used on an ongoing basis together with the CoreTemp gadget. It also displays in real time the current processor frequency, FSB bus and its multiplier.

Before you start overclocking, run a basic stress test. This will give you a baseline for comparison and will also show you if there are any stability issues.

Step 2. Check your motherboard and processor. Different boards and processors have different capabilities when it comes to overclocking. The first thing to look at is whether your multiplier is unlocked. If the multiplier is blocked, then overclocking will most likely not be possible.

Step 3. Open BIOS. It is through it that your system will be overclocked. To launch it, press the “Del” key in the first seconds of starting the computer (when the POST screen appears).

Note: Depending on the computer model, the BIOS entry keys may vary. Basic ones: “F10”, “F2”, “F12” and “Esc”.

Step 4. The tabs may differ in new and old BIOS versions. Typically, older computers have AMI (American Megatrend Inc.) and Phoenix AWARD BIOS versions installed.

In Phoenix AWARD, open the "Frequency / Voltage Control" tab. This menu may be called differently, for example, “overclock”.

In AMI BIOS this tab is called “Advanced” - “JumperFree Condiguration” or “AT Overclock”.

New computers come pre-installed with a UEFI BIOS version with a full graphical interface. To find the overclocking menu, go to advanced mode and look for the “AI Tweaker” or “Extreme Tweaker” tab.

Step 5. Reduce memory bus speed. This is necessary in order to avoid memory errors. This option may be called “Memory Multiplier” or “Frequency DDR”. Switch the option to the lowest possible mode.

Step 6. Increase the base frequency by 10%. This corresponds to approximately 100-150 MHz. It is also referred to as bus speed (FSB) and is the base speed of your processor. Typically this is a lower speed (100, 133, 200 MHz or more) that is multiplied by a multiplier, thereby reaching the full core frequency. For example, if the base frequency is 100 MHz and the multiplier is 16, the clock speed will be 1.6 GHz. Most processors can handle a 10% jump without issue. A 10% increase in frequency will correspond to an FSB frequency of 110 MHz and a clock speed of 1.76 GHz.

Step 7 Run the operating system and then stress test. For example, open LinX and run it for a few loops. At the same time, open the temperature monitor. If there are no problems, you can move on. If the stability test fails or a sudden increase in temperature is observed, then you should stop overclocking and reset the settings to default. Don't let your processor reach 85°C (185°F).

Step 8 Continue steps 5 and 7 until the system becomes unstable. Run a stress test every time you raise the frequency. Instability will most likely be caused due to the processor not receiving enough power.

Increasing frequency through a multiplier

If your motherboard has an unlocked multiplier, then overclocking can be done using it. Before you start increasing the multiplier, reset the base frequency. This will help you make more precise frequency adjustments.

Note: Using a lower base frequency and a high multiplier makes the system more stable, a higher base frequency with a low multiplier gives a greater performance boost. Here you need to experimentally find a middle ground.

Step 1. Reset the base frequency to default.

Step 2. Increase the multiplier. Once you have lowered the base frequency, start raising it in minimal increments (usually 0.5). The multiplier may be called "CPU Ratio", "CPU Multiplier" or something like that.

Step 3. Run the stress test and temperature monitor exactly as in the previous section (step 7).

Step 4. Continue increasing the multiplier until the first crashes appear. Now you have the settings at which your computer runs reliably. While your temperatures are still within safe limits, you can start adjusting voltage levels to continue further overclocking.

Increasing core voltage

Step 1. Increase the processor core supply voltage. This item may appear as "CPU Voltage" or "VCore". Increasing the voltage beyond safe limits can damage not only the processor, but also the motherboard. Therefore, increase it in increments of 0.025 or the smallest possible for your motherboard. Excessive voltage surges can damage components. And let us remind you once again: do not increase the voltage higher than 0.3 volts!

Step 2. Run a stress test after the first promotion. Since you left your system in an unstable state with a previous overclock, it is possible that the instability will go away. If your system is stable, make sure that temperatures are still at an acceptable level. If the system is still unstable, try reducing either the multiplier or the base clock speed.

Step 3. Once you have managed to stabilize the system by increasing the voltage, you can return to increasing either the base frequency or the multiplier (same as in the previous paragraphs). Your goal is to get maximum performance from minimum voltage. This will require a lot of trial and error.

Step 4. Repeat the cycle until the maximum voltage or maximum temperature is reached. Eventually you will reach a point where you can no longer achieve any productivity gains. This is the limit of your motherboard and processor, and it is likely that you will not be able to get past this point.

It's not uncommon for problems in games to appear over time and literally appear out of nowhere. It also happens differently - the computer slows down even at the beginning, immediately after installing an application. There are reasons for everything, but both of these cases have one thing in common - they interfere with the enjoyment of the Windows 7 user. To eliminate this, you can try to increase the performance of the PC.

Why games slow down on Windows 7

First, the user needs to pay attention to the settings of the game itself, in particular the graphic ones. The thing is that players are trying to install and play games whose system requirements do not correspond to the technical characteristics of the device. This is the simplest and most obvious problem that every PC or laptop owner may encounter. You can easily fix this problem - change the graphic settings of the application you are using, set all values ​​to minimum.

Often, PC and laptop users simply forget to keep up with updates to video card drivers and other system components, which naturally has a negative impact on the optimization of the computer as a whole and leads to problems in games.

Laptop users, unlike those people who sit at personal computers, may experience problems associated with strong heating of the device. For laptops, this is very important, since most often they are not used as they should be. Surely it is unlikely that if you have such a device, you will put it on the table and sit at it the same way as at a desktop PC. Most likely, you will make yourself more comfortable, for example, lie down on a sofa or bed and put the laptop on top of you. In most models of such devices, the cooling system is located at the bottom or on the side. This means that when working on various soft surfaces, the device can “absorb” dust in large quantities, and this is extremely harmful to the cooling system and, as a result, to the entire device.

Stationary computers can also overheat, but usually this is due to other reasons - high performance of the central processor and other components and the lack of an effective cooling system - a cooler, which simply physically cannot generate all the heat coming from the CPU.

Optimizing your computer: how to increase performance

Operating system optimization in our time is available not only to highly qualified engineers, but also to absolutely ordinary users. It will allow you to achieve the best performance of the entire system as a whole and improve the performance of games both on a desktop computer and on a laptop.

Working with the system registry

The registry is present in every computer. This is a kind of database that contains various types of information about the configuration of a personal computer or laptop, settings of the operating system used, and software parameters. It is quite natural that a fragmented and cluttered system registry can cause errors in the computer’s operation and a significant deterioration in PC performance. Information is written to the system registry every time software is installed and uninstalled, so unnecessary garbage can remain here. You can find problems in the registry using special programs, in particular CCleaner:

  • After installation and launch, you should open the tab called “Registry” and click on the “Search for problems” button. The time it takes to complete this process directly depends on the amount of information stored on your computer, so be patient.

    Finding problems in the registry

  • When this procedure is completed, click on the “Fix” button, and an alert may appear in which you will be asked to save backup copies of your data. It's best to go along with it if you're not sure what you're deleting to avoid possible problems in the future.

    Fixing registry problems

  • The last step is to click the “Fix marked” button and wait for the procedure to complete.

    Removing unnecessary data in the registry

  • Remember that the registry of this operating system is subject to fragmentation, which is why the performance of computers on Windows 7 regularly deteriorates. System utilities, unfortunately, cannot work effectively with the system registry, so you will have to install an additional program, for example, Auslogics Registry Defrag.

    Defragmentation and cleaning of the hard drive

    To clean your hard drive and defragment it, you do not need any additional software. Everything can be done using traditional Windows 7 system tools. To perform defragmentation, perform the following manipulations:

  • Open the Start menu;
  • Select "My Computer";

    "Computer" in the "Start" menu

  • Select the drive by right-clicking the mouse on which system information is stored (drive C by default) and go to “Properties”;

    Select “Properties” of the disk

  • Go to the “Service” tab;

    Disk defragmentation in the “Service” tab

  • In the “Disk Defragmentation” section, click on the corresponding button.

    We defragment the selected disk

  • This procedure allows you not only to defragment to improve performance and optimize the entire system, but also to change the disk file system (usually NTFS is used).

    The time it takes to complete defragmentation directly depends on the size of the selected disk, the amount of information on it and the degree of file fragmentation. Thus, the process can take from several minutes to several hours. It is advisable to stop using the computer at this time, as this will lead to a significant slowdown of the PC.

    Cleaning and freeing up RAM to speed up processes

    The number of programs and applications running has a significant impact on performance. All of them have an impact on the computer's RAM, so before launching software that requires system resources, you should close everything you can.

    First you need to close those programs that you do not currently need. Typically, all active applications are displayed in the task manager. You can open it using a simple key combination: Ctrl + Alt + Del, or click on the taskbar at the bottom and select “Task Manager”.

    Launching Task Manager

    A window will immediately appear with a list of all running applications. Select the one that you do not currently need and click on the “Cancel task” button.

    We clean RAM by disabling unnecessary applications

    Of course, in addition to active and visible applications, the operation of the computer also involves others that work in the so-called background mode. All these programs can be seen in the same task manager if you go to the “Processes” tab.

    Disabling processes to free up memory

    As a rule, some of them can have a significant impact on PC performance and optimization, but remember that disabling processes unknown to you can lead to data loss or deterioration of the computer (especially if you terminate the system process). It is for this reason that it is advisable to disable only those processes that you know.

    Optimizing visual effects

    Windows 7 has an updated graphical interface - Aero, which consumes an impressive amount of system resources.

    Accordingly, it can affect system optimization, and disabling it will allow you to achieve the best performance. Problems with this interface usually occur only on weak computers and laptops with an integrated or simply old video card. In all other cases, changing the visual effects will practically not change anything.

  • In order to reduce the consumption of system resources, it is not necessary to completely disable Aero. You can change some settings in a special menu:

  • Open the “Start” menu and “Control Panel”;

    In the list of all utilities, find and open “System”;

  • Open the “System” parameter

    Next, you need to select “Advanced system settings” and go to the “Advanced” tab;

  • Click on the “Advanced system settings” tab

    Click on the "Options" button and select "Performance".

  • Performance settings

    So, here will be a complete list of special visual effects. If you do not want to completely disable the Aero interface, you can uncheck only the following items: animated controls, fading, casting shadows, displaying them, displaying a rectangular selection.

    Disabling interface visual effects

    Disabling these options will optimize the system and leave the operating system interface looking nice. Of course, you can turn off other settings, but remember that in this case the effect will be much more noticeable.

    BIOS setup BIOS is an integrated environment designed to change computer hardware settings. By tweaking the BIOS you can achieve the best performance of your PC or laptop

    First, pay attention to the settings of the cooling system (depending on the BIOS version, the names of the items may change). For this:

  • Enter the BIOS using the Del key while starting the computer;
  • Open the Advanced menu;

    Enter the BIOS settings

  • Here, pay attention to the Fan Speed ​​option. It can have three settings: Enable (the cooler will always work at high speeds), Auto (the cooler will adapt to the system load), Disable (turns off the cooler);

    Setting up the cooler in BIOS

  • Select what you need, save and exit the BIOS.
  • Secondly, if your device has two video cards (integrated and discrete), then in the BIOS Advanced menu you can change the switchable graphics settings. To do this, select the VGA Mode SELECT item and in the list indicate what you need: dGPU Mode - the built-in video card is activated or Power Xpress Mode - the discrete video card is activated.

    Switchable graphics settings in BIOS

    Setting up the swap file

    The paging file is a kind of addition to RAM. We can say that this is virtual memory that the user can configure independently. The paging file is taken from a hard drive of a size specified by the user. As you know, the transfer speed of a hard drive is much lower than RAM, so it is impossible to say that the page file can completely replace RAM, but it has a beneficial effect on overall optimization. To change and configure the paging file:

  • Open the Start menu and select Control Panel;

    Open the “Control Panel”

  • Next, go to the “System” tab and open “Advanced Settings”;

    In the list of all utilities, find and open “System”;

  • Go to “Performance” and click on the “Options” button;

    Click on the "Options" button and select "Performance".

  • In the “Advanced” tab there is a “Virtual Memory” section, which is what we need;
  • Click the “Change” button.

    Click “Change” in the “Virtual memory” section

  • A settings window will appear where you select the disk partition whose paging file you want to change, click on the “Specify size” button and set it. Remember that the page file essentially represents a specific area occupied on the hard drive. It is not recommended to set a large value, because the system will automatically place data about programs in this file, and access to it is much slower than to RAM, and accordingly, performance may drop.

    The optimal size is approximately 30% of the amount of RAM. The last step is to click the “Set” button and restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

    Setting up the video card

    Reduced performance on Windows 7 may be caused by incorrect graphics adapter settings. This problem is most relevant for laptops, since they have integrated and discrete video cards. It will be no secret that modern manufacturers regularly release not only drivers, but also system settings for their products. For example, for Nvidia - Geforce Experience, and for ATI Radeon video cards - Catalyst Control Center. With this software, you can change many settings, including optimizing the device as a whole.

  • So, if you have a discrete and integrated video card, then you need to change the options in the software you are using. For Nvidia video cards:

    Right-click in an empty space and select “Nvidia Control Panel”:

  • Open the Nvidia panel

    A settings window will appear, in the left menu of which you should find the option “Manage 3D parameters”;

  • Setting up an Nvidia video card

    Next, select the “Program Settings” tab and click the “Add” button;

  • Nvidia Software Settings
  • After clicking, a list of applications installed on your computer will appear, select the one you need and indicate your preferred graphics adapter in the corresponding list.

    This way you can configure any application, and now after launching it, all work will be redirected to the video card that you specified.

  • For video cards from ATI Radeon, everything is a little different:

    Right-click on the desktop and select “Catalyst Control Center”:

  • Open Catalyst Control Center

    A settings window will appear, where you first need to change the view to “Advanced” and select the “Configure 3D applications” option;

  • After clicking, a list of settings will appear. Select the option you need and select the “High performance” option from the list that appears.

    Performance Tuning in Catalyst Control Center

  • Thus, the system will automatically launch the most powerful graphics adapter after activating a certain application.

    ReadyBoost function

    Few people know, but the Windows 7 operating system provides the ability to use flash drives as an additional data caching device. This way, users can significantly increase the speed of data reading and writing functions, accordingly, optimize their computer or laptop, and improve performance. You can activate ReadyBoost in the following way:

  • Insert the USB drive into the corresponding connector of the system unit;
  • After the autorun window is displayed, select “Speed ​​up the system using Windows ReadyBoost”;

    Launching the ReadyBoost option

  • In the window, activate the “Use this device” option and specify the maximum amount of memory;

    Configuring ReadyBoost parameters

  • Click the "Apply" button.
  • Everything is ready for use, a special file will be created on the flash drive, which will contain information about programs and applications. Remember that the flash drive should never be removed, at least until you finish working on the computer.

    Using additional software

    Most of the above manipulations can be performed using special software. In addition, such programs often have additional functionality and advanced settings that allow you to optimize the system in the best possible way.

    Razer Game Booster

    Razer Game Booster is one of the most popular applications that provides a wide range of options for optimizing games and other programs installed on your computer. The utility is free and can be easily found on the Internet. To work, you will need to register on the developers’ website, which will not be difficult for anyone, and then log into the program interface using your username and password.

    The setup is completed in a few clicks - just specify “Game Mode”, after which system resources will be directed only to the game launched by the user:

  • Select the "Launch" tab;
  • Click the "Add" button and select a game;
  • Select the game and activate game mode in the menu below.
  • Of course, everything would be fine, but the program works ideally only with powerful computers. Therefore, on older PCs it is better to use other optimization utilities.

    This program appeared a long time ago and has a good reputation. It is used everywhere, as it has a pleasant and understandable interface, as well as all the necessary functionality to optimize the system. The program is distributed free of charge. Therefore, any user can easily find it on the Internet and download it. CCleaner allows you to analyze your system, including finding information that may be hidden in some applications. This information can be viewed after launching the Cleanup function. Also, using such a utility, you can scan the registry, as was mentioned a little earlier; accordingly, this tab is selected. This program has few disadvantages, in fact, that is why many PC users resort to using it. Perhaps the only thing that can be noted here is the ability to delete important data from the registry, but even here the user will be notified in a timely manner about the creation of a backup copy.

    GameGain

    GameGain is software that allows you to get the most out of your computer or laptop. It has a very pleasant and understandable interface, a minimum of settings, which means that almost no one will have any difficulties working with GameGain. This utility is also free and can be easily found on the Internet and downloaded. After launch, a window will appear asking you to select the operating system, as well as the type of processor. As you enter this information, move the slider until you get optimal performance. It should be said that running the computer at maximum “overclocking” parameters, and in the case of this program it will be “overclocking,” leads to a decrease in the operating time of the computer or laptop. You risk losing your “iron friend” ahead of schedule.

    System Care

    System Care is a program designed to clean the system files of the operating system from various debris. Unfortunately, the program is paid and does not have the ability to change the language, and for some Russian-speaking users this may be an obstacle. In addition, System Care has a rather complex interface, vaguely reminiscent of CCleaner, but unlike this program, users will have to figure out what and where it is. Unfortunately, this program is of no use. It is spread virally, fraudulently, and after the first scan of your computer, during which viruses and a huge amount of unnecessary junk are allegedly found, you are given the opportunity to buy it.

    Driver Booster

    Driver Booster is a program that automatically searches for the latest drivers for key elements of a personal computer or laptop. This utility will be useful to everyone, since you need to update drivers regularly, but searching for them every time for your model of components is a very boring task. This free software can be easily found on the Internet and installed on your computer. Driver Booster has a clear and simple interface, quickly and conveniently checks for updates, and does not require constant user control. Unfortunately, batch updating drivers with this utility often takes a lot of time and regularly requires a system reboot. Nevertheless, it is a very convenient and good program.

    What can I do to prevent games from slowing down again? How to keep the system in order?

    To stop games from lagging, you should regularly maintain your computer or laptop in good condition. Try to avoid installing many unnecessary programs, completely clean the system of software, and also do not forget about the system registry, which may contain residual files and data even after removal. To do this, use CCleaner and make it your “best friend”. Once a month, defragment and analyze the system, then games on your computer will stop slowing down.

    Performing these operations will allow each user, regardless of the configuration of the personal computer, to optimize the operation of the device and increase performance both in online and single-player games. Regularly check for residual data and files and delete them, then your computer will work efficiently.

    The speed of which does not suit you at all, then overclocking does not seem such a bad decision. It is important to find and use all available information about overclocking parts similar to yours. It is important to understand that overclocking may also be unsuccessful. But if the frequency increases by only a third, everything should be fine. If you are interested in how to overclock a computer, but the meaning of the actions described in such instructions is extremely unclear to you, then you should not do it. Let's figure it out.

    How to overclock a computer?

    There are two methods of overclocking: through the BIOS and using special utilities running under the operating system. You can use built-in utilities from the processor manufacturer, but it is more efficient and safer to use BIOS. To enter it, you must press the Del button at the initial stages of booting the computer. This key is most often used for this task, but there may be other options. Control in the BIOS is carried out using the arrows on the keyboard. You need to go to the tab called AI Tweaker, where you select the AI ​​Overclock Tuner parameters in the Manual position. You should not touch the voltage parameters, so leave parameters such as CPU Voltage and DRAM Voltage in automatic mode. With a little experience and knowledge of how to overclock a computer, you will be able to effectively use the voltage settings, but you should not do this at the initial stage. Before you start promoting, you must deal with such an important issue as timings. They represent the delay time. Information is read faster if latency is reduced, but this may negatively affect overall performance, since the RAM module will operate at a lower frequency. To achieve high frequencies, you can raise the timings, but beginners should not do this.

    To increase the memory frequency, you should select the DRAM Frequency item, it is located on the Advanced home page. You should not set the memory frequency value more than 10-15% higher than the nominal value.

    When understanding the question of how to overclock a computer, it is worth noting that it is customary to distinguish between the effective operating frequency and the real one. Usually the effective frequency is higher than the actual frequency. When specifying the frequency characteristics of RAM, it is the effective frequency that is indicated. The results of all changed settings will be saved after pressing F10. If after all your manipulations, then you just need to remove the battery from the motherboard for half an hour, and then put it back in place. This “move” will allow you to return all settings to factory settings.

    Computer overclocking programs

    Everyone knows that you can overclock a computer if you perform a series of manipulations with the processor, video card and RAM. They are configured to work seamlessly with other devices, but they have a set of parameters that can be adjusted to improve performance. But overclocking also has its downsides. One of them is increased overheating, and a new, more powerful cooler can help you here.

    Now we can talk about what programs may be useful. SiSoftware Sandra Professional is designed to show what we are missing for effective overclocking. The most common problem is Riva Tuner is designed to help in overclocking a computer. 3d-Analyze helps to “trick” the PC into It allows you to play modern games on a weak computer. Instructions for each of them can be easily found on the Internet.

    With due care everything will work just fine.

    Hello dear readers and subscribers. Marat Nauruzbaev is with you. As promised, I wrote an article about overclocking my home computer, in particular the processor AMDRyzen and RAM. In the previous article I told you, now I’ll tell you how I overclocked it, fortunately processors from AMD (Ryzen) allow this.

    Overclocking the processor and RAM allows you to increase the performance of your computer in applications and games, especially if the applications are “heavy”, such as programs for working with video and graphics, as well as when working with large arrays (databases). What can we say, even when working in a browser, especially when you have several dozen tabs open, you can feel an increase in performance after overclocking.

    I understand that not everyone will be interested in this article, but I think it won’t hurt you to have a general understanding of overclocking processors and memory.

    And this article will be especially useful for those who have the same motherboard and RAM as mine. So, let's go...

    In general, there is no universal way to overclock a processor. It all depends on what kind of motherboard you have and what chipset it has, processor model, Bios version, etc. Even two identical processor models can give slightly different results on the same motherboard :)

    Therefore I myself The process of overclocking a processor comes down to changing the values ​​of the processor and RAM inBios(frequency, voltage, etc.) and subsequent testing with special programs for system stability.

    This process may take a lot of time (about a week), but if you find a person who has successfully overclocked his processor and memory, and who has the same model of motherboard and RAM, then consider yourself lucky :) and your time for overclocking and testing will be reduced significantly.

    You can find such a person on relevant forums and ask him to provide values ​​for the processor, timings for your RAM and other values ​​for Bios.

    Well, if you haven’t found such a person, then it doesn’t matter, you can try to overclock it yourself, after reading the theory, as well as reading special forums on overclocking hardware.

    How to overclock a processor via BIOS? After reading a little theory about CPU overclocking, watching a few videos on Youtube and drinking a few beers I got down to business.

    Let me remind you of the configuration of my computer:

    • ASRock AB350 Pro4 motherboard
    • AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Processor(4 cores, 8 threads)
    • CPU cooler Deepcool Gammaxx
    • Samsung RAMDDR4 8 GB
    • SSD drive128 GBTranscend 370s
    • Harddisk2 TBSeagate BarraCuda
    • FrameCaseCom CP-686 (black)
    • BlocknutritionZalman TX 500W
    • Operating system Windows 10 x64

    First of all, I updated the motherboard's Bios firmware to the latest version (4.60). You can download it on the official website of the motherboard manufacturer. There you will also find a manual on how to flash Bios.

    Then I increased the CPU frequency in Bios to 3800 MHz instead of standard 3200 MHz for my processor model (AMD Ryzen 5 1400) (pictures are clickable)

    Why before 3800 MHz you ask? Because these processor models can be reliably overclocked to this frequency. You can overclock the processor to 3900-4100 MHz, but as a rule, in most cases, such a processor frequency is achieved by raising the voltage on it and causes the processor to overheat above normal, which can affect the “life” of the processor in such extreme conditions, and the overall stability of the system as a whole.

    So I increased the processor frequency to 3800 MHz, raised the voltage on the processor to 1,275 B, I loaded the system (Windows 10 64 bit) and started testing with a utility for testing system stability - « Linx". In this utility I specified the values: half of my RAM, 5 passes each, final testing: 10 passes.

    Note: in the utility "Linx" for the test, we indicate half the installed amount of memory and the number of runs: 10. If the gigaflops (Gflops) in the column are the same (+-1) - everything is fine, if the values ​​​​in the columnresidual (Residual andResidual (norm.) are the same - everything is fine. This test allows you to determine the correctness of overclockingDRAM +CPU. The screen goes out - low voltage, catch itBSOD - bad overclockingDRAM. The results fluctuate - a slight lack of voltage onCPU or partially crooked memory timings.

    In Bios, I gradually raised the voltage on the processor by 1-2 steps and tested it again with the utility « Linx"

    I’ll say right away that the 3800 MHz frequency never worked out for me, because either Windows would freeze or go into BSOD, or the Linux program would show bad results...

    Raising the voltage on the processor to 1.375 I achieved better values ​​for the “Linx” results compared to what they had before, but not the values ​​they should have

    Moreover, the processor temperature when testing “Linx” reached 74,1 degrees Celsius at voltage 1,375 B on the processor.

    That's why I settled on the processor frequency for now 3700 MHz and voltage 1,275 IN.

    The results of "Linx" turned out to be excellent, and the processor temperature did not exceed 64 degrees Celsius

    Overclocking RAM

    After overclocking the processor, I started overclocking the RAM. Since I still have one stick of RAM, it naturally works in single-channel mode and therefore its operating speed is less than in dual-channel mode.

    They also say that memory for overclocking needs to be installed in the 2nd and 4th slots on the motherboard, which is what I did (installed in the 2nd slot).

    Here are the characteristics of my memory (data from the program " Thaiphoon Burner»):

    Memory Samsung [M378A1G43EB1-CRC] 8 GB, E-die, dual-rank, without XMP support, default frequency and timings: 2400 MHz, 18-17-17-39.

    Regular budget memory, which I was able to overclock not to the maximum, but an order of magnitude faster.

    Timings or Latency (including English CAS Latency, CL; slang timing) - time delay of the signal when working with paged dynamic RAM, in particular SDRAM. These time delays are also called timings and for brevity they are written as three numbers, in order: CAS Latency, RAS to CAS Delay and RAS Precharge Time. The throughput of the “processor-memory” section and the delay in reading data from memory and, as a consequence, the performance of the system largely depend on them.Link to WikipediaYu .

    Testing was also carried out using the utility « Linx". After successfully completing it, I tested it with programs TestMem5, RunMemTestPro, CINEBENCH, OCCT.

    To begin with, I set the memory voltage 1,35 B and gradually raised the memory frequency and tested it with the Linux program. The remaining values ​​from memory (primary and secondary timings, etc.) were left at « Auto"

    After each increase in memory frequency, I tested again with the “Linx” utility.

    Memory frequencies of 2666 MHz and 2800 MHz “Linx” tests passed successfully.

    But at a frequency of 2930 MHz, Windows went into error and rebooted...

    After that, I talked on the forum and a user under the nickname Prof suggested that I enter my proven memory timings at which his memory worked at a frequency of 3200 MHz. Although his memory was of a different model, the motherboard was almost the same, I entered its values ​​in Bios

    My memory started up, but at a memory frequency of 3200 MHz and a voltage of 1.35 V, I failed the test with the “Linx” utility.

    I raised the memory voltage to 1.5 V - the "Linx" test passed, but the Test Mem5 program did not pass the test.

    After numerous experiments, I succeeded in passing the test with the programs " TestMem5" And " RunMemTestPro" with indicators: memory frequency 3133 MHz, memory voltage 1,425 In and timings 16-18-16-36 . Although the memory voltage is high, it is safe

    During Linux testing, the maximum processor temperature did not exceed 69 degrees Celsius, which is safe for the processor.

    Memory test " Run Mem Test Pro»

    Then I moved on to testing the computer stability test program - “ OCCT", but when testing it, Windows froze.

    Then I increased the voltage on the processor with 1,275 before 1,3 Q, I increased the speed of the processor cooler in Bios, but during the test " OCCT"was giving a critical error...

    Then I increased the speed of the processor cooler even more to the following values:

    50° - 65% rpm
    60° - 80% revolutions
    70° - 85% rpm
    75° - 90% revolutions
    80° - critical temperature

    Moreover, I didn’t hear an increase in noise from the fan; maybe I came across a low-noise cooler model, or maybe its noise simply blocked out the noise from two other coolers installed in my system unit. Although the overall noise from the system unit is quite quiet (at least much quieter compared to my old system unit :)).

    So, after all these manipulations, my computer Passed the OCCT test!

    After that, I even felt some satisfaction after the work done :)

    Afterwards, however, I tried to lower the processor voltage to 1.275 V, but Windows still did not work stably and froze. Returned the voltage to 1.3 V.

    Later I tried to reduce the memory voltage to 1.4 V, but unfortunately my computer did not pass the OSCT test 🙁, although it passed the memory tests and the Linux test successfully. I returned the voltage back to 1.425 V from memory.

    Computer performance test

    After overclocking the processor and RAM, the processor worked stably at 3700 MHz at voltage 1,3 In and RAM worked stably at the frequency 3133 MHz at voltage 1,425 In and timings 16-18-16-36 .

    Now I started testing the system for performance. Naturally, I tested it before overclocking and saved the tests in order to compare the results and show them here.

    To test computer performance in Windows 10, I used programs and scripts:

    "CINEBENCH R15.0", "AIDA64", "7z1604-x64", "x265_HD_Benchmark_0.1.4", "PerformanceTest_8.0.1022".

    Here are screenshots of performance tests

    CPU performance test "CINEBENCHR15.0" (CPUtest) before overclocking

    Test "CINEBENCHR15.0" (CPUtest) after overclocking the processor and memory (difference: 16%)

    Memory test in "Aida64" (cache and memory test) before overclocking

    Memory test in "Aida64" (cache and memory test) after overclocking the processor (average difference: 0.8%)

    Memory test in "Aida64" (cache and memory test) after overclocking the processor and memory (average difference: 23.7%)

    Test "7-Zipx64" (built-in benchmark) before overclocking

    Test "7-Zipx64" (built-in benchmark) after overclocking the processor (difference: 12.6%)

    Test "7-Zipx64" (built-in benchmark) after overclocking the processor and memory (difference: 17.1%)

    Test "x.265 HD Benchmark" before overclocking

    As a result, after all tests, the average system performance after overclocking the processor and memory increased by an average of 17.8%.

    Keep in mind that these are approximate results on my computer configuration and in these testing programs. On other hardware and in other programs, the results may be different.

    But the fact that the increase is quite noticeable even on not very overclocked hardware can be seen from the testing results.

    conclusions

    The good news is that AMD, at the time of writing, had reached a new level of processor production, in particular processors codenamed Ryzen, capable of seriously competing with processors from Intel.

    What’s even more pleasing is that, at a relatively low price, these processors can be overclocked to higher frequencies without relative problems, usually by 15-20% higher, which many users of this platform did not fail to take advantage of.

    And although the overclocking of my computer was not as extreme as I would like, I’m glad that it worked out :) Perhaps after the next update of the Bios version on my motherboard, it will be possible to overclock the processor and memory even higher. Well, when I buy another stick of RAM, the memory speed in dual-channel mode will naturally increase.

    I would like to note that I don’t play games, and I don’t have time to play. But overclocking the computer naturally increased performance in other applications that I use (browser, video processing, backup and file synchronization, etc.).

    By the way, a little advice to you if you are planning to purchase this processor (AMD Ryzen 5 1400(4 cores, 8 threads), then take it right away Ryzen 5 1600(6 cores, 12 threads), at the time of writing, it is only about 2 thousand rubles. more expensive 🙂, you won’t regret it.

    That's all for me, I will be glad if in the comments to the article you share better overclocking results on the same motherboard and with the same memory.

    Even if you have a powerful computer, you are not at all immune from the fact that your games will not slow down. Very often, in order to speed up the game, it is enough to perform a small optimization of the OS - and the games start to “fly”!

    In this article I would like to focus on the simplest and most effective ways to speed things up. It is worth noting that the article will not cover the topic of “overclocking” and purchasing new PC components. Because the first is a rather dangerous thing for the performance of the computer, and the second requires money...

    1. System requirements and settings in the game

    Well, firstly, system requirements are indicated for any game. Many users believe that if the game satisfies what they read on the disc box, then everything is great. Meanwhile, on disks, the minimum requirements are most often written. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to a small variety of requirements:

    - minimum- game requirements necessary to run it at the lowest performance settings;

    So, if your PC meets only the minimum system requirements, then set the game settings to the minimum values: low resolution, graphics quality to minimum, etc. It is practically impossible to replace the performance of a piece of hardware with a program!

    2. Removing programs that load your computer

    It often happens that the game slows down not because there are not enough system requirements for its normal operation, but because another program is running simultaneously with it, heavily loading your system. For example, the anti-virus program on the hard drive is checking (by the way, sometimes such a scan runs automatically on a schedule if you have configured it). Naturally, the computer cannot cope with the tasks and begins to slow down.

    If this happens during the game, press the "Win" button (or Cntrl+Tab) - in general, minimize the game and go to the desktop. Then launch the task manager (Cntrl+Alt+Del or Cntrl+Shift+Esc) and see what process or program is loading your PC.

    If there is a third-party program (besides the running game), then disable and close it. If you don’t like it at all, it’s better to remove it altogether.

    Also check the programs that are in your startup. If there are unfamiliar applications there, then disable them.

    By the way, many users also install dozens of different icons, gadgets on the desktop, configure blinking cursors, etc. All this “creation,” as a rule, can greatly load your PC, and besides, many users do not need this, because To. They spend most of their time in various programs and games, where the interface is made in their own style. The question arises, why then decorate the OS, losing performance, which is never too much...

    3. Cleaning the registry, OS, deleting temporary files

    The registry is a large database that your OS uses. Over time, a lot of “garbage” accumulates in this database: erroneous entries, entries of programs that you have long deleted, etc. This can cause the computer to run slower, so it is recommended to clean and optimize it.

    The same applies to the hard drive, which can accumulate a large number of temporary files.

    4. Defragment your hard drive

    All files that you copy to your hard drive are written scattered in “pieces”* (the concept is simplified). So, over time, there are more and more of these scattered pieces, and in order to put them together, the computer needs more time. Because of which you may experience decreased performance.

    The easiest way is to use the standard Windows feature. Go to “my computer”, right-click on the desired drive, and select “properties”.

    It would be a good idea to look into the “special settings”.

    Move all available sliders towards the operating speed. Then save and exit. The computer screen may blink a couple of times...

    After that, try starting the game. In this way, it is possible to speed up the game due to the quality of the graphics: it will become a little worse, but the game will run faster. You can achieve optimal quality through settings.

    7. Special utility GameGain

    GameGain(http://www.pgware.com/products/gamegain/) - a utility for game lovers. It can select the optimal Windows OS settings that will allow you to speed up your games. Moreover, the speed increase can be significant, especially when combined with all the other tips from this article.

    After launching the utility, you will see a simple window in which you will be asked to select your OS and your processor. By default, usually, the utility itself correctly detects the OS and processor. After making your selection, you need to click the "Optimize now" button, and then restart your computer.

    By the way, the utility supports all modern Windows operating systems: 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 8.

    Conclusion

    In the article, we looked at the simplest and fastest ways to optimize your computer to speed up games. Of course, no settings or programs can replace new hardware. If you have the opportunity, then, of course, it’s worth upgrading your computer components.