A little insight.

[powerpack]

This is about Over Clocking and Undervolting your notebook. I doubt Xotic would endorse this officially but it is an option. And can be done safely. Most of this info is available already online but well why not put it more concise at the site that sells leading edge performance notebook technology.

For the uninitiated here is the basics. Overclocking is an easy concept. Pushing beyond somethings rated specifications. More later. Undervolting for those who don't know is a way to reduce heat. This can be important when OC'ing. Notebooks do not have the "water cooling" "dry ice" options or even adding more fans option desktops do.

While prices have reduced versus even 6 months ago. Has anyone noticed for those last 100Mhz to 200Mhz cost is minimum $200+ on the high end CPU's? Well that is just the way Intel sets price points. I doubt Xotic or Justin makes much on your upgrades. The way I see their price structure they make their money on the bundle. That said I really don't think from an economic standpoint, they care which CPU or for that matter any other component you choose. I mean other than you being satisfied with your purchase.

Overclocking- Notebooks lack BIOS options (except Xtreme CPU's) to do so we must rely on software applications. While much is said about the basic inferiority of such. In most cases that is just crap. Look up what a BIOS does and you may see. Too long of an explanation for this guide. Having said that it is very true that if able too change multipliers or ratios in the BIOS that is preferred.

Software- Without BIOS options you are reduced to increasing FSB. Well not really FSB system bus that too is too long for this guide. Free applications I know of are setfsb and ClockGen. I have used both. ClockGen does not work on my Intel it worked for my AMD TL-52. So At this point I am leaning toward setfsb for those who buy from Xotic. The way these work is they use a "PLL" to get into the inner workings/control of your chipset. If you know you chipsets PLL great. if not you must open up your notebook (not recommended). What I do and explained in more detail at least in ClockGen help. In setfsb (same in ClockGen called find clocks or get clocks) click on a PLL then click "get FSB" . The way you know you have the correct PLL is it displays correct speeds and has sliders to adjust the clocks. As of now I have told you nothing that changes any settings. You have just gathered info so far.

http://www.flynntechsolutions.com/xotic1.jpg

If you get a good PLL you then move the slider to increase the system bus. Then set it, that OC's you.

http://www.flynntechsolutions.com/xotic2.jpg

Let me show you a screenshot of my overclock.

http://www.flynntechsolutions.com/cpuss.jpg

Notice my clocks. Both CPU and RAM have increased. Also notice my temps? Still good. CPUID Hardware Monitor (free).

OK so onto undervolting. The two programs I know are RMClock and Crystal CPUID. If you have a half multiplier like I do, 9.5 RMClock does not recognize .5. CPUID does but does not seem to work on the Penryn's.

I am getting lazy so I will link to The NBR Guide the one on OCN is the same. I don't know who stole from who. If you have a multiplier that is an integer RMClock works very well. NBR link (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824).

Edit: I will not rewrite flipfires guide as I can't improve on it. I will now show you my results.

Not undervolted used the stock settings. it did remove my .5 multiplier so am know running at 2.4Ghz.

http://www.flynntechsolutions.com/rmnooc

Undervolted.

http://www.flynntechsolutions.com/rmoc.jpg

Notice I shaved 8C of max 15F? Not bad and UnerVolting does not reduce performance.

Note CPU-Z reports stock Core VID as 1.263v. UnderVolted reports 1.138v? I have decreased the voltage .125v.

Take note my original screen shots show that increasing the FSB did not raise the temp. I have also noticed that at least on my system I do not hit the OC wall because of heat as always in the "safe" range regardless of OC. I believe the reason for my instability is the RAMs instability above 900Mhz.

All these applications are free. Have fun and use common sense. For the most part your CPU is protectected from acute overheating issues. But if something causes it to keep crashing stop doing.

[PSRT]

Great post. I'm currently using RMClock to undervolt my CPU. If I understand correctly, undervolting does not void your warranty, since there is no hardware risk involved. And since it saves power, and therefore reduces heat and extends battery life, I recommend it for anyone with the time to do it.

[Woody]

Good info, thanks. I tend to wait until my warranty expires and I'm bored with my current hardware before overclocking a laptop though. I tried undervolting but unfortunately RMClock didn't support the multiplier on my CPU and didn't work as well as the built in Intel speedstep so it wasn't worth it. Of course with the Sager 9262 I'm not using a notebook CPU but rather a desktop CPU. RMClock worked great on my Penitum M in my last Sager.

Just keep in mind that if you do plan to overclock, it's usually much cheaper to replace the CPU then the GPU as long as you are capable of doing it yourself. ;-)

[Anewbus]

Interesting post Powerpack. I like the screen shots, very informative.

Just my two cents....well, ok maybe one cent: I am one who believes that it is just not a good idea to overclock or mess with anything like that on a laptop. They are too sensitive and already push the envelope in the heat department big time. The biggest thing is that they are expensive, unlike a desktop where you can replace a chip or GPU or RAM or whatever inexpensively (unless the MOBO is blown). Desktops are designed to tinker with as one can get cooling systems that would put your Air Conditioner to shame as well.
That's my personal opinion though.
I guess I'm of the school of "If its not broken, don't fix it".

That said, if one does want to tinker with overclocking a laptop and such just make sure you have tons of money to waste.

[robamb2002]

I dont like messing with OC for notebooks, however I see the merit. I've recently OC'ed my EEE 901 to 2.0GHz and can now play LotRO and Spore with relative ease. I think if the max hardware for a machine isn't enough, then and only then is OCing worth it (for me :)) as anewbus pointed out, they are expensive and replacements arn't as easy as if you blow a CPU in a desktop.

There is my 2 cents.

By the way. I love the post and think It is really cool what you've done :)

[powerpack]

Anew points taken. I must point out I do not always OC. I would say not just because not always needed. But likely for some of what you mention. I little fear is healthy. I mostly do to see if I can. I am not OC'd right now to chat with you fine fellows. I really have no legitimate need to OC my CPU as plenty fast.

My GPU well that does have a more practical noticeable benefit. Does improve gameplay in some games as, well, my card is on the edge as far as performance. Not great but not bad. I only set to play certain games. And my OC app? It is made by AMD/ATI not even 3rd party.

Robamb has found a very practical reason. I have read many others are doing the same and as of yet no horror stories ( I know recent so we will have to wait).

I have had some contact with others wanting info, mostly on GPU. I seem to be blessed with low temps. Some even did not believe me until I posted screen shots. My ambient temps are 60F/15.6C. When summer comes and they are 90F/32C will have to see if still safe.

I do want to say I think those with a P8600 or P8700 are excellent candidates for OC. Costs on Force 3310 are $100/$150 vs T9550/T9800 $230/$460? OK so take the P8700 2.53Ghz vs T9800 2.93Ghz. You could even without UV push the P8700 to 2.85Ghz still have lower TDP and save $310? I now different L2 but $310 is a lot of money? Throw UV in the mix? I hope you all see the safe possibilities.

For those newer to this Anew's concern. And does have merit should you brick your system. If you brick a desktop board the MoBo costs what $100. If you brick Desktop Mobo maybe save CPU, GPU, HDD and most other components. Notebook GPU on most notebooks integrated to MoBo back to higher costs. Let's say more like $350/$400 plus. Harder to do might need to pay a pro?

Happy computing to all.