M15x FSB Overclocking (not only 920XM!)

[Mr Pras]

[-=UPDATE=-] Just been reported by Smeggit -> Since version 2.3.163.129 SetFSB now works on more (if not all) Alienware AP M15x motherboards - WOOHOO! Go grab your copy of setFSB and have fun! I'll update the standard settings here as I learn more about your experiences so please report them!

I'm happy to report that SetFSB can now overclock the FSB on the AP M15x and now my lowly 720QM performs much better in almost every cpu-intensive task - W0000000T!!! Although I can push it further (slightly) I found it safe to run at 150MHz which gives peak turbo performance of around 3.16GHz (on one core, the cpu doesn't become unlocked!)

After one day getting frustrated that no-one seemed to be able to overclock the M15x, I wrote to ABO (creator of SetFSB) and asked if there was anything that could be done. I sent him some motherboard data, and he suggested I tried the Asus N61JQ which worked!! My stable overclock is presented as a basis - from 133MHz FSB to 150MHz (12.8%). This may not work for everyone but it's proven to be solid for me with my current setup.

NOTES

This only works on the Registered version of Setfsb v2.3.147.112 or later (There's a donate button on their site and Abo will email you to arrange your keycode). Please be patient as he's an individual, not some big company. He probably needs to sleep sometimes too.

There are M15x's that have a different Clock Generator and some users have reported that SetFSB doesn't work for them. According to Abo (creator of SetFSB) there is a different PLL on some boards and currently we have no solution for this.

There are some (very rare) cases where when pushing all 8 threads of the i7 you might experience throttling (currently I've only seen this happen in OCCTPT).
To avoid CPU throttling when running heavy CPU loads, set your GPU to low-power mode (Stealth mode).

I got an extra 10C at idle and full load, so expect more heat and therefore more fan noise. At max CPU load it isn't as noisy as max GPU load (for me).

The timers in games and benchmarks can be affected, fraps reports 53fps when running full v-synced (at 60fps) because the timers are tweaked also. There's some discussions about this starting on page 31 of this thread where the issue is explained by Unclewebb.

We aren't sure about which motherboard revisions work and which don't since we've had rev 11 and 12 mobos that work and don't work, so it is probably some other factor that gives us different ICS/PLL chips.

The overclock does remain when you restart - just not if you turn off and then back on. It also causes problems with sleep and hibernate - short answer: overclock when you need, not as a general-use option.

If there's anything else you think should be on these notes, please let me know!

SetFSB_HomePage

GUIDE

(by Jstarnino)

1. download SetFSB.

2. Donate.

3. he will then send u an e-mail asking you for some info that you will need to e-mail back to you.

"1. Could you tell me your SetFSB ID number?

2. The SetFSB informations
a. the motherboard(/PC) name ?
b. the chipset name ?
c. the clock generator name ? (If it is possible)"

4. When you get a reply, run SetFSB and skip the first dialog box ( just press ok for now)

5. select the clock generator to "ASUS N61JQ".

6. click "Diagnosis" button.

7. click "Get FSB" button.

8. click "Capture" button.

9. send capture image to him by e-mail

10. He e-mails you back the activation key, and type it in the first dialog box that appears when you open setFSB.

After first putting in the code and setting the PLL, quit SetFSB to save the settings. From then on, you won't have to do anything fancy.

1: Click GetFSB
2: Move slider to 492 (150MHz) (DEFAULT is 407)
3: Click SetFSB

Command line options

-w : Wait [00-99 sec] default=10sec
-s : Set FSB [000-999 MHz]
-i : Increment [00-99 MHz] default=max
-u : 0(default)=normal , 1=ultra
-b : 0(default)=normal , 1=background
-p : PCI-E [000-999 MHz] default=none
-cg[string] : Clock Generator default=none Maximum 15 characters

DEFAULT 150MHz option: setfsb -w0 -s150


FSB Speed: 133 150 160
Memory Speed: 1333 1500 1600
720QM Speed: 1.6-2.8 1.8-3.2 1.9-3.3

Warning - 160MHz mode works for me but with this overclock, sometimes I leave my computer and come back to a rebooted machine. Use with caution!

Everest:
Memory Read: 14106 15670 16858
Memory Write: 11500 12461 13848
Queen: 19747 22125 23741
Zlib: 55184 61674 66611

Masmobench (attached)
Cinebench (attached)


Here's the CPU Validation:
CPU-Z Validator 3.1

HAPPY OVERCLOCKING!!

[himesh1042]

Great news! I'm gonna start too!

[T120ted]

That's what I'm talking about. Thanks for the headsup.

[Mandrake]

Originally Posted by Mr Pras

Well, I'm happy to report that SetFSB DOES INDEED OVERCLOCK the FSB and therefore the 720QM (in my case)!!!!!

I registered SetFSB and used the ASUS N61JQ option..

I haven't tested extensively but at this moment have set the FSB from 133 to 150 and here are some initial benchmark results:

Speed: 133 150

Memory Read: 14106 15670
Memory Write: 11500 12461
Queen: 19747 22125
Zlib: 55184 61674

I'll add more later but gonna go and see how high this beast can go

Nice find, you saved me some time. You should email Abo and tell him so he can update the description.

Edit: I see you did work with Abo and he just emailed me.

Now all you need it the TDP/TDC settings to work with these procs.

[Cheater]

wooot thats really awesome ... will u explain how to do it and link to download FSB when you finish checking your beast :P cuz i wanna unleash the beast too

[Mandrake]

Originally Posted by Cheater

wooot thats really awesome ... will u explain how to do it and link to download FSB when you finish checking your beast :P cuz i wanna unleash the beast too

google setfsb you'll find the download along with the link to donate...hint hint

[Mr Pras]

The cpu now idles at around 50 which is a bit higher than usual. Haven't gone over 75C yet, so not worried (I have the i7 core-parking disabled also).

The nice part is, everest is reporting my frequency at around the 3GHz mark (which is above the rated max of 2800) and it seems to be sitting there most of the time. Not sure why, but nice to have a snappier processor

Everything is noticeably snappier and CPU benchmarks are well above normal!

[Sirhcz0r]

I can't wait to try this, but I'm leaving tomorrow and will be without my computer for three weeks!

+1 rep Mr Pras

I used the G61JQ PLL, and it wouldn't work when I hit "Get FSB". I know I don't have it registered yet, but I thought that part was supposed to work.

[Smeggit]

Awesome dude, time for a fresh install of Windows and a new run of benching

[Mandrake]

Originally Posted by Mr Pras

The cpu now idles at around 50 which is a bit higher than usual. Haven't gone over 75C yet, so not worried (I have the i7 core-parking disabled also).

The nice part is, everest is reporting my frequency at around the 3GHz mark (which is above the rated max of 2800) and it seems to be sitting there most of the time. Not sure why, but nice to have a snappier processor

Everything is noticeably snappier and CPU benchmarks are well above normal!

Have you seen a difference with this disabled? I tried once and I saw no difference but now we have new tools to play with.