*Official* Alienware M18xR1/R2 CPU Overclocking Thread - Learn How and Share Tips Here

i just got a 3940xm ES with a decent price , so please recommend me a mild setting in the bios or in the XTU, which can be used in everyday and a pretty hard core one, just to test

 

a question towards the more experienced oc'ers: do you dynamically adjust pri plane, based on what you're doing or do you leave it at a certain setting? i.e.: if you run a bench which needs a high pri plane setting and afterwards just do everyday stuff (or at least no ultra-demanding benches) for a couple days, do you leave pri plane set or do you adjust it lower? i know you can adjust flex on the fly in the throttlestop profiles, but there isn't such a possibility with pri plane, right?

 

i have a question as far as gaming goes

does extending the "short power duration" even matter? as an example a cpu bottlenecked game will require high clock rate over an extended time period 2+ hours

i have an m18xR1 with a 2960xm and have it set to 4.5ghz with no issues that ive noticed (triple pipe heatsink)

but im not sure my cpu even clocks that high - whenever i look at CPUid it always shows about 4ghz

 

Yes, increasing that helps performance, but you need an unlocked BIOS and you need to disable the MSR lock. The Pri Plane value is probably too low, along with the MSR lock being enabled. That's probably why it is not going higher than 4GHz.

 

The clock rate may seem high but no game actually keeps the CPU at full turbo for every nano second.

 

i have unlocked A5 bios

i dont see any value for pri plane or MSR lock in there

also im using the 240w power adapter and not the larger one, is that ok?

 

If you have A05 unlocked it is there, but you are not looking in the correct submenu.

Go to the Power > Advanced CPU Control Menu... "Turbo Power Limit MSR Lock" is shown in this photo.

Pri Plane setting is right below it. (Ignore Secondary Plane, as that is for Integrated Graphics power).

Unless you disable c-states and then it will run full turbo clock speed 24/7 (assuming the voltage and watts are set to proper values) regardless of CPU load. In the photo above I have c-states disabled.

 

ok i found the menu and disabled MSR lock - what exactly is that by the way?

i left Pri Plane set at 0 - what should it be set at if i have the cores set at 45x multiplier?

will setting the long term power setting to higher wattage change anything? can it be set TOO high?

EDIT: i checked CPUid and Intel XTU neither shows it going above 4ghz even under stress =/

Argus monitor shows clock BRIEFLY spiking to 4186mhz but mostly its stuck at 4ghz

 

got it to go up to 4.4ghz by changing pri plane to 900....will try raising it more see if i can get the 4.5ghz

EDIT: i believe it got it to go to 4.5ghz by upping pri plane to 1100

thanks for all the help mr fox

is 4.6ghz realistic given my setup?

 

Yes, it definitely is. If you use Liquid Ultra thermal paste it will run really cool that way. There are numerous posts in this thread with BIOS settings.

If you begin to experience freezing or BSOD you may need to increase Flex VID (Turbo voltage) but don't unless you need to for stability, as it also produces heat.

 

im experiencing what feels like throttling issues but my temps are not going above 85C, my pri plane is set at 1100 should i maybe raise it some more? also im wondering if my PSU is getting maxed out because my CPU power usage spikes as much as 85+W and is averaging at 75W during gaming

this may also be due to server issues or the game itself

 

There are other posts in this thread with settings that I used for the 2920XM. Might want to give those a whirl and see how they do. You can increase Pri Plane and see how it goes.

 

a question for mr fox - can setting Flex VID too low prevent the CPU from clocking up to full overclocked turbo speed? what would be the symptoms of setting it too low? freezes? BSOD?

 

0x124 BSOD (WHEA Uncorrectable error) from Flex VID being too low. Flex being too low will cause instability. If you set Flex VID too high it will run hot and throttle from heat. Having Pri Plane too low will prevent the CPU from clocking up and/or cause it to lose clock speeds under load. So, increase Pri Plane first. If the CPU clocks higher and freezes you may need to increase Flex VID to handle the higher clock speeds. You may need a combination of changes to both to clock higher and maintain stability.

Find the BDPROCHOT and Watch Dog Timer settings in your unlocked BIOS and disable all of them. The Watch Dog timer has settings on two different menus, but BDPROCHOT is only one place.

 

i lowered flex vid from 20 to 17 and raised pri plane to 1150 i think and now it wont clock back to 4500 anymore =/ confused

EDIT: hwmonitor is showing cpu still clocking up to 4500 but ARGUS showing that its running at 4000 during gaming where last night it ran at a consistent 4500 in the same game....not sure

does pri plane have to be raised to compensate for a lower VID? what does pri plane actually represent? amps?

logging cpu speed to txt file im deff able to see it goes to 4500 and keep swapping it between cores to keep it cooler, temps are deff lower with 17 VID, will try lowering to 15

also my bios wont let me put multiplier above 45x

 

just a quick update changing VID from 17 back to 20 and my clocks in argus are showing as 4500 again consistently....this is not how i understood voltage to work in a cpu so im kind of confused

 

Depending which angle you take for measuring it can be amps or watts... but either way it's the same thing... in other words "power" for the CPU. If you view the setting in XTU Pri Plane is expressed as amps, but the BIOS setting for Pri Plane represents watts. You can set the Pri Plane high enough for your max overclock and leave it there. It does not cause overheating like voltage does. In fact, setting this as high as you need simply sets a ceiling on the watts (or amps) available when needed at a given time. You could set it for 8191 (max value) and it won't matter. It is not how many watts/amps are being fed constantly to the CPU. The power utilization is dynamic, not static. Voltage is somewhat static once load is applied and using too much will cause overheating. Once the heat reaches the trip point, then throttling will occur. One will not compensate for the other. Both need to be set to the correct minimum values for stable overclocking. If your Pri Plane is set too low and that is limiting your overclock (core ratio) and you increase it to where it needs to be with the voltage being too low, when the CPU attempts to reach the selected core ratio you will get a BSOD because of the voltage being too low. Think of Pri Plane as being a thottle position limiter or governor and voltage as the fuel.

Something seems goofy with your BIOS. The multiplier should not be limited to 45x as the 2920XM or 2960XM CPU (if it's a good one) can handle 4.9GHz and higher. I have benching my 2920XM at 4.8-4.9GHz, so something is not right with your BIOS or settings are messed up somewhere else in the BIOS. Might try to reflash the BIOS and see what happens. Sometimes it gets corrupted and that will fix the problem. About a year ago, mw86 (residualvoltage here at NBR) was having all kind of goofy issues, (including the language being stuck in Chinese,) with his M18x BIOS. I suggested that he do a blind flash (after a regular flash changed nothing) and doing so fixed all of the problems he was experiencing.

 

the multiplier goes to 0 if you try to set it above 45, this is regardless of whether the "level3" overclock setting is on or off....am i missing something? either way my temps go as high as 95 on core 2 at 4.5ghz so this is pretty much my ceiling, i thought lowering VID would allow me to go to 4.6 but apparently lowering it also decreases my clocks =/

 

Something is wrong with your BIOS. 45 should not be the limit. If it is flipping over to 0 past 45 then something is wrong. Set Level 1 to 3 Overclocking to Disabled. That being enabled can interfere with the other settings. Also disable non-turbo flex support, because that causes some other issues.

I have validated my 2920XM at 4.9GHz and Johnksss has validated his 2960XM (both in an M18xR1) over 5.0GHz. I'd recommend doing a blind flash at this point. There is a certain element of risk in doing that, as the process must not be interrupted. Otherwise, you will need to be content with a cap of 4.5GHz.

 

non-flex is disabled, i tried disabling the level1/2/3 and it still flips to 0 after 45

 

Yup, something is corrupt. It's not supposed to be like that. You're going to need to blind flash it to resolve that issue. If you want to try clearing the CMOS first, there is a remote chance that will straighten it out. To clear the CMOS, remove the AC adapter and system battery. Disconnect the coin cell battery and short across the pins for a few seconds where the coin cell battery wires connect to the motherboard. Hold down the power button 30 seconds, then hook everything up again. If it is still like that, a blind flash would be the next step to correct the 45x limit.

 

ooof...im not sure if i want to even do all that =/ im already thermally maxed out and everything is working fine its not like ill be able to raise it to 46x anyway even if i can fix it, is how i see it

 

You can repaste with Liquid Ultra and greatly improve the thermal issue. I highly recommend doing that anyway.

But, if you're happy with how it runs like it is, then don't worry about going higher that 45x4... there is no need to unless you want to. 4.5GHz is still really impressive for a laptop and more than many desktops are capable of achieving with some of the fanciest new desktop CPUs.

 

just an update, with pri plane at 1500 i set VID back to 15 and it works now....clocks steady and temps lower


is there maybe another window in unlocked bios i can change multiplier in ? id like to try 46x now

EDIT: even in throttlestop, multiplier will not go above 45x

EDIT2: re-flashed insydeH20 A05 UNLOCKED BIOS, still stuck at 45x, but changed throttling temp from 85C to 90C in BIOS and lowered VID from 15 to 12.....kinda out of ideas now

Mr Fox, are you perhaps using a different unlocked bios than me?

 

Nope, there's only one unlocked A05 BIOS for the M18xR1. There's something that isn't right about your motherboard or CPU, or the BIOS is corrupted. If you haven't blind-flashed it yet, you still need to think about trying that unless you're statisfied with how it runs now. Blind flashing to flush whatever kind of firmware corruption is messing it up is the only suggestion I can offer at this time. There's not any secret switch to flip for more than 46x multiplier.

 

even at 45x im still hitting 90C+ unfortunately so unless i repaste it with liquid ultra...which im reluctant to do both because id have to take it apart and bc im nervous about using something that is conductive to electricity

im toying with the idea of getting an m18xR2 and letting my gf have this one

 

Yeah, you really need to be using Liquid Ultra for CPU overclocking. You'll need to do that with any laptop, including the R2, if you want decent temps.

 

Is there any specific way to use that mr fox as I worry about getting it on the little resistors or diods or what ever them things are around the edge of a cpu/gpu... I was using arctic silver and worked fine for about a week but have since down clocked due to heat. Also anarky 321 have you thought about just upgrading your motherboard to an r2? Im looking at doing it after new years

 

Look at the information I have in post #47 in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ra-any-tips-before-i-start-5.html#post9520969

You put it on a certain way and then you're done. I am using Liquid Ultra on multiple machines with excellent results. Just don't be sloppy and follow my pictorial guide and you will have zero issues. No need to worry about electrical conductivity if you do a neat and clean job of application. And, yeah... Arctic Silver is good for a couple of days or less with serious overclocking. Most pastes are like that. Next to Liquid Ultra, your only other decent options are IC Diamond and Gelid GC Extreme. Both are excellent and very durable, but don't cool as well as Liquid Ultra does.

 

not even going to consider it tbh, with R2's going on ebay for under 1000 the risk of messing something up isn't worth it to me

if i do end up getting one ill have to put a 3940xm into it so ill get a chance to use liquid ultra, i just dont feel like taking it apart just to put that on especially when it can short something out

the bios issues with OC and 1 less hard drive is making me steer away from aw18 for now

 

Mr Fox, do you have a list settings in the unlocked Bios to change for maximizing overclocking of the CPU?

 

still running into issues with cpu not fully clocking....stuck at 4.0ghz wont go to 4.5ghz.....temps are low...will try a restart

EDIT: after restart cpu is clocking to 4.5ghz like its supposed to

 

Maybe it was a TDP/current setting that needed a restart to apply...

 

Hi guys,
I have a M18x now , and I want to get started on overclocking the 3920XM. I haven't changed any settings except the multipliers, which I have pushed 42 across all 4 cores just fine. Anything more, and it becomes unstable/crashes. Any other settings to change to try and hit higher multipliers?

BCLK overclocking on the M17x R4 was miserable...could never get past 101Mhz stable.

 

Do you have an unlocked system BIOS? If not, that's the first place to start. Grab the latest version of XTU and ThrottleStop as well. There are some decent examples of Ivy XM overclock settings posted in this thread, but if you need more help just give a shout.

 

The unlocked BIOS was the first thing I did, I need direct access to some chipset features and video settings for OS X (VT-d gives issues in OS X as the kernel can't handle VT-D)

I will look through the thread, thanks Fox!

 

NP... if you get stuck or need help with something let me know.

 

@Mr. Fox Is there a unlocked Bios (computer bios) that supports UEFI and works properly with the 980ms? I currently have A12 dell bios and is working Okay, but i cant get my CPU pass 4.3 and ive seen you taken yours to something crazy like 4.9. I'm thinking on doing some serious benching and wanna overclock my Cpu to 4.5 to 4.9 do i need the unlocked bios in order to get up there? Also what bios do you recommend.

 

A08, A09, A10 all support UEFI and all have an unlocked BIOS. You do not need to use A12. I used all three of those with 980M and A11. None of the BIOS versions had any effect whatsoever on 980M throttling, good or bad. The GPUs behaved the same no matter which BIOS. My highest CPU overclocking results were first achieved with A09, but that was based more on timing than anything else. (A10 wasn't out yet, and A10 didn't let me overclock any higher than A09 did.) I don't really see any different with the CPU between A08, A09, A10. I blind flashed my M18xR2 to A03 and flashed A08 unlocked yesterday. I haven't had any reason to apply a newer BIOS.

Short answer: doesn't matter which one.

 

Thanks @Mr. Fox

I am planning on flashing an unlock Bios thinking on doing A10 Unlocked.

Also, With the 980ms Installed, A03 has UEFI support right? I know i have to blind flash to A03 first before jumping to A10 Unlocked


Did unlocked bios help on achieving higher over clocks on ur CPU?

I am Trying to figure out if is worth it for me to flash the unlocked bios or not. If it makes no difference on overclocking potential then i would considerate worth it. I really dont care about the additional options and settings, half of that stuff i dont even know what it does ... I Know one of the settings to tweak(not available on dell bios) will be the pri-plane setting, Does this gives you better OC results?

 

FYI... With @j95 modded drivers im on the hot fix 353.00 I am no longer getting throttling below stock clocks. even when i do a moderate OC it stays oced unless I am doing benches.

 

No, A03 has no UEFI at all. It is a straightforward Legacy-only BIOS . As UEFI is not even an option, your 980M cards would have to be removed or the system will not POST.

I was able to go from A11 to A10, then apply A10 unlocked using @svl7 prr tool. You should be able to go from A12 to A10, then unlock A10. I would try that first, and only blind flash to A03 as a last resort. If you blind flash to A03 with GPUs removed, you can apply A08 unlocked as a normal flash (no prr tool needed). You cannot go from A03 directly to A09 or higher... have to apply A08 first.

Yes, unlocking the BIOS makes a HUGE difference on CPU overclocking. You have to disable the MSR lock with the unlocked BIOS to achieve good results. Pri Plane is the watts/amps and you need that for higher overclocks or the clock speeds will drop under load. You also cannot adjust the flex VID high enough with the stock BIOS for more extreme overclocking. The main things is the MSR lock. Once that is disabled you can use XTU for just about everything else as far as CPU power settings.

 

This is a big deal for me, I am glad i asked. I dont want to pull my cards out.

I will try the PRR TOOL hope it works. So the main settings to mess around with would be, Disable MSR Lock then maxed out the Pri-plane then mess around with the Voltage(flex).
Ill keep u posted, I wanna get to 19k-20k 3dmark 11 on my system. Do you think i can get up there? I am doing about 173xx at the moment.

 

@Mr. Fox Okay i downloaded the unlocked Bios a10 along with all the tools needed from techinferno. I created a bootable drive but i cant boot from it, i am guessing is becasue i gotta make a UEFI bootable usb drive.

I googled it and the instructions to make it is to install windows 7/8. since i dont want to do that, i only wanna flash my bios is there a way to make a bootable UEFI usb drive without the ISO of the operating system?

 

No the USB stick should not need to be UEFI bootable as you can't do a UEFI boot at the moment.

 

You need to remove the GPUs and enable Legacy to boot from DOS to use the PRR tool. Those DOS tools do not work in a UEFI environment. I did not see your post earlier about not wanting to remove the GPUs. I don't think you have any option to apply the unlocked BIOS unless you do. This is just one more example of why a Legacy-free BIOS sucks really bad. Laptops that cannot use CSM are nothing but pure colon blow.

 

Thanks @Mr. Fox & @Meaker

I will do the unlocked Bios once i have to repaste with the liquid ultra stuff. I am using ICdimond on my video cards at the moment and shall be re-pasting in the next few weeks with the liquid ultra paste. Once I do Ill go ahead and take them off to boot in legacy mode and do the unlock. Then I will need the helps from you guys the experts on how to tweak that Bios to achieve good CPU Overclock.

Once Prema releases official vbios that remove throttle (when Oced) and a good cpu overclock, i think i should be in the 19-20k on 3dmark 11.

 

@Mr. Fox @Meaker

maybe a dumb question but I have to ask!
What if i disable the 980ms with FN + F7 method and then go in to bios and enable legacy boot, flash my bios then enable back to UEFI then enable back the 980ms?

 

Dang, I did so many things with experimenting and I believe I actually did that and it worked (booted), but don't hold me to it. I mean, probably more than 100 hours of tinkering trying to get 980M SLI working to my satisfaction, so my memory of some of those acrobatic stunts is fuzzy now.

Worse thing that could happen is you will have to pull the GPUs out and change it back. I'm about 95% certain that I actually did that successfully, all except for the BIOS flashing part.

What causes me to pause is BIOS flashing part, because the default setting is not UEFI and IGFX. After you flash the BIOS it will be set to PEG and UEFI and Legacy Option ROM (BIOS defaults) and it will not boot that way. Since the unlocked BIOS is a "soft flash" with the PRR tool on A09 or A10, it might retain your previous settings. A "normal" flash using the InsydeH20 utility or a blind flash will set defaults and erase your custom settings.

If you don't mind having to pull the GPUs, there is no reason not to try it.

 

Got ya @Mr. Fox

When I am ready to Repaste, I will try it and let all you guys know if that method works.

thanks