The processors of the Intel Core i5 line are presented in such a wide range of models that it is not easy to choose the optimal chip for solving problems related to the overclocking that is popular among Russian IT specialists. That is, the acceleration of "iron". By what criteria can I choose the Intel Core i5 processor line that is best suited for such purposes? What to look for when overclocking a chip?
Chip Line Facts
Intel Core i5 is not one processor, but a huge family of chips, positioned as mid-range products. In terms of performance, the Intel Core i5 processor (reviews by many IT experts confirm this) takes an intermediate position between its "brothers" - i3 and i7. What are the distinguishing features of these chips? What are the main characteristics of the Intel Core i5 processor, typical of most of its modifications?
CPU overclocking itself
It can be noted, for example, that the chips of the line feature remarkable Turbo Boost technology. It implies overclocking the processor in automatic mode, if the standard values ​​reflecting performance become insufficient. Also, a number of models of the line has an integrated chip, which is responsible for graphics processing independent of the video card.
The interval of clock frequencies that determine the performance of the Intel Core i5 processor is 1.2-3.6 GHz. The rate of data exchange through DMI is more than decent - 2.5 GP / s. The technology for the production of chips is different - there are those that are produced on the basis of crystals at 45 nm, and there are those that produce elements in 32 nm. The microarchitecture of the processors of this line is implemented in two versions - Intel Nehalem and Sandy Bridge. The number of cores varies - 2 or 4, the second-level cache - 256 KB (per 1 core), the third - 4-6 MB.
Many IT professionals are confident that you can carry out an impressive overclock of the Intel Core i5 processor in most of its modifications. Therefore, we will study the features of this chip, correlating them with the prospects of increasing productivity using the overclocking method.
Architecture features
First, we consider some aspects that reflect the structure of the processor. If we talk about Sandy Bridge, then it should be noted that the Intel Core i5 processor, reviews of which are especially common among overclocking enthusiasts, is not the only one where this architecture is implemented. Sandy Bridge is the basis for the functioning of i3 and i7-rulers. However, as experts say, the features of this architecture are more likely to interfere with the high-quality overclocking of the processor. In this connection?
Sandy Bridge Specifics
The fact is that certain key factors, without which overclocking the Intel Core i5 processor is difficult, are simply blocked in many chip models that are equipped with Sandy Bridge. The maximum that an “overclocker” with such an i5 on “arms” can count on is an increase in frequency of about 900 MHz. For a professional overclocking enthusiast, this is not the most outstanding indicator (although for an amateur - quite acceptable).
At the same time, there are processors in the i5 line, in which you can freely set values ​​by the necessary factors. Such chips include, for example, Intel Core i5-2500K. Theoretically, such models can be overclocked, according to some IT experts, to 5 GHz and higher. Many overclocking experts are also impressed by the fact that the cost of processors with unlocked multipliers is quite affordable. This allows, for example, by paying about $ 200-250 for a processor that can "accelerate" well, and achieve performance levels of almost "premium" chips, as many experts believe.
The ideal processor for overclocking
According to some experts, overclocking the Intel Core i5 processor is best done in the same i5-2500K modification. It is relatively inexpensive - about the same as above, and the results in overclocked conditions are very decent. In some aspects of acceleration, this processor, as some experts believe, is quite comparable with the more prestigious i7. And if we compare their cost, then the ratio of price and potential for productivity growth, experts believe, makes the i5 almost the more preferable solution than the model that is newer, but significantly more expensive.
Of course, if you compare the i7 and the Intel Core i5 processor, there are differences in the level of technology. For example, the size of the cache in the third level is different in these chips. The older model is equipped with 8 MB, the youngest - 6. However, as many experts note, in most cases this difference has no practical significance.
Intel Core 2500K Features
Continuing the description of the Intel Core i5 2500K processor, which is a candidate for the status of the most optimal for overclocking, it should be noted: many experts consider it perfectly adapted for gaming needs. Moreover, the 4 cores with which the chip is equipped is the limit for many modern "gaming" solutions. Processors that support a larger number of simultaneously processed threads are far from always able to provide a real increase in gaming performance.
Iron Factor
Of course, when planning to overclock the Intel Core i5 processor, the overclocker should acquire adequate hardware in advance. The hardware capabilities of other PC components must match the processor performance. If we use the Core i5 2500K, then we need a computer whose characteristics should not be inferior to the following:
- cooler with revolutions of at least 1800 units per minute;
- video card level Radeon HD 5870;
- RAM type DDR3-1600, at least 4 GB;
It is desirable that a high-quality cooling system also be on the system unit.
Software factor
Overclocking the processor is, as some overclocking enthusiasts think, a kind of little research. Therefore, the user will not be amiss to acquire an adequate "software" component as well. If we talk about the optimal operating system, overclocking the processor is quite acceptable in Windows 7. It is also necessary to make sure that the latest drivers are installed for all hardware components.
Results require measurements
In terms of software, it is important to get a program to effectively measure the results that processor overclocking will show. What kind of software does it make sense to pay attention to? One of the most versatile programs used by overclockers is 3D Mark. It, according to many IT experts, gives sufficiently objective results on the performance of the processor core, adequately compares the achieved performance with those shown by other chips.
Another useful utility is PC Mark. It can be used as an integrated form of software for testing processor performance.
Among the most versatile types of software for studying the speed of a PC (and not only the processor, but also other hardware components) is the SiSoft Sandra program. One of the most objective (if we talk about measuring chip performance) measurements that are present in SiSoft Sandra is the arithmetic test. The results of cryptographic measurements made by one of the modules of this program may also be useful.
Some experts believe that the architecture of the Intel Core i5 processor is well adapted to work in chess programs. Thus, it is possible to measure the chip’s performance upon overclocking based on the number of operations it performs in the process of “thinking over moves”. The program, which is ideally, according to experts, is suitable for this purpose - Fritz Chess Benchmark.
Software that is at hand
The above programs are specialized software for overclocking. Despite the fact that their use, as a rule, gives quite reliable and rather detailed figures that allow one to understand how successful the overclocking was, experts recommend using “ordinary” utilities in addition. For example, an archiver: using an accelerated processor, you can try to pack (or perform the reverse procedure) files, measuring, firstly, the overall speed of operations, and secondly, observing the stability of the computer as a whole.
Photoshop may also come in handy - especially when it comes to image operations where filtering is applied. This kind of action decently loads the processor. If the computer will work steadily when using such capabilities of Photoshop, it means that the chip has been overclocked sufficiently competently.
What other utilities might come in handy? For example, an application such as Linpack may be quite appropriate. It will also be useful to install a utility with which you can monitor the temperature of the processor. As such, you can use the program Real Temp. A CPU-z application may also come in handy for collecting system data.
Game factor
We noted above that the chip we are considering is a game processor. Intel Core i5, if you look at its basic characteristics (such as, for example, the base clock frequency of more than 3 GHz), it really seems quite productive for "gaming tasks". Therefore, during overclocking, it makes sense to study how the processor behaves in specialized programs that simulate the gaming environment, or, in fact, the games themselves. In the second case, its performance indicators can be fixed using the FRAPS utility.
Before you begin testing - in a software environment or in a gaming environment - the Intel Core i5 processor needs to be "measured" at the "factory" settings. By fixing the numbers in the corresponding types of software, you can increase the frequency of the multipliers. How to do it?
BIOS features
The most affordable way to “overclock” the processor is to set the appropriate settings by multipliers in the BIOS. To do this, restart the PC and at the very beginning of the computer start press DEL - through this action we exit to the BIOS. It is possible, of course, that the I / O key will be different. But, as a rule, the necessary hint is always displayed on the screen. It may look something like this: Press DEL to Enter BIOS. Instead of DEL, in this way, another necessary button will be indicated if it is different from the one marked.
Entering the BIOS, we find an option of the form Frequency Control. Several basic factors will be available in it. We will be interested in two - the total frequency of the processor bus (it is expressed in MHz) and, in fact, its coefficient. The first parameter is not recommended. The technological type of the Intel Core i5 processor, based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, is not too compatible with adjusting the system bus parameters. Moreover, as experts note, experiments with this setting, as a rule, do not provide a practically significant performance gain.
For growth to be progressive
Experiments with the second of the components are perfectly acceptable. The characteristics of the Intel Core i5-2500K processor allow an increase in the coefficient in question to 57. However, it is very undesirable to set this value immediately. The figure should be raised gradually, measuring the result of "overclocking" in the programs that we examined above. The optimal starting value of the multiplier is 40. If the system starts to work unstably, you can lower it.
Some experts advise overclockers to experiment not only with the multiplier, but also with the processor voltage. But an unequivocal point of view on this score is not observed among specialists. There are opponents of this approach. At the same time, if the user nevertheless wishes to work with this component, then it is worth starting with an indicator of 1.15 V. By the way, some experts note that specifically for the Intel Core i5-2500K processor this voltage value is quite sufficient to achieve optimal results overclocking.
Practical results
What results can be obtained from overclocking the chip? Can the installation of the Intel Core i5 processor on a gaming computer significantly affect the growth of real performance? According to experts, the results can be excellent. Installation - justified. Many of the IT experts who conducted the corresponding experiment came to the conclusion that the overclocking capabilities of the processor are especially noteworthy regarding the risks of overheating. That is, it is quite realistic to increase the practical performance of the chip, at which the processor temperature will unconditionally be within the technological norm. This means that if necessary, the multiplier can be increased further. True, then the issue of system stability becomes relevant. It needs to be tested, preferably through several programs at once.
Overclocking is a chance to really speed up the computer without additional investments. Thus, it is quite possible to purchase a budget quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and increase its performance by an order of magnitude, bringing it to a level comparable to that of the leading "premium" models.