AMD Overdrive: Why is BIOS any better?

[joecuddles]

After not being able to get hmonitor to run on my system (wanted to check temps) I stumbled across AMD OD (I have an x3 720, FYI). I installed it and searched on these forums for it, and people seem to hate it. I have a few questions though.

If I go into the BIOS and set the multiplier to 15, how is this different (and better) than going in AMD OD and setting the multiplier to 15?

When I OC in this program, does it change my BIOS settings or load settings on startup or do nothing (i.e I find stable settings in Windows, then set in BIOS)?



BONUS QUESTION: To prevent me starting a thread that gets answered in one sentence, does anyone know why my 4890 OC would show ~200 Mhz core in ATI Overdrive and AMD Overdrive? Runs fine in games and such, so why's it say 200?

 

[Zero82z]

When I OC in this program, does it change my BIOS settings or load settings on startup or do nothing (i.e I find stable settings in Windows, then set in BIOS)?

I don't believe Overdrive can affect any BIOS settings.

BONUS QUESTION: To prevent me starting a thread that gets answered in one sentence, does anyone know why my 4890 OC would show ~200 Mhz core in ATI Overdrive and AMD Overdrive? Runs fine in games and such, so why's it say 200?

The card lowers its clock speed when idle and in 2D mode in order to save power. When you load up a game the speed goes back up which is why you don't see any performance deficit.

 

[joecuddles]

I don't believe Overdrive can affect any BIOS settings.

The card lowers its clock speed when idle and in 2D mode in order to save power. When you load up a game the speed goes back up which is why you don't see any performance deficit.

Awesome, thanks for that clarification.

So why exactly do people hate on AMD OD? It lets you make quick changes that don't stick (no CMOS resets) and once you find it stable you can simply put the settings in the BIOS and lock them in. Seems pretty swell to me

 

[Zero82z]

So why exactly do people hate on AMD OD? It lets you make quick changes that don't stick (no CMOS resets) and once you find it stable you can simply put the settings in the BIOS and lock them in. Seems pretty swell to me

Software overclocking usually isn't particularly stable and doesn't work so well. I haven't personally used Overdrive so I can't weigh in on that specifically, but in general I haven't had the best results with software overclocking.

 

[sirmonkey1985]

the AMD OD is a very good program for testing various settings.. since it can control various settings with the chipset.. along with voltages.. but the one thing it cant do is save those settings to the bios.. thus when booting up its the same settings you left the bios at.. not until you get into windows will it change the settings set in AMD OD..

if you want to fine tune your settings use AMD OD because it can do everything your bios can do.. then once you find a stable setting you like.. reboot and change those settings in the bios..

actually zero82z the new AMD OD is very good for testing out different settings.. and it will reset its self before hard locking or crashing if you use the stress test within AMD OD.. the old AMD OD was bad.. it lacked a lot of options.. and had no stress test program within AMD OD.. so if you set something wrong.. all you could do was wait for the BSOD to come up while using p95..


but at the same time AMD OD is limited to the 780G, 790X/GX/FX.. it will work on other 7XX series chipsets but doesnt allow you to use all the settings..