In addition to the launch of its new high-end processors for socket AM3, AMD decided to launch version 3.0 of its OverDrive. And if the arrival of version 2.0 was a little disappointing in terms of new features, this version will seem more attractive. Indeed, even if we regret that the founder still persists in the software development house instead propose documented SDK for developers, which is the business, we will assess the progress of this OverDrive still probably the best Software later merged, and certainly the only really useful.
Thus, it will now support the right profile for the memory processor in the range Black Edition. Inspired by the EPP NVIDIA (which is also supported by many motherboards socket AM2 + / AM3) and the Intel XMP is for the smelter to allow users to exploit their memory. But these profiles, which contain information on the frequency and timings to be applied to the memory are not located in the memory module as in the chameleon, or BIOS ... but in an XML file.
These are centralized on a server with AMD, which allows a simplified update of the memory modules and motherboards supported with a simple internet connection. It will be also possible for users to create their own profiles simply, and to exchange, which should delight fans optimization simplified. Apparently, this function will be limited to modules of DDR-3 and requires a motherboard with a BIOS compatible. Limitations that might limit the enthusiasm of users.
Another new feature, which is certainly the most interesting in our view: the Smart Profiles. Again, AMD proposes to optimize the operation of the machine, but by this time the processor. It is in fact the founder of the idea of Turbo Mode Core i7, combining the management of the frequency of each core, with a piece of software that is not unlike the Bill2's Process Manager. This will allow for a given application, set the affinity by limiting the number of hearts used and the voltage applied to the CPU and the multiplier of each heart. A game that only two hearts, for example, we may now limit the activation of two hearts, their increasing frequency and force the other two at the minimum value.
To use reading software video, against, you may leave activated several hearts, but at a low frequency in order to preserve the power of the machine and the heat from the processor. Super Pi, we have been able to pass our score of 23,650 s to 19,640 s overclock a single core of a Phenom II 940 (3 GHz) to 3.8 GHz with 1.55V. AMD said that in the final version of the software for certain profiles will be provided automatically.
For against, when using this feature the Cool n 'Quiet, which allows the processor back to its minimum frequency when not in use, seems off. Hopefully that will be corrected in future versions. Management software, so that the Core i7 offers so material and therefore transparent to the operating system level, but it's there and who is primarily an advantage over the Core 2 Quad.
FiNal Word
We regret that we can not minimize OverDrive in the notification area, but the settings are saved and have been consistently applied, via a service, thus avoiding having to start each time you start the machine. Other minor improvements have been made within the software, as well as bug fixes, although we still encountered some problems with recognition of the frequencies of some of our Radeon. Ultimately, AMD seems to move in the right direction in developing its tool OverDrive, which becomes as a real argument to face Intel's Core 2. But we love him as the founder, who is lost with other projects of little value such as Fusion for Gaming and Media Explorer, would do better to give developers the means to simply draw from the advantages of its processors, all platforms available (and not Windows only ...).
Download AMD OverDrive 3.0
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