CPUs

ASRock to Support Base Clock Overclocking on Intel 10th Gen non-K CPUs and Lower-End Motherboards

ASRock might support base clock overclocking in case of the non-K Intel 10th Gen Comet Lake-S processors, a leaked slide suggests. Dubbed as Base Frequency Boost (BFB), the overclocking technology will raise the base clock of the new CPUs by as much as 1.2GHz for prolonged use.

Intel’s modern boosting algorithm operates in steps, with each one bound by a certain thermal or power limit. The highest boost level is usually achieved under the PL2 power profile with a max TDP of 250W in the case of the Core i9-10900K and 229W for the Core i7-10700K. The frequency boost to 5.3GHz in case of the former lasts for just 56s after which the clocks gradually drop as per the thermal and power restrictions.

ASRock’s Base Frequency Boost (BFB), although doesn’t increase the boost clock, it does elevates the stock operating frequencies by around 1GHz. While not all workloads won’t benefit from this increase in base frequency, certain applications that don’t trigger the Turbo Boost should see modest improvements.

As of now, Intel hasn’t said anything regarding ASRock’s BFB technology, so we’re not sure whether it’ll be limited to ASRock motherboards or available on all 400 series chipsets. Here’s where this extra juice comes from: Under stock conditions, the non-K CPUs have a TDP of 65W. But when you enable BFB, it’s pushed up to 125W. This provides the processors with additional headroom to raise their base clock regardless of the chipset being used or whether the multiplier is unlocked or not.

ASRock hasn’t detailed how exactly this works, but to me, it seems like a BIOS-level modification that pushes the base clock (the one which the multiplier is x-plied against) up by a notch. We’ll update this story as we hear more.

Areej Syed

Processors, PC gaming, and the past. I have been writing about computer hardware for over seven years with more than 5000 published articles. Started off during engineering college and haven't stopped since. Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Divinity, Torment, Baldur's Gate and so much more... Contact: areejs12@hardwaretimes.com.
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