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Mini Overclocking Guide

Mini Overclocking Guide​
NOTE: The Steps Below were Tested on Froyo Roms. I have found different and perhaps better ways to test stability with CM7 Roms so I added a section for that too.
You can still use Stability Test but I don't use it too often anymore for CM7.
Programs Required for testing:
#1 Stability Test
#2 Neocore (please note that some kernels are not FPS unlocked meaning that the frame rate will not go over 56fps so make sure to compare apples to apples when testing different kernels).
For overclocking/undervolting you can use either Pimp My CPU or Voltage Control
Intro:
I posted this Guide in ROM thread but decided it might help someone trying to get a head start overclocking...just a reference not a bible.
First of all, please realize that no two CPUs are created equal. Just like with PC Overclocking, there is the luck of the draw involved here so just because one person can do 1.4Ghz it does not mean you will be able to do so nor it means that my UV settings will work for you.
Achieving 1.2Ghz should be feasible for almost all users since most of the code for it was already done by Samsung themselves. After that point though, it is a matter of luck. Many users can do 1.3Ghz but getting into 1.4Ghz the chances of stability drop dramatically.
Please note that with CM7 Roms it seems a LOT more people is able to hit 1.4Ghz and even 1.5Ghz fully stable. 1.6Ghz is also working although not as common. It is easier to use it if you select 1.6Ghz as the ONLY frequency but of course battery life will be affected.
So, start at 1.2Ghz and try to achieve stability with the lowest possible UV settings you can get to improve your battery life then when fully stable, go for a bit more speed if you like until you find your limit.
Process:
The following is the process I use to get 100% stability. Of course, you can use your own or tweak as you like as this is hardly the ONLY TRUTH of overclocking…I just hope it gives you a good idea on how to achieve stability.
I normally use these settings for 1200Mhz:
1200Mhz @ -100
1120Mhz @ -100
1000Mhz @ -100
900Mhz @ -100
800Mhz @ -100
400Mhz @ -100
200Mhz @ -100
100Mhz @ -100
After setting those up , click the Apply Now button but do not save to the Boot settings until you are sure they are stable for you.
To check stability I first run the Stability Test program and let it loop about 30 times or at least 20 of the CORE (not the RAM).
If it fails give it another shot if it fails again then it is time to adjust the voltages for 1200Mhz.
My experience has been that Stability Test crashes to the home screen when it needs more voltage so if it crashes for you change the UV to -75 and test again.
When you are able to pass that test , you can go to Neocore and try looping Neocore and let it running for about 5 to 10 minutes.
If Neocore freezes, at least for my phone, it means that voltage is too high so I need to drop the UV.
Right there is where the whole trick is. Trying to find what UV voltage is enough for Stability Test to pass but still low enough so that Neocore does not freeze.
This takes a lot of trial and error specially when going for 1.4Ghz!
Another thing is that the UV setting for the frequency below the one you are going for, like 1120 and 1000 for example, do have an effect on the stability you are trying to achieve on 1200Mhz because the phone does not seem to like big voltage jumps .
Some times changing the voltage for the frequency below the one you are adjusting is a good way of achieving stability.
This becomes more important when for example you find out that changing 1.2Ghz to -50 gives you stability for Stability Test but then you need -75 in order to pass Neocore test. What do you do then? What I have done with relative success is , use -75 but then increase the voltage to the frequencies below 1200.
For example if I had
1200Mhz @ -75
1120Mhz @ -100
1000Mhz @ -100
I would change it to:
1200Mhz @ -75
1120Mhz @ -75
1000Mhz @ -75
then test Stability Test to see if those changes help you pass it without having to increase the voltage for 1.2Ghz directly thus avoiding the Neocore freezing issue.
Another process some users are doing is just run Neocore for about 30 minutes and it seems to be a good alternative for some. Guess it all depends on your particular phone.
So, as you can image, this means a LOT of trial and error and restarts of your phone. For 1.2Ghz it should be painless but if you want to go higher, prepare to do a lot of the steps above.
Another thing to consider is that some phones seem to work better with kernels that only have one top speed after 1Ghz as opposed to kernels that offer multiple speed options so this is yet another variable to work with.
Also, remember that to restart your phone, there is no need to pull out the battery. Just press and hold the Volume Up and Power button and it will restart.
I am sure this guide can be done a lot better and will be glad to add or edit with any recommendations you can offer.
I hope this helps some of you trying to push your phones to the limits and have fun!
UPDATE for CM7 Users
With CM7 what we considered THE holly grail of speeds, 1.4Ghz with Froyo Roms suddenly became a VERY common thing.
I have no explanation as to why but a LOT of users are able to get 1.4Ghz and even 1.5Ghz perfectly stable on CM7 and the phones just fly at those speeds. Some are also able to get 1.6Ghz stable but that is harder.
Setting only one speed like 1.6Ghz dramatically increased the stability as well. Just a hint for you guys wanting to do some benchmarks.
You can use a program like Pimp My CPU or Voltage Control to set the voltages and the Maximum and Minimum speed.
Now while the Steps at the beginning of the guide (for Froyo roms) should be fine for CM7 as well ...I have noticed, at least with my phone , that a video player called Moboplayer is VERY good for stability testing CM7. In fact, I do not even use Stability Test any more since I moved to CM7.
When the voltage is a bit low on my screen it creates some artifacts, usually green spots that come up and go in random areas until it freezes.
My actual favorite player for CM7 is Dice Player because for me it plays 720p files better but I like moboplayer a lot as well specially because of the artifacts it shows when I am not stable so it is a quick way to tell the settings are not going to work.
Another thing I love to use if the Riptide Game (tegra 2 game) with Chainfire 3D plugin to make it work on our phones. That game will just close without warning when my speed is unstable. So I just let it running the demo on its own for about 10 minutes.
So basically, I use Moboplayer and Riptide to test my stability and with those tests my system is ready to go and takes less time than the steps I used to do.
Of course you can come up with your own preferred tools since our phones are quite unique and seem to have their own personalities.
It seems some users are having luck with my settings so here are my settings for 1.6Ghz This is for GLITCH kernel (V10C VC). Remember that each kernel has different voltages so instead of giving you a minus value like -100 I will give you the actual voltage I am using for each speed.
1.6Ghz - 1425mV
1.5Ghz - 1400
1.44 - 1325
1.4Ghz - 1325
1.3Ghz - 1275
1.2Ghz - 1275
1.0Ghz - 1200
800Mhz - 1100
400Mhz - 950
200Mhz - 850
100Mhz - 850
For Governor I normally just have Smartass and the Scheduler is NOOP.
Not that while for 1.6Ghz my current setting is either -50 or -75, if I were to select only 1.6Ghz as my max and minimum speed, I am then able to lower the voltage to -100 perfectly stable. Just an interesting thing for you to play with.
Important Note for CM7 users getting many FCs like google service or android service.
CM7 has a much smaller data space for application installs and every time I get to that limit my phone gets crazy with FCs. You can check that by going to your applications and launching the TERMINAL application then type df (in lower case) and pressing Enter.
Look at the top table listed for /datadata and make sure you have some available space.
As long as I keep that from filling up (in fact I prefer to keep it around 60% max to give me some room) my phone works like a charm.
You can use an app like APP2SD to move application data to the SD card to free up space.
Have fun and enjoy your pumped up phone!
UPDATE 12/30/2011
CyanogenMod 9 (ICS) users with Glitch kernel using LiveOC you can use my settings as a starting point.
This is what I use for 1603Mhz
Voltages:
ARM voltage
from 1500 to 1200 = 1.5V ; 1000 = 1.375V ; 800 = 1.250V ; 400=1.100V ; 200=950mV ; 100=900mV
Int from 1400 to 1200 = 1.2V ; 1000 = 1.15V ; 800 = 1.125V ; 400=1.100V ; 200=1.100V ; 100=1.000V
Then 123% LiveOC using 1300MHz step (giving you 1.6GHz)
Governor I am still testing but usually Smartass V2
You can of course use it as a starting point for lower speeds if you like.

Nice man. Saves alot of frustration with this.

Awesome! Thank you!

You are the OC master, Shaolin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

I wish I was a master indeed but I just have a lot of patience I guess to test ..and test...and crash..an test some more

I think I saw a post that said that any temperature below 56 degrees Celcius is fine for the captivate. I still start to worry though if it reaches 50 during a stability test, what's your opinion?

I noticed that mine when it its 50C or so for any reason (battery temp IIRC) it stops charging so that is where I normally draw the line. If I cannot keep it under that I dont feel comfortable.

That 50 is pretty high, at least for me. Even with stability test going for an hour or so at 1400, I only hit 46. Haven't seen anything higher
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

Depends on ambient temp of course...you cannot compared devices temps without knowing the ambient temp. In any case, I saw that when I was using the first Trident kernel. That one even made my screen feel very hot...kinda scary lol
Right now, the only app I have that makes my phone stop charging, even when temp is low, is the Justin TV viewing app....weird. I even ran the phone at 600Mhz only to make sure.

AReynante said:
That 50 is pretty high, at least for me. Even with stability test going for an hour or so at 1400, I only hit 46. Haven't seen anything higher
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was testing out 1500 1400 is fine for me with -100 for each value. 1500 is a different story since I haven't managed to find a stable combination yet (that doesn't reach 50 degrees Celcius).

Sweet. Are you getting to 50C with a specific app? I only get there with some streaming apps but I really only use 1.5 for fpse emulator for example.

I don't have an app that tells me the temperature so the only time I know is if I do a stability test. I'm not sure if I really have a need for 1500MHz since I don't use emulators much but it's more of a "yea my phone can do it" kind of accomplishment - unless I'm missing out on some other benefits of 1500Mhz over 1400Mhz besides possibly more smoothness.

zuN! said:
I don't have an app that tells me the temperature so the only time I know is if I do a stability test. I'm not sure if I really have a need for 1500GHz since I don't use emulators much but it's more of a "yea my phone can do it" kind of accomplishment - unless I'm missing out on some other benefits of 1500Ghz over 1400Ghz besides possibly more smoothness.
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Click to collapse
Lol 1.5 terahertz I want that phone!

studacris said:
Lol 1.5 terahertz I want that phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow didnt notice that....thats Fing awesome!

Stability Test question
Hey Shaolin,
Just a quick question here, when you mention running stability test through 30/50 runs, are you referencing the RAM runs or the core runs? Just checking, since the RAM runs complete within a few minutes whereas the core runs take closer to half an hour, etc.
Thanks for posting the guide, much appreciated!!!

Since the new version I am only doing 30 of the core runs since it seems to take longer than before.
You are welcome amigo

shaolin95 said:
Since the new version I am only doing 30 of the core runs since it seems to take longer than before.
You are welcome amigo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate, maybe you can add this to your guide as I thought before that stability test and several runs of new core, nenamark, etc...that after passing those tests you're probably stable but what I found out that I can pass those tests without problems and just recently those test are not enough for you to be sure if you are really stable what I have found is to run or record in your phone video cam in its highest resolution about 720p for 200mb worth of data if your phone won't freeze then it's pretty stable you can delete those files afterwards.

Indeed each phone and user can find specific things that work for them, for example with my phone I can just use mobo player and play some videos and I get artifacts when voltage is low or I had a game that with low voltage will always freeze at the same spot yet some user do not have the same effect.
I guess I can add a small list of other possible quick tests like that video one you mentioned as alternatives

I found out another way to test stability which is to do a batch operation of backing up apps with TiBu. I'm not sure what it implies if it crashes though

Hi shaolin95, can I link this post in my VoltageControl thread? (with credits ofc)

[Q] Optimum "LOW" setting for performance based overclocking

I am loving my Android experience so far coming from and iPhone 4. I am running LeeDroid and have been playing around a lot with SetCPU. At this time, I am not concerned about battery as of yet. I am asking this question in regard to optimal, blazing fast performance with minimal hiccups.
I have done Quadrant testing at various min/max CPU levels. I had excellent results at 1804 high 904 min. However I had to yank the battery after not being able to unlock the device.
For profiles, real basic, again I am not concerned about battery charge life ATM. I have it set to revert to stock performace (1036/245) if the battery temp reaches 100F.
With the screen locked, I have it set to 499/245. All of my settings are using the "ondemand".
I would like to know what an ideal minimum is for PERFORMANCE as well as ideal max (1804? Highest might not always be fastest?). I got amazing results with Quadrant full benchmark with settings of 1804/499. This also caused a lockup when trying to unlock the device though. Maybe because there was a conflict with my lockscreen max setting? I would think the app would put priority to the lock profile though.
Also, does this phone have a built in CPU temperature sensor that I could utilize with a CPU temp widget?
Thanks for reading my lengthy ramblings.
Ray

Not all Processors are created equal and therefore some can OC to 1900+ and some cant overclock at all. Most will be in between. Sounds like you are over doing it. I clock mine to about 1400 when charging. I have had it to 1700 without an issue at all, but I don't find a need to be faster then 1400. When screen is off I actually tell it to go to 250MHz. Sometimes its alittle slow to "wake". But it saves mucho battery. When just on battery I am running at about 1250. Been this way for about 3 weeks. Not an issue.
I have never had to yank my battery and quite frankly if I did I would never run it that high again. You are going to burn it up running it at that speed. Nothing over 1500 for extended periods. 1800+ for showing off maybe? But that's kinda dumb too.
I have not read about any built in temp thing so can't really answer that.

I don't know what kind of power hungry apps you guys are running, but I run mine underclocked to 906MHz. Snappy as ever.

[Q] Infusion coreA kernel may has some problems with GPU in zeus

I`m running zeus 5.2，everything is good.thank you dman!
but i notice some questions：
If you choose the governor ondemond,there is olny 50fps in game or neocore test,it is a little bit lag.But high cpu and IO score in quadrant(3300)
then you change the governor to perfrmence or conservative or interactiveX
you`ll get 56fps in game and neocore,the game runs quite good,but cpu and io score is lower in quadrant ( 2100 point)
I wonder what`s wrong with this problem?It someting wrong thunderbolt or kernel ?
thank you for your help.

neocore and quadrant are a joke. besides that kernel is no longer supported as all the old kernel devs left and there hasnt been any new source code to build from.
file system scores on quadrant are laughable, infact dont pay any attention to quadrant if you can help it, miui and a tweaks script can get you near 5000, that doesnt mean you increased capabilities by 5 times over stock.
if you want a file system benchmark then i dont know what to tell you, i dont know of any good ones. if you want a cpu benchmark then use chainfire bench. if you want a gpu bechmark use one that can actually bog down the gpu. neocore isnt enough of a challenge for anything with a modern gpu, thats for old snapdragon phones (nexus 1, incredible, evo....) or low level phone. the kernel limits the fps to about 56 fps, the reason the different governors show lower is that the thresholds and logic is different so it doesnt step you up as aggresively. being 6 fps off the cap doesnt show a deficientcy nessessarily, it might just be some lag in the step up or a high threshold for step up. or there may be a slight issue with that governor on that kernel.

Dani,thank you for your answer
I`m totally agree what you said that neocore and quadrant are a joke ^0^
I dont care the score but because i`m a noob,so I was curious with some something strange.
you could feel the different between 50fps with 56fps in some games, such as Dungeon hunter2 or bcakstab HD,but not in doodle jump ：）
maybe those kernel is no longer supported,and problems will not be solved,so I only hope that some new kernels come out soon .LoL

[Q] - Overclocked kernels - What's the point ?

I see a lot of overclocked kernel editions, and I am wonder could someone explane me, except extensive battery draining, instabillity and overheating of device, what is and is there any crucial positive point of overclocked kernels ?

Overclocked kernels are simply kernels whose speed limit had been raised above the stock speed.
That increases perrormans dramatically as is visible by different benchmarks utilities.
You are correct to assume that higher clock would require some extra voltage and that the phone will get hotter. But it is not always noticeable and is mostly depentant on the configuration.
The cpu clock is not always at the highest possible. Different governors define what speed should the cpu be at any time. If there's a lot of work the cpuspeed would increase and if it idles a lot it would decrease.
I love 3 oc kernels, Sebastian's, bricked and faux. They all have different philosophies but all are excelent, do not overheat and save gather.compared to stock though they allow higher cpu freqs.
I suggest you create a nandroid backup and try some of.there kernels. Give it atleast two days.before you make up your mind about it, and try another if you wish, till you find the one that is right for you.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium

I agree. I never see the point of over clocking. I always limit my processor to 1.18 or even 1.13 and never have any problems with overheating or poor battery life!

I used overclock kernels for a long time on my gs2. Its nearly the same like with a desktop CPU. Every CPU had it's own work range, many CPUs a
are even able to work with higher frequency but lower voltage than standard. This causes in higher speed with lower power consumption!
all you need is a kernel which allows individual voltage settings for each speed which you can set with setcpu.
BUT my opinion is that even the gs2 with 1,2 GHz dual core was faster than any Android app had needed, so the gs3 at all!
ATM I've setted the max frequency in setcpu to 600 mhz and I can't see any lags or missing speed...
So I guess many people are more looking for benchmarking than real practical advantage..
but undervolting is a real great thing for power hungry smartphones!
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk 2

You all right guys. That is why I asked myself that question because there is hard to find modded kernels with default speeds and all new goodies, because I have noticed even I "limit" overclocked kernel in my Hypersensation CM7 Cyanogen Settings, it happens that some kernels from time to time speeds up to overclocked value, even in settings they were limited, and that impact widespread device causes instabillity ( and corrensponding unpleasent situations of forced battery pulling).
Last good kernel what I find for my CM7 ( I don't like ICS) is Bricked_XE-1.6.beta7 and with this release of CM7 it seems that kernel edition further development stops.It runs on 1526 Mhz and I allways wonder why shouldn't it run "out of the box" on default speed...
Does anyone have suggestion link, (because I couldn't find it )for any CM7 modded kernel with all new goodies, but running on default Sensation XE Mhz speed ?

i have been using overclocked Kernels for a while now and rarely have any problems, the phone is quick, very quick and the battery drain is really not that different and that is running it at 1.72 with both cores permanently on

tin2404 said:
[...] because I have noticed even I "limit" overclocked kernel in my Hypersensation CM7 Cyanogen Settings, it happens that some kernels from time to time speeds up to overclocked value
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This really should not happen. The maximum frequency for a governor is set through /sys pseudo-fs and (assuming the governor is not buggy) strictly followed. Maybe you have some leftover scripts somewhere messing with /sys?
tin2404 said:
( and corrensponding unpleasent situations of forced battery pulling).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this should -- like already pointed out -- only be the case under heavy load. Normally, a sensible governor will only set frequencies necessary to satisfy the current load.

Overclocking Confusion!!

Finally figured out how to over clock my CPU/GPU on One X with CM11 KitKat rom. Bumped the CPU to 1809 (what I researched is stable) and GPU to 512. My Antutu benchmark score dropped from low 17k's to mid 13k?
Help please!! Could running Trickster Mod App interfere with Performance option in CM11....?

Trickster Mod isn't interfering with the performance, it just means your phone won't perform at its peak with those settings. Higher CPU/GPU clocks don't necessarily mean better performance, I've seen this through extensive personal testing. Dial the settings back to stock and increase the clock speed incrementally while testing after each increase, you'll reach a point where performance suffers, dial it back one notch and there you have your "peak" settings.
Unless you're doing some really hardcore gaming on your phone it's all pretty pointless. There's no advantage to overclocking in everyday use of the device other than to say it's overclocked, you just can't notice a difference, any noticed difference is more than likely a placebo. I actually underclock my CPU to 1242mhz to improve battery life and have zero negative response whosoever, no matter what I throw at it.
Sent from my Evita

I agree with Tim here. I'm running cm11 on power saver mode, and it runs just fine. A little slow opening and closing apps, but buttery smooth for everything else.
Sent from my One X using xda premium