We overclock the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D up to 5400 MHz with the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard and EK-Quantum water cooling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90UBUq1mLGY

In an ironic twist of events, I find that the direct successor of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, this Ryzen 7 7800X3D, is the most tunable X3D processor yet. I actually genuinely enjoyed exploring multiple approaches to overclocking this X3D CPU. I hope you equally enjoy the video I’ve prepared for you.

All right, we have lots to cover, so let’s jump straight in.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Introduction

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor is the direct successor of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD’s first Ryzen X3D processor and part of the third wave of Ryzen 7000 Zen 4 AM5 desktop processors.

The first wave of Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 processors launched on August 29, 2022, and consisted of 4 X-SKUs ranging from the 6-core Ryzen 5 7600X to the 16-core Ryzen 9 7950X. The second wave of Ryzen 7000 processors launched on January 4, 2023. It consisted of 3 non-X SKUs ranging from the 6-core Ryzen 5 7600 to the 12-core Ryzen 9 7900. The third wave of Ryzen 7000 processors, announced on January 4 but only available since February 28, consists of exclusively X3D variants with 3D-V-Cache. The line-up consists of 3 SKUs ranging from the 8-core Ryzen 7 7800X3D to the 16-core Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

We already overclocked the Ryzen 9 7950X3D in SkatterBencher #56, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D in Skatterbencher #58, and the 5800X3D in SkatterBencher #39. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is like the 5800X3D, a single-CCD processor featuring 3D V-Cache technology.

I won’t say too much about the technical aspect of 3D V-Cache, as plenty of other media will cover that part of the X3D story. Long story short, AMD has a 3D-stacked additional L3 cache on top of the CCD to expand the on-die cache capacity. That, in theory, should help improve the performance in latency-sensitive workloads.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has one eight-core CCD and 16 threads. The base frequency is 4.2 GHz, and the maximum listed boost frequency is 5.0 GHz. The TDP is 120W, and PPT is 162W.

In this video, we will cover five overclocking strategies:

• First, we rely on AMD PBO and EXPO performance boost technologies
• Second, we use the ASUS X3D OC Profile available in the BIOS
• Third, we tune Precision Boost Overdrive with Curve Optimizer
• Fourth, we rely on asynchronous eCLK mode
• Lastly, we pursue a manual overclock

However, before we jump into overclocking, let us quickly review the hardware and benchmarks used in this video.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Platform Overview

The system we’re overclocking today consists of the following hardware.

Item	SKU	Price (USD)
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D	450
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero	660
CPU Cooling	EK-Quantum Velocity2 EK-Quantum Power Kit Velocity² 360	137 686
Fan Controller	ElmorLabs EFC ElmorLabs EVC2N4	20 35
Memory	G.SKILL Trident Z5 DDR5-6400	370
Power Supply	Enermax MAXREVO 1500W	370
Graphics Card	ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2080 TI	880
Storage	AORUS RGB 512 GB M.2-2280 NVME	120
Chassis	Open Benchtable V2	199

ElmorLabs EFC & EVC2

The Elmorlabs Easy Fan Controller is the base version of the customized EFC-SB I showed on this channel.

I explained how I use the EFC and EFC-SB in a separate video on this channel. Long story short, by connecting the EFC to the EVC2 device, I monitor the ambient temperature (EFC), water temperature (EFC), and fan duty cycle (EFC). I include the measurements in my Prime95 stability test results.

I also use the ElmorLabs EFC to map the radiator fan curve to the water temperature. Without going into too many details: I have attached an external temperature sensor from the water in the loop to the EFC. Then, I use the low/high setting to map the fan curve from 25 to 40 degrees water temperature. I use this configuration for all overclocking strategies.

The main takeaway from this configuration is that it gives us a good indicator of whether the cooling solution is saturated.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Benchmark Software

We use Windows 11 and the following benchmark applications to measure performance and ensure system stability.

BENCHMARK	LINK
SuperPI 4M	https://www.techpowerup.com/download/super-pi/
Geekbench 6	https://www.geekbench.com/
Cinebench R23	https://www.maxon.net/en/cinebench/
CPU-Z	https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
V-Ray 5	https://www.chaosgroup.com/vray/benchmark
AI-Benchmark	https://ai-benchmark.com/
3DMark CPU Profile	https://www.3dmark.com/
3DMark Night Raid	https://www.3dmark.com/
CS:GO FPS Bench	https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=500334237
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	https://store.steampowered.com/app/750920/Shadow_of_the_Tomb_Raider_Definitive_Edition/
Final Fantasy XV	http://benchmark.finalfantasyxv.com/na/
Prime 95	https://www.mersenne.org/download/

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Stock Performance

Before starting overclocking, we must check the system performance at default settings. Note that the Precision Boost 2 boosting algorithm governs the performance over base specification. The standard parameters of the Precision Boost algorithm for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D are as follows:

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPU’s boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

The boost frequency at 1 active thread is about 4758 MHZ and trails off to 4486 MHz when all cores are active. We also find four out of the eight cores are boosting beyond the maximum advertised boost speed of 5 GHz. That’s not surprising, as we know that the programmed Fmax is 5050 MHz, but it’s always nice to see a processor overdeliver on its promise.

Here is the benchmark performance at stock:

• SuperPI 4M: 32.968 seconds
• Geekbench 6 (single): 2,616 points
• Geekbench 6 (multi): 14,039 points
• Cinebench R23 Single: 1,791 points
• Cinebench R23 Multi: 18,044 points
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: 688.2 points
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: 17,388.3 points
• V-Ray 5: 14,284 vsamples
• AI Benchmark: 5,144 points
• 3DMark Night Raid: 73,681 points
• CS:GO FPS Bench: 620.38 fps
• Tom Raider: 203 fps
• Final Fantasy XV: 177.09 fps

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores at stock

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: 960
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: 1,909
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: 3,722
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: 7,018
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: 7,908
• CPU Profile Max Threads: 7,914

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4285 MHz with 0.937 volts. The average CPU temperature is 65.7 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 24.9 and 29.9 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 71.9 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4531 MHz with 1.011 volts. The average CPU temperature is 75.7 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 24.8 and 29.9 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 75.7 watts.

Now, let us try our first overclocking strategy.

However, before we get going, make sure to locate the CMOS Clear button. Pressing the Clear CMOS button will reset all your BIOS settings to default which is helpful if you want to start your BIOS configuration from scratch. However, it does not delete any of the BIOS profiles previously saved. The Clear CMOS button is at the rear IO panel.

OC Strategy #1: PBO 2 + EXPO

In our first overclocking strategy, we take advantage of AMD-exclusive features Precision Boost Overdrive 2 and Extended Profiles for Overclocking.

PBO 2 – Precision Boost Overdrive 2

With the launch of Zen 3, AMD introduced an improved version of the Precision Boost Overdrive toolkit, allowing for manual tuning of the parameters affecting the Precision Boost frequency boost algorithm.

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 builds on the PBO implementation of Zen 2. In addition to the platform overclocking knobs from Zen+ (PPT, TDC, EDC) and processor overclocking knobs from Zen 2 (Boost Override and Scalar), Precision Boost Overdrive 2 introduces Curve Optimizer.

There are essentially 3 levels of Precision Boost Overdrive

1. AMD’s stock values, which can be set by disabling PBO
2. The motherboard vendor values, which are programmed into the BIOS to match the motherboard VRM specification and can be set by enabling PBO
3. Custom values, which the end-user can program

I explored the ins and outs of Precision Boost Overdrive 2 tuning in my AMD Raphael Overclocking launch article. If you want to learn more about the impact of each of these settings, I suggest you check out that video.

In this overclocking strategy, we’re just enabling Precision Boost Overdrive, whereas, in the following strategies, we’ll explore tuning the parameters. We rely on the motherboard’s pre-programmed PBO parameters by enabling Precision Boost Overdrive. We find that the following values have changed:

For previous Ryzen CPUs, increasing the platform boost parameters substantially impacted performance, especially for the higher core-count CPUs. For Ryzen 7000 X-series CPUs, however, AMD’s default platform parameters were relatively unconstraining.

For the 7800X3D, it’s clear that the platform boost limiters are not the constraining factor. During a Prime95 non-AVX workload, we see that maximum values for PPT, TDC, and EDC are 75W, 60A, and 60A, respectively. The main limiting factor for the 7800X3D is the maximum allowed voltage of around 1V under a high load.

EXPO – Extended Profiles for Overclocking

EXPO stands for AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking. It is an AMD technology that enables ubiquitous memory overclocking profiles for AMD platforms supporting DDR5 memory. EXPO allows memory vendors such as G.SKILL to program higher performance settings onto the memory sticks. If the motherboard supports EXPO, you can enable higher performance with a single BIOS setting. So, it saves you lots of manual configuration.

While our memory kit is rated at DDR5-6400, I had to run it at DDR5-6200 to ensure stability, as my CPU wasn’t stable at higher frequencies.

BIOS Settings & Benchmark Results

Upon entering the BIOS

• Go to the Extreme Tweaker menu
• Set Ai Overclock Tuner to EXPO I
• Set Memory Frequency to DDR5-6200MHz
• Enter the Precision Boost Overdrive submenu
  • Set Precision Boost Overdrive to Enabled

Then save and exit the BIOS.

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPU’s boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

Since enabling PBO doesn’t alter any of the CPUs operating frequencies, there’s no difference to stock.

We re-ran the benchmarks and checked the performance increase compared to the default operation.

• SuperPI 4M: +0.45%
• Geekbench 6 (single): +0.99%
• Geekbench 6 (multi): +4.71%
• Cinebench R23 Single: +0.45%
• Cinebench R23 Multi: +0.11%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: +0.03%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: +0.21%
• V-Ray 5: +0.41%
• AI Benchmark: +4.26%
• 3DMark Night Raid: +0.85%
• CS:GO FPS Bench: +1.05%
• Tomb Raider: +0.49%
• Final Fantasy XV: +0.98%

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores:

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: +0.73%
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: +0.52%
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: +0.19%
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: +0.06%
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: +0.62%
• CPU Profile Max Threads: +0.42%

As expected, enabling Precision Boost Overdrive does little to improve the system’s performance. After all, the CPU is primarily limited by operating voltage, not by any platform power parameters. Thanks to enabling EXPO, we get a performance improvement of  +4.71% in Geekbench 6 Multi.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4289 MHz with 0.936 volts. The average CPU temperature is 67.0 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.3 and 30.7 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 84.8 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4532 MHz with 1.007 volts. The average CPU temperature is 81.3 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.1 and 30.4 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 89.1 watts.

OC Strategy #2: ASUS X3D OC Profile

In our second overclocking strategy, we use the ASUS X3D OC Profile feature integrated into the ASUS BIOS.

ASUS X3D OC Profile

While ASUS has recently relied on its AI Overclocking technology for automatic overclocking, they have a long history of providing customers with easy ways to overclock CPUs. Usually, these easy ways included a set of hard-coded BIOS profiles or presets the customer could enable with a single button.

The X3D OC Profile is a return to this old-fashioned style of overclocking. The profile uses asynchronous ECLK to overclock the Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor. We’ll get back to how this works later in this video. For now, it suffices to say the profile sets the eCLK frequency to 104 MHz and thus overclocks our CPU by 4%.

Note that the X3D OC Profile does not adjust the Precision Boost power limits. So you want to enable Precision Boost Overdrive and ensure the PPT, TDC, and EDC are set accordingly to maximize the performance.

BIOS Settings & Benchmark Results

Upon entering the BIOS

• Go to the Extreme Tweaker menu
• Enter the Overclocking Presets submenu
  • Select Load X3D OC Profile
• Leave the Overclocking Presets submenu
• Set Ai Overclock Tuner to EXPO I
• Set Memory Frequency to DDR5-6200MHz
• Enter the Precision Boost Overdrive submenu
  • Set Precision Boost Overdrive to Enabled

Then save and exit the BIOS.

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPU’s boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

The X3D OC Profile increases the Precision Boost frequency by about 4%; thus, our new Fmax is 5250 MHz. This overclock translates nearly 1-to-1 to both the boost curve and the per-core maximum effective clock frequency. The boost curve now runs from 4852 MHz to 4668 MHz, and we find that 4 out of the 8 cores are boosting beyond 5.2 GHz in a light workload.

We re-ran the benchmarks and checked the performance increase compared to the default operation.

• SuperPI 4M: +3.92%
• Geekbench 6 (single): +4.89%
• Geekbench 6 (multi): +8.42%
• Cinebench R23 Single: +4.97%
• Cinebench R23 Multi: +3.97%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: +3.96%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: +4.12%
• V-Ray 5: +3.95%
• AI Benchmark: +6.40%
• 3DMark Night Raid: +3.99%
• CS:GO FPS Bench: +1.30%
• Tomb Raider: +0.49%
• Final Fantasy XV: +1.28%

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: +4.06%
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: +3.98%
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: +3.79%
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: +3.49%
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: +4.26%
• CPU Profile Max Threads: +4.52%

With a 4% CPU overclock, the performance increased by 4% in all our benchmarks, including the single-threaded workloads. We now have a maximum performance improvement of  +8.42% in Geekbench 6 Multi.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4446 MHz with 0.935 volts. The average CPU temperature is 69.1 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.7 and 31.0 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 88.1 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4700 MHz with 1.004 volts. The average CPU temperature is 83.6 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.4 and 30.8 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 92.1 watts.

OC Strategy #3: PBO Tuned with Curve Optimizer

In our third overclocking strategy, we will use the Curve Optimizer tool included in the Precision Boost Overdrive 2 overclocker’s toolkit.

PBO 2: Curve Optimizer

As mentioned in this video, Curve Optimizer is an important new feature of Precision Boost Overdrive 2.

Curve Optimizer allows end-users to adjust the factory-fused VFT or voltage-frequency-temperature curve for each CPU core separately. The VFT curve is a unique curve for each core inside your CPU that defines the required voltage for a given frequency at a given temperature. Higher frequencies or higher operating temperatures require higher voltage.

Curve Optimizer adjusts the VFT curve by offsetting the voltages of the factory-fused VFT curve. By setting a positive offset, you increase the voltage point. Conversely, you decrease the voltage point by setting a negative offset. You can offset the entire curve by up to 30 steps in a positive direction and up to 300 in a negative direction. Each step represents approximately 5mV.

The traditional overclocking approach for AMD Ryzen CPUs is to set a negative curve optimizer. When you adjust the VFT curve with a negative point offset, two things happen.

1. First, you tell the CPU that it needs less voltage for a given frequency. And, as a consequence, at a given voltage, it can apply a higher frequency.
2. Second, the CPU temperature will be lower because you use less voltage at a given frequency. That extra thermal headroom will also encourage the Precision Boost algorithm to target higher voltages and frequencies.

In my AMD Raphael overclocking launch article, I explored the ins and outs of Curve Optimizing with Precision Boost Overdrive 2. If you want to learn more about the impact of Curve Optimizer, I suggest you check out that video.

As I mentioned already, Curve Optimizer is available on a per-core basis. Like in the past, per-core tuning offers a real benefit as it provides some cores with a lot more frequency headroom. In this strategy, however, I stick with an all-core curve optimizer.

Curve Optimizer Tuning Process

The manual tuning process for Curve Optimizer can become quite convoluted since it affects the CPU core voltage in all scenarios ranging from very light single-threaded workloads to heavy all-core workloads.

My Curve Optimizer process for this Ryzen 7 7800X3D was as follows.

First, I use an all-core tuning approach to understand the tuning opportunity. Then, I verify the stability in all-core multi-threaded workloads. Lastly, I run through all my benchmarks to validate stability in a wide range of test scenarios.

The broad tuning process includes the following:

• Using Prime95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled to check clock stretching
• Gradually increasing an all-core negative curve optimizer until the point of instability

The all-core stability process includes running Prime 95 Small FFTs with both AVX enabled and disabled.

The benchmark validation process includes completing all the benchmarks I’ve included in this guide. If a benchmark is unstable, I increase every core’s per-core curve optimizer value by 2 until I reach stability.

In my case, I used an all-core Curve Optimizer of -35. I will show you the BIOS configuration in a minute. But first, please note that the curve optimizer settings are CPU-specific, and the optimal values of your CPU may differ substantially.

BIOS Settings & Benchmark Results

Upon entering the BIOS

• Go to the Extreme Tweaker menu
• Set Ai Overclock Tuner to EXPO I
• Set Memory Frequency to DDR5-6200MHz
• Enter the Precision Boost Overdrive submenu
  • Set Precision Boost Overdrive to Enabled
  • Enter the Curve Optimizer submenu
    • Set Curve Optimizer to All Cores
    • Set All Core Curve Optimizer Sign to Negative
    • Set All Core Curve Optimizer Magnitude to 35

Then save and exit the BIOS.

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPU’s boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

While Curve Optimizer doesn’t increase the CPU’s maximum boost frequency, it does push the CPU to run at higher frequencies. We find that the boost curve has risen by 200 to 300 MHz compared to stock and that every single of the 8 cores now boosts to 5050 MHz. That’s 50 MHz higher than AMD’s advertised boost frequency of 5 GHz. Talk about overdelivering on the promise!

We re-ran the benchmarks and checked the performance increase compared to the default operation.

• SuperPI 4M: +0.96%
• Geekbench 6 (single): +5.16%
• Geekbench 6 (multi): +9.19%
• Cinebench R23 Single: +1.45%
• Cinebench R23 Multi: +3.80%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: +0.67%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: +4.77%
• V-Ray 5: +4.21%
• AI Benchmark: +6.30%
• 3DMark Night Raid: +3.75%
• CS:GO FPS Bench: +1.68%
• Tomb Raider: +0.49%
• Final Fantasy XV: +2.28%

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: +6.67%
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: +6.60%
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: +6.42%
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: +4.20%
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: +5.74%
• CPU Profile Max Threads: +5.47%

Curve Optimizing this Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor surprisingly effectively extracts more CPU performance. While, unlike with the OC Profile, we can’t increase the maximum boost frequency, in medium-to-heavy workloads Curve Optimizing pushes the CPU frequency higher than the OC Profile. Hence we see nice performance improvements in most benchmarks. We get the maximum performance improvement of +9.19% in Geekbench 6 Multi.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4538 MHz with 0.915 volts. The average CPU temperature is 67.1 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.6 and 30.8 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 85.0 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4800 MHz with 0.986 volts. The average CPU temperature is 81.5 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 25.6 and 30.9 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 89.1 watts.

OC Strategy #4: PB Supercharged with ECLK

In our fourth overclocking strategy, we take advantage of the return of the ECLK mode. ECLK stands for external clock and is precisely what the term suggests: an external clock generator. It was previously available on Ryzen 2000 Pinnacle Ridge processors but was removed afterward.

Raphael ECLK Overview

The standard Raphael platform has a 48 MHz crystal input to the integrated CGPLL clock generator. The CGPLL then generates a 48 MHz clock for the USB PLL and a 100 MHz reference clock for the FCH, which contains the CCLK PLL for the CPU cores and several SOC PLLs.

The external clocks are inputs to the FCH. There you can configure how you want to use the external clocks. In addition to the standard internal CGPLL, Raphael supports up to two external clock modes. They’re called eCLK0 Mode and eCLK1 Mode.

• In eCLK0 Mode, an external 100MHz reference clock is used for both the CPU and SOC PLLs. In other words, it’s a reference clock that affects the CPU core clocks and the PCIe and SATA clocks.
• In eCLK1 Mode, there are two distinct external 100MHz reference clocks. One clock provides the 100MHz input for the CPU PLL, and another provides the 100MHz reference clock for the SOC PLLs.

In previous SkatterBencher videos, the ones before Ryzen 7000, I referred to the technique of overclocking the reference clock as “supercharging PBO.” Unlike previous Ryzen CPUs, reference clock overclocking is very well supported and provides a viable path to overclocking.

The overclocking strategy with ECLK is the polar opposite of what we’re used to with Ryzen CPUs. OC Strategy #3 shows that Ryzen overclocking is typically done with a negative curve optimizer. That pushes the Precision Boost algorithm to reach higher boost frequencies.

With ECLK, we still build on the factory-fused VFT curve but adjust the frequency by adjusting the reference clock. For example, if the Precision Boost has a VFT point for 4500 MHz at 1.0V at 50C, with an ECLK of 105 MHz, the actual point will be 4725 MHz at 1.0V at 50C.

The default voltage for this VFT point won’t suffice for stable operation. So, counter-intuitively, we use a positive curve optimizer to increase the voltages of the VFT point. For example, a +30 curve optimizer may increase the voltage by 150mV. Thus, the resulting VFT point will be 4725 MHz at 1.15V at 50C. Note that the voltage increase is still subject to the Precision Boost limiters. The maximum voltage for a 7000X3D processor is 1.2V regardless of the Curve Optimizer setting.

Suppose Curve Optimizer doesn’t provide you with sufficient additional voltage. In that case, you can always add a voltage offset via the VRM controller configuration.

One more critical point: ECLK also affects the maximum frequency ceiling. With an ECLK of 105 MHz, the newly programmed Fmax for the 7800X3D is 5050 MHz x 1.05 = 5303 MHz. If that’s too high for your CPU, you can always reduce the Fmax by setting a negative CPU boost clock override.

ECLK Tuning Process

The manual tuning process for eCLK tuning can become quite convoluted since it affects the CPU core stability in all scenarios ranging from very light single-threaded workloads to heavy all-core workloads.

My ECLK tuning process for this Ryzen 7 7800X3D was as follows.

First, I use a broad tuning approach to get a big-picture understanding of the tuning opportunity. Then, I narrow the per-core curve optimizer settings to achieve stability in a light workload. Then, I verify the stability in all-core multi-threaded workloads. Lastly, I run through all my benchmarks to validate stability in a wide range of test scenarios.

The broad tuning process includes the following:

• Using Shamino’s Boost Curve tool to track the average frequency across an increasing amount of active threads
• Gradually increasing the ECLK frequency until the point of instability
• In case of instability, increase the positive all-core curve optimizer setting.

The narrow tuning process includes the following:

• Using CoreCycler (00-x86) to stress test each core for 2 minutes to check for stability
• In case of instability, increase the per-core curve optimizer

The all-core stability process includes running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled and disabled.

The benchmark validation process includes completing all the benchmarks I’ve included in this guide. If a benchmark is unstable, I increase every core’s per-core curve optimizer value by two until I reach stability.

In my case, I used an ECLK of 107 MHz and a per-core Curve Optimizer ranging from -5 on Core 6 to +10 on Core 3. I will show you the BIOS configuration in a minute. First, note that these settings, especially the curve optimizer, are CPU-specific, and the optimal values of your CPU may differ substantially.

BIOS Settings & Benchmark Results

Upon entering the BIOS

• Go to the Extreme Tweaker menu
• Set Ai Overclock Tuner to EXPO I
• Set eCLK Mode to Asynchronous mode
• Set BCLK2 Frequency to 107
• Set Memory Frequency to DDR5-6200MHz
• Enter the Precision Boost Overdrive submenu
  • Set Precision Boost Overdrive to Enabled
  • Enter the Curve Optimizer submenu
    • Set Curve Optimizer to Per Core
    • Set Core 1 and Core 3 Curve Optimizer Sign to Positive
    • Set Core 1 Curve Optimizer Magnitude to 5
    • Set Core 3 Curve Optimizer Magnitude to 10
    • Set Core 6 Curve Optimizer Sign to Negative
    • Set Core 6 Curve Optimizer Magnitude to 5

Then save and exit the BIOS.

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPU’s boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

By setting the eCLK frequency to 107 MHz, the new maximum boost frequency increased to 5.4 GHz. All CPU cores can achieve an effective clock frequency above 5.3 GHz; two cores almost hit 5.4 GHz. We also find that the 1 thread boost is now over 5 GHz, and the boost curve has increased by 250 to 350 MHz compared to stock.

We re-ran the benchmarks and checked the performance increase compared to the default operation.

• SuperPI 4M: +6.17%
• Geekbench 6 (single): +6.61%
• Geekbench 6 (multi): +10.71%
• Cinebench R23 Single: +6.09%
• Cinebench R23 Multi: +6.69%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: +5.64%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: +7.05%
• V-Ray 5: +5.68%
• AI Benchmark: +9.93%
• 3DMark Night Raid: +7.17%
• CS:GO FPS Bench: +1.00%
• Tomb Raider: +0.49%
• Final Fantasy XV: +2.03%

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores at stock

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: +6.88%
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: +6.29%
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: +7.33%
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: +5.61%
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: +7.38%
• CPU Profile Max Threads: +7.22%

As I’ve demonstrated in plenty of SkatterBencher guides, combining Precision Boost Overdrive with asynchronous ECLK has proven to be the most complex yet most effective OC Strategy for Ryzen 7000 CPUs. Generally, we get the most significant performance uplift in single-threaded and all core workloads. That is exemplified with this 7800X3D, as we see a +7% improvement in single-threaded workloads and a maximum performance improvement of +10.71% in Geekbench 6 Multi.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4593 MHz with 0.932 volts. The average CPU temperature is 71.1 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 26.5 and 31.2 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 90.2 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4855 MHz with 1.001 volts. The average CPU temperature is 86.9 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 26.5 and 31.8 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 94.4 watts.

OC Strategy #5: Manual Overclock

In our final overclocking strategy, we will pursue a manual overclock. This may come as a surprise to you since Ryzen 7000X3D officially doesn’t support OC Mode. In fact, if you go into the BIOS, you’ll see there’s no way to manually set a CPU ratio.

However, we can mimic OC mode by disabling the Precision Boost technology so the CPU works at its base frequency of 4.2 GHz. Then, we use asynchronous ECLK to overclock the CPU as if we’re in OC mode. However, that does mean we lose the benefits of high-frequency boosting in low-threaded benchmark applications. So, whereas this 7800X3D can boost up to 5050 MHz with Precision Boost, it will be limited to your set fixed frequency when manually overclocking.

To better understand the performance tuning opportunities embedded in the Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, let’s look at its clocking and voltage topology in more detail.

CPU Core Clocking Topology

The clocking of AMD Raphael is similar to the previous generation of Zen 3 Vermeer desktop CPUs.

The standard Raphael platform has a 48 MHz crystal input to the integrated CGPLL clock generator. The CGPLL then generates a 48 MHz clock for the USB PLL and a 100 MHz reference clock for the FCH, which contains the CCLK PLL for the CPU cores and several SOC PLLs.

The CCLK PLL 100MHz reference clock drives the 200 MHz VCO, which is then multiplied by an FID and divided by a DID. As a whole, this provides a CPU clock frequency granularity of 25 MHz. As with Vermeer, each CCX has its own PLL, with the cores within that CCX running at the same frequency. In a typical operation, all cores within a CCX will run at the same frequency. The effective clock will differ if the core is in a different P-state.

The SOC PLLs include a wide range of PLLs on the IO die. The ones most relevant for overclocking are:

• FCLK for the data fabric
• UCLK for the memory controller
• MCLK for the system memory
• GFXCLK for the integrated graphics

The SOC PLLs are not particularly relevant for manual CPU Core overclocking.

As I mentioned in OC Strategy #4, in addition to the standard internal CGPLL, Raphael supports up to two external clock modes. In eCLK0 Mode, an external 100MHz reference clock is used for both the CPU and SOC PLLs. In eCLK1 Mode, there are two distinct external 100MHz reference clocks. One clock provides the 100MHz input for the CPU PLL, and another provides the 100MHz reference clock for the SOC PLLs.

CPU Core Voltage Topology

From the voltage topology perspective, there are a few minor changes. Like Vermeer, the processor still relies on an internal and external power supply to generate the processor voltages.

There are four primary power supplies from the motherboard VRM to the processor: VDDCR, VDDCR_SOC, VDDCR_MISC, and VDDIO_MEM_S3. I have covered the details extensively in my Raphael overclocking launch video.

The VDDCR voltage rail provides the external power for two internal voltage regulators: VDDCR_CPU and VDDCR_VDDM.

VDDCR_CPU provides the voltage for the CPU cores in CCX. On CPUs with multiple CCXs, each CCX has its own VDDCR_CPU voltage rail, but the voltage will be identical. The voltage rails can work in either regular or bypass mode, but it is always in bypass mode on Raphael. That means the voltage is always equal to the VDDCR external voltage.

VDDCR_VDDM provides the voltage for the L2, L3, and, if present, 3D V-Cache on a CCX. On CPUs where there are multiple CCXs, each CCX has its own VDDCR_VDDM voltage rail. This rail cannot work in bypass mode; therefore, it is internally regulated from the VDDCR external voltage rail. The default VDDM voltage is 0.95V

The VDDCR voltage rail can be directly controlled via the SVI3 interface via the CPU configuration. VDDCR_VDDM cannot be controlled by the end user. The end user can also directly control the VDDCR voltage rail as the motherboard BIOS provides the means to program the voltage regulator directly.

Choosing the proper manual voltage is always a matter of finding a suitable trade-off between three factors: increased overclocking potential, the thermal challenges caused by increased voltage, and of course, consideration of CPU lifespan.

ECLK Frequency Tuning Process

With that last thought, we kick off our manual overclocking process.

Our limiting factor will ultimately be the cooling solution as power consumption increases exponentially with operating voltage and temperature scales (somewhat) linearly with power consumption.

The maximum voltage will be determined by the application we’re tuning for. So, the first step in our tuning process would be deciding on the stress test representing our worst-case scenario. As with the other OC Strategies, I pick Prime95 Small FFTs with AVX512 enabled as the worst-case workload.

The next step is to check the maximum temperature when running our workload and increase the operating voltage if there’s thermal headroom. Once we know the maximum voltage, we can tune the ECLK frequency until the application shows instability.

In our case, we end up with an ECLK frequency of 114.3 MHz and a Core voltage of 1.035V.

BIOS Settings & Benchmark Results

Upon entering the BIOS

• Go to the Extreme Tweaker menu
• Set Ai Overclock Tuner to EXPO I
• Set eCLK Mode to Asynchronous mode
• Set BCLK2 Frequency to 114.3
• Set Memory Frequency to DDR5-6200MHz
• Set CPU Core Voltage to Manual Mode
  • Set CPU Core Voltage Override to 1.035

Then save and exit the BIOS.

We use the Shamino Boost Curve and SuperPI 32M to check the CPUs boost behavior and per core maximum effective clock frequency.

When we perform a manual overclock with a fixed frequency, unsurprisingly, the frequency is fixed across the board and for each core.

We re-ran the benchmarks and checked the performance increase compared to the default operation.

• SuperPI 4M: -5.61%
• Geekbench 6 (single): +0.42%
• Geekbench 6 (multi): +8.63%
• Cinebench R23 Single: -3.18%
• Cinebench R23 Multi: +3.12%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Single: -3.81%
• CPU-Z V17.01.64 Multi: +0.39%
• V-Ray 5: +2.75%
• AI Benchmark: +7.45%
• 3DMark Night Raid: +3.61%
• CS:GO FPS Bench: -0.63%
• Tomb Raider: +0.49%
• Final Fantasy XV: +2.85%

Here are the 3DMark CPU Profile scores

• CPU Profile 1 Thread: +1.25%
• CPU Profile 2 Threads: +1.73%
• CPU Profile 4 Threads: +2.58%
• CPU Profile 8 Threads: +2.94%
• CPU Profile 16 Threads: +6.66%
• CPU Profile Max Threads: +6.47%

As expected, we see a performance deficit against stock performance in single-threaded applications as manual overclocking loses the benefit of the Precision Boost 1T frequency. In multi-threaded applications, however, we see a nice performance uplift up to +8.63% in Geekbench 6 Multi.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX-512 enabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4799 MHz with 1.022 volts. The average CPU temperature is 85.7 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 26.0 and 31.9 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 101.6 watts.

When running Prime 95 Small FFTs with AVX disabled, the average CPU effective clock is 4794 MHz with 1.028 volts. The average CPU temperature is 91.8 degrees Celsius. The ambient and water temperature is 26.8 and 30.4 degrees Celsius. The average CPU package power is 91.8 watts.

Further Tuning Opportunity

In this OC strategy, I’ve shown how to approach manual overclocking of a Ryzen 7 7800X3D. As I mentioned, the limiting factor of your manual overclock will be your worst-case scenario. If you don’t care about Prime95 stability, you can pick your preferred worst-case stability test.

For example, in Final Fantasy XV, I could run 5.1 GHz with 1.15V and a maximum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.

However, I must point your attention to the fact that the 7000X3D CPUs are extremely sensitive to voltage, and no matter the thermal solution quality, you will deal with overheating issues. I found that the maximum real-world voltage is around 1.15V. Higher than that will make the CPU instantaneously shoot up to TjMax or, worse, damage the CPU.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D may have enough headroom to satisfy competitive overclockers and benchmarkers. I could push this CPU up to 5.6 GHz with water cooling.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Conclusion

All right, let us wrap this up.

At the beginning of the article, I said it’s ironic that the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the most tunable of all 7000X3D CPUs. I stand by that observation, given how locked down the 5800X3D was. But this is a good kind of irony, and I must give credit and thank the folks at AMD who decided to loosen the overclocking restrictions for the Ryzen 7000X3D processors.

Overclocking the 7800X3D was one of the most enjoyable Ryzen 7000 tuning experiences. There are plenty of overclocking strategies to choose from, and it definitely feels like the deeper down the rabbit hole you go, the more extra frequency you can find.

But I must emphasize that voltage is the most significant danger for 7800X3D overclocking. I do not recommend using a manual voltage of over 1.15V because any load will push the CPU to TjMax or beyond. Thermal choking caused by excessive voltage will most certainly damage your CPU.

Anyway, that’s all for today! I want to thank my Patreon supporters for supporting my work. As usual, if you have any questions or comments, please drop them in the comment section below. 

See you next time!