ASUS AI Overclocking - SkatterBencher

ASUS AI overclocking is a unique approach to automatic overclocking as it adjusts OC settings based on the observed CPU and cooling quality

For many years board vendors have tried to implement automatic overclocking features in their BIOS for more straightforward performance enhancement. This has always been a mixed bag, as most preset OC profiles are overly optimistic in frequency target or overly generous with the voltage selection. So often, you would end up with a slightly unstable or overheating system.

ASUS AI overclocking uses a unique strategy for automatic overclocking. Instead of working with preset frequency and voltage profiles, the system will monitor the CPU and cooling system throughout an initial testing phase. Based on its findings, it will then predict the optimal settings. The system will automatically guide the overclocking process and adjust voltages and frequency to match your cooling system.

The better your cooling, the higher your AI overclock.

ASUS introduced AI Overclocking on its Z490 ROG motherboards (SkatterBencher #10) as a next-generation automatic overclocking technology. It is now available for both AMD and Intel platforms.

Enabling ASUS AI Overclocking

There are three steps to enabling AI overclocking. First, reset the BIOS to default settings. Then, reboot and enter the operating system. Run a couple of heavy workloads such as OCCT, Prime95, Realbench, or Cinebench R23 for 10 to 30 minutes. Then return to the BIOS and enter the AI OC Guide menu from the top. Make sure to read through the explanation and click Enable AI when ready.

AI Overclocking Features

In addition to automatic overclocking, AI Overclocking provides a lot of advanced information and suggestions in the AI Features menu. The available information has grown significantly since the first version of AI Overclocking. The information includes:

P0 VID and SP values for each CPU core
Precision Boost Overdrive 2 suggested overclocking parameters (for AMD)
Dynamic OC Switcher suggested overclocking parameters (for AMD)
Turbo Ratio Limit suggested overclocking parameters (for Intel)
Adaptive Voltage and AC loadline suggested parameters (for Intel)
ASUS Package Temperature Threshold suggested parameters

The SP value is based on the combination of maximum boost frequency, temperature, and P0 VID. Generally, it indicates the quality of a particular core. A higher SP value would indicate a better-quality core with superior overclocking capabilities, though it’s not an exact science. The overclocking suggestions are based on a continued evaluation of your CPU thermal solution.

AI Overclocking Fine-tuning Options

There are several options available to fine-tune the AI Overclocking algorithm. Here’s a shortlist:

Cooler Efficiency Optimize provides you with options to continue or stop evaluating your thermal solution performance. Accurately measuring the cooler performance is a core element of the AI Overclocking technology as it is the basis for the algorithms assessment of your system overclocking headroom.
Preference allows you to select either a performance or power efficient target for your AI Overclock. This option is available on AMD platforms.
Processor Utilization provides the end user with detailed processor usage figures since the last processor installation. It includes accumulated and average data on processor voltage, current, temperature, and energy.
Recalibrate Cooler forces the algorithm to purge all cooler data and start the cooler evaluation from scratch.
Cooler Re-evaluation Algorithm provides you with several options to determine how often the cooler evaluation should occur.
Optimism Scale provides you with a tool to adjust the final overclocking settings as predicted by AI Overclock. Increasing the optimism scale will provide more aggressive overclocking settings, while reducing the optimism scale will return more conservative settings.
Optimized AVX Frequency allows you to toggle between Normal Use and Heavy Use, where Heavy Use should be selected if you’re running extreme workloads like OCCT AVX2 enabled. This option is available on Intel platforms.