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Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : Adaptive Undervolting Comes To Ryzen!

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AMD just introduced Precision Boost Overdrive 2 (PBO2), which introduces adaptive undervolting for Ryzen processors, amongst other improvements.

Find out what Precision Boost Overdrive 2 offers, and what effect it has on performance of AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors!

 

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : Improved Overclocking + Adaptive Undervolting!

Precision Boost Overdrive is the dynamic overclocking capability built into AMD Ryzen processors, with these features :

  • raises socket power limit
  • raises motherboard VRM limit
  • can override max boost frequency
  • primarily designed to improve multi-thread performance

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 (PBO2) comes with all of the original PBO features, as well as these new features :.

  • improved single-thread performance
  • adds adaptive undervolting capability
  • adds standalone undervolting capability for AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processors
  • improved performance per watt.
  • can lower operating temperatures.
  • ability to customise voltages and frequencies to a specific processor.

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : Adaptive Undervolting Comes To Ryzen!

 

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : Curve Optimizer

The new adaptive undervolting capability in Precision Boost Overdrive 2 (PBO2) is achieved through the Curve Optimizer.

The new Curve Optimizer tells the firmware what window of undervolting is desired, and adapts to both light and heavy workloads.

Undervolting, however, will not be done with raw millivolts. Instead, it will be applied with “counts“.

  • 1 Count is approximately 3 mV ~ 5 mV. This range means less undervolting during high loads, and more undervolting when the load is lower.
  • You can adjust the voltage by +/- 30 Counts. 30 Counts would be a range of 90~150 mV.
  • The adjustments can be applied per core, or on all cores.

The Curve Optimizer algorithm is adaptive – so it will automatically underplot when the circumstances are suitable, and restore voltage when it needs to.

 

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : Performance Boost

According to AMD, PBO2 offers better single-threaded performance than the original PBO.

Enabling it will let the Ryzen 7 5800X deliver 2.6% better 1T performance in CINEBENCH R20, while the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 2% better 1T performance.

Hardly earth-shattering performance, but hey, it’s free!

AMD Precision Boost Overdrive 2 1T performance

Multi-threaded performance also gets a small but nice boost from PBO2.

AMD says the Ryzen 7 5800X should get a 2.2% boost, while the Ryzen 9 5900X gets a very nice 10% boost in multi-threaded performance!

AMD Precision Boost Overdrive 2 multi-threaded performance

 

Precision Boost Overdrive 2 : System Requirements

Here are the system requirements for Precision Boost Overdrive 2 to work :

  • AMD Ryzen 5000 Series desktop processor
  • AMD 500 or 400 Series motherboard
  • Motherboard BIOS based on AMD AGESA 1.1.8.0 or later

The PBO2 update is available for all AMD Ryzen 5000 Series desktop processors through a motherboard BIOS upgrade available in December 2020.

 

AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Processors : Where To Buy?

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

 

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