I do not see any other software overclocking related software installed... Some strange things. Your BIOS does not show an overclock. Neither do your .dmps. CPU-Z and Speccy both show overclocked CPU cores, though.
Something hinky going on here... Maybe James will see something I missed.
Also, what does advanced settings give in the themes management screen (picture 3)?
All advanced does is say you want the colors on the keyboard and pc to change to a different color when you get an email or when you take damage in a game (you have to load up the profiles for games) or other things like that. Basically you can set it up so the colors can change for all kinds of things and that's all it does. I opened the manual to the command center the pc came with and it doesn't talk about or show clocking features either.
One question, the Intel {R} Turbo Mode Tech, it's enabled, but if you are overclocking shouldn't it be disabled ?
I do remember when alienware took control of my pc because it wasn't overclocked to what I paid for, and they installed something and overclocked it right in windows. This was well over a year and a half ago so I don't remember what he did. Also, the computer worked fine right up to about December 2011, and since December I've seen bluescreens. I still play games and nothing bad has happened other than it's annoying.
Steam also doesn't show the overclock when it analyzes my computer. Here's everything Steam shows -
Processor Information:
Vendor: GenuineIntel
Speed: 3341 Mhz
12 logical processors
6 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
Network Information:
Network Speed:
Operating System Version:
Windows 7 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 323 0x0 0x0 0x0
Video Card:
Driver: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480
DirectX Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll
Driver Version: 8.17.13.142
DirectX Driver Version: 8.17.13.142
Driver Date: 15 May 2012
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 59 Hz
DirectX Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480
VendorID: 0x10de
DeviceID: 0x6c0
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Desktop Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Primary Display Size: 26.65" x 16.65" (31.42" diag)
67.7cm x 42.3cm (79.8cm diag)
Primary Bus: PCI Express 16x
Primary VRAM: 1535 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x
Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers (Creative SB X-Fi)
Memory:
RAM: 12278 Mb
Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Microphone: Not set
Media Type: DVD
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 1899474 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 1301971 Mb
OS Install Date: Dec 07 2010
Game Controller: None detected
Installed software:
3132-W-D
3DMark 11
Adobe AIR
Adobe Community Help
Adobe Flash Player 11 ActiveX 64-bit
Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin 64-bit
Adobe Photoshop CS5.1
Adobe Reader 9.1.2
Adobe Shockwave Player 11.6
Advertising Center
AlienRespawn
AlienRespawn - Support Software
Alienware TactX Keyboard CI 1.00.130
Alienware TactX(TM) Mouse CI 1.00
Amazon MP3 Downloader 1.0.12
Apple Application Support
Apple Mobile Device Support
Apple Software Update
Assassin's Creed Revelations
Batman: Arkham City™ PC
Beatport Downloader
BeatportDownloader
Blades of Time Demo
Blender
Bonjour
Broadcom Bluetooth Software
Broadcom InConcert Maestro
Broadcom NetXtreme-I Netlink Driver and Management Installer
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Multiplayer
Champions Online
Command Center
CPUID CPU-Z 1.58
CPUID HWMonitor 1.18
Creative 3DMIDI Player
Creative ALchemy
Creative Audio Control Panel
Creative Console Launcher
Creative Diagnostics
Creative Media Toolbox 6
Creative Media Toolbox 6 (Shared Components)
Creative MediaSource 5
Creative Software AutoUpdate
Creative Sound Blaster Properties x64 Edition
Creative WaveStudio 7
CyberLink PowerDVD 9.5
D3DX10
Dear Esther
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - The Missing Link
Dolby Digital Live Pack
Dragon Age II
Dragon Age Origins
DriverFinder
DriverMax 6
DTS Connect Pack
Dungeon Siege III
EA Installer
EA Shared Game Component: Activation
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon
ESET Online Scanner v3
Fraps (remove only)
Futuremark SystemInfo
Geeks3D.com FurMark 1.10.1
Google Chrome
Google Update Helper
HD Tune 2.55
Hexagon 2
HiJackThis
Hunted: The Demon's Forge
ImagXpress
imollo
Intel(R) Control Center
Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology
iStonsoft iPad to Computer Transfer build(3.6.0)
iTunes
Java Auto Updater
Java(TM) 6 Update 31 (64-bit)
Junk Mail filter update
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Demo
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 Add-on Support
Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools
Left 4 Dead 2 Dedicated Server
Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools
LotRO Plugin Assistant
Magicka
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 1.61.0.1400
Mass Effect™ 3
Mass Effect 2
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended
Microsoft Application Error Reporting
Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable
Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace
Microsoft Security Client
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.17
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.17
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x64 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories 1.2
Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 3.0
Microsoft_VC80_ATL_x86
Microsoft_VC80_ATL_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC80_CRT_x86
Microsoft_VC80_CRT_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC80_MFCLOC_x86
Microsoft_VC80_MFCLOC_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC80_MFC_x86
Microsoft_VC80_MFC_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC90_ATL_x86
Microsoft_VC90_ATL_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC90_CRT_x86
Microsoft_VC90_CRT_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC90_MFCLOC_x86
Microsoft_VC90_MFCLOC_x86_x64
Microsoft_VC90_MFC_x86
Microsoft_VC90_MFC_x86_x64
Moon Breakers
MotoHelper 2.1.40 Driver 5.5.0
MotoHelper MergeModules
Motorola Mobile Drivers Installation 5.5.0
Mozilla Firefox 13.0 (x86 en-GB)
Mozilla Maintenance Service
Mozilla Thunderbird 9.0.1 (x86 en-GB)
MSVCRT
MSVCRT_amd64
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB954430)
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB973688)
Naga Firmware Updater 1.13
NCsoft Launcher
Nero 9 Essentials
Nero BurnRights
Nero BurnRights Help
Nero ControlCenter
Nero CoverDesigner
Nero CoverDesigner Help
Nero Disc Copy Gadget
Nero Disc Copy Gadget Help
Nero DiscSpeed
Nero DiscSpeed Help
Nero DriveSpeed
Nero DriveSpeed Help
Nero Express Help
Nero InfoTool
Nero InfoTool Help
Nero Installer
Nero Online Upgrade
Nero Rescue Agent
Nero RescueAgent Help
Nero StartSmart
Nero StartSmart Help
NeroExpress
neroxml
Nexus Mod Manager
NirSoft BlueScreenView
NVIDIA 3D Vision Controller Driver 301.42
NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver 301.42
NVIDIA Control Panel 301.42
NVIDIA Graphics Driver 301.42
NVIDIA HD Audio Driver 1.3.16.0
NVIDIA Install Application
NVIDIA nTune
NVIDIA PhysX
NVIDIA PhysX System Software 9.12.0213
NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver
NVIDIA Update 1.8.15
NVIDIA Update Components
OCCT 4.0.0
OnLive
OpenAL
Origin
PAYDAY: The Heist
PDF Settings CS5
Ralink RT2870 Wireless LAN Card
Razer Naga
Razer Synapse 2.0
Resident Evil™: Operation Raccoon City
Ridge Racer™ Unbounded Demo
Rusty Hearts
Saints Row The Third Prima Official Strategy Guide
Saints Row: The Third
Saints Row: The Third - Initiation Station
SecondLifeViewer (remove only)
SecondLifeViewer2 (remove only)
Secunia PSI (2.0.0.4003)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2446708)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2478663)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2518870)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2539636)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2572078)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2604121)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2633870)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2656351)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2656368)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2656405)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (KB2487367)
Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (KB2656351)
SiI31xx HBA Wakeup Utility
SIW version 2011.10.29
Sound Blaster X-Fi
Source SDK
Speccy
Star Trek Online
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Steam
SUPERAntiSpyware
swMSM
System Requirements Lab CYRI
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Lord of the Rings Online™ v03.02.03.8013
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition
THX TruStudio PC
Torchlight
Trine 2
Trojan Killer
Tron: Evolution
Ubisoft Game Launcher
Ultimate DCUO Character Planner
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2468871)
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2533523)
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (KB2600217)
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (KB2468871)
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (KB2533523)
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended (KB2600217)
Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine
WhoCrashed 3.03
Winamp
Winamp Essentials Pack
Windows Live Communications Platform
Windows Live Essentials
Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant
Windows Live Installer
Windows Live Language Selector
Windows Live Mail
Windows Live MIME IFilter
Windows Live Movie Maker
Windows Live Photo Common
Windows Live Photo Gallery
Windows Live PIMT Platform
Windows Live SOXE
Windows Live SOXE Definitions
Windows Live UX Platform
Windows Live UX Platform Language Pack
Windows Live Writer
Windows Live Writer Resources
WinZip 14.5
I have changed memory, video cards, soundcard, power supply (someone else did some of those but I watched) and Alienware themselves swapped the motherboard (I am not under warranty anymore though) and probably did a bunch of tests and I still get these bluescreens. Even after a reformat too.
Sometimes I don't see it for a week though, other times I will get 3 or 4 bluescreens a night. It seems like it might be the newer games that do it... though Mass Effect 3 multiplayer, SWTOR and Reckoning have never given me bsod's after 8 hours of play. If I play Saints Row the Third, I'll get one for sure or something like Resident Evil. I also did see it happen after about 5 hours of just reading a novel online and nothing else was running. Other times I have left my PC going for 4 days straight while 12-18 firefox tabs were up, and came home and no bluescreens.
I'm not sure if any of that info is useful but I thought I'd mention it.
Last edited by Jessicka; 09 Jun 2012 at 01:58.
Do you see any settings in the BIOS to "allow real time changes to be made from the os" or something similar?
I didn't see anything from the images or video, but I thought I would check anyway.
good morning jessicka, please reboot in safe mode and take the screens of cpuz while in safe mode running prime95 and upload them.
I didn't see anything about allowing realtime changes to be made. I looked through all of the BIOS again.
I normally never do anything like this, so let me know if I am doing something wrong.
Here's CPU-Z in safemode. Only these two tabs showed anything, the rest were blank.
This may be irrelevant, but even canurunit, shows my processor as not clocked. So CPU-Z shows it as clocked because of softclocking?
Last night I went to sleep with a game running with lots of activity and no BSOD.
That's a bit of a bust, then.
James and I are both rather confused about the overclock and how it was applied. Especially since different tools give different values for the CPU clock speeds. Can you open up OCCT and let us know if that is the software that Alienware support used to overclock or change settings that you remember them doing?
It was a long time ago, so I don't remember but this might have been it. Well maybe you can tell by looking. The PayPal link at the top makes me think yes. If you need more shots let me know. Looks like each tab there barely changes what is seen. I didn't click the little settings icon yet.
is it possible that turbo mode tech in the BIOS is making it appear higher on some software, when really it's just the first 2 cores that are higher?
Last edited by Jessicka; 09 Jun 2012 at 19:21.
Could be the turbobooost feature throwing things off. What is under the CPU: OCCT section?
Here's both cpu tabs, not much difference in each shot but maybe it helps you, seeing more. Seems like that settings icon just shows monitoring options.
Alright, I do not see any way to change the overclock through OCCT. The only thing I can suggest at the moment is to turn off the turboboost feature in the BIOS and see if the system is any more stable. I'll try to think more on it. Maybe James will have some ideas, as well.
Quote