Solved Overclocking/BIOS Unlocking?

[Gornot]

Now that I am stuck with this laptop (ALL specs are listed, check them out), I want to see if I can get some extra juice from my weak CPU. I know nothing about overclocking, I used to overclock my very first PC back in 04 which was like an old AMD processor and the GeForce 5200 or something like that (holy c**p how time flies!) by just going into BIOS and screwing around, but I still have no idea what I'm doing.

First real question would be: is it even smart to overclock a laptop's CPU?

The (big) problem here is that my BIOS is absolutely terrible. My clock speeds get throttled down whenever temperatures reach near 75 degrees C and until I quit out of a game they just refuse to jump back up. Not sure what I can do about that, but from what I've read, it's a BIOS issue.

If someone has some (perhaps even personal) insight into Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs and the nVidia 630M GPU and the HM77 MOBO and how and even IF I can go with all this, I'd really appreciate that instead of reading generic tutorials on the internets.

 

[Dude]

Now that I am stuck with this laptop (ALL specs are listed, check them out), I want to see if I can get some extra juice from my weak CPU. I know nothing about overclocking, I used to overclock my very first PC back in 04 which was like an old AMD processor and the GeForce 5200 or something like that (holy c**p how time flies!) by just going into BIOS and screwing around, but I still have no idea what I'm doing.

First real question would be: is it even smart to overclock a laptop's CPU?

The (big) problem here is that my BIOS is absolutely terrible. My clock speeds get throttled down whenever temperatures reach near 75 degrees C and until I quit out of a game they just refuse to jump back up. Not sure what I can do about that, but from what I've read, it's a BIOS issue.

If someone has some (perhaps even personal) insight into Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs and the nVidia 630M GPU and the HM77 MOBO and how and even IF I can go with all this, I'd really appreciate that instead of reading generic tutorials on the internets.

No it is not, laptops overheat to easily

 

[Gornot]

:roflmao: that was harsh (d)

I know overclocked CPUs need more cooling and more voltage, but is it technically doable on a laptop? I guess, right?

 

[Dude]

Yeah, didn't mean to be harsh. I would try a cooling pad to see if that helps with the throttling

 

[LMiller7]

Technically some laptops can be overclocked but the risks are high and the results usually not very satisfactory. This is really a project for an expert looking for a challenge, not a practical way to improve the performance of a laptop.

Overclocking any OEM computer is almost always a bad idea and that goes double for laptops. These computers lack just about everything necessary for safe and effective overclocking. Manufacturers are well aware of the fact that their products do not cope well with overclocking and take active steps to prevent it. The BIOS usually provides only basic settings, omitting those necessary for overclocking. This protects you from failures and them from the resulting warranty claims.

 

[Layback Bear]

If the laptop is getting hot enough and throttling back at default bios it will just happen faster if you could get a overclock.

I would start with a good inside and outside cleaning. It should not throttle back under normal use with bios at default. Something is making it overheat.

 

[TVeblen]

The truth is never harsh. It is just the truth.

People who have successfully overclocked a laptop have to start with a modded (read: hacked) BIOS. That procedure in itself is risky.

 

[Gornot]

Yep, that's what I thought.

The laptop has been cleaned a few times since I bought it, so it's not a problem of overheating during normal usage.

It's only when I play games that the CPU gets throttled and the clocks drop: most of the time, changing graphics from defaults to low, and then even lower doesn't do jack **** because the GPU can handle it, but the processor really, really can't. Oh well...

 

[LMiller7]

In that situation overclocking is more likely to make the situation worse, not better.
The design priorities of a laptop, small size and low power consumption, and incompatible with the demands of modern gaming. The few so called "gaming laptops" are expensive compromises.

 

[Layback Bear]

I love how manufacturers use of the word (gaming). What the hell does that mean.
Example:
What is the difference between a gaming case and a non gaming case other than the price. Then they have the Ultra Gaming Case. They throw another $4.00 fan in.

Is my Phanteks Enthoo Primo a gaming case or not. If it's not; what would make it a gaming case? It's not sold as a gaming case and I don't think another fan will make it a Ultra. It's already got 14 fans.
Same goes with laptops in my opinion.

 

[TVeblen]

They're gaming you!

 

[Layback Bear]

They're gaming you!

Boy oh boy did I leave the barn door open for that one.

 

[essenbe]

As TVeblen said, the truth is not harsh, and this is not meant to be harsh. OEMs survive on price, so they put the cheapest components in them they can find. The first thing you will learn about overclocking is make sure you have the quality hardware to do it. Even then, a Laptop is the worst thing to overclock. They are already prone to overheating as you already know. Overclocking will just make that problem worse. My advice is don't even try it, even if you can. Most OEM computers have a locked bios that does not give you the tools you need to do it. The best advice I ever received on overclocking is, if you can't afford to replace it, don't overclock it.

 

[LMiller7]

Good advice by essenbe.

Laptops are not good game machines. The design priorities of a laptop (low power consumption and small size) are at odds with the design requirements of modern gaming. Naturally laptop marketing tends not to mention this issue. Most technical problems can be minimized if you throw enough money at them and that is what the designers of the so called "Gaming" laptops have done. They are an expensive compromise.

 

[essenbe]

I always thought a Gaming Laptop was an oxymoron.