For an extreme bencher like myself, the Athlon II X4 630 is never going to set world records; but for what it lacked in performance, it made up for in fun. Not having to fight coldbugs (a temperature where components cease working), made for a most enjoyable change, while still giving plenty of scope to overclock. As you could see from the CPU-Z screenshot, we almost achieved a 100% overclock.

But wait - don't you increase that to increase the CPU speed? Why yes, of course! But doesn't the Northbridge take control of the data passed to the RAM? Yes it does, but it is still all on the same bus. The Northbridge takes the data and routes it to where it needs to go between the CPU and the RAM. Since it is its own "section" on the CPU, it has its own multiplier. Similar to the CPU (and even all of its cores), there is a multiplier which sets the speed of this section. This is how you overclock the Northbridge.

With our AMD TWKR CPU we managed to achieve phenomenal 6757MHz when it comes to maximum overclock frequency. In Super Pi we managed to achieve 10.422sec. There are better result than this one but achieved on liquid helium, while team from Finland achieved 7GHz. Liquid helium is much complicated cooling agent.

Our Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition managed 3400 MHz without increased voltage. However, Linpack crashed at the end of the test. We managed to solve the problem only by raising the voltage to 1.425 V. The next step required even more concessions -- to conquer 3600 MHz, we had to raise voltage by another 0.075 V. The boxed cooler coped with such a task only because the testbed was open. All the tests were stable. However, according to the processor sensors, its temperature got close to 70°C.

Called the AMD PhenomTM II X4 42 Black Edition TWKR processor, it is not currently for sale, and not covered by AMD’s product warranty. This processor is provided “as is” and AMD disclaims any and all liable for any damages, of any type or character (including without limitation, system damage, loss of data or personal injury), caused as a result of or in connection with the use of this processor.