The AMD OverDrive application was designed to be a utility the provides the ability to maximize the capability, flexibility, and adjustability of the AMD chipset products.

It allows user to tune parameters to ensure system stability, optimize performance, and control cooling/acoustic characteristics. Our target is to provide an all-in-one utility which can deliver all-around stellar operation.

Here are some key features of “AMD Overdrive”.  Overclocking To Push Your System To Extreme Limits:

* Personalize your experience with state-of-the-art real-time overclocking.
Experience the power of AMD OverDrive as you adjust your processor, memory and
graphics settings to push the performance envelope further than it has ever
gone before.

* The power over your system is within reach. AMD OverDrive lets you sit
back and monitor all your performance settings including clock memory, voltage
and memory timing.

* Monitoring system stability has never been easier. AMD OverDrive utilizes
multi threaded CPU tests to ensure overall system stability so you can focus
on your game.

* Custom performance for novice and enthusiast users as well as an auto
clock option:

* Novice and beginner users need not be intimidated. AMD OverDrive provides
a simple performance slider to control system settings. Adjust the slider to
achieve your desired performance.

* Enthusiast users will be elated at the amount of control at your
fingertips. AMD OverDrive exposes all controls so experienced gamers can
monitor and modify performance settings to achieve extreme performance.

* Maximizing your system performance doesn’t get any easier than this. AMD
OverDrive includes a single-click Performance tuning feature that optimizes
your system performance automatically.

* Requirements:

* AMD 780/790 Chipset installed

Download

OCZ released two new dual-channel 4GB Black Edition DDR3 memory kits for AMD’s Phenom II processors, these modules run at 1600MHz and are available with CL7 or CL8 latencies.

OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today expanded their lineup of DDR3 to include certified OCZ Black Edition 4GB kits for ultimate compatibility with AMD’s next-generation Phenom® II processors. These modules excel on Black Edition platforms at ultra-low voltage, an ideal parameter for the latest highly efficient processors. OCZ’s unique Black Edition Series is designed to be the ultimate upgrade for users who not only want to reap the benefits of high-frequency DDR3, but want a future-proof choice for their system.

“OCZ is excited to launch our new AMD Black Edition Ready Series which is designed specifically to work with AMD’s OverDrive™ software utility,” said Eugene Chang, Vice President of Product Management at the OCZ Technology Group. “The new OCZ Black Edition modules not only interact with AOD to overclock the memory, but also communicate with the BIOS to increase the frequency and performance of the memory controller. The result is a symbiotic relationship between memory and the rest of the system to unleash the full power of the Dragon Platform.”

“We are thrilled to see OCZ develop the Black Edition modules exclusively for Socket AM3 platforms featuring AMD Phenom™ II processors,” said Bob Grim, Director, Client Product Marketing, AMD. “By supporting AMD Black Edition Memory Profiles, OCZ enables overclockers to achieve higher levels of performance intelligently through dynamic profiles as opposed to simple, static SPD parameters.”

OCZ Black Edition kits are tested and qualified specifically for AMD’s own “Black Edition” Phenom CPU’s for ultimate performance and stability. Featuring the exclusive AMD OverDrive™ (AOD) feature, users can unleash the remote stored profiles when used with 790FX / 790GX motherboards, giving the cutting-edge with instant “plug and play” functionality. This highly advanced AOD feature detects your OCZ Black Edition RAM when used in conjunction with certified motherboards and processors, where the data is then sent to a remote AMD server to download the correct profiles and get your system up and running at its peak. Eliminating the need for manual overclocking, the AOD does all the work for you as you charge through your games and computing tasks.

OCZ Black Edition modules feature the high densities and blazing DDR3 speeds enthusiasts and gamers demand to make the most of the graphic-intensive PC titles and applications, and will be available as DDR3 PC3-12800 4GB kits operating at 1.65V. Each module comes with an exclusive AMD-branded XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heat spreader and is backed by the industry-leading OCZ Lifetime Warranty and technical support for unparalleled peace of mind.

After a nasty round of rumors that AMD was going to lock down the hidden cores on their Phenom II X2 and X3 CPUs AMD has come out and said they are not going to do that.

The unlocking of cores on the Phenom II X3 and X2 has become something of a fad with people buying them in the hopes of having a fully working Quad at the end of the day.

To AMD this is nothing serious as they view the unlocking of these cores as benign. Apparently they do not feel it hurts sales of the true quad core Phenom IIs.

Read more here.

Core unlocking, on the other hand, is seen by AMD as something that’s relatively benign, enabled in BIOS through ACC and giving users a shot at adding a bit of performance on the side. Anyone would be “lucky” if they managed to unlock all the cores on, say, a Phenom II X2, said Antal Tungler, Technical PR Manager for AMD in Euroland.

Ther real trick to core unlocking is in BIOS and using AMD Overdrive (AOD) 3.0. With AMD Overdrive you can tweak core performance individually, setting affinities and overclocking individual cores, or downclocking the unlocked ones to get a stable unlock.