K10ctl - ArchWiki

# K10ctl

k10ctl allows you to overclock and undervolt an AMD K10 processor (e.g. Phenom, Phenom II) by changing its P-States.

Lowering the voltage saves energy and leads to less heat and noise.

Warning: USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOU OWN RISK. IT MAY DAMAGE YOUR HARDWARE.

## Installation

k10ctl is available in the AUR: k10ctlAUR

## Configuration

### k10ctl.conf

    /etc/conf.d/k10ctl

    # For information how to calculate the following values see:
    # http://www.ztex.de/misc/k10ctl.e.html#c1

    # Change to "true" after you configurated the settings for your CPU
    # WARNING: Be SURE that the following values are correct and safe for
    # your system before doing this!
    CONFIGURATED=false

    # Number of cores for your CPU
    CORES=4

    # List of P-states you want to change.
    # NOTE: all following arrays must have the same size!
    PSTATES=( 0 1 2 3 )

    # List of Northbridge VIDs
    NBVID=( 45 45 45 45 )

    # List of CPU VIDs
    CPUVID=( 36 45 55 68 )

    # List of CPU FIDs
    FID=( 12 5 0 0 )

    # List of CPU DIDs
    DID=( 0 0 0 1 )

### Pre-Configuration

k10ctl needs the kernel module msr, so run

    # modprobe msr

Now you have to find out the default values of the P-States for your CPU.

    # k10ctl 0-3

0-3 are the CPU cores so if you have less, decrease the second number.

Adjust your config with the correct numbers from the output.

Tip: The important lines are "P-State 0" - "P-State X".

When you are sure everything is correct, set "CONFIGURATED" to "true" and restart k10ctl:

    # systemctl start k10ctl

Up to now k10ctl should work with the default values of your CPU.

### How to calculate values

Check "VID interface mode" to know how to calculate your settings.

    # k10ctl 0-3 -> first line

Parallel VID interface mode:

     if vid>=64 then U=375 mV
     else if vid>=32 then U=1162.5mV - vid=12.5 mV
     else U=1550mV - vid*25 mV

Serial VID interface mode:

     if vid>=124 then U=0 mV
     else U=1550mV - vid*12.5 mV

Finally you can modify your P-States in `/etc/conf.d/k10ctl`.

Note: All arrays in the config must have the same size.

Restart k10ctl and check "k10ctl 0-3" again.

    # systemctl start k10ctl

    # k10ctl 0-3

### Enable k10ctl permanently

    # systemctl enable k10ctl

For the module 'msr' take a look at Kernel modules#Loading[broken link: invalid section].

## Tips and tricks

Use mprimeAUR to test the stability of your computer.

Categories:

- Power management
- CPU

Hidden category:

- Pages with broken section links