One of the things that most annoys Intel CPU users is the fact that, at a certain point of need, some models of their processors cannot be overclocked. This is very typical when we are short on performance and want to tighten the CPU. As we know, this is only available on K models, something for which Intel charges a plus, but now with the new ASRock technology it may end up changing thanks to BFB Technology.
Who has not had an Intel CPU where to save the most money we have gone from choosing an unlocked processor to one without such a possibility. Who later has not tried to find a way to raise the frequency of said processor using several different techniques, some without success.
Well, here comes ASRock with its BFB Technology to limit these possibilities, or at least in part, because many of its motherboards now allow an increase in the frequency of our CPU.
ASRock BFB Technology, boosts the performance of your non-K CPU
Before we begin to explain what BFB Technology is and how it works, we should note that this technology is not available on all of its motherboards, unfortunately. ASRock supports this technique (for now) on motherboards that host the following chipsets:
- Z390, B365, Z490, H470 and B460.
In addition, we will have to have on our corresponding motherboard with said chipset a minimum UEFI / BIOS version that the manufacturer calls on each of the motherboards. Therefore, there is not the same version for all, we will have to consult it on the website of our board, although the most logical thing is to install the latest one and forget about it as such, ensuring the support of this technology.
ASRock of course makes a statement of responsibility and warns users that BFB may damage the CPU or destabilize the system and where its availability is subject to change without notice. In any case, and as is usually normal in this type of techniques, the manufacturer is not responsible for what the user does, logically.
How this proprietary ASRock technology works
It is simple, as we will already know, Intel uses several P states in its CPUs. PL2 activates what the brand calls Base Frequency Long Term, which has a very short duration in time and is a limitation of TDP Up when that time expires and then gives way to PL1. The latter is the so-called TDP in terms of energy, since under its terms Intel defines the thermal requirements. Therefore, on a 65-watt CPU, PL1 is that number.
The PL2 state is a state of higher energy delivery that at the same time is defined by another parameter called Tau and that carries a multiplier for frequency and consumption (1.1X, 1.25X and the like). This parameter defines the time that PL2 can be at maximum frequency and consumption, which ASRock defines as Turbo Boost Short Term .
These terms define the energy delivered, as well as the consumption, when the Tau is depleted in PL2, the CPU enters PL1 as long as the temperature allows. Since PL2 generally represents the load of a single core, the frequency reached will be the maximum allowed by Intel.
When the system is required to load the CPU, the processor will only be able to maintain the PL2 frequency at the time dictated by Tau, and this is where the magic of ASRock comes in. The board bypasses the restriction and allows both frequency and consumption to be raised to PL2 (at a minimum) improving performance.
It is not overclocked to use, but it greatly increases the frequency and performance
It is not an overclock per se, but it unlocks CPU performance as such without having to be a K or KF version. The data offered by the company is very encouraging: from 3.9% to 29% under Cinebench R20 and depending on the processor tested. The best of this is undoubtedly that it is simple to activate through a setting in BIOS and also does not exceed Intel’s original PL2 as such, but rather powers it at the cost of higher consumption and higher temperature.
