02-27-2003, 05:19 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Overclocking Poses Risks to PDAs
"Several software companies have developed small programs that allow handheld users who crave pure performance to run their processor's clock speed faster than advertised. Just because something can be done, however, doesn't mean it should, according to analysts. For a long time, PC enthusiasts have been tweaking their systems--a practice known as overclocking--to get better-than-advertised performance out of their CPUs, motherboards, and other components. But such efforts involved tinkering with the motherboard and BIOS, activities beyond the comfort level of average users. Now several companies are offering software downloads that enable users to increase the speed of their handheld's processor with just a few clicks and for just a few bucks."
Tom Krazit must read sites like this - I'm surprised mainstream journalists know about overclocking. It's a pity he didn't interview any users that overclock their devices. He would have gotten an interesting answer: W?BIC! (or Y?BIC! depending how hooked on phonics you are). There's also an interesting psychological aspect here - people don't overclock their phones or clock radios, but they do overclock their PCs. Pocket PCs are more than just appliances, they're little PCs. Overclock away! (but only if you're willing to take the risk of frying your device)
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02-27-2003, 05:53 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 174
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I was contacted by the author yesterday and I got back to him today. He never responded and instead included the phrase "Representatives from Wibble-wobble.com and Revolutionary Software Front did not immediately respond to e-mailed inquiries."
His article is long on suggestion, short on facts.
Notice how Intel bins a chip: test it at the fastest speed and slow it down until it doesn't have problems, toss it in the respective bin and sell it. So much for damaging a chip by running it too fast.
Here's my short response:
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Saw your article. I'm pretty disappointed. I guess scare sells though.
Why would Intel or Dell say anything other than don't change the clockspeed, just buy the expensive chip instead?
Unlike desktop processors the Xscale is completely speed configurable in software. This is something Intel enabled by design - there is no "over clocking" going on.
And just like Intel bins their chips via testing, the consumer (and developers) can do the same. So far there have been 0 reports of problems related to changing the clock speed with our product and that's with a combined runtime far greater than any testing Intel has ever done.
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02-27-2003, 06:02 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
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That yahoo article might as well say Overclocking can cause cancer and reduction of sperm count from all the CPU radiation.
duh'
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02-27-2003, 06:04 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 174
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And the article reminds me why I avoid mainstream computer press: they never link to anything off their site.
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02-27-2003, 06:05 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 21
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People should do what they want, because naturally I don't care what happens to their handhelds. But seriously, the benefit of OC'ing a PPC is negligible. Unless you're bent on playing a port of an old Quake game or something similar the added cycles probably don't yield a lot of benefit, especially with the 100 MHz bus starving the CPU. Then your battery life goes all to pot, or at least becomes less predictable. Pocket PCs are not like desktops, where you choose your PCB and CPU and other components and mix and match and tweak and modify and do all kinds of cute OC's and hacks to squeeze all the performance you can out of them. Handhelds are pretty much designed to function one way. Anything out of spec is higher risk than on a desktop, with little potential benefit, IMO. Your mileage may vary.
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02-27-2003, 06:06 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Well, the other twist here is that most people aren't actually overclocking their chips, but rather using XScale to scale up the frequency within rated limits. If I've heard correctly, all the 200MHz units are actually using 300MHz hardware underclocked. Actually overclocking via Pocket Hack Master is another thing.
Revolution.cx, about the author contacting you at the last minute: a lot of authors do try and contact people at the last minute. It might be them, or it might be sudden deadlines sprung up on them. I agree it's frustrating.
--janak
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02-27-2003, 06:10 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 72
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It is possible, however, that in the case of the iPaq 1910 that running it at an overclocked speed of 400Mhz may cause unforeseeable damage to your system since there is very little room left for ventilation in that unit, as in "practically none." I believe that there may not be noticeable difference between 200Mhz and 400Mhz since PPC 2002 was standardized specifically around the strongarm processor, which runs at 206Mhz. I haven't notice much of a difference between my Jornada 568 and iPaq 3955, except for perhaps a slight increase in response of "stored" web browsing services via Internet Explorer on Avantgo, etc. If someone has a different experience or opinion, I am interested in hearing it with a fair amount of substantiation in real-world observance. Thanks and great post! :n00b: ( I had to post the noob faces, never saw em before, no other signifigance other than that :lol: )
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02-27-2003, 06:15 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 174
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I wish the author had told me he had a deadline, instead it was a very casual inquiry.
On a 200mhz 1910 the speed up is noticeable, otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Intel makes a big deal about the ability to change the clock speed of the XScale on the fly - notice the name of the chip????? The whole point is to change the speed depending on what the processor is doing. They spent many millions to make the chip do that and to market it as such.
ViewSonic devices have speed adjusting software built in.
People also don't realize that Clear Speed slows down the processor for increased battery life, can set a speed based on what program is running and will even lower your backlight for you as the battery gets weaker.
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02-27-2003, 06:19 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 480
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Revolution.cx
People also don't realize that Clear Speed slows down the processor for increased battery life, can set a speed based on what program is running and will even lower your backlight for you as the battery gets weaker.
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Actually, Pocket HackMaster will also allow you to change the processor speed based on the processor utilization. It's quite a nifty feature in that it makes the XScale truely scale.
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02-27-2003, 06:19 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 174
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The 1910 won't run at 400 mhz. 300 mhz is the maximum stable. 333 runs fine but some units have problems with storage cards.
So I set my 1910 at 333, strapped it in an insulated foam container,turned the backlight on maximum, volume on full and ran an arcade game we are developing that uses every bit of CPU it can get. Left it that way through several full battery cycles. No problems.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by hulksmash
It is possible, however, that in the case of the iPaq 1910 that running it at an overclocked speed of 400Mhz may cause unforeseeable damage to your system since there is very little room left for ventilation in that unit, as in "practically none."
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