Can you overclock an Acer Aspire 5 (2019 Model)?

[gwynbleidd997]

Hi, I just ordered an Aspire 5 with a Ryzen 5 3500U and I was wondering if the BIOS allows changing the CPU multiplier and RAM frequency and timings.
This is my first AMD CPU, I don't know if there's a utility similar to Intel's ETU to make changes on the fly on Windows. I also never owned a laptop before, so I'm new to the club.
Thanks.

 

[EarthDog]

Overclocking laptops is never a good idea... they can barely handle their heat at default.

That said, I would imagine being an Acer Aspire branded laptop, it is pretty locked down. You may have memory frequency and timings, but that's about it.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Hi, I just ordered an Aspire 5 with a Ryzen 5 3500U and I was wondering if the BIOS allows changing the CPU multiplier and RAM frequency and timings.
This is my first AMD CPU, I don't know if there's a utility similar to Intel's ETU to make changes on the fly on Windows. I also never owned a laptop before, so I'm new to the club.
Thanks.

Its a laptop - So no.

And its an 'ultrabook' style of laptop at that so even more no even if yes unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies up the stairs to your room at night and $500-700 in the gutter

 

[gwynbleidd997]

Its a laptop - So no.

And its an 'ultrabook' style of laptop at that so even more no even if yes unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies up the stairs to your room at night and $500-700 in the gutter

I'm aware that laptops run hot by default. I'm not looking to do a desktop-tier OC on it obviously, thinking of just 100-300Mhz max on the CPU. I won't be doing any video editing or blender or anything that really stresses up the CPU, it's a mid to low end laptop anyways and is not meant for that. A modest OC like that would improve performance a little bit for daily tasks while not hurting the CPU at all. It makes perfect sense where I'm standing.
Though I can't help but notice the amount of fear mongering that surrounds topics like overclocking. These modern CPUs thermal throttle at TJ max and will shut down immediately if the temp reaches dangerous levels. You can't burn them if you wanted to (except with insane voltages and something like AVX512 workloads). I've been running my 4670k at 1.4v for two years now without any issues, RAM is at 1.7v with System Agent, both I/O voltages and VRIN all pushed to the limits. I think it's unhealthy spreading misinformation and exaggerating the effects to the degree of "unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies".
People who might not know any better, may actually believe you.

Overclocking laptops is never a good idea... they can barely handle their heat at default.

That said, I would imagine being an Acer Aspire branded laptop, it is pretty locked down. You may have memory frequency and timings, but that's about it.

Thanks. Yeah I thought as much. An Acer and not even a gaming tier one, the chances are very low.
Do you know if you could at least change the TDP limit and the turbo boost window? The only difference between the 3550H and the 3500U from what I found is the TDP, 35W vs 15W respectively and the 3550H does noticeably better in benchmarks due to having access to more juice. Running at 35W when plugged in (+ extra cooling) sounds like a good idea.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I'm aware that laptops run hot by default. I'm not looking to do a desktop-tier OC on it obviously, thinking of just 100-300Mhz max on the CPU. I won't be doing any video editing or blender or anything that really stresses up the CPU, it's a mid to low end laptop anyways and is not meant for that. A modest OC like that would improve performance a little bit for daily tasks while not hurting the CPU at all. It makes perfect sense where I'm standing.
Though I can't help but notice the amount of fear mongering that surrounds topics like overclocking. These modern CPUs thermal throttle at TJ max and will shut down immediately if the temp reaches dangerous levels. You can't burn them if you wanted to (except with insane voltages and something like AVX512 workloads). I've been running my 4670k at 1.4v for two years now without any issues, RAM is at 1.7v with System Agent, both I/O voltages and VRIN all pushed to the limits. I think it's unhealthy spreading misinformation and exaggerating the effects to the degree of "unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies".
People who might not know any better, may actually believe you.


Thanks. Yeah I thought as much. An Acer and not even a gaming tier one, the chances are very low.
Do you know if you could at least change the TDP limit and the turbo boost window? The only difference between the 3550H and the 3500U from what I found is the TDP, 35W vs 15W respectively and the 3550H does noticeably better in benchmarks due to having access to more juice. Running at 35W when plugged in (+ extra cooling) sounds like a good idea.

But the big difference is...

your 4670k is housed in a big case with enough room to fit a small kitten or many kittens and probably has an AIO or 300g-800g's of copper and aluminum cooling it not to mention multiple 120/140mm fans moving air in and out of the case.

your swift 5 doesnt have none of this.... It has one measly fan and one or two copper heat pipes that are smaller than my dick after walking in -5'c for an hour in the park.

And its not just about cooling the CPU - its about cooling *ALL* Of the components surrounding that CPU. so all voltage regulators for the CPU - the SSDs also create some heat, the dedicated GPU if it has one creates a lotta heat. RAM creates a bit of heat and that tiny fan moves such a small amount of air. not to mention how heavily restricted air flow is for the form factor.

So its not just about the CPU. Even the more powerful $2000 ROG gaming laptops throttle because all the copper heat piping and dual/triple fan cooling solutions and go faster ventilation holes cant keep it cool unless the fans are running super super space shuttle launch loud.

But ok my guy. You want to blow all your money away on doing something stupid? be my guest.


Its not about fear mongering, Its about common sense and practicality.

 

[micropage7]

maybe the first one that you do is uninstalling everything that you don't need and anything that preinstalled and running in background
make it as simple as possible so you have pure performance, it's better than expecting to overclock it

 

[EarthDog]

I'm aware that laptops run hot by default. I'm not looking to do a desktop-tier OC on it obviously, thinking of just 100-300Mhz max on the CPU. I won't be doing any video editing or blender or anything that really stresses up the CPU, it's a mid to low end laptop anyways and is not meant for that. A modest OC like that would improve performance a little bit for daily tasks while not hurting the CPU at all. It makes perfect sense where I'm standing.
Though I can't help but notice the amount of fear mongering that surrounds topics like overclocking. These modern CPUs thermal throttle at TJ max and will shut down immediately if the temp reaches dangerous levels. You can't burn them if you wanted to (except with insane voltages and something like AVX512 workloads). I've been running my 4670k at 1.4v for two years now without any issues, RAM is at 1.7v with System Agent, both I/O voltages and VRIN all pushed to the limits. I think it's unhealthy spreading misinformation and exaggerating the effects to the degree of "unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies".
People who might not know any better, may actually believe you.


Thanks. Yeah I thought as much. An Acer and not even a gaming tier one, the chances are very low.
Do you know if you could at least change the TDP limit and the turbo boost window? The only difference between the 3550H and the 3500U from what I found is the TDP, 35W vs 15W respectively and the 3550H does noticeably better in benchmarks due to having access to more juice. Running at 35W when plugged in (+ extra cooling) sounds like a good idea.

I don't know... but I highly doubt it. Again, you are getting a Acer Aspire...it doesn't get any more boxed and non-enthusiast than that so I wouldn't guess so.

As far as the overclocking and fear mongering, you are both right. While CPUs have built in limits to prevent damage, banging off that limit isn't the best idea and laptops cannot really handle the heat. I also wouldn't push running RAM at 1.7V and SA/IO at their limits either (and your experience is but one, an anecdote), but it likely won't die.

Remember, most of the people who come in here asking questions can't tell the difference between their arse and a hole in the ground, so, warnings (even overly dramatic ones) are warranted.

Anyway, If you want to overclock, I would get a laptop that can. An Acer Aspire is a canned device which A. likely doesn't have any options in the first place, and B. can't handle increased heat loads without additional throttling (without additional cooling). I'd look elsewhere for those meager gains...

 

[gwynbleidd997]

I don't know... but I highly doubt it. Again, you are getting a Acer Aspire...it doesn't get any more boxed and non-enthusiast than that so I wouldn't guess so.

As far as the overclocking and fear mongering, you are both right. While CPUs have built in limits to prevent damage, banging off that limit isn't the best idea and laptops cannot really handle the heat. I also wouldn't push running RAM at 1.7V and SA/IO at their limits either (and your experience is but one, an anecdote), but it likely won't die.

Remember, most of the people who come in here asking questions can't tell the difference between their arse and a hole in the ground, so, warnings (even overly dramatic ones) are warranted.

Anyway, If you want to overclock, I would get a laptop that can. An Acer Aspire is a canned device which A. likely doesn't have any options in the first place, and B. can't handle increased heat loads without additional throttling (without additional cooling). I'd look elsewhere for those meager gains...

"banging off that limit isn't the best idea and laptops..."
I never said I was going to push the laptop's CPU to the limits, in fact in the same comment I stated that what I'm looking for is a minor 100-300Mhz OC. So that's a strawman.
"but it likely won't die"
That was my counter-argument to his baseless juvenile claims like "unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies ".
"warnings (even overly dramatic ones) are warranted"
Spreading misinformation + fear mongering is never "warranted". Were you all overclockers born with the knowledge of what's an okay voltage and what's a dangerous one?
Would you have had the same knowledge that you have today had everyone treated you like a child by constantly lying to you?
We should be transparent and honest not just when it comes to this particular hobby, but in everything else as well.
"Anyway, If you want to overclock, I would get a laptop that can."
I don't "want" to overclock in the sense that I'm looking for a laptop specifically made for overclocking. I was already set on it (already ordered in fact) but was just curious if there's any possibility to tinker with the settings a little bit and if there isn't, I'm totally okay with that.

 

[EarthDog]

"banging off that limit isn't the best idea and laptops..."
I never said I was going to push the laptop's CPU to the limits, in fact in the same comment I stated that what I'm looking for is a minor 100-300Mhz OC. So that's a strawman.
"but it likely won't die"
That was my counter-argument to his baseless juvenile claims like "unless you want a new serving tray to carry your milk and cookies ".
"warnings (even overly dramatic ones) are warranted"
Spreading misinformation + fear mongering is never "warranted". Were you all overclockers born with the knowledge of what's an okay voltage and what's a dangerous one?
Would you have had the same knowledge that you have today had everyone treated you like a child by constantly lying to you?
We should be transparent and honest not just when it comes to this particular hobby, but in everything else as well.
"Anyway, If you want to overclock, I would get a laptop that can."
I don't "want" to overclock in the sense that I'm looking for a laptop specifically made for overclocking. I was already set on it (already ordered in fact) but was just curious if there's any possibility to tinker with the settings a little bit and if there isn't, I'm totally okay with that.

yikes.. taking things a bit too literally...

To be clear, fear mongering isnt ok... however warnings about the dangers, yes. We are being honest and not treating anyone e like a child. Again, most dont come in here with a clue, so understand why this approach is generally taken.l out of the gate. I'm not here to debate that reality. This isnt really an overclocking site either... people post ln2 pictures and most here turtle and bitch how useless it is...so there's that.

Anyway, a third time... likely no options to overclock in the canned device. Good luck to you!!