Software Clock Tuner for Ryzen (CTR) allows each user to customize the system with maximum energy efficiency. At the same time, the CTR is fully automated and does not limit the user's actions. The program has a kind of artificial intelligence that will help in any situation, and the protection system will control every step so that your components are not endangered. CTR is compatible with all socket AM4 motherboards despite AMD artificial limitations.
The basic principle of this software is to evaluate the quality of each CCX and adjust the frequencies individually. Prime95 with a number of dedicated presets evaluates the stability of each CCX. The algorithm of step-by-step frequency change with many rules allows you to select the most stable frequency for all CCX simultaneously without disturbing the energy balance between CCX. The CTR also contains a plug-in (optional) Maxon Cinebench R20 benchmark that will allow you to evaluate the tuning results.
After starting ClockTuner for Ryzen, the program meets the user with information that any manipulations (overclocking or lowering the voltage) can damage the processor or motherboard.
The main and working tab is called MAIN, it contains all information about the processor, controls and statistics.
The upper part informs the user about the number of CCXs, cores in them, frequency of each core (3), CCD temperature (1) and CPPC tags (2). Let me remind you that CPPC tags are some kind of indicators of core quality. С01 - is the serial number of the kernel.
Next is the area with information about the current energy parameters of the processor (PPT, EDC, TDC, CPU VID Voltage and CPU SVI2 Voltage). The monitoring of these parameters, as well as the protection system, are always active.
The Settings group contains all the settings. Let's talk about them in more detail.
cycle time - determines the time of stress tests for each cycle. The longer the cycle lasts, the more accurate the CTR will be.
CCX delta - the condition for the termination of the overclocking or undervolt algorithm. It is the frequency difference value between the best CCX and the worst CCX. This value balances the energy load between all CCXs. Each processor class (Ryzen 5, 7, 9, etc.) has a different meaning. At the first launch, the CTR will automatically suggest the best option. The user can also customize this value for their own experiments.
Recommended values:
- Ryzen 5: 25 MHz
- Ryzen 7: 25 MHz
- Ryzen 9: 150-175 MHz for processors with the X suffix and 100-150 for processors with the XT suffix;
- Ryzen Threadripper: 75-100 MHz
testing mode - determines the level of load that CCX receive during the CTR. For most users, AVX Light will be optimal. Don't be intimidated by the word "AVX" in the title. Specially designed AVX presets combine low CPU temperature and high performance diagnostics for the slightest CCX instability during overclocking or undervolting.
Initial frequency smart offset - technology that saves time when overclocking or undervolting. The mechanism of operation is an intelligent offset "Reference frequency" relative to the CPPC tags. Supported only by Ryzen 9 3900X, Ryzen 9 3900XT, Ryzen 9 3950X, Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, and Ryzen Threadripper 3970X.
Reference frequency Is the base frequency value from which the first step of acceleration or undervolt will begin. The value must always be a multiple of 25, that is, 4100, 4125, and so on.
Max frequency - the maximum frequency value, upon reaching which, any of the CCX will complete the overclocking or undervolt process. The value must always be a multiple of 25, that is, 4100, 4125, and so on.
Reference voltage - the voltage value at which the acceleration or undervolt will be carried out. Step 6 mV. The protection system automatically corrects this value so that the processor always receives only the correct commands.
I would like to draw the attention of owners of Ryzen 5 3600XT, Ryzen 7 3800XT and Ryzen 9 3900XT processors that voltages above 1250 mV can cause BSOD during CTR operation. Temporarily I do not recommend exceeding this value.
polling period - sensor polling time (temperature, voltage, frequency, and so on). Also, this value determines the reaction speed of the CTR protection system. The protection system functions from the moment the program is started until the moment it ends. Its purpose is to monitor all processes that occur during the CTR and in which case, automatically stop and advise the user.
max temperature - the temperature value at which the protection system will stop all processes that occur in the CTR.
Max PPT, Max EDC, Max TDC - consumption and current values, which also refer to the settings of the protection system. When one of the values is reached, all CTR processes will be stopped. Be careful, these values are not PBO and do not affect system performance.
CB20 testing - a switch that allows the user to enable or disable the Cinebench R20 test. This test is intended only to assess overclocking or undervolt.
to tray - activation allows you to minimize the CTR window to tray.
Autoload profile with OS - automatic loading of the overclocking or undervolt profile at the start of the operating system. It is possible to activate only after the user has saved the profile. Please note that the user will be prompted to create a profile only after the overclocking / undervolting process is over.
Just below the group Settings control buttons are located.
Button START serves to start the overclocking or undervolt process (depending on the selected user settings).
Button DIAGNOSIS designed to assess the energy potential of the processor. The result of the work is the information in the log and the adjustment of the starting values. Doesn't require any settings from the user. Must be used before the START button is pressed.
Button STOP - immediate stop of all processes.
Button CREATE & APPLY PROFILE - allows the user to record / overwrite the results of overclocking or undervolting in the profile. It becomes active only after the CTR has successfully completed the overclocking or undervolt. Also, the CREATE & APPLY PROFILE button automatically activates profile loading at OS startup.
Button EDIT PROFILE - allows you to edit an existing profile or create your own manually without lengthy experiments (of course, at your own peril and risk).
Button RESET PROFILE - allows you to clear all information that is in the profile.
The circular arrow button is for immediate system reboot. It becomes active only in a situation when the CTR protection system cannot solve the problem on its own.
Below the functional buttons is the Progress Bar. And to display information about all actions, there is a log.
In the upper right corner there is an orange button that allows you to copy in one click all the data that is in the log. Also, log data is written to the text file ctr_log.txt.
Energy efficiency - contains the data of the frequency ratio relative to the current voltage. The higher the result, the better.
The next tab, which you will visit often, has the title BENCHMARK.
It contains the Cinebench R20 test results obtained before tuning (This system - Default) and after tuning (This system - Tuned). Also on this tab you can find information about the system on which the results were obtained.