Overclocking: Difference between revisions

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The Pandora's CPU can officially run at 600Mhz, but most Pandoras can also run at higher speeds. This can make CPU-intensive programs (such as an N64 emulator) run smoother. If you try a speed that's too high, your Pandora can freeze up. If this occurs, you can force a restart by holding the Pandora button and sliding the power switch to the right. If you still have problems, take out your battery for a minute before turning on your Pandora (this will discharge the backup capacitor that was designed to retain RTC while the battery is being changed <sup>[http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?/topic/57303-overclocking-broke-my-pandora/page__view__findpost__p__924479]</sup>)
The Pandora's [[CPU]] can officially run at 600Mhz, but most Pandoras can also run at higher speeds. This can make CPU-intensive programs (such as an N64 emulator) run smoother. If you try a speed that's too high, your Pandora can freeze up. If this occurs, you can force a restart by holding the Pandora button and sliding the power switch to the right. If you still have problems, take out your battery for a minute before turning on your Pandora (this will discharge the backup capacitor that was designed to retain RTC while the battery is being changed <sup>[http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?/topic/57303-overclocking-broke-my-pandora/page__view__findpost__p__924479]</sup>)




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'''Notes:'''
'''Notes:'''


The OMAP core will actually adjust its speed to match the load; you are setting the ''upper limit''. On its own, reducing the clock speed has little impact on battery life.
The [[OMAP]] core will actually adjust its speed to match the load; you are setting the ''upper limit''. On its own, reducing the clock speed has little impact on battery life.


The operating voltage is specified as an 'opp' in the range 1-5, with 3 being the default.
The operating voltage is specified as an 'opp' in the range 1-5, with 3 being the default.


===GUI Tools===
===GUI Tools===
The OS comes with the ability to modify the CPU speed from the GUI. Under "System" in the menu, you should find "CPU-Speed". This gives you a slider to set the desired MHz. Since Hot Fix 5, the maximum and minimum values can be set by using a separate tool (previously, it was limited from 14 to 900MHz).
The OS comes with the ability to modify the CPU speed from the GUI. Under "System" in the menu, you should find "CPU-Speed". This gives you a slider to set the desired MHz. Since [[Hot Fix 5]], the maximum and minimum values can be set by using a separate tool (previously, it was limited from 14 to 900MHz).


A second tool was introduced in Hot Fix 5 which allows you to set the maximum OPP level, define the minimum/maximum clock speeds, change the way the "CPU-Speed" script warns you, and define a default clock speed. This can be found under "Settings", then "CPU-Settings".
A second tool was introduced in [[Hot Fix 5]] which allows you to set the maximum OPP level, define the minimum/maximum clock speeds, change the way the "CPU-Speed" script warns you, and define a default clock speed. This can be found under "Settings", then "CPU-Settings".


===CLI Commands===
===CLI Commands===
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To set OPP5:
To set OPP5:
<pre>echo 5 > /proc/pandora/cpu_opp_max</pre>
<source lang="bash">echo 5 > /proc/pandora/cpu_opp_max</source>


To set your CPU speed to 800MHz:
To set your CPU speed to 800MHz:
<pre>echo 800 > /proc/pandora/cpu_mhz_max</pre>
<source lang="bash">echo 800 > /proc/pandora/cpu_mhz_max</source>


==Voltage Scaling==
==Voltage Scaling==
At low frequencies, the OMAP can still work with a reduced voltage, and that causes it to drain the battery a little slower. Alternatively, you can increase the voltage and maybe get a higher overclock. '''This WILL reduce the lifetime of your Pandora.''' 3 is the default OPP.
{{warning|OverVolting can potentially halve the life of your Pandora}}
At low frequencies, the [[OMAP]] can still work with a reduced voltage, and that causes it to drain the battery a little slower. Alternatively, you can increase the voltage and maybe get a higher overclock. '''This WILL reduce the lifetime of your Pandora.''' 3 is the default OPP.


If you reduce the CPU speed below specific thresholds, the voltage will automatically adjust downwards.  If you set the OPP to 1 whilst still running at the default 500 MHz, your Pandora is very likely to crash. At 4, you may see almost as good an overclock performance as at 5. '''REMEMBER: OverVolting can potentially halve the life of your Pandora.'''
If you reduce the CPU speed below specific thresholds, the voltage will automatically adjust downwards.  If you set the OPP to 1 whilst still running at the default 500 MHz, your Pandora is very likely to crash. At 4, you may see almost as good an overclock performance as at 5.  


==App-specific Speed Control==
==App-specific Speed Control==
It is possible to auto configure specific applications to increase the CPU speed whilst running. Applications can be configured to prompt with a suggested speed, and you are given the option to select a speed, making the choice persistent if desired. This is done by placing a 'cpuspeed' file in the /pandora/appdata/{pnd_name}/ directory. Delete the file to have the app ask again next time it is run.
It is possible to auto configure specific applications to increase the CPU speed whilst running. Applications can be configured to prompt with a suggested speed, and you are given the option to select a speed, making the choice persistent if desired. This is done by placing a '''cpuspeed file''' in the /pandora/appdata/{pnd_name}/ directory. Delete the file to have the app ask again next time it is run.
Some apps, such as PCSX-rearmed, also allows on-the-go overclocking thanks to the sdk.
Some apps, such as PCSX-rearmed, also allows on-the-go overclocking thanks to the sdk.


[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Optimization]]
[[Category:Optimization]]

Revision as of 06:11, 23 April 2011

The Pandora's CPU can officially run at 600Mhz, but most Pandoras can also run at higher speeds. This can make CPU-intensive programs (such as an N64 emulator) run smoother. If you try a speed that's too high, your Pandora can freeze up. If this occurs, you can force a restart by holding the Pandora button and sliding the power switch to the right. If you still have problems, take out your battery for a minute before turning on your Pandora (this will discharge the backup capacitor that was designed to retain RTC while the battery is being changed [1])


How to Overclock

Notes:

The OMAP core will actually adjust its speed to match the load; you are setting the upper limit. On its own, reducing the clock speed has little impact on battery life.

The operating voltage is specified as an 'opp' in the range 1-5, with 3 being the default.

GUI Tools

The OS comes with the ability to modify the CPU speed from the GUI. Under "System" in the menu, you should find "CPU-Speed". This gives you a slider to set the desired MHz. Since Hot Fix 5, the maximum and minimum values can be set by using a separate tool (previously, it was limited from 14 to 900MHz).

A second tool was introduced in Hot Fix 5 which allows you to set the maximum OPP level, define the minimum/maximum clock speeds, change the way the "CPU-Speed" script warns you, and define a default clock speed. This can be found under "Settings", then "CPU-Settings".

CLI Commands

For anyone who likes using the terminal, here are some examples:

To set OPP5:

echo 5 > /proc/pandora/cpu_opp_max

To set your CPU speed to 800MHz:

echo 800 > /proc/pandora/cpu_mhz_max

Voltage Scaling



At low frequencies, the OMAP can still work with a reduced voltage, and that causes it to drain the battery a little slower. Alternatively, you can increase the voltage and maybe get a higher overclock. This WILL reduce the lifetime of your Pandora. 3 is the default OPP.

If you reduce the CPU speed below specific thresholds, the voltage will automatically adjust downwards. If you set the OPP to 1 whilst still running at the default 500 MHz, your Pandora is very likely to crash. At 4, you may see almost as good an overclock performance as at 5.

App-specific Speed Control

It is possible to auto configure specific applications to increase the CPU speed whilst running. Applications can be configured to prompt with a suggested speed, and you are given the option to select a speed, making the choice persistent if desired. This is done by placing a cpuspeed file in the /pandora/appdata/{pnd_name}/ directory. Delete the file to have the app ask again next time it is run. Some apps, such as PCSX-rearmed, also allows on-the-go overclocking thanks to the sdk.