Linux/Unix overclocking tools

From TPU Reference

Even though Windows is a superior OS for overclockers, there are available some tools for Linux/Unix overclocking. Graphic card overclocking has a far better starting point than CPU/RAM/MB, since the only tools for CPU/memory/motherboard overclocking are either outdated or motherboard specific. When it comes to graphic cards, NVIDIA is in the best position; it offers drivers for more operating systems, thus provides native overclocking through the drivers.

NVIDIA

As said, tools for NVIDIA GPUs are better and more up-to-date than counterparts for ATI/AMD, as NVIDIA provides better and more recent versions of their Linux/Unix drivers. In addition to modifying GPU's BIOS, there are basicly two software overclocking methods available for NVIDIA GPUs:

CoolBits

Screenshot of NVIDIA drivers implementing CoolBits in FreeBSD 6.1

In the year 2005 NVIDIA included integrated clock rate control to their Linux/Unix drivers (starting from version 1.0-7664), so CoolBits can be used on all Linux/Unix platforms that are officially supported by NVIDIA. CoolBits allows GPU overclocking for GeForce/Quadro FX and newer models. Overclocking is handled using NVIDIA Settings utility (a.k.a NVIDIA Linux Control Panel), and its interface is similar to Windows version. Auto-detect feature, like in ATITool, to find maximum stable 3D clocks is supported. CoolBits is not turned on by default, and it must be enabled by adding Option "CoolBits" "1" to Device section in xorg.conf. A sample Device section could look like this:

Section "Device"
   Identifier  "GF6200"
   Driver      "NVIDIA"
   Option      "NvAGP" "1"
   Option      "NoLogo" "1"
   Option      "CoolBits" "1"
EndSection

NVClock

Screenshot NVClock 0.8 Beta2 in FreeBSD 6.1 with NV-CONTROL disabled

NVClock is a overclocking tool for NVIDIA cards, much like a simplified version of ATITool or RivaTuner. It uses its own low-level backend for modifying clocks, but it's also able to handle overclocking through NVIDIA driver's CoolBits option; NVClock provides native support for GeForce 6/7 series cards, but adjusting clocks through CoolBits might result in more stable operation. NVClock features command-line, GTK 2 and Qt interfaces. Its feature highlights contain:

• Low-level overclocking for all NVIDIA cards except for the Riva128/Riva128ZX
• Pipeline modding for NV4x cards
• Support for internal NV43/NV44/NV47/G7x temperature sensor
• Ability to enable disabled temperature sensors used on NV43/NV44/NV47/G7x boards
• Bios parsing (GeforceFX/6/7)
• PCI id modding for GeForce cards (Quadro faking)

NVClock is available for Linux, FreeBSD and Windows (debugging).

• NVClock's homepage

ATI/AMD

ATI graphic cards are pretty alone with OverDrive in ATI drivers starting from version 8.26.18. And only Linux is supported, no drivers for Unix platforms are available.

It is requested that an image be included in this article to improve its quality.
Image of OverDrive in Linux?

An independent tool for ATI cards is also available, RadeonOverclock (rovclock). It has only command-line interface, and support for Radeon cards from 7500 to X800 series.

• RadeonOverclock's download page

It is requested that an image be included in this article to improve its quality.
Screenshot of rovclock, anyone?

Others

GlideControl for 3DFX Voodoo/Voodoo2.

CPU/RAM/Motherboard

Basicly no up-to-date tools are available for CPU, RAM or motherboard overclocking. Few years ago there was one tool, Powertweak, but it's very outdated in nowdays - the latest version is over three years old. After all, the best method for CPU, RAM and other non-GPU overclocking is to use motherboard's BIOS features.