Mini Mac Overclocking

[Steve]

Nothing is ever quick enough for the hardcore IT enthusiast. There's always something in need of overclocking. Interest is now being directed towards Apple's new wonder-computer, the Mac Mini.

The speed of 7447 CPU chip is defined by logic levels of its five PLL_CFG pins. This sets Bus-to-Core multiplier that together with bus (SYSCLK) frequency produces CPU core clock. These pins have internal pull-up resistors so the CPU clock in practice is set by leaving each pin either floating or grounded with zero Ohm resistor (call them jumpers if you wish).

In english, that means the clock speed of the Mac Mini's processor is setup in a very similar way to the old bridge tricks used on Athlons. Join the right contacts and you can set the speed yourself. Easy stuff if you know a tiny bit about electronics and can use a soldering iron... and you're willing to void your Mac Mini's warranty.

Find the guide on how to tweak up your Mac Mini here.

[speedy_s]

can't risk it for 10-20% overclock

[javalord]

I'd rather change the HDD than overclock... 2.5" 5400RPM drives will hamper the system more than anything else.

Edit : Some users are getting 4200RPM drives ... ouch!

[Stoo]

yeah, I'd be extremely wary of overclocking in such a small enclosure, even putting a 7200rpm drive in would risk overheating a fair bit..

[StormPC]

Mine seems pretty snappy with 1.42 GHz, 1GB DDR and an 80GB HDD. No matter how much you overclock it it's not gonna perform like an FX-55 (or even an A64 2800+) with a decent graphics card, or a G5. It's more than adequate for most computer users I'd say (all but hardcore gamers and overclockers). And it looks WAY TOO COOL with the 20" Apple Cinema Display.

[robjs]

Agreed StormPC, saw some in the Apple Store on Sunday, and they are lush!

Rob

[CocoPops]

Can you run xbench on it for me please?

It's a freeware benchmarking tool.

[StormPC]

Do you have a link? Just to make sure I download the correct version. Is 1.1.2 good?

Didn't get a chance to take pictures this weekend. I'll look for the Nikon now.

Storm

Edit: Here's a link to my compare.

http://ladd.dyndns.org/xbench/merge....setCookie=true

I have a couple of pics but no place to host. They are 480KB each. Anybody want to host them?

[Stewart]

Send them to me, I'll host them. stewart_m@blueyonder.co.uk

[StormPC]

Will do...as soon as I get home. Thanks Vaul!

Edit: Pics sent Vaul...thanks again!

[Stewart]

http://www.fileonline.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Mini1.jpg

http://www.fileonline.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Mini2.jpg

[StormPC]

Thanks Vaul. Sorry the pics aren't better. I'm in the middle of moving so I have crap everywhere. I'll take some better ones soon as I get things squared away a bit.