Intel Performance Maximizer Released: Overclocking Made Super Easy
Users of the latest round of Intel processors will be able to make use of the Intel Performance Maximizer (IPM) as of this afternoon. Today the download for this system was released by Intel as promised earlier this year at Computex 2019. Users will be able to safely and reliably overlock their 9th-gen Intel Core desktop processors at will – but if it's safe, is it really overclocking?
I jest – but traditional "overclocking" has been known to be a risk-taker's game. Gamers and those that like to push their computers to the limits just for the thrill have been overlocking their machines past recommended speeds for decades. Now Intel's basically said, hey, let's allow everyone to get in on the fun, in a safe, friendly way.
The Intel Performance Maximizer was first shown onstage at Computex 2019 with a very basic example. They showed that a default i7-9700K All Core Turbo Frequency at 4.6HGz will potentially jump to 5.2GHz with the new IPM, after testing. If you've never overclocked your PC's main processor before, your brain is about to melt – with performance!
It may be technically safe, but Intel still includes warnings for would-be overclockers. They suggest (in fine print) that even with the Intel Performance Maximizer, "Altering clock frequency or voltage may damage or reduce the useful life of the processor and other system components, and may reduce system stability and performance. Product warranties may not apply if the processor is operated beyond its specifications. "
The first round of 9th gen Intel Core processors that'll work with the IPM are as follows: i9-9900K, i9-9900KF, i7-9700K, i7-9700KF, i5-9600K, i5-9600KF. This system can be downloaded via the Intel Performance Maximizer site s of this morning. Let us know how it goes! UPDATE: You'll also need Windows® 10, 64-bit RS5 (Version 1809) or newer!
UPDATE 2: Full minimum requirements include 8GB RAM and 16GB free space on a non-removable GPT drive. Once you're in, you'll need to update some BIOS. You'll need to have all processor cores enabled, and Processor Core Overclocking will need to be enabled. Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 mode must be enabled along with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology (if supported on the processor).
Users will need to make sure boot mode is set to UEFI, and that a couple other features are enabled: Intel Watchdog Timer Driver (WDT) as well as Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology. These are largely default settings – Intel recommends in IPM 1.0.1 release notes that users reset BIOS to default values or update BIOS to the latest version available before running Intel Performance Maximizer tests.