Dave's Amiga Hardware Page

Overclocking since 1975!

After a hiatus of 10 years, I now have the time to recommence mantaining and updating this site. There have been a lot of changes during this time, and most pages in this site will need to be updated in the coming months. This site is optimised for Amigas using Ibrowse or Aweb with at least 1024x768 resolution. Pages on this site may look untidy at lower resolutions. This website is proudly compiled using the KISS principle!

Leaking clock batteries & capacitors - All Amiga users MUST read! Updated 27th may 2021.

What is overclocking?

Welcome to the Amiga Overclocking Website. Here you can learn how to maximise your Amiga's performance at minimum cost. I have a very extensive overclocking experience -I have been overclocking since 1975 - when I first overclocked a calculator to make it faster than those belonging to my schoolmates! Overclocking is a process where the equipment being overclocked is made to run faster than it's design speed. This is usually achieved by increasing the frequency of the computer's clock. Often achieved by changing the oscillator module by one rated at a higher frequency. It is a somewhat controversial procedure - some like myself swear by it and overclock everything that isn't bolted down! Others see it as totally evil - even worse than Micro$oft - and claim that it will melt your computer and fry your cat!. Perhaps some people have a problem with the concept of "getting something for nothing" which is basically what overclocking is all about.

There are a number of practical considerations to bear in mind when attempting an overclocking project. Firstly is the computer being modified of "synchronous" or "asynchonous" design? Synchronous is where the CPU is clocked at a speed which is a direct multiple of the main clock which runs the entire computer. Examples of a synchronous computer are standard A500, A1000, A1200 and A2000s. These machines are not easy to overclock. The A3000 and the A4000 are of asynchonous design, having a separate oscillator for the CPU and so are easier to overclock. If you have an accelerator card in your Amiga, chances are that it is asynchonous. I have also found over the years that the more recent mask versions of a particular chip will often overclock to a higher frequency. For example you would be more likely to get better results from a new version 68060 compared to an older one. Likewise you will usually get less from a chip at the top of it's range compared to a lesser rated one. For example you will usually be able to overclock a 25MHz 68030 further (in percentage terms) compared to a 50MHz 68030.

The second consideration is heat generation. Due to increased capacitive and inductive losses at the higher frequencies, the CPU (and sometimes other associated chips) will run hotter. Care must be taken to ensure they are cooled properly to avoid crashes or possible damage. Cooling would have to be the most important part of overclocking. Despite what critics say, I have NEVER had any damage caused by overclocking, however it is best to be cautious, especially when an expensive PPC chip is involved. Thirdly you need to bear in mind that the accelerator card itself will also limit maximum possible overclocking speeds. A good example is the Commodore A2630 which cannot be clocked past 29MHz - even if you install a 50MHz 68030 in it.

Finally, bear in mind you will void any warranty applying to your equipment. Of course, I will not be held responsible for any damage caused by carrying out the modifications listed here. They are done at your own risk. Listed below are several links to the different Amiga CPUs I have overclocked, as well as other associated chips and hardware. Click on them for more information. I currently have no information for any hardware not listed here.

Other Amiga hardware sites.

Australian Amiga User Groups.

Other Amiga links.

Other links of interest.

You can email me at: davem2at iinetdot netdot au

This site was introduced 26th June 1998. Last updated 27th May 2021. Rev 2.4