How can I change core frequency and other processor variables?

[idata]

I am trying to characterize the behavior of our application running on Intel Nehalem-based system. I am interested in knowing how the application would behave if we could vary some key processor variables such as the core frequency, L2 cache size, DDR frequency etc. Is there a development board Intel or another motherboard manufacturer has that I use to make such changes? If so, how would I buy it? Thanks a lot for your pointers. SincerelyChetan

[idata]

Depending on the CPU used, I can recommend that you buy a EVGA or Asus motherboard. These boards have a lot of features in which you can adjust the speeds of the user CPU. These days you can even do this largely automatically

But you can only adjust the speed of the CPU, Bus/QPI-speeds and the speed of the RAM.

[RGiff]

Download and run the Intel desktop control center . It allows you to adjust FSB Ram timings , voltages and numous other things , I use it all the time it's a great tunning utility.. Just make sure you get the right VER. For your board.

[idata]

Don't forget that the Intel Desktop Control Center is only available with "performance and enthusiast Intel Desktop boards", so many if not most Intel motherboards do not have a version available for them.

Most non-budget priced motherboards will allow you to adjust various parameters in the BIOS to accomplish what you would like to test. The settings that you change vary somewhat depending upon the CPU type you are working with. The settings that enthusiasts use to overclock CPUs can be used to under-clock or lower the core frequency of the processor. The most common ones on Intel CPUs are the Bus/Core ratio or Multiplier, and the Core Clock or Base Clock.

Memory setting are also easily set in the BIOS and can be lowered or relaxed and still work fine. If you can read the SPD data on the memory you may find the recommended slower settings for it.

[RGiff]

Speaking of performance enthusiasts, Using the IDCC, Just changed the ram to 1600Mhz along with the addition of a Xeon X3380 . These are my new Numbers. see attached.

[RGiff]

By the way what board are you using??