Vcore adjustment on ABIT board via BIOS

Undervoltable Motherboards

Table of Contents

A new page called Undervoltable Motherboards has been added to the Recommended Section. The reason is simple: this info is hard to come by, and undervolting is very useful in reducing CPU heat, which can lower cooling requirements. This means lower fan speeds — and less noise. Check your motherboard; if it is undervoltable, please add it to the list!

  • April 7/05 – Updated by Joachim Kluge with recent info from
    the SPCR-Forum.
  • Nov 15/04 – Updated by Joachim Kluge with recent
    info from the SPCR-Forum. Intel P4-775 socket category added, AMD-K8 boards
    divided into different socket groups
  • June 25/04 – Added links and comments on Cool ‘n’ Quiet
    Athlon 64
    Motherboards with information compiled by Joachim Kluge.
  • June 10/04 – Update with recent info from the SPCR Forum,
    painstakingly compiled by Joachim Kluge (thank you!); info
    on 8rdaVcore added
  • July 22/03 – Long overview update compiling info from the
    undervoltable
    motherboards thread in the SPCR Forum
  • Mar 17/03 – AOpen MX4GR removed from list; apologies for anyone
    misled by the erroneous listing.
  • Mar 7/03 – More models added, along with chipset info, thanks
    to the research of Andrew Hon
  • Feb 7/03 – More models added
  • Jan 27/03 – More models added
  • Jan 26/03 – Several models added
  • January 25/03 – First published

Even though this motherboard list is in the Recommended Components section, it is not really a list of “recommended” motherboards. It lists motherboards that allow the CPU voltage to be set lower than the default value by a reasonably significant degree — an arbitrary 0.2V at least.

So why is this important? For silent computing, as this linked article explains, undervolting is a powerful and useful way to drop CPU heat dissipation. Many CPUs run fine with up to 0.2V at stock speed, with no instability. Combined with a bit of judicious underclocking, it is possible to drop CPU heat output by 20%, 30% or even more while suffering no or little performance drop. The reduced heat then allows the CPU (and the system) to be sufficiently cooled with lower airflow– slower, quieter, fewer fans.

Motherboards are among the most widely reviewed PC components on hardware websites. Most reviews focus on performance, features and overclockability. While overvolting capability is routinely discussed, undervolting hardly ever is. So this list is identifies motherboards that give you the option of undervolting the CPU. This information is simply not readily availabe in any one place elsewhere. There are enough of them, we believe, that within this list there will be a great variety of brands, features, chipsets and prices to choose from.

Vcore adjustment on ABIT board via BIOS

The days of fiddling around with tiny jumpers to set CPU voltage are long gone. In recent years, the Vcore adjustment has moved into the BIOS alongside CPU frequency (clock speed) control and is accessed amost exclusively via the BIOS software, as shown above.

This page lists motherboards known to allow undervolting. Almost invariably, undervoltable motherboards also allow over- and under-clocking flexibility. No claim or assessment is made of the boards’ quality or performance in any other aspect.

Much thanks to John Coyle for his generous time in researching this topic by poring through motherboard specifications and manuals. (John is an established contributor to SPCR; you may have read his article, Fanless (or Not) with TKPower 300 & VIA C3.)

Help Us with the Motherboards List!

This is a short starting list that will be expanded over time. How quickly this happens depends on how much help we get. You can help us a great deal.

The simple fact is that Vcore adjustments are usually not covered in specifications, and often, not even in manuals. In many cases, the only way to know for sure is to actually go into the BIOS of the motherboard and check the Vcore range available in the CPU frequency/voltage setup menu. Each and every one of you has at least one motherboard, the one in your computer. Most of you have two– one at home and one at work. Just do a quick check on the BIOS CPU voltage adjustment range of your own computers and report on any motherboard that provides at least a -0.2V from default Vcore setting.

Please submit the information to this thread in the SPCR Forums. We will periodically collect the info and add it to the list below. With everyone’s cooperation, we will soon have a large and useful list of undervolt friendly motherboards. If the list gets big enough, we may even divide it up into handy CPU and/or chipset categories.

As the lifecycle of PC products accelerates, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up to date. Some vendors say many motherboard models don’t last even 3-4 months, what with frequent new chipset releases and upgrades by motherboard makers. This is why a Discontinued Motherboard list has also been created. It will also be helpful if you buy second hand or old stock at discounts or simply are running a board more than a few months old!

Please lend us a hand by letting us know when a particular model needs to be moved into the discontinued list.

NOTE: AOpen appears to have a very undervoltable line of boards, but not all are. http://club.aopen.com.tw/pss/mbsearch/default_advanced.aspx, an AOpen feature search engine page, lists 72 motherboards which allow for cpu undervolting (as of March 17, 2003).

  • Vcore is the range in volts of the CPU core voltage adjustment on the motherboard.
  • Date is the date of the entry.
  • 8rdaVcore is a free software utility for some socket-A boards that allows sophisticated manipulation of Vcore, clock speed and other parameters within Windows. Its compelling feature is automatic up/down adjusments of clock/volt based on CPU load. A link to download this software is on the main menu (on the left of this page) under Web Links & Downloads. There are several threads in the SPCR Forums about this topic. The most comprehensive is probably 8rdavcore/nf7vore: Software controlled undervolting!

  • Intel P4-478 socket




    AMD Athlon 64-754 socket




    AMD Socket A
    Motherboard (current)
    CPU

    Chipset

    Vcore
    Notes
    Date
    Albatron PX865PE Pro
    II
    478 Intel i865PE 0.85 – 1.6 22.07.03
    Aopen AX4SPE-Max 478 Intel i865PE 1.1 30.03.05
    Gigabyte 8S655TX
    Ultra
    478 SIS 655TX 0.8 – 1.6 10.06.04
    Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000-L 478 Intel i865PE < 1V 10.06.04
    Gigabyte GA-8KNXP 478 Intel i875P 0.84-1.60 10.06.04
    MSI P8T Neo 478 VIA PT800 1.35 – 1.75 10.06.04
    Shuttle FB61 478 Intel i865G 1.1-2.0 10.06.04
    Shuttle XPC ST61G4 478 ATi IGP9100 0.9 22.07.04
    Shuttle XPC ST62K 478 ATi IGP9100 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Soltek – all 478 0.8/1.1 30.03.05
    Soltek SL-PT880Pro-FGR 478 VIA PT800 0.84 – 1.80 10.06.04
    Intel P4-775 (socket T)
    Albatron Mars PX915G 775 Intel i915G 0.85 – 1.6 30.08.04
    Albatron Mars PX915G
    Pro
    775 Intel i915G 0.85 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Albatron PX915P
    Pro
    775 Intel i915P 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    DFI LANParty UT
    915P-T12
    775 Intel i915P 0.83 – 1.95 30.03.05
    Gigabyte 8ANXP-D 775 Intel i925X 0.85 – 1.6 30.08.04
    Gigabyte 8ANXP-D 775 Intel i925X 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Gigabyte 8GNXP Duo 775 Intel i915P 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Gigabyte 8I915P
    Duo Pro
    775 Intel i915P 0.85 – 1.6 30.08.04
    Jetway 915 PDBG 775 Intel i915P 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Shuttle SB95PV2 775 Intel i925XE 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Soltek SL-865Pro-775 775 Intel i865PE 0.85 – 1.8 30.03.05
    Soltek SL-915GPro-FGR 775 Intel i915P 0.83 – 1.6 30.03.05
    Abit KV8-Max3 754 VIA K8T800 0.8 – 1.9 10.06.04
    Albatron K8X800
    Pro II
    754 VIA K8T800 0.8 – 1.9 10.06.04
    Aopen AK86-L 754 VIA K8T800 0.8 – 1.55 10.06.04
    Aopen AK89 Max 754 nVidia nForce3 0.8 – 1.55 10.06.04
    ASRock K8 Combo-Z 754/939 ULi M1689 0.8 – 1.55 30.03.05
    Asus K8N-E 754 nVidia nForce3 250GB 0.85 -1.75 16.09.04
    Asus K8N-E Deluxe 754 nVidia nForce3 250GB 0.8 -1.75 30.03.05
    DFI LanParty UT
    nF3 250Gb
    754 nVidia nForce3 250GB 0.8 – 1.55 16.09.04
    Gigabyte GA-K8NS
    Pro
    754 NVIDIA nForce3 250 0.8 – 1.7 30.03.05
    Gigabyte K8NNXP 754 nVidia nForce3 0.8 – 1.7 10.06.04
    Gigabyte K8NSNXP 754 nVidia nForce3 250 0.8 – 1.7 09.07.04
    Gigabyte K8VNXP
    754 VIA K8T800 0.8 – 1.7 10.06.04
    Jetway S775MAX 754 SiS775 0.8 – 1.7 10.06.04
    Shuttle AN50R 754 nVidia nForce3 0.8 – 1.7 10.06.04
    Shuttle AN51R 754 nVidia nForce3 250 0.8 – 1.7 08.07.04
    Soltek – all 754 0.8 ~ 1.6 30.03.05
    Soyo K8USA Dragon
    Ultra standard/”Black Label”
    754 AMD 8151 (ALI M1687) 0.775 – 1.7 10.06.04
    AMD Athlon 64-939/940 socket
    ASRock K8 Combo-Z 754/939 ULi M1689 0.8 – 1.55 30.03.05
    ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe 939 nVidia nForce4 SLI 0.8 – 1.65 30.03.05
    Asus A8V Deluxe 939 VIA K8T800 Pro 0.8 – 1.8 27.06.04
    Asus SK8V 940 VIA K8T800 0.8 – 1.65 10.06.04
    DFI LANParty nF4
    SLI-DR/Ultra-D
    939 nVidia nForce4 SLI/Ultra 0.8 – 1.55 30.03.05
    ECS KV2 Extreme 939 VIA K8T800 Pro 0.8 – 1.55 20.07.04
    Foxconn WinFast
    NF4UK8AA-8EKRS
    939 nVidia nForce4 Ultra 1.3 30.03.05
    Gigabyte K8NXP -9/-SLI 939 nVidia nForce4 Ultra/SLI 0.8 – 1.7 30.03.05
    Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI 939 nVidia nForce4 SLI 0.8 – 1.75 30.03.05
    MSI K8N Neo4/SLI
    Platinum
    939 nVidia nForce4 SLI 0.8 – 1.55 30.03.05
    Shuttle FN95 939 nVidia nForce3 Ultra 0.8 – 1.7 30.03.05
    Shuttle XPC SN95G5 939 nVidia nForce3 250GB 0.8 – 1.7 30.07.04
    Abit AN7 Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.4 – 2.3 10.06.04
    Abit KD7 (several
    models)
    Socket-A VIA KT400 1.1 – 1.85 26.01.03
    ABIT KV7 Socket-A VIA KT600 1.1 06.08.04
    Abit NF7 series Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 2.3 10.06.04
    Abit NF7S Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 1.85 07.03.03
    Albatron KX18D Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 1.1 06.08.04
    AOpen AK77-8XN Socket-A VIA KT400 1.1-1.85 SilentTek 25.01.03
    AOpen AK79D-400Max Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 1.1-1.85 SilentTek 22.07.03
    AOpen AK79D-400VN Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 unknown SilentTek, 8rdaVcore 22.07.03
    AOpen AK79G-1394 Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1-1.85 SilentTek 20.02.03
    Asus A7V8X Socket-A VIA KT400 1.1 06.08.04
    Biostar M7NCG-400 Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.3 – 2.0 µATX – rev. v7.1 not
    working
    27.06.04
    Chaintech 7NJL1 Socket-A nVidia nForce2 unknown 8rdaVcore 07.03.03
    Chaintech 7NJS Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.4-2.1 07.03.03
    DFI LANParty KT400A Socket-A VIA KT400A 1.1 – 2.0 10.06.04
    DFI LANParty NFII
    Ultra
    Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 1.1-2.0 22.07.03
    DFI LanParty nForce2
    Ultra Infinity
    Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 1.8 10.06.04
    ECS K7S6A Socket-A SiS745 1.1-1.85 22.07.03
    Epox 8K9A2+ Socket-A VIA KT400 1.4-2.1 22.07.03
    EPOX 8K9A9I Socket-A VIA KT400 1.1 06.08.04
    Epox 8KRAI Socket-A VIA KT600 1.4-2.1 30.03.05
    Epox 8RDA+ Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.4-2.2 07.03.03
    Epox 8RDA3(+) Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 2.2 8rdaVcore 10.06.04
    Gigabyte 7NNXP Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 2.0 10.06.04
    Gigabyte GA7N400 Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 1.1-1.85 22.07.03
    Gigabyte GA7N400
    Pro
    Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 unknown 8rdaVcore 30.03.05
    Jetway N2PA Socket-A nVidia nForce2 unknown 8rdaVcore 30.03.05
    Leadtek K7NCR18D
    (Pro / Pro II)
    Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1-2.0 07.03.03
    MSI K7N2 Delta L Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 unknown 8rdaVcore 30.03.05
    MSI K7N2G-ILSR Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.55-1.8 07.03.03
    MSI KT4 Ultra Socket-A VIA KT400 1.1 06.08.04
    MSI KT6V Socket-A VIA KT600 1.35 10.06.04
    Shuttle AN35N (ultra) Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 1.85 06.08.04
    Shuttle AN35N-400 Socket-A nVidia nForce2 1.1 – 1.85 10.06.04
    Shuttle XPC SK43G Socket-A VIA KM400 1.1 10.06.04
    Shuttle XPC SN45G Socket-A nForce2 Ultra400 1.1 06.08.04
    Soltek – all “recent” Socket-A 1.0 ~ 2.0 07.03.03
    Soltek MicroATX
    SL-75MIV2-L
    Socket-A VIA KM400 1.1 µATX 06.08.04


    P3/Tual


    Intel 815EP


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    P3/Tual


    Intel i815EP


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845PE


    1.1-1.8



    10.06.04


    P4-478


    Intel i845GE/PE


    1.1-1.85



    26.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845E


    1.1-1.85


    SilentTek; tube audio out


    25.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845GE


    1.1-1.95


    SilentTek


    25.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845G


    1.1-1.85


    SilentTek


    25.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel E7205


    1.1-1.85



    07.02.03


    P4-478


    VIA P4X333


    1.1-1.85


    w/jumpers


    07.03.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845PE


    1.1-1.85


    in Windows


    07.02.03


    P4-478


    Intel 845D


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    P4-478


    Intel i845PE


    0.825-1.6



    10.06.04


    P4-478


    Intel i845PE


    1.475-1.85



    25.01.03


    P4-478


    VIA P4X266A


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    P4-478


    VIA P4X400


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    Slot 1


    Intel BX


    1.35-1.55



    10.06.04


    Slot 1


    Intel BX


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    Dual Socket-A


    AMD 768


    unknown



    10.06.04


    Socket-A


    VIA KT400


    1.1-2.325



    27.01.03


    Socket-A


    AMD 760


    1.1-1.85



    26.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT266A


    1.1-1.85



    07.03.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT133


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.1-1.80



    22.07.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT133


    1.1-1.8



    10.06.04


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.1-1.85



    25.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.1-1.85


    w/jumpers


    26.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.45-1.85



    10.06.04


    Socket-A


    VIA KT266


    1.475-1.85


    w/jumpers


    07.02.03


    Socket-A


    AMD 761


    1.1-1.85



    10.06.04


    Socket-A


    VIA KT133A


    1.125-1.85



    07.02.03


    Socket-A


    ALi M1647


    1.2-1.85



    26.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.2-1.85



    27.01.03


    Socket-A


    VIA KT333


    1.1-1.85



    07.03.03
    Discontinued
    boards
    CPU
    Chipset
    Vcore
    Notes
    Date
    ABIT ST6
    Soyo SY-TISU
    Abit IT7-MAX2 Rev
    2.0
    Albatron 845GE/PE
    AOpen AX4B-533 (all
    5 models)
    AOpen AX4GE Max
    AOpen AX4GPRO
    AOpen AX4R Plus
    ECS Elitegroup P4VXAD+
    Gigabyte G8PE667
    Ultra
    Gigabyte GA-81RXP
    Gigabyte GA-8PE800
    Soyo SY-P4I-845PE
    / LITE
    VIA P4PA
    VIA P4PB (several
    models)
    ABIT BH6
    MSI BX-Master
    Asus A7M266-D
    ABIT KD7
    ABIT KG7 (several
    models)
    Abit KR7A/R
    ABIT KT7/A/AR
    ABit KX7-333
    Aopen AK73 Pro
    AOpen AK77-333
    ASUS A7V333 (all
    models)
    Epox 8k5A2+
    Epox 8KHA/L/+
    Gigabyte GA-7DXP
    Iwill KK266/R
    iWill XP333/R
    Soltek SL75DRV5
    (3 models)
    Soyo SY-KT333 Dragon+

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    Motherboards
    thread in the SPCR Forum.

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