Skip to main content

AMD and Asus team up to make Zen 4 overclocking a breeze

As part of Gamescom 2022, Asus has just announced that it will be adding its Dynamic OC Switcher feature to upcoming AMD Ryzen 7000 motherboards. So far, this seems to be limited to premium ROG AM5 motherboards.

The Dynamic OC Switcher could potentially make it easier for you to make the most of your Zen 4 CPU without needing to fiddle with the settings all too much. Here’s what we know about it so far.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Dynamic OC Switcher presentation.
Asus

Asus’ Dynamic OC Switcher is not exactly a new feature — it’s already been present on some high-end motherboards for the current-gen AM4 socket. Now, it has been confirmed to be making a reappearance in motherboards made for the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7000 series. Asus seems to be limiting it to premium ROG motherboards so far, but the entire ROG lineup will sport the feature.

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!

The feature is fairly straightforward and does exactly what you’d expect from the name. According to Asus, it will utilize artificial intelligence to determine when to apply an overclock to your CPU, and also to what extent to do it. It will measure your CPU usage, voltage, and temperatures in order to pick the best moment to drive up the frequency. It’s meant as an aid for AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive, a different overclocking system.

It’s unclear how exactly the OC Switcher will determine how to adjust the clocks, but it seems fairly simple — the lower the temperature, the higher the potential increase. VideoCardz notes that it will be switching between manual overclock options and AMD PBO modes based on the parameters mentioned above. It appears that this feature will boost both single-core and multi-core performance. Enabling the feature will likely be done in the BIOS, much like most other overclocking solutions.

Asus has also teased a new Ryzen Core Flex technology, but didn’t go into much detail beyond noting that it will be more in demand for hardcore overclockers. Meanwhile, the Dynamic OC Switcher is likely going to be a fairly straightforward addition that boosts your CPU performance based on what you’re currently doing and how your processor is handling it.

AMD is rumored to announce the next-gen Ryzen 7000 CPUs soon, with a predicted release date of September 27. The new motherboards are expected around the same time. It’s unclear whether Asus will be the only manufacturer to offer the Dynamic OC Switcher tech or if other board makers will also be able to provide it.

Monica J. White
Monica is a UK-based freelance writer and self-proclaimed geek. A firm believer in the "PC building is just like expensive…
Some Ryzen CPUs are burning up. Here’s what you can do to save yours
AMD Ryzen 7000 processor with a visible bulge, next to a burnt motherboard socket.

If you already have one of AMD's best processors for gaming, such as the Ryzen 9 7950X3D or the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, both your CPU and your motherboard might be in trouble.

Several reports of the processor burning up have recently surfaced. While AMD hasn't made any statements, it's possible that a new BIOS update might be enough to keep your gear safe.

Read more
CES 2023: AMD Ryzen 7000 laptops CPUs go up to 16 cores
AMD CEO holding the Ryzen 7040 series processor.

AMD announced the upcoming release of its Ryzen 7000 mobile processors during its CES 2023 keynote. With a strong focus on performance and efficiency, these CPUs will soon arrive in some of the best gaming laptops, but AMD is not just targeting gamers.

The lineup includes processors made for all kinds of laptops, and today, AMD gave us our first glimpse at the Ryzen 7040 "Phoenix" and the Ryzen 7045 "Dragon Range." Here's everything you need to know about them.

Read more
No one wants to buy AMD’s Zen 4 chips — what’s going on?
A hand holding the Ryzen 9 7950X in front of a green light.

AMD’s Zen 4 processors could be in deep trouble, according to recent sales data. In fact, it looks like Zen 4 chips could be five times less popular than the previous-generation Zen 3. Why is no one buying Zen 4?

The data comes from German retailer Mindfactory (via Reddit), which provides daily sales data for a range of processors, both Intel and AMD. And the findings for December 2022 do not make pleasant reading for fans of Team Red.

Read more