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Resetting System Setup (BIOS) Defaults Clears Overclocking Settings on the Alienware Aurora and Area 51

When resetting the System Setup (BIOS) to its default settings on the Alienware Aurora and Area 51, whether using the jumper or in BIOS keyboard commands, the factory shipped overclocked settings are reverted to a non-overclocked state. After defaults are loaded, the factory overclocked settings must be manually input.
Once the system has been overclocked, this does not mean that it will always run at the overclocked speed. The system will automatically throttle the speed when required, such as during performance taxing video games or applications. The only reliable place to determine the maximum speed once the system has been overclocked is in the system BIOS as many software applications may not reliably determine the maximum speed.

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Overclock the Alienware Aurora or Area 51 to the Factory Overclocked Settings

1. 
   Reboot the computer.
2. 
   When prompted during POST, press the key to enter the setup screen.
3. 
   On the System Setup screen, use the and keys until Frequency/Voltage Control is highlighted, then press the key.
4. 
   On the Frequency/Voltage Control screen, press the key to highlight Load Level X OC setting (where X is the overclock level as received from the factory)and press the key ( Figure 1).
   

   	Note:
   	On the Alienware Aurora, only Load Level 1 OC setting is available. On the Alienware Area-51, Levels 1 through 3 are available.

   
   
   
   Figure 1: Loading Automatic Overclock Settings on an Alienware Area-51 and Aurora
5. 
   On the Load Level X OC setting? screen, press the key on [Ok].
6. 
   Press the key to return to the System Setup main screen.
7. 
   On the System Setup screen, use the key until Save Changes and Exit is highlighted, then press the key.
8. 
   On the Save configuration changes and exit setup? screen, press the key on Ok to restart the system.

Alternatively, the below tables (Table 1, 2, 3 and 4) and instructions detail how to manually configure the factory overclocked settings on the Alienware Aurora or Area 51.

1. 
   Reboot the computer.
2. 
   When prompted during POST, press the key to enter the setup screen.
3. 
   On the System Setupscreen, press the key to load setup defaults.
4. 
   On the Load Optimal Defaults? screen, press the key on Ok.
5. 
   On the System Setup screen, use the and keys until Frequency/ Voltage Control is highlighted, then press the key.
6. 
   On the Frequency/ Voltage Control screen, press the key to highlight Overclock Configuration and press the key.
7. 
   On the Overclock Configuration screen (Figure 2), press the key to highlight Intel (R) TurboMode Tech and press the key.
   
   Figure 2: The Overclock Configuration Screen with Factory Defaults for Overclock Level 1 Displayed
8. 
   On the Options menu, press the key to highlight Enabled and press the key.
9. 
   Press the key to highlight 1 Core CPU Turbo Ratio Limit and press the or keys to adjust Core Ratio to the value defined in Table 1, Table 2 or Table 3. Repeat this step for 2, 3, and 4 Core CPU Turbo Ratio Limit values.
   

   	Note:
   	For the Alienware Aurora, reference only Table 1. For the Alienware Area-51, whether Table 1, 2 or 3 are used, ensure the same table is used for all of the manual overclocking steps.

10. 
    Press the key to highlight Turbo Mode TDC Limit Override and use the number pad to adjust TDC to the value defined in Table 1, 2 or 3 and press the key once complete.
11. 
    Press the key to highlight Turbo Mode TDP Limit Override and use the number pad to adjust TDC to the value defined in Table 1, 2 or 3 and press the key once complete.
12. 
    Press the key to return to the Frequency/ Voltage Controlscreen.
13. 
    On the Frequency/ Voltage Control screen, press the key to highlight Overvoltage Configurationand press the key.
14. 
    Press the key on Dynamic CPU Vcore Offset ( Figure 3).
    
    Figure 3: The Overvoltage Configuration Screen with Factory Defaults for Overclock Level 1 Displayed
15. 
    On the Options screen, press the key to highlight the Dynamic CPU Vcore Offset value as defined in Table 1, 2 or 3and press the key to select the value.
16. 
    Press the key twice to return to the System Setup main screen.
17. 
    On the System Setup screen, use the key until Save Changes and Exit is highlighted, then press the key.
18. 
    On the Save configuration changes and exit setup? screen, press the key on Ok to restart the system.

Table 1: The Aurora and Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 1
Table 2: The Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 2
Table 3: The Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 3 1
Table 4: The Factory Overclocked Settings for Systems with the Intel Core i7 930 Processor and 1333 or 1600 MHz Memory Ratio

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Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
Dell recommends only using the AutoTune feature and that you choose the 1st option, "Stay within the manufacturer's limits". If you decide to use the Manual Tune feature, users should be knowledgeable about advanced PC hardware settings. Improper settings can permanently damage the PC.

Use the Intel Turbo Mode tech with the Balanced Power setting. Let it clock down. There is no reason to run it at 3.6,3.7,3.8 or whatever all the time. You can go for the 4.0 or 4.1 just don't make it run like that all the time.

Area-51 ALX
i7-960 3.20GHz 8MB
i7-975 3.73GHz 8MB C0 Overclocked 60GFP
i7-975 3.86GHz 8MB C0 Overclocked 60GFP
i7-980x 3.33GHz 12MB

Area-51
i7-920 3.20GHz 8MB D0 Overclocked 1GKT0
i7-930 2.80GHz 8MB 7WF65
i7-950 3.06GHz 8MB D0 0DX14
i7-960 3.20GHz 8MB
i7-975 3.60GHz 8MB C0 Overclocked 60GFP
i7-980x 3.33GHz 12MB

Aurora/Aurora ALX
i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB D0 1GKT0
i7-920 3.20GHz 8MB D0 Overclocked 1GKT0
i7-930 2.80GHz 8MB 7WF65
i7-960 3.20GHz 8MB
i7-975 Extreme 3.33GHz 8MB C0 60GFP
i7-975 3.60GHz 8MB C0 Overclocked 60GFP

Loading Level Overclocking settings
* Restart the PC
* Press F2
* Press F9
* On the Load Optimal Defaults screen, press the Enter key on Ok
* Select Frequency/Voltage Control and press Enter
* Select Load Level X settings (whatever is available)
* If running a Raid setup, select Internal Devices
* When you see configure SATA 1-6 as AHCI, press enter and change it to RAID
* Select OK and press Enter
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

Manual Overclocking i7-920
* Restart the PC
* Press F2
* Press F9
* On the Load Optimal Defaults screen, press the Enter key on Ok
* Select Frequency/Voltage Control and press Enter
* QPI Frequency = Auto
* Memory Ratio = 8 for 1067/1333MHz memory. 10 for 1600MHz memory
* XMP Support = Disabled for 1067/1333MHz memory. Enabled for 1600MHz memory
* Select Overclock Configuration and press Enter
* Use these settings for 3.20GHz = 160, Enabled, Auto, 100, Disabled, 26,25,25,25,110,130
* Go back by pressing ESC and select Overvoltage Configuration and press Enter
* Use these settings for 3.20GHz = +20mv, Auto, 1.10v, Default
* If running a Raid setup, select Internal Devices
* When you see configure SATA 1-6 as AHCI, press enter and change it to RAID
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

Manual Overclocking i7-975
* Restart the PC
* Press F2
* Press F9
* On the Load Optimal Defaults screen, press the Enter key on Ok
* Select Frequency/Voltage Control and press Enter
* QPI Frequency = Auto
* Memory Ratio = 8 for 1067/1333MHz memory. 10 for 1600MHz memory
* XMP Support = Disabled for 1067/1333MHz memory. Enabled for 1600MHz memory
* Select Overclock Configuration and press Enter
* Aurora and Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 1
* Use these settings for 3.60GHz = 133, Enabled, Auto, 100, Enabled, 27,27,27,27,160,180
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 2
* Use these settings for 3.73GHz = 133, Enabled, Auto, 100, Enabled, 28,28,28,28,180,200
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 3
* Use these settings for 3.86GHz = 133, Enabled, Auto, 100, Enabled, 29,29,29,29, 180, 200
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 4
* Use these settings for 4.00GHz = 133, Enabled, Auto, 100, Enabled, 31,29,29,29, 180, 200
* Go back by pressing ESC and select Overvoltage Configuration and press Enter
* Aurora and Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 1
3.60GHz +80mv, Auto, 1.10v, Default
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 2
3.73GHz +120mv, Auto, 1.10v, Default
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 3
3.86GHz +160mv, Auto, 1.10v, Default
* Area 51 Factory Overclocked Settings at Level 4
4.00GHz +160mv, Auto, 1.10v, Default
* If running a Raid setup, select Internal Devices
* When you see configure SATA 1-6 as AHCI, press enter and change it to RAID
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

Possible causes of PC failures due to Overclocking
* Memory ratios set higher than 8 for 1067/1333MHz or 10 for 1600MHz memory
* Adjusting the CPU BClk to values higher than 160MHz

In case of PC failures due to Overclocking
The Bios will try to recover itself by setting the system to factory defaults, after a third post failure. In case the Bios cannot be recovered, then the CMOS has to be manually reset by moving the CMOS jumper and removing the Coin Cell battery. Once the system is able to complete the post, access the Bios and reset Load Level 1 Settings to load the factory 3.20GHz configuration. When resetting the System Setup (BIOS) to its default settings on the Alienware Aurora and Area 51, whether using the jumper or in BIOS keyboard commands, the factory shipped overclocked settings are reverted to a non-overclocked state. After defaults are loaded, the factory overclocked settings must be manually input. Once the system has been overclocked, this does not mean that it will always run at the overclocked speed. The system will automatically throttle the speed when required, such as during performance taxing video games or applications. The only reliable place to determine the maximum speed once the system has been overclocked is in the system BIOS as many software applications may not reliably determine the maximum speed.