Hacking Raspberry Pi firmware to hit 3.4 GHz

Jeff Geerling
Jeff Geerling
29,546
0
Published 2024-07-30
WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

Code is here: github.com/geerlingguy/pi-overvolt

If you attempt to replicate this experiment, your warranty will most certainly be void, and there's a good chance you kill your Pi attempting this overclock.

You'll also potentially blow past my Geekbench world record, which would just be too much! :D

Some resources I referenced in this video:

- 2nd channel:    / @level2jeff  
- Blog post with more info: www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2024/hacking-pi-firmware…
- Video on Pi 5 Silicon:    • Probing Pi 5 silicon with an Electron...  
- Blog post on the Silicon Lottery: www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2024/important-considera…
- NUMA Emulation patch info: www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2024/numa-emulation-spee…
- Jonatron's post: jonatron.github.io/randomstuff/pivolt/
- Pi 5 fastest Geekbench scores: browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/search?dir=desc&q=Ras…

And some parts I used for my world record run (some links are affiliate links):

- USB Peltier Cooling Module: amzn.to/3WmTJ3H
- EDATEC Fanless Heatsink Case: www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/edatec/ED-PI5CA… (I used just the bottom plate from this)
- Noctua 140mm 5V USB Fan: amzn.to/4dmYAbX
- Noctua 140mm 3D Printed Fan Holder: www.printables.com/model/511959-adjustable-perfect…
- Argon PWR GaN 27W Power Supply: amzn.to/3Yse5Lt
- Extra thermal pads to sink heat from PMIC into the cooler: amzn.to/3SxpTs3

Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Merch: www.redshirtjeff.com/
Other 2nd Channel:    / @geerlingengineering  

Contents:

00:00 - Overclocking is overrated
00:48 - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
01:18 - Silicon Lottery
03:03 - Baseline and first WR attempts
03:43 - Higher voltage
04:56 - Peltier Cooling
06:28 - And for my last trick
07:31 - WR achieved, CPU... might survive
All Comments (21)
  • @tizilogic
    Correction: RGB does "nothing" for performance.. the only proven cosmetic mod that does something is adding flame stickers
  • @spewp
    You must be using RGB incorrectly. Everyone knows it's the key to high performance computing, why else would they sell it to us?
  • @alexlandherr
    I’m reminded of that overclocking episode of Futurama where Bender just keeps on increasing his power draw and cooling needs. EDIT: In one episode it seems that he has a “6502” processor.
  • @MarcoGPUtuber
    Ever since I overclocked my Pi, i can now click on Jeff's videos even faster!
  • @GSBarlev
    HATs off to you, Jeff! Even if it's not practical, seeing the Pi pushed to its limits gets me incredibly Amped. It's really cool all the options we have for actively dissipating heat these days, and you gotta love that, thanks to the modifiable firmware, no performance goal is too Pi in the sky.
  • @scifibob
    You are one of the few, if not the only person that can make me watch a video that explains that I will void my warranty by following it, and still, I watch the whole thing. You are magical.
  • @edwardallenthree
    "The only time I successfully delided a CPU was by accident," is the quote of the century.
  • @Xandertank2010
    Hey Jeff! I recently found your channel and your content is great. I have binge a good chunk of your content in the past week. You are a great guy and your passion for raspberry is outstanding lol. Keep it up!
  • @boam2943
    Congratulations on the record :) For your next attempt, you could try feeding power directly to the pi, if possible. It might be current limited due to the width of the traces from the connectors to the chip. I do not know if the traces are somewhat accessible near the chip, I do not own a RPi5. Also consider downvolting as you increase frequency and/or reduce the GPU power (if possible) to give more power to the CPU part. In a (recent past) GamersNexus video with AMD, they talk about a frequency/voltage/power sweet spot that may require the voltage to be reduced to increase frequency. Overclock to infinity... and beyond :D
  • @CreateTeen
    So glad you opened with the dry ice sound
  • @jierenzheng7670
    I was wondering if a shunt mod would be an alternative to using modified firmware? My first thought was LN2 extreme overclocking :p
  • @mahtin
    If the normal R.Pi 50C operating temperature is around 323 Kelvin, I see a lot of room for improvement … sorry, I mean … wild experimentation. Don’t knock those liquid helium folks (at just 4.2 Kelvin); they looked like they were having a ton of fun!
  • @cem_kaya
    Where did you get that silicon wafer ? is it for sale ?
  • @Zomboy4313
    4:40, raspberry pi can get over 10w?! Mines basically always under 5w