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Mussab Ali

At Tech4Gamers I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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It’s always nice to squeeze a little more performance out of your computer. Also, in order to do that, overclocking is the way to go forward. You can overclock pretty much any graphics card or memory module out there. However, regarding the CPU, there are some exceptions on both sides (Intel & AMD). 

What it means is that not all processors can be overclocked, like the X3D CPUs from AMD. Sure, there are some ways to do it, but for a casual guy, it might not be feasible.

X3D CPUs from AMD

X3D CPUs have been a game changer for AMD; they gained popularity so quickly due to their X3D technology, which helps in outputting exceptional gaming performance. As it’s known, Ryzen CPUs have always been overclockable, but this changed with X3D CPUs. 

The X3D CPUs use 3D V-Cache technology, which requires sacrifices in clock speed and the ability to overclock. AMD added an extra slab of L3 cache die on top of the stock L3 cache. Besides that, to uniformly place the IHS over the die, AMD added two structural silicon spacers on both sides to make it even. 

What happens now is that heat dissipation is more restricted than before, and due to the addition of an extra L3 cache, the processor is prone to consuming more power as well. Similarly, to maintain the lower TDP, AMD slashed base clock speeds and locked these CPUs, whether it’s the Ryzen 7 5800X3D or Ryzen 9 7900X3D.

Why You Should Not Overclock Yours 

I can tell you a few reasons why you should stick to using your X3D CPU with stock settings instead of opting for risk.

Need For an Expensive Motherboard

Overclocking these locked X3D chips, especially if you have one from the 7000 series, can be rather expensive. Since these X3D chips are locked, so you can’t directly overclock them using direct voltage adjustment or CPU multiplier. 

In other words, you have to rely on PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) and AMD’s Curve Optimizer. On top of these two, your motherboard should have an external clock generator to overclock the X3D CPU. 

An overclocker named SkatterBencher managed to overclock his Ryzen 7 7800X3D to 5.4GHz using PBO, AMD’s Curve Optimizer as well as the external clock generator. He used ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero to achieve that clock speed. 

Such motherboards are too expensive, and the performance gain doesn’t look worth the extra investment to me personally so it’s better to invest in some other component rather than doing the above. 

Overvolting Could Damage the CPU

To overclock any component, we have to feed more power into it. But don’t forget, that allowing too much power could damage the component too. The same is the case with X3D CPUs, they are locked at a specific voltage for a reason, and allowing it to take too much power can easily damage the CPU die.

Ultimately ends up killing the processor for good. Now that’s something you wouldn’t want. So it’s better to stick to the stock settings instead, especially if you’re on the 5000 series X3D CPU. Simply because that series has no support for features like PBO or AMD’s Curve Optimizer. 

You Would Lose the Warranty

As the X3D processors are locked by default for their longevity and smooth operation, messing around with stuff to bypass those limitations will definitely result in voiding the warranty. 

This implies that if you end up killing the processor in the process, you’re on your own, even if the warranty period isn’t over. So, if you’re rocking something like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the loss is going to be heavy and not worth risking for the sake of a few more frames. 

Stock Settings are Better & Safe 

With so much risk involved as well as the requisite for expensive motherboards. I don’t see logic in proceeding further to overclock these locked chips. Moreover, the next generation of AMD X3D processors is rumored to feature full overclocking support.

Therefore, it would be much wiser to use your current X3D CPU at stock settings and save up for the upcoming series that natively supports what you’re looking for. 

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Abdul Hannan

I’ve been the Journalist & Editorial Writer at Tech4Gamers since July 2022. I spearhead our hardware coverage, including overclocking GPUs, benchmarking CPUs, reviewing peripherals, and fine-tuning custom PC builds for every budget. Daily, I report on breaking gaming news, from major launches and studio updates to the latest industry trends, ensuring our community stays informed. Beyond news briefs, I write in-depth feature articles on gaming culture and emerging technologies. And by collaborating closely with the editorial team on content planning, SEO strategy, and our publishing calendar, I help us consistently hit our traffic and engagement targets.

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Welcome back to another rant about my love for Mini PCs.

It’s 2024, and the era where the average gamer would bash Mini PCs for their lack of gaming prowess, ability to handle heat dissipation in an efficient manner, and ludicrous pricing schemes, to name a few, are long gone.

You want to run your favourite games in 1080p and even 1440p?

Perhaps you don’t want to be crippled by a limited selection of I/O ports?

Or maybe you’re concerned about upgradability?

Worry not. Simply allow me to convince you to look out for a Mini PC as your next purchase.

But first, let’s have a look at the issues that prevented the earlier Mini PCs from succeeding in their niche.

The Initial Problems 

If you dove into the market to find prospective options for Mini PCs about 5 years ago, you would certainly encounter a few key problems.

To begin with, the Mini PCs of yesteryears were detrimentally underpowered and under-specced as compared to their fellow full-sized Desktop PCs.

Those antique Mini PCs would inherently struggle to maintain satisfactory CPU and GPU temperatures thanks to their miniature designs and closed enclosures.

This would cause your system to consistently thermal throttle and therefore, reduce the performance output.

Let’s also not forget the absolutely abysmal pricing tactics manufacturers would employ to extort money in the name of Mini PCs.

But that’s all in the past. What do today’s Mini PCs have in store for you and I?

Mini PCs: Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth Is

For you, I’ve got two worthy contenders who have been subjected to strenuous in-house benchmarks and tests along with a thorough overall review, collectively speaking.

Of course, I’m talking about the Blackview MP80 Mini PC and Beelink SER8.

Blackview MP80 Intel N97 Mini PC

First off, the Blackview MP80 Mini PC packs an Intel N97 (4-core, 4-thread) SoC that also includes the Intel UHD 730 integrated GPU (iGPU) for an all-in-one solution, along with 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB M.2 SSD (which performs similarly to a SATA SSD). 

Moving on, the Blackview MP80 also boasts Bluetooth 4.2 and WiFi 5, which are slightly outdated, but hey, it’s better than nothing.

Furthermore, the MP80 Mini PC also offers you a 3.5mm auxiliary jack, a pair of RJ45 Gigabyte Ethernet ports, a trio of USB 3.0 connections, and three HDMI ports that support graphical output of 4K @60 FPS for your multiple-monitor setup.

The best part? You can get the Blackview MP80 Mini PC for $170-$200, even though it carries an MSRP of $300. 

Beelink SER8 AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC

Maybe the Blackview MP80’s power isn’t enough to suit your intensive needs.

That’s where the Beelink SER8 steps in with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU (8-core, 16-thread), a Radeon 780M iGPU, 32 GB (16×2) of (upgradeable) 5600 MHz DDR5 SODIMM RAM, a 1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD from Crucial along with an additional empty slot, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port.

I wasn’t finished. The Beelink SER8 also manages to incorporate a 40 Gbps USB 4 connection, a USB 3.2 Type-C port, a pair of USB 3.2 Type-A connectors, and a duo of USB 2.0 ports, but what takes the cake is the inclusion of an HDMI 2.1 port and a DisplayPort 1.4.

That’s because when combined with the latter two ports, the Beelink SER8 can push a triple display setup in 4K @120 Hz. 

Understandably, the Beelink SER8 AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC with its top-tier specs usually retails for about $650, $100 off its $750 MSRP.

Mini PCs: Worth Your Hard-Earned Money Or Not?

Depending on your budget and power requirements, you can find a competent Mini PC for as little as $150, all the way up to $650 at the top end of the spectrum. 

Regardless, if you go with any of the variants of the two Mini PCs I’ve mentioned above, I think you’ll be good to go for the next couple of years.

Let’s not forget that you can definitely game immediately with these Mini PCs, especially the Beelink SER8 with its Radeon 780M iGPU.

All in all, Mini PCs in 2024 are giving full-sized Desktop PCs a run for their money, quite literally, and you should take advantage of it before its too late.