In the world of computing, overclocking often seems like an impractical quest—a pursuit better suited for those seeking thrills than tangible benefits. However, enthusiasts like Pieter-Jan Plaisier are proving that the adventure can be just as valuable as the destination. Recently, Plaisier conducted an extraordinary experiment using liquid nitrogen to push the limits of the Raspberry Pi 5's BCM2712 System on Chip (SoC) to a staggering 3.6 GHz.

Previously, Plaisier reached a modest overclock of 3 GHz using traditional air cooling methods, but it was clear that the onboard power management integrated circuit (PMIC) was a significant bottleneck in achieving higher speeds. Armed with an innovative approach, he decided to embrace the extreme cooling properties of liquid nitrogen (LN2), cleverly engineered to fit within a small chipset LN2 pot atop the SBC (Single Board Computer).

Additionally, Plaisier implemented a non-uniform memory addressing (NUMA) patch to enhance the SoC’s memory controller's ability to leverage the full potential of the RAM chips. These adjustments allowed him to achieve 3.6 GHz, but attempts to exceed this performance to 3.7 GHz crashed the system—an indicator that further exploration of PMIC challenges was necessary.

The PMIC operates with voltage limitations and can shut down the system as it approaches critical power consumption thresholds. To circumvent this issue, Plaisier took the bold step of replacing the PMIC circuitry with an ElmorLabs AMPLE-X1 power supply, unequivocally voiding any warranty on the board. This alteration required meticulous handiwork, including removing inductors and solder masking to connect new power wires. Despite these efforts, the SoC struggled to maintain frequency scaling, prompting the use of an external clock board to substitute the PCB's default 54 MHz oscillator. Regrettably, this modification also failed to yield improved overclocking results.

While enthusiasts may find the thrill of overclocking the Raspberry Pi 5 captivating, it’s important to note that for those seeking enhanced performance without the extensive modifications, there are more practical and economical alternatives readily available on the market. Nevertheless, nothing compares to the exhilaration of meticulously refilling the LN2 pot every few minutes in the quest for computing glory.

For the daring tech aficionados, this venture serves as a testament to both ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries in computing power. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates on the latest in overclocking adventures!