mr.spastic
Offline
Cambridge, UK

I have been interested in trying out overclocking and/or underclocking my NES but I can't seem to find much in the forums so I thought I would start a thread for people who are interested or have additional information.

I have been thinking and would like to know the following:

  1. What are the benefits or pitfalls for overclocking or underclocking a NES?

  2. Where are some good places to view tutorials and experiments?

What I am hoping for is a mega-thread with links to good videos or websites with details on overclocking and underclocking a NES, as well as anyone's personal experience and opinions.

I am looking forward to seeing and reading everyone's experiences.

yogi
Offline
Jelly Stone park, MD USA

There was another thread here related, but way buried by now. At any rate, here is a site that covers it well-
http://furrtek.free.fr/?a=nesclock
The biggest issue is the PPU, it will lose sync when you change the clock too much (seems like a narrow window). But if you aren't using  video, just sound, the CPU should be fine for quite a range.
Yogi

mr.spastic
Offline
Cambridge, UK

Has anyone done this? what are the benefits?

yogi
Offline
Jelly Stone park, MD USA

l I haven't done this mod BUT...
Here is another site that overcomes the PPU problems somewhat
https://nobitleftbehind.wordpress.com/2 … k-the-nes/
It uses a fixed freq osc but the basic principal  (run the PPU on the stock clock and run the CPU on the alt freq) could be applied to the LTC1799 for on the fly freq shift.
  For the most part, people overclocking want to overcome slowdown in games due to CPU load.
http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?t=3047
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgkKftUQy-8
The biggest 'downside' is pitch shifts to the audio, so could consider that a 'feature' for chiptune use. Maybe add an LFO or pedal controlling the LTC for live effects?
Yogi

mr.spastic
Offline
Cambridge, UK

Thanks for all the replies and nice links, been reading more lately

Ok I'm going to add a few videos for the Lazy (like me......)

Nice walkthrough on toploader

Basic example videos after mod

yogi wrote:

l I haven't done this mod BUT...
Here is another site that overcomes the PPU problems somewhat
https://nobitleftbehind.wordpress.com/2 … k-the-nes/
It uses a fixed freq osc but the basic principal  (run the PPU on the stock clock and run the CPU on the alt freq) could be applied to the LTC1799 for on the fly freq shift.
  For the most part, people overclocking want to overcome slowdown in games due to CPU load.
http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?t=3047
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgkKftUQy-8
The biggest 'downside' is pitch shifts to the audio, so could consider that a 'feature' for chiptune use. Maybe add an LFO or pedal controlling the LTC for live effects?
Yogi