Intel ROC (not to be mistaken with AMD ROCm programming stack) is an overclocking application used by Intel OC and validation labs. 

Intel ROC app, Source: Der8auer

Der8auer has visited Intel labs where the company test the current and upcoming processors. He explains the design of the Intel reference platform used for testing, and what capabilities these motherboards offer to Intel engineers. Most of these features are not (and never will be) available to users.

The most interesting part of the video is Der8auer showing Intel’s special application for overclocking called ROC (Real-Time OverClocking), which is not available publicly. Combined with the validation motherboard, which has direct access to thousands of variables controlling the CPU, Intel can monitor and validate all changes to the CPU on the fly.

Intel ROC app, Source: Der8auer

This tool is much simpler to use than Intel XTU (eXtreme Tuning Utility) available as official overclocking app for unlocked Core series. The ROC software provides direct control over individual cores through a one click interface. This gives unprecedented access to overclocking on Intel CPUs with as few clicks as possible. With their custom overclocking software, Intel employees can adjust the speed of individual cores, even when it is a hybrid architecture with smaller and bigger cores.

Roman took ROC for quick test with mobile processor called Core i9-13900HK. One should note that this is not the HX CPU with 24-cores based on Raptor Lake die, but the unlocked version with 6 Performance and 8 Efficient cores, so an Alder Lake-P die. The CPU was installed on a reference platform with non-standard air-cooling (i.e. not slim mobile cooler). Engineers can swap the CPU at any time.

Intel Core i9-13900HK on validation platform, Source: Der8auer

Der8auer overclocked the CPU to 5.6 all the way up to 6.0 GHz, but as soon as it reached the 5.985 GHz the system had crashed. However, it was working just fine at 5.8 GHz, which is still somewhat amazing with all cores for a mobile processor.

Intel Core i9-13900HK overclocked to 6.0 GHz, Source: Der8auer

Intel has no plans to make the ROC app public right now, but maybe the company may be persuaded to introduce a similar interface to its XTU app at some point. The version used in the video was a special ‘der8auer Xtreme Edition’, which might have been a custom made tool specifically for this video.

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