Overclocking any model of Raspberry Pi is really easy.but when overclocked raspberry pi pico is even easier. Only two lines of MicroPython are required and Pico can easily run twice as fast as normal. best cpu cooler
In this how-to, we will overclock the Raspberry Pi Pico to 270 MHz. This is double the base speed of 133 MHz. Then write a script to test how much you can overclock the CPU, then test how much you can lower the CPU.
You might ask “why would you overclock your Raspberry Pi Pico?” can be used. It can emulate retro computers like ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. With MicroPython, overclocking can result in significant speed gains, and underclocking can increase battery life if you’re using it in a battery-powered project.
This is how it works on Raspberry Pi Pico. Pico W and many others Best RP2040 based board When using MicroPython. There are other ways to change the frequency when programming the board in other languages.
What you need for this project
A Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico W, or any other RP2040-based board running MicroPython.
Overclocking a Raspberry Pi Pico with MicroPython
1. Install the latest version of MicroPython to your pico.If you haven’t done this yet, please follow up Step 3 of this guide Learn how.
2. In the REPL, import the machine module. and Check the current speed of your Raspberry Pi Pico. The return value will probably be 125000000 Hertz (125 MHz). Some boards or versions of MicroPython may have it set slightly higher by default.
import machine
machine.freq()3. Using the same command, Set the CPU speed to 270 MHz.
machine.freq(270000000)Four. Check CPU speed Make sure your overclock is working. The value returned is 270000000 Hertz (270 MHz).
machine.freq()
This speed boost is currently temporary. Rebooting the Pico will bring it back to its default speed (usually 125 MHz). To keep your overclock, you need to set it every time Pico boots. Adding these two lines to the top of the MicroPython code will overclock the RP2040 to the desired speed when the code runs.
import machine
machine.freq(SPEED IN HERTZ)How far can the RP2040 be pushed?
Overclockers are always looking to be a little bit faster, but how do you determine your luck in the silicon lottery?
1. At Tony start a new file To First import two modulesMachine is used to change the CPU speed and time is used to pace the code.
import machine
import time2. Create a variable freq and store 270 MHz as hertz. We know 270 MHz works well, so we’ll start with a known working speed. If your goal is to underclock the RP2040, reduce the value accordingly.
freq = 2700000003. Create an object, velocity and save the current velocity of the RP2040 there. Using a bit of math, the returned hertz value is converted to megahertz, rounded to one decimal place, and finally converted to a string.
speed = str(round(machine.freq()/1000000,1))Four. Print the current CPU speed as part of the message. I had to convert the speed to a string to place it in the message.
print("The starting speed is",speed,"MHz")Five. Prints a message to the user that the test will start in 5 seconds and waits 5 seconds.
print("Starting the test in five seconds")
time.sleep(5)6. Create a loop that runs code continuously. You could use a for loop, but the while True loop crashes when it hits the wrong frequency, so you get nothing out of it.
while True:7. Set the CPU speed using the freq variable.
machine.freq(freq)8. Create an object, velocity and save the current velocity of the RP2040 there. Using simple math, the returned hertz value is converted to megahertz, rounded to one decimal place, and finally converted to a string.
speed = str(round(machine.freq()/1000000,1))9. Print the current CPU speed as part of the message. I had to convert the speed to a string to place it in the message.
print("The starting speed is",speed,"MHz")Ten. Increment the speed by 10 MHz and store the value in freq.The . += operator translates to freq = freq + 10000000. This is shorter and cleaner in your code. Both work similarly and are interchangeable for clarity. You can replace += with -= to count down the values to find the lowest CPU speed.
freq += 1000000011. Pause the code for 2 seconds. This gives the loop time to read the value before iterating.
time.sleep(2)12. Save the code on your Raspberry Pi Pico as speedtest.py and[実行]Click.Our top speed was 280 MHz, but you might be in luck.
I also tested underclocking (reducing speed by 10 MHz each loop) and was able to get it down to 10 MHz. This should significantly reduce power consumption for projects requiring long battery life. Data could not be obtained due to the level of precision equipment required.
complete code listing
import machine
import time
freq = 270000000
speed = str(round(machine.freq()/1000000,1))
print("The starting speed is",speed,"MHz")
print("Starting the test in five seconds")
time.sleep(5)
while True:
machine.freq(freq)
speed = str(round(machine.freq()/1000000,1))
print("The current speed is",speed,"MHz")
freq += 10000000
time.sleep(2)
