Shortly after the Athlon processor was introduced by AMD, it was discovered that you could change the multiplier setting via resistors on the printed circuit board.  This was a messy, time-consuming, and risky job if done with a soldering iron. But the fact that the multiplier could actually be changed was a big surprise.  Then it was discovered that AMD had put an edge connector above the resistor circuits on the printed circuit board, and these could be used to access the circuitry that sets the multiplier and core voltage supplied to the CPU. This top edge connector has been named the "Golden Fingers", and overclock boards that attach to it have been dubbed "Golden Fingers Cards".

  Enter "The Afterburner", a small circuit board made by Outside Loop Computers, which attaches to the Golden Fingers connector. 

   The Setup: The first thing you need to do with the Afterburner card is pry off the plastic case on the back of the Athlon.  This is not hard to do, but it's a bit nerve wracking taking a pry bar to your new Athlon CPU. Only 4 snaps actually hold the back plastic plate on.  Once you have exposed your CPU's printed circuit board, you are ready to proceed.

  The Afterburner connects to the printed circuit board's Golden Fingers connector via a socket, and is held in place by a stand-off with adhesive on it.

  There are two dials on the Afterburner for setting the multiplier, and one dial for setting the core Voltage to the CPU.  The default voltage is 1.6 volts.

  After getting the Afterburner installed on the Golden Fingers connector, you just put the Athlon into the Slot-A socket, attach a power cable that comes with the Afterburner to a free power connector, and you're ready to go!

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