Can't OC Intel i5-4670k

[Michael Hagood]

Hello everyone sorry for the long text, I added a TL: DR that should be sufficient.

So after doing a lot of research this past week I finally decided to OC my CPU from its stock 3.4Ghz to something better, (I'm also inbetween GPUs so using the integrated graphics till my next GPU is a pain). Anyway. I've seen that really good chips on the bell curve can push 4.8Ghz. I'm not that crazy but I would like to hit what I've heard is the sweet spot 4.6Ghz or 4.5Ghz. Now in using Intel's extreme tuning utility the system will BSOD with anything over 4Ghz. Okay, so I go to OC in the UEFI BIOS. That method I can push up to 4.5 but the system will still crash doing things like watching youtube or trying to play WoT (I used to play WoT on an old dual core Pentium LAPTOP, so wtf). Usually the error on the BSOD is Whea_Uncontrollable_Error or some other (video?) related issue. I think it is an issue with voltage as well. So my question. Am I having issues because I am pushing the CPU too hard by having it use the integrated GPU on the chip which is causing the issues? Right now I am running the stable 4Ghz automatic OC which just uses the onboard OC genie. Temps are about 40C just with normal/idle use. I haven't stress tested to see what they peak at. But running at this fairly low OC the voltage is hitting 1.2V When I had it at 4.5 it was getting uncomfortable close to 1.3V. Im using air cooler so I don't think I could handle the temps at 1.3V. Yet I've seen people push 4.6Ghz at 1.220V. Why is my voltage so much higher? Is it my mobo or PSU?

TR: DR Weird results when OC'ed. Higher volts when running same OC as others. Using integrated graphics. What could be the issues? Mobo, PSU, or the integrated graphics?

System Specs:
CPU: i5 4670k
Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII
PSU: Antec 750W HCG
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4)
Mobo: MSI Z87-G41

 

[Haloaddict44]

There's a lot of factors it could be, it's possible that you just don't as good of an overclocking CPU. There is a lot of variance between CPU's in regards to their overclocking ability. The increased temps might be part of using the iGPU as well, so I'd wait till you have a discrete GPU before trying to overclock any higher than it is currently stable at. As far as the BSOD goes, either dial back the overclock or increase the voltage. That's the only way I've had luck fixing that error. For now, give 4.4GHz @1.275v a shot, and wait till you get a GPU.

 

[Michael Hagood]

There's a lot of factors it could be, it's possible that you just don't as good of an overclocking CPU. There is a lot of variance between CPU's in regards to their overclocking ability. The increased temps might be part of using the iGPU as well, so I'd wait till you have a discrete GPU before trying to overclock any higher than it is currently stable at. As far as the BSOD goes, either dial back the overclock or increase the voltage. That's the only way I've had luck fixing that error. For now, give 4.4GHz @1.275v a shot, and wait till you get a GPU.

So after trying your suggestion I kept getting the BSOD with error WHEA_Uncontrollable_error. After looking in the UEFI BIOS it showed the core voltage was at 1.328. The temps were still at around 40C under idle but why is it drawing so much power? I've seen OC's of 4.6Ghz @ 1.220V. I set the voltage to auto and then rebooted and so far running 4.4Ghz okay. Temps are good too, averaging about 35C which is a lower average than when I was running at 4Ghz. I mean is it drawing more power because its also having to run the iGPU, is it because I only have a Z87-G41 and not the nicer Z87-G45 "gaming" board? Is my PSU not good enough? (I figured 750W is enough for a beefier system than I am running).

 

[Mysticking32]

Hey man. Everyone has a different chip. And I can tell you right now I have the same cpu and there's no way in hell I would ever get close to having 4.6ghz @ 1.220 v. In order to get to 4.4ghz I have to go to 1.31 volts. More than likely you're going to have to push the voltages higher but you need to calm down and take it in steps.

Don't go for the biggest overclock you can get right away. Take it in steps. For example try putting it at 4.2 ghz at 1.25 (Just an example, you may want to shoot for 4.0 first) Then boot up the system and launch intel extreme tuning utility and run the cpu stress test. If it passes then great. Try going for a higher overclock. If it crashes then you know you need to increase voltage. So your next move would be to set the volatage at 1.26, and so on.

AND DO NOT SET THE VOLTAGE TO AUTO OR ADAPTIVE. Voltages on this chip get insanely high if you set it on adaptive at a high voltage (such as 1.25 or something similar) Set it to manual or on some motherboards it is known as override.

Use Intel extreme tuning utility to your advantage. If your overclock passes its stress test then it's stable. You're going to want to perform a stress test each time you overclock to find your specific cpu's "sweet spot"

Like I said mine is 4.4ghz at 1.31 volts. Some people don't like the voltage that high but I'm perfectly fine with it. And be sure to monitor your temps. Stay below 85.