Question Can't overclock i7-7820HK 2.9Ghz - Alienware 15R3

[sferg410]

I recently got given an Alienware 15 R3, with an i7-7820HK CPU inside which I believe can be over-clocked.
The BIOS is up to date and includes some preset OC settings.
However no matter what I do the CPU never seems to rise above 2.89GHz.
Intel Extreme Tuning Utility says 'power and current limits optomized' in a greyed out box in compact view and shows nothing at all under 'advanced tuning' in advanced view.

This is the first time I have had a system with a K CPU and my first time trying to OC the CPU but it seems it does not work.
Anyone have any idea what is going on here?
Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

Might want to read through this;

Overclock help (laptop i7-7820HK)

Hello, I'm in the market for a new gaming laptop (cannot get a desktop due to work, trust me I would much rather have one but I can't) and was wondering which gaming laptop has good cooling that has an I7-7820HK and GTX 1070. Looking to overclock from 2.9GHz to 4.2GHz I was considering the...

forums.tomshardware.com

bring yourself up to speed with overclocking in laptops.

You could try undervolting the processor, cache and iGPU using ThrottleStop but I wouldn't overclock an Alienware.

 

[sferg410]

Might want to read through this;

Overclock help (laptop i7-7820HK)

Hello, I'm in the market for a new gaming laptop (cannot get a desktop due to work, trust me I would much rather have one but I can't) and was wondering which gaming laptop has good cooling that has an I7-7820HK and GTX 1070. Looking to overclock from 2.9GHz to 4.2GHz I was considering the...

forums.tomshardware.com

bring yourself up to speed with overclocking in laptops.

You could try undervolting the processor, cache and iGPU using ThrottleStop but I wouldn't overclock an Alienware.

That was not really my point.
My point was that it has built in BIOS OC settings but they do not to make the slightest difference. The CPU just seems to always be at 2.89GHz no mater what it is doing, whether these OC settings are applied or not.
Also the Intel software that seems to be recommended, displays as I wrote in my post with no settings available to change anything. It is like the CPU can't be OC or changed in anyway.

Also, yes I had read the post you mentioned before I wrote my post. The BIOS has OC presets so surely that would mean it is not locked or why would I be able to access them and choose an OC level (there are 3 plus a manual setup option).

 

[uWebb429]

@sferg410

2.90 GHz is the base frequency for a 7820HK.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...7820hk-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-90-ghz.html

Intel Turbo Boost needs to be enabled in the BIOS so your CPU can reach its maximum speed. I would also enable Speed Shift Technology.

Try using ThrottleStop if you are still having problems.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

Post screenshots of the main window, the FIVR and TPL windows. This should show the problem and how to correct it.

The K series processors have an unlocked multiplier so you can overclock them. Some laptop manufacturers have enabled the lock bit inside the CPU to prevent this feature from being used. Your ThrottleStop screenshots will show if that is the problem.

 

[sferg410]

@sferg410

2.90 GHz is the base frequency for a 7820HK.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...7820hk-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-90-ghz.html

Intel Turbo Boost needs to be enabled in the BIOS so your CPU can reach its maximum speed. I would also enable Speed Shift Technology.

Try using ThrottleStop if you are still having problems.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

Post screenshots of the main window, the FIVR and TPL windows. This should show the problem and how to correct it.

The K series processors have an unlocked multiplier so you can overclock them. Some laptop manufacturers have enabled the lock bit inside the CPU to prevent this feature from being used. Your ThrottleStop screenshots will show if that is the problem.

OK, I will take a look at Throttlestop tomorrow. In the meantime, the BIOS does not have any Turbo Boost options, it is not mentioned in anyway.
One thing I quickly did was untick the 'disable turbo' box in throttlestop and the CPU went up to 4.16 GHz and of course back to normal when i rebooted the laptop.
Might sound like a silly question, but how do I attach photos? I can't see a way to do it. Insert image asks for a http address.

 

[uWebb429]

how do I attach photos?

Screenshots need to be hosted at imgur or a similar image hosting site.

CPU went up to 4.16 GHz

Are you using the latest BIOS version? The CPU is not being setup correctly. Are you using Windows 10 or Windows 11?

ThrottleStop can be used to fix these problems but it is always nice to know the root cause.

 

[sferg410]

Screenshots need to be hosted at imgur or a similar image hosting site.


Are you using the latest BIOS version? The CPU is not being setup correctly. Are you using Windows 10 or Windows 11?

ThrottleStop can be used to fix these problems but it is always nice to know the root cause.

Thanks for the attaching images info.
I have Windows 11 Pro and yes the latest BIOS which is 1.18.
I am a PC engineer as in repairs/upgrades etc. so I know computers but never actually done any over clocking. Only looking for basic OC here as the system is meant to do. Not looking to top the league, just want it to work how it is meant to.
Will watch the throttlestop guide and stuff tomorrow - Sunday 8th October 2023 (never know, someone might see this in 3023...)

 

[lolvatveo]

download throttlestop and see limit tab, what limit your cpu?

 

[sferg410]

download throttlestop and see limit tab, what limit your cpu?

Got it working now.

 

[sferg410]

Hello, here are the screenshots from throttlestop. Are they anywhere near correct?

 

[uWebb429]

screenshots

ThrottleStop does not work correctly if you have core isolation memory integrity enabled or if any of the other virtualization settings are enabled.

https://beebom.com/how-disable-virtualization-based-security-vbs-windows-11/

Most items in the FIVR window including voltage adjustment are not working in your screenshot. ThrottleStop needs direct access to the CPU registers. This is not possible if core isolation or VBS are enabled. If you decide to disable those safety features, you will need to reboot and delete the ThrottleStop.INI configuration file before running ThrottleStop again.

 

[sferg410]

ThrottleStop does not work correctly if you have core isolation memory integrity enabled or if any of the other virtualization settings are enabled.

https://beebom.com/how-disable-virtualization-based-security-vbs-windows-11/

Most items in the FIVR window including voltage adjustment are not working in your screenshot. ThrottleStop needs direct access to the CPU registers. This is not possible if core isolation or VBS are enabled. If you decide to disable those safety features, you will need to reboot and delete the ThrottleStop.INI configuration file before running ThrottleStop again.

I did turn the VBS off but guess it must have turned itself back on. Anyway it is off now and I think I might have this wrong as my CPU is sitting at 0.78GHz now as you can see in the photos, with new throttlestop photos. The limits box items were flashing between yellow and red....
How can I put this right.. I get a feeling my CPU should not be at 0.78GHz...

 

[sferg410]

OK ignore the above post as I disabled throttlestop at start up, deleted the ini file and rebooted and cpu was back to 2.9GHz.... started TS again with the values shown above and it is back to a varying CPU rate between 2,9 and 3.9GHz.....

 

[uWebb429]

ignore the above

The requested FIVR voltages are showing up correctly now in the FIVR monitoring table so core isolation must be disabled. Some Windows Updates like to randomly enable core isolation so have a look at the monitoring table once in a while to make sure everything is still OK.

What speed do you want to run your CPU at? If you have any trouble overclocking, check the MMIO Lock box in the top right of the TPL window. This feature is sometimes necessary to unlock the maximum multiplier. Hopefully you can increase the Turbo Ratio Limits after you do that. Reduce or zero your undervolt to make sure lack of voltage does not hold back your overclocking attempt.

 

[sferg410]

The requested FIVR voltages are showing up correctly now in the FIVR monitoring table so core isolation must be disabled. Some Windows Updates like to randomly enable core isolation so have a look at the monitoring table once in a while to make sure everything is still OK.

What speed do you want to run your CPU at? If you have any trouble overclocking, check the MMIO Lock box in the top right of the TPL window. This feature is sometimes necessary to unlock the maximum multiplier. Hopefully you can increase the Turbo Ratio Limits after you do that. Reduce or zero your undervolt to make sure lack of voltage does not hold back your overclocking attempt.

I did what you said but the turbo rate limits remain locked.
I haven't been looking to run a particular speed. When I got the laptop it was stuck at 2.89GHz, it's turbo is meant to be 3.9GHz, but it never changed. I just wanted it to perform properly between 2.9 and 3.9GHz , which it now seems to do - well 3.89GHz!
When i first used TS without any settings and just unchecked 'disable turbo' the cpu shot up to around 4.2GHz.. according to windows task manager.. and it ran normally.. is that right or maybe a false reading? Could it run higher than the intel stated 3.9GHz?

 

[uWebb429]

according to windows task manager

The Task Manager is not a 100% accurate source of MHz information, especially on some unlocked K series CPUs.

In the TPL window make sure Speed Shift is checked. Speed Shift Max needs to be set appropriately. The Max value can limit the maximum CPU speed.

Could it run higher than the intel stated 3.9GHz?

In theory it can. Post another round of screenshots so I can see your updated settings if you cannot access the 40 multiplier or higher. Set all of the turbo ratios to 40 and set Speed Shift Max to 40. Run something simple like a TS Bench 1 Thread test. Get a screenshot of the main ThrottleStop window while the CPU is loaded. There are multiple things that some manufacturers can set to prevent overclocking. Even if we cannot get overclocking to work, at least your CPU is running a lot faster than it was.

 

[sferg410]

The Task Manager is not a 100% accurate source of MHz information, especially on some unlocked K series CPUs.

In the TPL window make sure Speed Shift is checked. Speed Shift Max needs to be set appropriately. The Max value can limit the maximum CPU speed.


In theory it can. Post another round of screenshots so I can see your updated settings if you cannot access the 40 multiplier or higher. Set all of the turbo ratios to 40 and set Speed Shift Max to 40. Run something simple like a TS Bench 1 Thread test. Get a screenshot of the main ThrottleStop window while the CPU is loaded. There are multiple things that some manufacturers can set to prevent overclocking. Even if we cannot get overclocking to work, at least your CPU is running a lot faster than it was.

Screenshots as requested...

 

[uWebb429]

Try checking the Overclock box in the FIVR window. Overclock usually needs to be checked whenever you are trying to use multipliers higher than the default values.

Speed Shift Max shows a maximum limit of 39. I am not sure if it is possible to go beyond that limit. Checking Overclock might allow you to request the 40 multiplier. Requests for higher multipliers are likely ignored when Overclock is not checked.

Most everything else looks OK. I prefer setting IccMax for the core and the cache to the max, 255.75. This can help prevent EDP Other throttling.

At least the 39 multiplier is working. That is an almost 35% boost in CPU speed compared to the 2.9 GHz that you were originally limited to.

Pressing these three keys simultaneously can be used to open the Snipping Tool. That tool makes it easier to take clear screenshots. No cell phone required.

Windows Key + Shift + S

 

[sferg410]

Try checking the Overclock box in the FIVR window. Overclock usually needs to be checked whenever you are trying to use multipliers higher than the default values.

Speed Shift Max shows a maximum limit of 39. I am not sure if it is possible to go beyond that limit. Checking Overclock might allow you to request the 40 multiplier. Requests for higher multipliers are likely ignored when Overclock is not checked.

Most everything else looks OK. I prefer setting IccMax for the core and the cache to the max, 255.75. This can help prevent EDP Other throttling.

At least the 39 multiplier is working. That is an almost 35% boost in CPU speed compared to the 2.9 GHz that you were originally limited to.

Pressing these three keys simultaneously can be used to open the Snipping Tool. That tool makes it easier to take clear screenshots. No cell phone required.

Windows Key + Shift + S

Thanks for that. Just about to go out so pics will have to wait but it is running at 4.1GHz now with the FIVR turbo ratio limits - ratio - set to 42,41,41,41.

 

[sferg410]

Latest screen shots. It seems to be running stable with speed up to 4.2GHz.
Are all the settings/tick boxes etc set as they should be?
Should anything be done with voltage settings?

 

[sferg410]

Where has everybody gone?

 

[uWebb429]

Where has everybody gone?

There is not much left to say. It looks like your computer is running great.

If you want to try undervolting you can set the core and cache offset voltages to somewhere around -50 mV to -75 mV. I have zero hands on experience with a 7820HK so those numbers are just off the top of my head. Most Intel CPUs are stable at those voltages. Adjust both voltages together equally when you first start testing. With some Intel CPUs, users get better results by setting the core offset to a bigger number compared to the cache offset.

Do some stability testing after you set your voltages. I like the TS Bench 960M test. It is a fairly quick and basic stability test. If this test reports any errors or crashes while testing, your undervolt settings are not stable. Your undervolt is too aggressive so you need to add some voltage. That goes for any stability test.

I also like to run Cinebench. On most CPUs it is not a great stability test but it can help show if undervolting is providing any benefit. You should see lower power consumption and temperatures or better performance or perhaps a little of both.

Edit - When idle at the desktop with only ThrottleStop open, try to get the C0% as low as possible. Reducing unnecessary background tasks can help improve overall performance significantly. Look in the Task Manager under the Details tab for anything consuming a lot of CPU cycles that really does not need to be running 24/7.

 

[lolvatveo]

Use the dedicated alienware command center utility, it can overclock much more. Also trying to overclock your gpu and ram can get the most out of alienware

 

[sferg410]

Use the dedicated alienware command center utility, it can overclock much more. Also trying to overclock your gpu and ram can get the most out of alienware

The OC controls part of Command Center, does not work. I just get error messages saying configuration files can't be downloaded and stuff like that. Cannot do anything with OC Controls at all, not even move the Overclocking slider to enabled.
Previously I had removed Command Center as it just seems like a waste of space. I am not interested in flashig lights all over my computer and other crap like that. It is only good for the overclocking part and that does not even work!

 

[sferg410]

My system has been sitting nicely at 4.1GHz for a few weeks now.