Question How do i undervolt i7 12700F

Jan 15, 2023
77
3
35
Hello. Im trying to undervolt for the first time, but im only running into problems, i googled ''how to undervolt'', ''how to undervolt undervolt i7 12700F'', ''how to undervolt with Asus motherboard'', ''how to undervolt Intel 12th gen'' and so on and ive seen 4 different ways to undervolt. 1st. With Intel XTU, but everything is greyed out there, then with Throttlestop, but its the same problem there, then ive been trying with BIOS, but i cant figure out what to touch there to undervolt, because what i see on different pages doesnt apply to my BIOS menu and then there is this solution: View: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/hgzpdi/dell_xps_9560_bios_1192_disabled_undervolting/


but im not sure if thats only for Dell, because then it wouldnt work, but also i dont feel like trying to go back to a earlier version of BIOS ?
 
Why are you trying to undervolt this CPU? That is the first question that needs to be answered?

The second question that needs to be answered is, what are your FULL hardware specifications including ALL of the EXACT model numbers for motherboard, CPU, power supply, memory kit, case, CPU cooler, number and orientation of case fans and storage devices. This is just standard information that should be provided for EVERY thread that is hardware related.
 
Jan 15, 2023
77
3
35
Why are you trying to undervolt this CPU? That is the first question that needs to be answered?

The second question that needs to be answered is, what are your FULL hardware specifications including ALL of the EXACT model numbers for motherboard, CPU, power supply, memory kit, case, CPU cooler, number and orientation of case fans and storage devices. This is just standard information that should be provided for EVERY thread that is hardware related.

Because my CPU gets to hot. I made a thread about that here: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...down-in-temperatures.3792940/page-3?view=date and multiple people in different threads have advised me to undervolt my CPU, so im trying do that before trying other solutions that have been mentioned.

my specs is:

the case is NZXT H510 with a rear and top exhaust fan
cpu: Intel i7 12700F with stock cooler
16 GB DDR4 RAM
2x 2 TB SSD KINGSTON SNVS2000G
motherboard: ASUS B660M-K D4
GPU: 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (MSI)
PSU: https://outervision.com/b/gHpztm
 
Well, let me be the first to tell you that we have "multiple idiots" around here sometimes. Not that I'm saying anybody in particular is an idiot, even if they made that recommendation to you, but I'm not saying they aren't either.

Realize, undervolting is the EXACT SAME THING as overclocking, when it comes to the process involved. Because you are lowering the voltage on an existing CPU core speed/frequency it is THE SAME as if you increased the CPU core speed/frequency without increasing the voltage along with it. In a nutshell, both overclocking and undervolting require a rather lengthy verification process to ensure you are not introducing instability by running a higher frequency with a lower voltage, or at any voltage aside from the stock configuration for that matter.

In reality I can almost assure you that your problem is a combination of a case that doesn't allow for good intake by way of front fans (And I could care less about detractors who say otherwise. I'd never own a case that doesn't allow for improved airflow by way of front intake fans. A restriction is a restriction, no matter how you spin it) but more importantly the lack of even a decent entry level CPU cooler.

If you still want to go down the thorny road of undervolting, then you need to be prepared to pursue this avenue of stability testing, no different than if you were overclocking.

Quick and dirty overview of overclocking validation procedure.


Set CPU multiplier and voltage at desired settings in BIOS. Do not use presets or automatic utilities. These will overcompensate on core and other voltages. It is much better to configure most core settings manually, and leave anything left over on auto until a later point in time if wish to come back and tweak settings such as cache (Uncore) frequency, System agent voltage, VCCIO (Internal memory controller) and memory speeds or timings (RAM) AFTER the CPU overclock is fully stable.


Save bios settings (As a new BIOS profile if your bios supports multiple profiles) and exit bios.


Boot into the Windows desktop environment. Download and install Prime95 version 26.6.


Download and install either HWinfo or CoreTemp.


Open HWinfo and run "Sensors only" or open CoreTemp.


Run Prime95, either version 26.6 OR the latest version WITH the AVX and AVX2 options disabled in the settings menu that pops up when you start up Prime95, and choose the "Small FFT test option". Run this for 15 minutes while monitoring your core/package temperatures to verify that you do not exceed the thermal specifications of your CPU.


(This should be considered to be 80°C for most generations of Intel processor and for current Ryzen CPUs. For older AMD FX and Phenom series, you should use a thermal monitor that has options for "Distance to TJmax" and you want to NOT see distance to TJmax drop below 10°C distance to TJmax. Anything that is MORE than 10°C distance to TJmax is within the allowed thermal envelope. For newer Intel 12th and 13th Gen chips, Tjuncture/PROCHOT seems to be 100°C but expect to see throttling at or near that temp. IMO 95°C or lower would be a better figure to consider "max safe temp" on these CPUs and should be unrealistic with the right cooling. )


If your CPU passes the thermal compliance test, move on to stability.


Download and install Realbench. Run Realbench and choose the Stress test option. Choose a value from the available memory (RAM) options that is equal to approximately half of your installed memory capacity. If you have 16GB, choose 8GB. If you have 8GB, choose 4GB, etc. Click start and allow the stability test to run for 8 hours. Do not plan to use the system for ANYTHING else while it is running. It will run realistic AVX and handbrake workloads and if it passes 8 hours of testing it is probably about as stable as you can reasonably expect.


If you wish to check stability further you can run 12-24 hours of Prime95 Blend mode or Small FFT.


You do not need to simultaneously run HWinfo or CoreTemp while running Realbench as you should have already performed the thermal compliance test PLUS Realbench will show current CPU temperatures while it is running.


If you run the additional stability test using Prime95 Blend/Small FFT modes for 12-24 hours, you will WANT to also run HWinfo alongside it. Monitor HWinfo periodically to verify that no cores/threads are showing less than 100% usage. If it is, then that worker has errored out and the test should be stopped.


If you find there are errors on ANY of the stability tests including Realbench or Prime95, or any other stress testing utility, you need to make a change in the bios. This could be either dropping the multiplier to a lower factor or increasing the voltage while leaving the multiplier the same. If you change voltage or multiplier at ANY time, you need to start over again at the beginning and verify thermal compliance again.

A more in depth but general guide that is still intended for beginners or those who have had a small amount of experience overclocking can be found here:


*CPU overclocking guide for beginners
 
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Reactions: BossSiggy
@BossSiggy

Can you post a screenshot of the ThrottleStop FIVR window? Does it show Locked or Not Available at the top middle of that window? The B660M chipset might not support software CPU voltage control. That might be why Intel XTU and ThrottleStop are not working on your computer.

In the Asus BIOS, go to the Ai Tweaker section. Post some screenshots of what options are available in that section of the BIOS. I tried downloading the Asus manual for your motherboard but it is very limited. It is almost shocking how poor the Asus online manual is. I assume that the paper manual is exactly the same.
 
So, I can't personally verify it because I don't have an ASUS B660 board on hand to test with, but looking around it looks like for the most part, without looking even further into it, that practically all of the B660 boards EXCEPT for those made by ASUS, support CPU undervolting.

I'm not sure if this was ever resolved through BIOS updates but the fact that Dell and some others have completely revoked the ability to do so via their BIOS updates suggests that perhaps it's not fixable, or wasn't fixable at the time. Aside from the fact that it's simply a much worse idea than getting a better cooler, it may simply not be possible on your board.

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthre...age-offset&s=a319147dfc5ba9f0889fc0c0d2dc7c4b


This, should be all you need to resolve the lack of CPU cooling as it should be MUCH better than your stock cooler.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $19.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-01-30 18:51 EST-0500




BUT, if you can afford to spend a few dollars more, this would be a significant improvement over even that cooler and would absolutely allow you to run at the full boost parameters and likely achieve a higher boost and sustain it longer without throttling.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $35.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-01-30 18:53 EST-0500
 
Jan 15, 2023
77
3
35
Well, let me be the first to tell you that we have "multiple idiots" around here sometimes. Not that I'm saying anybody in particular is an idiot, even if they made that recommendation to you, but I'm not saying they aren't either.

Realize, undervolting is the EXACT SAME THING as overclocking, when it comes to the process involved. Because you are lowering the voltage on an existing CPU core speed/frequency it is THE SAME as if you increased the CPU core speed/frequency without increasing the voltage along with it. In a nutshell, both overclocking and undervolting require a rather lengthy verification process to ensure you are not introducing instability by running a higher frequency with a lower voltage, or at any voltage aside from the stock configuration for that matter.

In reality I can almost assure you that your problem is a combination of a case that doesn't allow for good intake by way of front fans (And I could care less about detractors who say otherwise. I'd never own a case that doesn't allow for improved airflow by way of front intake fans. A restriction is a restriction, no matter how you spin it) but more importantly the lack of even a decent entry level CPU cooler.

If you still want to go down the thorny road of undervolting, then you need to be prepared to pursue this avenue of stability testing, no different than if you were overclocking.

Quick and dirty overview of overclocking validation procedure.


Set CPU multiplier and voltage at desired settings in BIOS. Do not use presets or automatic utilities. These will overcompensate on core and other voltages. It is much better to configure most core settings manually, and leave anything left over on auto until a later point in time if wish to come back and tweak settings such as cache (Uncore) frequency, System agent voltage, VCCIO (Internal memory controller) and memory speeds or timings (RAM) AFTER the CPU overclock is fully stable.


Save bios settings (As a new BIOS profile if your bios supports multiple profiles) and exit bios.


Boot into the Windows desktop environment. Download and install Prime95 version 26.6.


Download and install either HWinfo or CoreTemp.


Open HWinfo and run "Sensors only" or open CoreTemp.


Run Prime95, either version 26.6 OR the latest version WITH the AVX and AVX2 options disabled in the settings menu that pops up when you start up Prime95, and choose the "Small FFT test option". Run this for 15 minutes while monitoring your core/package temperatures to verify that you do not exceed the thermal specifications of your CPU.


(This should be considered to be 80°C for most generations of Intel processor and for current Ryzen CPUs. For older AMD FX and Phenom series, you should use a thermal monitor that has options for "Distance to TJmax" and you want to NOT see distance to TJmax drop below 10°C distance to TJmax. Anything that is MORE than 10°C distance to TJmax is within the allowed thermal envelope. For newer Intel 12th and 13th Gen chips, Tjuncture/PROCHOT seems to be 100°C but expect to see throttling at or near that temp. IMO 95°C or lower would be a better figure to consider "max safe temp" on these CPUs and should be unrealistic with the right cooling. )


If your CPU passes the thermal compliance test, move on to stability.


Download and install Realbench. Run Realbench and choose the Stress test option. Choose a value from the available memory (RAM) options that is equal to approximately half of your installed memory capacity. If you have 16GB, choose 8GB. If you have 8GB, choose 4GB, etc. Click start and allow the stability test to run for 8 hours. Do not plan to use the system for ANYTHING else while it is running. It will run realistic AVX and handbrake workloads and if it passes 8 hours of testing it is probably about as stable as you can reasonably expect.


If you wish to check stability further you can run 12-24 hours of Prime95 Blend mode or Small FFT.


You do not need to simultaneously run HWinfo or CoreTemp while running Realbench as you should have already performed the thermal compliance test PLUS Realbench will show current CPU temperatures while it is running.


If you run the additional stability test using Prime95 Blend/Small FFT modes for 12-24 hours, you will WANT to also run HWinfo alongside it. Monitor HWinfo periodically to verify that no cores/threads are showing less than 100% usage. If it is, then that worker has errored out and the test should be stopped.


If you find there are errors on ANY of the stability tests including Realbench or Prime95, or any other stress testing utility, you need to make a change in the bios. This could be either dropping the multiplier to a lower factor or increasing the voltage while leaving the multiplier the same. If you change voltage or multiplier at ANY time, you need to start over again at the beginning and verify thermal compliance again.

A more in depth but general guide that is still intended for beginners or those who have had a small amount of experience overclocking can be found here:


*CPU overclocking guide for beginners
@BossSiggy

Can you post a screenshot of the ThrottleStop FIVR window? Does it show Locked or Not Available at the top middle of that window? The B660M chipset might not support software CPU voltage control. That might be why Intel XTU and ThrottleStop are not working on your computer.

In the Asus BIOS, go to the Ai Tweaker section. Post some screenshots of what options are available in that section of the BIOS. I tried downloading the Asus manual for your motherboard but it is very limited. It is almost shocking how poor the Asus online manual is. I assume that the paper manual is exactly the same.
So, I can't personally verify it because I don't have an ASUS B660 board on hand to test with, but looking around it looks like for the most part, without looking even further into it, that practically all of the B660 boards EXCEPT for those made by ASUS, support CPU undervolting.

I'm not sure if this was ever resolved through BIOS updates but the fact that Dell and some others have completely revoked the ability to do so via their BIOS updates suggests that perhaps it's not fixable, or wasn't fixable at the time. Aside from the fact that it's simply a much worse idea than getting a better cooler, it may simply not be possible on your board.

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthre...age-offset&s=a319147dfc5ba9f0889fc0c0d2dc7c4b


This, should be all you need to resolve the lack of CPU cooling as it should be MUCH better than your stock cooler.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $19.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-01-30 18:51 EST-0500




BUT, if you can afford to spend a few dollars more, this would be a significant improvement over even that cooler and would absolutely allow you to run at the full boost parameters and likely achieve a higher boost and sustain it longer without throttling.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $35.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-01-30 18:53 EST-0500

I thought about this the other day and im changing the CPU to a complete new one, same model, but if im doing that i should wait with UV right ? Since every chip is different and i would have to UV all over with the new chip ?
 
So you're buying the same CPU you already have, but NOT buying a cooler to resolve the ACTUAL problem? Complete waste of time and money. You will be in the exact same situation you are already in. Your CPU is not the problem and getting another one does nothing for you. The only time silicon lottery is a factor is for overclocking. Sure, it COULD be marginally more capable of running at the same clock with a lowered core voltage, but it might also just as well be marginally worse, neither of which you'd even have any way of knowing since you:

1. Never bothered to even attempt undervolting the current CPU, so you have neither any experience nor a baseline from which to make assessments.

2. Still don't have a capable enough cooler (Assuming you didn't pull the trigger on one since you've made no mention of it)

3. Seem to be charging wildly through town firing in random directions which rarely results in actually resolving anything.
 

Maebius

Splendid
Feb 17, 2017
155
41
23,540
Don't bother with undervolt and just get a nice cooler. Some like the Noctuas will probably last longer than all the CPUs you change.

If you feel hot do you meditate to get your temperature down or open a window/turn on the AC/have a cold drink? :p