I have overclocking questions

[djreedj]

My specs are in my signature. The Auto volts my bios has it set to is 1.04. Temps around 72 with 30 min or so on prime95. If I turn it up to 1.25 volts and 4.5 ghz it goes to 100 degrees on prime95. If i take it down to 1.20 it goes to 92 degrees. What is the general relation between voltage and core clock speed? I would like to do at least 4.2 or so and would like to know if 1.1 is enough voltage? How do i know if its enough voltage for the speed I would like. I know I should get a water cooler but for now I just have the hyper 212 evo. Thanks.

 

[techgeek]

When overclocking, you always adjust your core clock first and test. If the system is stable during the stress test, the voltage is fine at that speed. You keep adjusting the core clock up until the system becomes unstable, then you increase your Vcore. Of course this also depends on whether or not you have the thermal headroom to do it. You obviously don't keep raising your clock speed and / or your Vcore if you are overheating.

Each CPU is different, so what works for my exact same model of CPU may not work for you. Thus you use the above approach to determine what works for your CPU.

Also be aware that though Prime 95 is a good worse case scenario indicator for temperatures, it's not always the best indicator of stability. I've seen Prime 95 stable (run for days even) BSOD while gaming or just browsing the internet with Chrome, even just sitting idle on the desktop. So test with Prime 95 and then use the computer awhile doing the normal task you do with your computer. If you don't crash, then proceed higher if you want. Don't rush an overclock.

 

[djreedj]

Ok, I was going to ask how do I know its stable before proceeding to the next core speed.

 

[techgeek]

There are a few programs you can stress with (OCCT Prime 95, Hyper PI, etc) that test with different types of workloads. ASUS has created RealBench which is a series of different types of workloads. I tend to agree with this approach. It's not a single program (one workload type), which can give unrealistic expectations. You wouldn't believe the number or times I've argued with someone over their unstable overclock because they swear up and down that they can run Prime 95 for days without a crash, but they BSOD after 10 minutes playing BF4. So they blame BF4 and can't fathom how it might be their overclock. To the point where even if you can convince them to drop back to stock and test and it works, they wont' believe the results and say that it must be something else.

So the more you can stress it with different types of loads, the more certain you will be that you are stable. You also want to use just a little over the voltage where you find stability. So for instance if you settled on 4.4GHz as your final overclock and you found that 1.250V was where you were stable, any lower and it wasn't, then you would set it to 1.255 or 1.260V for being 24 / 7 stable.

 

[Rookie_MIB]

Usually, the relation between voltage (v), temps (C) and speed (ghz) is that voltage and temps go up exponentially in relation to speed. In simpler terms, it takes more and more voltage to get smaller increases in speed. The byproduct of that voltage and speed is heat.

There are several ways to increase the ability to go faster, and the usual method is to keep the chip cooler. To be honest, the 212 Evo is a very solid cooler, especially for the price. Water cooling would increase the cooling capability, and thus probably the ability to get a more consistent speed out of your chip, but sometimes you just get lucky when it comes to the chip.

The general method for overclocking is pretty simple.

1) set the volts low. Turn off turbo mode.
2) turn the multiplier up.
3) stability test and monitor temps. if it passes and stays below 80C, go back to 2)
4) if it fails stability test, turn up volts a notch and go back to 3), if it goes over-temp, go to 5)
5) turn down voltage one notch and multiplier one notch.
6) stability test to verify temps and stability. You're done.

This should zero you in on the maximum speed with a nice average overclock. The setting you don't want to go over are:

1) voltage. About 1.30v maximum for long term use is usually the limit.
2) temps. Between 70C and 80C core temps.

 

[djreedj]

There are a few programs you can stress with (OCCT Prime 95, Hyper PI, etc) that test with different types of workloads. ASUS has created RealBench which is a series of different types of workloads. I tend to agree with this approach. It's not a single program (one workload type), which can give unrealistic expectations. You wouldn't believe the number or times I've argued with someone over their unstable overclock because they swear up and down that they can run Prime 95 for days without a crash, but they BSOD after 10 minutes playing BF4. So they blame BF4 and can't fathom how it might be their overclock. To the point where even if you can convince them to drop back to stock and test and it works, they wont' believe the results and say that it must be something else.

So the more you can stress it with different types of loads, the more certain you will be that you are stable. You also want to use just a little over the voltage where you find stability. So for instance if you settled on 4.4GHz as your final overclock and you found that 1.250V was where you were stable, any lower and it wasn't, then you would set it to 1.255 or 1.260V for being 24 / 7 stable.

Is it possible to get the links for a few of those tests you mentioned?

 

[djreedj]

Usually, the relation between voltage (v), temps (C) and speed (ghz) is that voltage and temps go up exponentially in relation to speed. In simpler terms, it takes more and more voltage to get smaller increases in speed. The byproduct of that voltage and speed is heat.

There are several ways to increase the ability to go faster, and the usual method is to keep the chip cooler. To be honest, the 212 Evo is a very solid cooler, especially for the price. Water cooling would increase the cooling capability, and thus probably the ability to get a more consistent speed out of your chip, but sometimes you just get lucky when it comes to the chip.

The general method for overclocking is pretty simple.

1) set the volts low. Turn off turbo mode.
2) turn the multiplier up.
3) stability test and monitor temps. if it passes and stays below 80C, go back to 2)
4) if it fails stability test, turn up volts a notch and go back to 3), if it goes over-temp, go to 5)
5) turn down voltage one notch and multiplier one notch.
6) stability test to verify temps and stability. You're done.

This should zero you in on the maximum speed with a nice average overclock. The setting you don't want to go over are:

1) voltage. About 1.30v maximum for long term use is usually the limit.
2) temps. Between 70C and 80C core temps.

Ill keep that in mind thank you. How do I know if it fails stability test? BSOD? Application Crash?

 

[techgeek]

There are a few programs you can stress with (OCCT Prime 95, Hyper PI, etc) that test with different types of workloads. ASUS has created RealBench which is a series of different types of workloads. I tend to agree with this approach. It's not a single program (one workload type), which can give unrealistic expectations. You wouldn't believe the number or times I've argued with someone over their unstable overclock because they swear up and down that they can run Prime 95 for days without a crash, but they BSOD after 10 minutes playing BF4. So they blame BF4 and can't fathom how it might be their overclock. To the point where even if you can convince them to drop back to stock and test and it works, they wont' believe the results and say that it must be something else.

So the more you can stress it with different types of loads, the more certain you will be that you are stable. You also want to use just a little over the voltage where you find stability. So for instance if you settled on 4.4GHz as your final overclock and you found that 1.250V was where you were stable, any lower and it wasn't, then you would set it to 1.255 or 1.260V for being 24 / 7 stable.

Is it possible to get the links for a few of those tests you mentioned?

RealBench

ICCT

LinX

Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility

Here are a few to start.

For stability testing, any thing that isn't normal behaviour points at instability. So software crashing / hanging, BSOD, spontaneous restarts, etc.

In my experience one of the most common BSOD's associated with overclocking (and usually points to a Vcore increase needed) is the WHEA BSOD.

 

[djreedj]

thanks i dont know what settings to turn on and off in the bios i need to do more research 🙁

 

[techgeek]

One thing about the Intel XTU that I linked, is that you can adjust many of the things you would in the BIOS in Windows. That way can try them there and set them later in the BIOS if you think they are stable.

 

[djreedj]

I dont have a XMP setting in the AI OverClock tuner. I just have Manual and Auto, but I do have XMP on the main page of my bios it shows. I also have a switch on my actual motherboard that says EZ and XMP, do I need to flip the switch from EZ to XMP and leave it flipped to see this option?

 

[djreedj]

And thats convenient

 

[techgeek]

As for as XMP is concerned, it looks like the switch will make the motherboard us XMP.

For the BIOS, I would enter advanced mode, then go to Ai Tweaker > Ai Overclock Tuner, you should have the XMP option there. Not sure how the switch plays into that.

 

[djreedj]

I dont have an XMP option 🙁 only auto and manual. I have the hyperX fury 1866 memory..the speeds are working on the main page of the bios but I dont see xmp setting

 

[techgeek]

What speed does the BIOS say the RAM is at?

Have you tried to flip the XMP switch? Maybe the option doesn't appear unless the switch is flipped. My motherboard doesn't have this switch (Maximus VI Hero).

 

[djreedj]

On the EZ Page of the BIOS it shows the summary. My speed of ram is at 1866. It says XMP Disabled and no way to enable it from there. Also have a couple questions. I see these options..bear with me..

ASUS Multicore Enhancement
Auto- Asus optimized core ratio settings will be applied when overclocking.
Disabled- Apply default core ratio settings.


Now if I turn the AI Overclock Tweaker to Manual, what do I need to change. I know the DRAM to 1866, but I also see a few other options like..

BCLK Frequency😀RAM Frequency Ratio ..I can choose 100:133 or 100:00

DRAM CTRL Voltage
DRAM Data REF Voltage Channel A
DRAM Data REF Voltage Channel B

Then I see this option

CPU Spread Spectrum
Disable-enchance BCLK Overclock Ability
Enable-REduce the EUI (Electromagnetic Disturbance generated my BCLK) ---I think it said EUI i cant read my own writing. 😛
Auto

Do you see these options as well?

Bottom Line, I can figure out the Core Ratio/Voltage. I will try and flip the switch possibly. In the meantime, do I need to change any other settings as per the ones I listed here? Thanks.

 

[Rookie_MIB]

If your RAM speed is listed in the BIOS as 1866, then that's what it's running at and there's no need to manually change anything with it unless you're trying to OC your RAM too. You don't need to change your settings to XMP - it's already set to the max speed.