Is my i7 just a bad overclocker or is there an issue somewhere?

[Joeysaurr]

For my first attempt at an overclock I set my multiplier to 46 and just left voltage at auto, this then set the vcore to 1.38v which I feel is pretty high for 4.6GHz. I tried upping the multi to 47 and it won't even boot. Surely there should be some middle ground in between being 100% stable at 4.6 and crying when I try to turn it on at 4.7?

Processor: i7 3770k (delidded)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

You have to experiment with other settings as well. I don't recommend increasing the base clock though, apparently it's fine on the newer chips (Skylake) but not on your current one. And not all chips overclock as well, sometimes you get lucky. Hardcre overclockers buy multiple chips to find out which of them overclocks best. It's a lottery due to the silicon.

 

[ChumP]

1.38 v on vcore is dangerous. You should downclock it and set the vcore to somewhere around 1.25v.
Even 1.3v it's not recommended for everyday use.

 

[Joeysaurr]

A problem I'm having with experimenting with settings is, if I change something to a number it doesn't quite like I get locked out of both the OS and the BIOS. I have to remove the battery or I've no hope of getting past the windows logo.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

Change what number? If you want a stable overclock, start over and increase the voltage by 0.006250 each time, and never change the voltage and the multiplier at the same time. Stress test and repeat. Long process, but will guarantee a good overclock.

 

[Joeysaurr]

if I set the multi to 47 I've no chance of getting past the windows logo and upon restart my bios freezes before I can change it back to 46, meaning I have to clear the cmos every time. So it's going to be a reaaalllllyyyy long process.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

You don't start at 47, you're gonna want to start at 35, and increase the multiplier by 0.5 each time you get a stable boot and if stress test doesn't fail. If you boot into a bluescreen, you need more voltage, increase that in increments of 0.006250.

And of course disable turbo boost and disable power saving options.

 

[Joeysaurr]

I've been running at a multiplier of 46 for two weeks now, passed all tests and I've had no issues, which is why I'm baffled that 47 seems to break it so much. Should I just settle with 4.6GHz and slowly lower the voltage or do you think I should keep trying for a higher overclock?

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

4.7 / 4.6 = 1.02
1.02 * 100 = 102

You're looking at a 2% performance difference if you manage to get it to 4.7. To be honest, in all benchmarks you'll notice the difference, but in games and apps you won't notice it even if you get to 4.7.

 

[Joeysaurr]

I guess I'll give up on my dream of 5GHz for now then and focus on getting my voltage down from a vary variable 1.25-1.38v. Thanks for your answers 🙂

 

[sizzling]

What the rest of your system, RAM, PSU can affect overclocking.

I have the Z87 version of your motherboard in one of my PC's and they are known to be limited overclockers, they don't gave the best VRM's. To push higher may be beyond your motherboard

 

[Joeysaurr]

Now that you mention it, my RAM is not ideal. I have 16GB of Corsair XMS3 running at 1333MHz but it's 4 sticks from two dual channel kits so I'm running in single channel. Could that be a limiting factor do you think?

 

[sizzling]

Probably worth downloading and running memtest and seeing if it throws up any errors but suspect its all ok. Power supply is very important but chances are you have hit the limit of the cpu

 

[Joeysaurr]

Disappointing results with lowering voltage, it seems the lowest fully stable voltage for 4.6GHz for me is 1.340v, better than 1.38 I guess. Load temperatures are staying around 60-65c so I'm not worried about that. I was really hoping for 5GHz when I bought this processor but I got it and some liquid metal ultra for £115 and I sold my 3770non-k for £130 so I can't complain =P

 

[Finkledbody]

Joey, there is a lot of knowledge in overclocking a CPU. The CPU multiplier and VCore Voltage is not the deciding factor. In as few words as possible, you CPU is likely capable of hitting 5 ghz. You just need the right components, a poop load of time, and patience.

If you really want 5 ghz, you'll need to learn about all the settings in your bios. Vdroop, PLL overvoltage, BCLK, etc. and how they effect each other. This takes trial and error.

I thought my 3770k was unable to clock past 4.5ghz until I replaced my Asus Sabertooth Motherboard with a ASrock Motherboard. Now I'm up to 4.7ghz stable.

Keep trying.