Question Need help to overclock i7-9700k

[katulen]

Hey guys.

I am currently attempting to overclock my i7-9700k.

Here is my current specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7 9700K / 3.6 GHz
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X72
MOBO: Asus Rog Strix Z390-F GAMING
GPU: Asus Rog Strix RTX2070 O8G GAMING 8GB GDDR6
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 16GB: 2x8GB DDR4 3000MHz DIMM
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S500BW 500GB - PCI Express 3.0 x4 (NVMe) - M.2 Card
HDD: Toshiba P300 3.5´´ 2TB - 7200rpm 64MB SATA-600
PSU: Corsair RM750x
CASE: NZXT H series H700i Window Black

Attempt 4.9GHz:
Multiplier: 49
AVX Offset: -3
XMP: XMP 1 Enabled
MCE: Disabled
SVID Support: Disabled
BLCK Aware Adaptive Voltage: Disabled
CPU Core/Cache Voltage: 1.350

• Cinebench r15 - Passed.
• Realbench - Passed.
• Prime95 - Passed.
• Highest temps was 85c.

Attempt 5.0GHz:
Multiplier: 50
AVX Offset: -3
XMP: XMP 1 Enabled
MCE: Disabled
SVID Support: Disabled
BLCK Aware Adaptive Voltage: Disabled
CPU Core/Cache Voltage: 1.360v
CPU Load-line Calibration: Level 6
CPU Current Capability: 170%
Long Duration Package Power Limit: 4095 (max)
Short Duration Package Power Limit: 4095 (max)
CPU Core/Cache Current Limit: 255.75 (max)

• Cinebench r15 - Passed.
• Realbench - Passed.
• Prime95 - BSOD after 2 minutes.

Failed.

2nd attempt 5.0GHz:
Multiplier: 50
AVX Offset: -3
XMP: XMP 1 Enabled
MCE: Disabled
SVID Support: Disabled
BLCK Aware Adaptive Voltage: Disabled
CPU Core/Cache Voltage: 1.360v
CPU Load-line Calibration: Level 5 (Changed)
CPU Current Capability: 170%
Long Duration Package Power Limit: 4095 (max)
Short Duration Package Power Limit: 4095 (max)
CPU Core/Cache Current Limit: 255.75 (max)
Changes: Only changed LLC from Level 6 to Level 5.

• Cinebench r15 - Passed.
• Realbench - Passed.
• Prime95 - Worker stopped after 3 minutes, no BSOD.
• XTU - Passed.

If you need some Min/Max/Avg screenshots of temps/voltages let me know, apparently cant paste them in this thread.

So a few questions here.
I've heard/read that if a worker stops in Prime95, it means your overclocking is unstable. Is it worth trying to let it finish and see what happens or pointless ?

Also i noticed when using XTU, that every 10 sec, 1 or more cores drop to 4.7GHz for a split second and go back to 5.0GHz. Is that due to AVX instructions coming into play or is it my cpu throttling? And how to fix it if needed.

Temps are fine, hitting max 82c on 1 core, rest high 70's.
VCORE is at 1.360v and droops to 1.332v and never go over 1.360v.

Update on my latest 5.0GHz attempt:

I just tryid following:
1.375v vcore fixed, LLC 4. Vdroop to 1.305v and BSOD in Prime 95.
1.375v vcore fixed, LLC 5. Vdroop to 1.350v and BSOD in Prime 95.
1.375v vcore fixed, LLC 7. Vboost to 1.421v and BSOD in Cinebench r15. (No vdroop - Probably overshooted the voltages with Level 7 i assume)

I tryid LLC 6 together with 1.360v without success.

Im trying with LLC 6 now with a higher vcore voltage.
Settings:
Multiplier: 50
AVX Offset: -3
XMP: XMP 1 Enabled
MCE: Disabled
SVID Support: Disabled
BLCK Aware Adaptive Voltage: Disabled
CPU Core/Cache Voltage: 1.380v
CPU Load-line Calibration: Level 6
I removed all the other stuff i added earlier. (See above).

Did OCCT Linpack Non-AVX.
1.380v, vboost to 1.403v. No vdroop.
Max temp 94c.
Distance to TJMax 6c.
After 13min of OCCT i got BSOD.

I dont know what to try next tbh.
Is there ANYTHING I am missing or something i need to dial/tweak for 5.0ghz to happen? Or have i done everything correctly but my chip just won't hit 5.0GHz due to silicon lottery ?

 

[katulen]

1.3 is what it says at load. I think the auto voltage is reporting incorrectly. Temps were worse than with a 1.35 fixed. I'm dialing down to a 5.0 overclock right now. 1.265v yeilds max 80c with Prime small fft. I think I had it stable at 1.25 previously but I'm getting ready to sell this rig and want to make sure it's as stable as possible for the next guy. These chips are so hot it's ridiculous. 80c at 1.265v (1.25 actual) with a 360 AIO in a well ventilated case is silly.

Wow yeah that is hot :O.
Try with Adaptive mode instead ?

I just changed my settings, and i get a 1.394v VCORE, and 1.359v under load. So im gonna try set a negative offset of 0.010 and see where i land.

 

[rigg42]

Wow yeah that is hot :O.
Try with Adaptive mode instead ?

I just changed my settings, and i get a 1.394v VCORE, and 1.359v under load. So im gonna try set a negative offset of 0.010 and see where i land.

Small FFT is a worst case scenario but still. It was hitting 94c peak @ 1.34. Only averaged 82c with realbench though.

 

[katulen]

Small FFT is a worst case scenario but still. It was hitting 94c peak @ 1.34. Only averaged 82c with realbench though.

What temp peak were you having with same load at your stable fixed vcore ?

To sum up my results with adaptive.

Settings:
Multiplier: 50
AVX: Auto
MCE: Auto
LLC: Level 5
SVID Support: Auto
SVID Behavior: Best Case Scenario
Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage: 1.385v
Negative Offset: 0.009v

Works like a charm. Now my vcore is back at max 1.385v and 1.350v under load. Also my CPU is down at 28-35c when idling.
Now i just have to test some realbench and see if it's proper stable.

 

[rigg42]

What temp peak were you having with same load at your stable fixed vcore ?

To sum up my results with adaptive.

Settings:
Multiplier: 50
AVX: Auto
MCE: Auto
LLC: Level 5
SVID Support: Auto
SVID Behavior: Best Case Scenario
Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage: 1.385v
Negative Offset: 0.009v

Works like a charm. Now my vcore is back at max 1.385v and 1.350v under load. Also my CPU is down at 28-35c when idling.
Now i just have to test some realbench and see if it's proper stable.

That was with fixed. It was hitting 99c before I shut it down with offset mode despite the voltage being "lower". Some kind of reporting bug no doubt.

As long as your temps are still in check and you're still stable I'd say you are good.

 

[katulen]

That was with fixed. It was hitting 99c before I shut it down with offset mode despite the voltage being "lower". Some kind of reporting bug no doubt.

As long as your temps are still in check and you're still stable I'd say you are good.

Ohh i see. Perhaps try mess with Adaptive Mode instead of Offset Mode ?

Temps are looking good. Slighty better overall than with fixed.
However, did a few minutes of Realbench, and noticed that my vcore sat between 1.359v to 1.368v. But Cinebench R15 shows 1.350v.
Do you think i should change my Negative Offset a bit to compensate ?

 

[rigg42]

Wouldn't hurt to try. Maybe use IBT as your baseline. You used that to get to your fixed voltage.

 

[katulen]

Wouldn't hurt to try. Maybe use IBT as your baseline. You used that to get to your fixed voltage.

Changing the offset will probably make me go below 1.350v in Cinebench R15. But i assume that shouldnt be a problem since i have passed Cinebench r15 with way lower voltages than 1.350v.
So changing offset to fit realbench could be a solution. But then i also get a lower "max vcore". Dont know if that could cause issues?

And yeah, good idea, trying with IBT. I just hate that program, so hard to pass x'D

 

[katulen]

I did pass IBT with current settings.

BUT, my vcore under Realbench/IBT load is also the mentioned 1.359v to 1.368v. Which is 9-18 higher than what i passed IBT with on Fixed Voltages.
So i assume i gotta try put a higher negative offset, to get around the 1.350v and then try again.

I tryid lowering my Adaptive Voltage.
I failed IBT with 1.360v (Auto offset). I then tryid 1.370v (Auto offset) and passed IBT.
It sits on 1.359v under load while running Realbench.

Everything gets a bit more complicated with adaptive voltages i feel like xD
I assume i can't go lower than 1.370v to remain stable. But i guess this is alrite. Gonna do a longer Realbench test when i go to sleep, to see if it works when on adaptive. So far seems stable.