Question Overclocking an i9-14900KS ?

[Durwesh Naeem]

I had been using an i9-14900K since December 2023, but after hearing about the degradation issue a few months ago, I purchased a new i9-14900KS as a precaution. My new KS processor has only been used with the updated BIOS microcodes, which significantly reduced performance. I've never overclocked or used XMP on my KS. Recently, I updated to ASUS BIOS 1704 (released October 21, 2024). Now, a few days back I got a RTX 4090, now I'm interested in exploring XMP or BIOS overclocking, but I'm concerned about safety and unsure about 1700 socket overclocking after the whole degrading fiasco, is it safe to use XMP or custom board Overclock profiles ? Could someone guide me?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

is it safe to use XMP

this is not going to affect your CPU.
will only load the manufacturer rated specs for the memory kit installed.

is it safe to use...custom board Overclock profiles

allowing motherboard manufacturer "overclock" profiles for the CPU will be running it at higher voltages with higher clock speeds.

no one can tell you what the outcome of that will be without knowing exactly what those numbers are.
even then each chip will hold up slightly differently to those numbers.

make sure you're keeping temperatures under control and you'll just have to see for yourself how the CPU holds up.

had been using an i9-14900K since December 2023, but after hearing about the degradation issue a few months ago, I purchased a new i9-14900KS as a precaution

why are you using the newer KS model if the previous K is still functioning as it should?

are you just planning on selling the original?

 

[Durwesh Naeem]

this is not going to affect your CPU.
will only load the manufacturer rated specs for the memory kit installed.


allowing motherboard manufacturer "overclock" profiles for the CPU will be running it at higher voltages with higher clock speeds.

no one can tell you what the outcome of that will be without knowing exactly what those numbers are.
even then each chip will hold up slightly differently to those numbers.

make sure you're keeping temperatures under control and you'll just have to see for yourself how the CPU holds up.


why are you using the newer KS model if the previous K is still functioning as it should?

are you just planning on selling the original?

thanks for responding, i was afraid it might have degraded or something, so i just sold K version and bought a new KS, used it on default bios ever since, of course on new microcode bios

 

[geofelt]

Your KS is a highly binned chip that needs no overclocking to perform.
Gamers usually do not overclock since there is very little headroom.
Instead, the default turbo mechanism works out better for gamers.
Get the bios updated to currency, run defaults and you should have no problems.

XMP simply loads the rm profiles embedded in the ram kit.
Technically, the ram is overclocked. Not an issue.

 

[Durwesh Naeem]

Your KS is a highly binned chip that needs no overclocking to perform.
Gamers usually do not overclock since there is very little headroom.
Instead, the default turbo mechanism works out better for gamers.
Get the bios updated to currency, run defaults and you should have no problems.

XMP simply loads the rm profiles embedded in the ram kit.
Technically, the ram is overclocked. Not an issue.

Thank you, that is what i am doing so far. Unfortunately i have 4x16gb 6400 rams, in 1700 socket 4 rams are not good and stable in XMP, although my rams are mentioned in boards QVL. But XMP I and XMP II are not stable, i wish i bought 2x32 sticks instead of 4x16

 

[geofelt]

Are all of the 4 sticks from the same kit package?

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
Ram must be matched for proper operation.

You can sometimes compensate for errors by increasing the ram voltage in the motherboard bios

Run memtest86+
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You can download it here:

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

Some motherboards have an memtest option in the bios.

If you still have issues, call Corsair RAM guys support.

 

[Durwesh Naeem]

Actually with XMP on they get unstable, otherwise they're totally fine. I highly doubt it is an issue with ram itself, I have heard 4 sticks cause issues in 12th, 13th and 14th Board and cpus. I mean the xmp i and xmp ii boot but later on I'd get a blue screen once in a while

Its this Corsair Dominator Titanium ram it is even mentioned in my boards memory QVL

 

[geofelt]

XMP is a short hand for setting ram details.
To get things to work properly, I think you will need to set the details individually, yourself.

I suspect that you will need to increase the ram voltage a bit above to get all to work.
Call the Corsair ram guys support. They are the ones more knowledgeable about their products.

 

[Durwesh Naeem]

XMP is a short hand for setting ram details.
To get things to work properly, I think you will need to set the details individually, yourself.

I suspect that you will need to increase the ram voltage a bit above to get all to work.
Call the Corsair ram guys support. They are the ones more knowledgeable about their products.

I definitely will

 

[Misgar]

Actually with XMP on they get unstable, otherwise they're totally fine.

If XMP is unstable, try manually increasing the CL(CAS) value on all 4 DIMMs by 1 clock cycle.

For example, if CL(CAS) is set to 36 in XMP, raise it to 37 (all 4 DIMMs) then run MemTest86.

Obviously this slows down the RAM, but it's a simple change you can try if you're not a memory overclocking expert.

I have one PC where there are 7 different XMP settings at1500MHz (3000MT/s) in an 8GB DDR4 DIMM. The only value that changes is CL(CAS). The mobo picks CL=15 (the fastest setting), but CL=16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are available in SPD (Serial Presence Detect).

this is not going to affect your CPU.
will only load the manufacturer rated specs for the memory kit installed.

Question. If loading XMP raises the Integrated Memory Controller voltage, does this place additional (slight) stress on the CPU?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

does this place additional (slight) stress on the CPU?

not unless you're overclocking with some more extreme RAM voltages.

1.40v is the highest i've seen from manufacturer rated specs,
and that's not enough to cause any strain/stress.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Often when using 4 DIMMS, you have to bump the SOC voltage a little. You can do this in small 0.005 increments. Hopefully that will get your XMP more stable.

You don't really have to increase mem voltage unless overclocking. But it could help a little here. I'd try the SOC voltage first before upping the mem voltage.