Question WHEA Errors while stability testing (New to OCing)

Dec 16, 2019
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Hi there, I'm new to overclocking and to the forum, but I've been lurking and reading here for the last several weeks.

During the past two weeks I've upgraded a few components, and am now attempting to OC my CPU, and then (hopefully) OC my GPU and RAM a bit. However, I haven't looked into overclocking anything except my CPU yet.

I've read through (several times) the "Intel Temperature Guide" by CompuTronix, and Darkbreeze's "CPU overclocking guide and tutorial for beginners", both found on these forums, and have been following the latter guide closely.

Anyways, to my question. During my 1 hour stability tests in RealBench v2.43, I've been getting errors accruing in HWiNFO64 v6.20-4030, but the RealBench test continues to run, and will sometimes even complete the 1 hour test. Should I be treating the errors in HWiNFO64 just like any other errors? Meaning that I increase my Vcore to the next increment, followed by 15 minutes of the Small FTTs in Prime95 v26.6 for thermal compliance, and then a 1 hour stability test?

Info on my setup and screenshots of described errors, if needed:

  • Use: Gaming/General Use.
  • Normal time PC is powered on: ~16hrs/7days.
  • OS: Windows 10, 64-bit, up to date.
  • Current ambient temp: ~23-24 C.
  • MB: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 (Rev. 1.3), BIOS updated and current: U1n (UEFI). Bought new 8 years ago.
  • CPU: i7-3770K, currently testing stability @ 4.3Ghz. Have had stable at 3.9 and 4.1. New to me, bought 2 weeks ago off ebay.
    • Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5.
    • Not delidded.
  • CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212X Dual. Bought new 8 years ago.
    • Air, 2x 120mm Push/Pull.
  • GPU: GeForce RTX 2060, Gigabyte GV-N2060GAMINGOC PRO-6GD. Factory OCed currently. New to me, bought refurbished from Amazon Warehouse 2 weeks ago.
  • RAM: 32GB @ stock 1600mhz and stock 9-9-9-24. 2 pairs of Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1866, 10-11-10-30 (PC3 15000) PV316G186C0K. Bought new 2 weeks ago.
  • Storage: All SSDs:
    • OS: 120GB RAID0, 2x 60GB Corsair Force 3, SATA. Bought new 8 years ago.
    • Games: 360GB RAID0, 3x 120GB Corsair Force 3, SATA. Bought new 8 years ago.
    • New 2 weeks ago, Games: 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280, via an M. 2 to PCIe adapter, SB-ROCKET-1TB.
      • Unsuccessful attempts at using as a boot drive, but works well as extra storage once in windows.
  • PSU: 850W, CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 BRONZE Certified Active PFC. Bought new 8 years ago.
  • Case: Full ATX, 5 fans, 3x 200mm for Front Intake, Side Intake, and Top Rear Exhaust. 1x 120mm Bottom Intake. 1x 140mm Back Rear Exhaust.
    • Thermaltake Level 10 GT (VN10001W2N). Bought new 8 years ago.
  • Fans: 5 case, 2 CPU Thermal heatsink, 3 GPU.
    • All functioning, most are new replacements bought in the last year.
I attempted to post links (on gyazo) to screenshots of my 2 most recent stability tests, but the forum wouldn't let me post with them:
  1. Failed before completion at 47 minutes, 4.3Ghz, Vcore 1.280v.
    • Had 23 Total Errors in HWinfo, under Windows Hardware Errors (WHEA) section.
      • All labeled as CPU Internal Errors.
  2. Successful 60 minute test, but with errors in HWinfo, 4.3Ghz, Vcore 1.285v.
    • Had 6 Total Errors in HWinfo, under Windows Hardware Errors (WHEA) section.
      • All labeled as CPU Internal Errors.
I believe I've hit my CPU's clock limit for staying below 1.3v Vcore; it's a 3rd Gen. Intel. Also, I'm probably at my current cooling limit for staying under 80 C during Prime95 Small FTTs. Due to both of those reasons, I plan on staying at 4.3 and running the 8 hour tests, and then 24 hour test, while moving on to learning about GPU and RAM overclocking. Even though I was REALLY hoping to squeeze out 4.5Ghz haha, ah well!

Thanks for any thoughts or advice, and many thanks for being such a great resource.
 
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