Complete Overclocking Guide: Sandy Bridge & Ivy Bridge | ASRock Edition

Lucky 23 · Mar 20, 2012

Well when you disable speedstep the short and long durations are not displayed anymore only core limit. I set mine at 250 but im still at 33 multiplier, haven't started overclocking yet. I also have spread spectrum disabled. I ran a few tests w/ prime 95 at stock on fixed and my multi didn't change. Not too sure why yours still is

tootercomputer · Mar 20, 2012

Okay, I st the core current limit to 300 per the guide, no difference, the mult/speed still vacillates from 42/4.2GHz to 45/4.5GHz running OCCT. Core temps still good.

Now I'm running Handbrake, and the mult is staying stable at 45. And I'm amazed at how cool my temps are, running handbrake pushes my i7 and the temps jump to the high 50s, low 60s, my temps on this i5 are running in the upper 30s, low to mid 40s. Guess the i5 is up to the challenge.

GrandDestroyer · Mar 20, 2012

First of all thanks for the guide! Really helped making things a bit clearer. But I am still issues with overclocking my 2500k

First of all my specs:
i5 2500k
ASRock Pro3 Gen3 (No LLC and fixed voltage)
XFX HD 6870
Corsair DDR3-12800 8 GB (9-9-9-24)
Corsair 500V V2 Builder series.
Cooler Master Hyper Evo 212

I can't get any overclock stable on a higher multiplier, after a while it will just drop to 33 as a multiplier and go back up to the setting i selected but this constantly switching will happen every minute or so after its first occurrence.

I tried setting the multiplier to 38, 40, 42, 45 and how higher I go how faster it will start with dropping to 33. On 45x it will drop after 5 minutes, while on 40 it can almost run 45 minutes before it starts dropping.

I have tried every option in the bios with power saving on or off, different power limits and even 1.4 voltage on 40x to see if it was the voltage. But nothing helped.

Things i have noticed:

Voltage will drop about 0.1 when multiplier goes to 33, so when i am on 1.2V with 40 multiplier it will become 1.1. On 45x it will drop from 1.3 to 1.2 or 1.35 to 1.25.

Its not thermal throttling as temps are around 65-70 degrees on 4.5 Ghz in the first 5 minutes of stress testing.

Even on 38 it will drop to 33 when stressing for 2-3 hours. So I am kinda out of options.

Only thing i haven't tried is setting the long power duriation to anything higher then 1 second. Could that be the cause?

Lucky 23 · Mar 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by tootercomputer

Okay, I st the core current limit to 300 per the guide, no difference, the mult/speed still vacillates from 42/4.2GHz to 45/4.5GHz running OCCT. Core temps still good.
Now I'm running Handbrake, and the mult is staying stable at 45. And I'm amazed at how cool my temps are, running handbrake pushes my i7 and the temps jump to the high 50s, low 60s, my temps on this i5 are running in the upper 30s, low to mid 40s. Guess the i5 is up to the challenge.

What cooler are you running?

Lucky 23 · Mar 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandDestroyer

First of all thanks for the guide! Really helped making things a bit clearer. But I am still issues with overclocking my 2500k

First of all my specs:
i5 2500k
ASRock Pro3 Gen3 (No LLC and fixed voltage)
XFX HD 6870
Corsair DDR3-12800 8 GB (9-9-9-24)
Corsair 500V V2 Builder series.
Cooler Master Hyper Evo 212
I can't get any overclock stable on a higher multiplier, after a while it will just drop to 33 as a multiplier and go back up to the setting i selected but this constantly switching will happen every minute or so after its first occurrence.
I tried setting the multiplier to 38, 40, 42, 45 and how higher I go how faster it will start with dropping to 33. On 45x it will drop after 5 minutes, while on 40 it can almost run 45 minutes before it starts dropping.
I have tried every option in the bios with power saving on or off, different power limits and even 1.4 voltage on 40x to see if it was the voltage. But nothing helped.
Things i have noticed:
Voltage will drop about 0.1 when multiplier goes to 33, so when i am on 1.2V with 40 multiplier it will become 1.1. On 45x it will drop from 1.3 to 1.2 or 1.35 to 1.25.
Its not thermal throttling as temps are around 65-70 degrees on 4.5 Ghz in the first 5 minutes of stress testing.
Even on 38 it will drop to 33 when stressing for 2-3 hours. So I am kinda out of options.
Only thing i haven't tried is setting the long power duriation to anything higher then 1 second. Could that be the cause?

Here are my settings at stock and the multi isn't jumping around. I will be playing with the overclock tomorrow so ill let you know if i run into a similar problem.

Ratio 33
Internal PLL disabled
Speedstep disabled
Core limit 250
Bclk 100
Spread spectrum disabled
Fixed voltage @ 1.20v
Dram voltage @ 1.499 w/ timings set
All other voltages on auto
C1E disabled
C3 Disabled
C6 Disabled
Package C-State support Auto
Throttling Enabled
Virtualization Disabled
No execute Disabled
LLC @ level 3

tootercomputer · Mar 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky 23

What cooler are you running?

CM Hyper 212 Plus. Seems to be working well. I used one like this on a c2d system I gave away to a friend. Not all that pretty, but it installed easily enough and is keeping things cool, and not expensive.

marty

Ghooble · Mar 21, 2012

Hey I was wondering what settings I should use on Load line calibration? It's default level 5 but I have no idea what it does

kennyparker1337 · Mar 21, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghooble

Hey I was wondering what settings I should use on Load line calibration? It's default level 5 but I have no idea what it does

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guide
When your chip increases to max speed, the Vcore usually tends to drop down. This is known as Vdroop. If the Vcore drops down a bunch, that will lead to stability issues. To combat this, CPU LLC was made to offset this loss. Level 5 will net you the least compensation, and Level 1 the most. You want to find the setting that will get you the same Vcore that is says in BIOS during load in Windows as reported by CPUZ.

Level 1 seems to spike your Vcore up way high during load, so I do not recommend using that.

CPU Load-Line Calibration: Level 3 or Level 2 (whichever one will get you closest to BIOS Vcore)

It is used for compensating vCore when your CPU speed is maxed. Level 5 gives you the least compensation, Level 1 gives you the greatest.

You want to make use of it so that the vCore you set in the BIOS is what you actually get when you are stress testing. If you lose too much voltage, your computer might crash.

dmasteR · Mar 21, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghooble

Hey I was wondering what settings I should use on Load line calibration? It's default level 5 but I have no idea what it does

I suggest 2 or 3. Seems to be the most common LLC that's used on all 1155 socket boards.

Ghooble · Mar 21, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmasteR

I suggest 2 or 3. Seems to be the most common LLC that's used on all 1155 socket boards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyparker1337

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guide
When your chip increases to max speed, the Vcore usually tends to drop down. This is known as Vdroop. If the Vcore drops down a bunch, that will lead to stability issues. To combat this, CPU LLC was made to offset this loss. Level 5 will net you the least compensation, and Level 1 the most. You want to find the setting that will get you the same Vcore that is says in BIOS during load in Windows as reported by CPUZ.
Level 1 seems to spike your Vcore up way high during load, so I do not recommend using that.
CPU Load-Line Calibration: Level 3 or Level 2 (whichever one will get you closest to BIOS Vcore)

Click to expand...

It is used for compensating vCore when your CPU speed is maxed. Level 5 gives you the least compensation, Level 1 gives you the greatest.
You want to make use of it so that the vCore you set in the BIOS is what you actually get when you are stress testing. If you lose too much voltage, your computer might crash.

Thanks guys

+reps are definitely in order

tootercomputer · Mar 22, 2012

I finally disabled spread spectrum (I have not seen that setting in a bios for a very long time, very interesting) and I seemed to get a bit more stability, with the mult holding at 45 and my speed a solid 4.500GHz. My system is doing well now. I cannot figure out this virtu technology, though it seems to be tied to specific programs, and my confusion is not solitary, as I'm not finding many people having any real success with it. I started a thread on it at the PC Forums in their video/editing forums.

My only other real concern is that some people on this forum have reported mobo problems, specifically PCI slots not working, or the mobo dying outright, and this occurring after a few weeks of being fine. I have noticed that this mobo, compared to previous mobos, seems a bit more fragile. For example, I've used the on-chip video a few times and that whole module flexes a bit when plugging in. I could imagine breaking a connection if not careful. I still have this on the bench, and will not be placing in a case until the weekend at the earliest, where it will be safe/

I hope this holds up. I'm having a ball setting up this system. It had been two years since my last genuine new build, my i7 Lynfield system, and with the UEFI, this was distinctly different, also using an unlocked multiplier with the k-series i5. Makes OCing a lot easier though there are still settings to be adjusted. I've really appreciated all the feedback and assistance.

marty

TheEnergy · Mar 24, 2012

Wait a minute.

I'm trying this out for overclocking my signature rig listed in my profile.

You typed in the "starting off" section of your tutorial to:
"At this point you will only be concerned with CPU Max Ratio. Offset voltage should be +0.05v and CPU LLC should be Level 2 or 3. The goal here is to find the highest clock you can with stock voltage. If you want a very mild overclock, you can go to the final test after this."

Wait a minute. ANYTIME you INCREASE THE MAX RATIO, the "stock voltage" will no longer be "stock".

the max ratio is default 34 on the 2600k i7 logically. My stock seemed to hover around 1.160-1.168 via MOBO BIOS.

NOW, raising that to 37 max ration brings VCORE to 1.296-1.300

So what the heck do you mean? Anytime you raise vcore, the voltage will increase to accomodate increased frequency and higher temperatures.

at 37 max ratio (3.7ghz) , I had 70°C on max load prime95 on my 4 cores on my i7 2600k with Noctua NH-D14 (1.296-1.3 vcore).

WHAT GIVES???

Turtley · Mar 24, 2012

Being new to OC'ing could someone check my settings. I read on this forum where it says to get your VID settings to match your VCore setting.

BIOS settings:

5 Minute prime blend test: Ambient temps = 23c

I know I can go higher but 45 is good for the time being.

Thanks for any suggestions

Lucky 23 · Mar 24, 2012

This cleared everything up for me

This should help too
http://www.overclock.net/t/1219588/offset-mode-overclocking-starter-guide-and-thread
Quote:

Originally Posted by coolhandluke41

VID is not the same as VCore. VCore is the actual voltage the processor is being fed by the motherboard.
VID is the recommended voltage the processor should be running at at the current power state, this is a predetermined value, programmed by the CPU manufacturer. When the processor settings, especially the VCore is kept at default settings, Core Temp will provide a good approximation of the real VCore, but if you change the setting using the BIOS or by other means, Core Temp's VID readings should be ignored.

Turtley · Mar 24, 2012

Oh! Ok. I guess I'm good to go then.

Thanks Lucky!

TheEnergy · Mar 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxAlbertoxX

Wait a minute.
I'm trying this out for overclocking my signature rig listed in my profile.
You typed in the "starting off" section of your tutorial to:
"At this point you will only be concerned with CPU Max Ratio. Offset voltage should be +0.05v and CPU LLC should be Level 2 or 3. The goal here is to find the highest clock you can with stock voltage. If you want a very mild overclock, you can go to the final test after this."
Wait a minute. ANYTIME you INCREASE THE MAX RATIO, the "stock voltage" will no longer be "stock".
the max ratio is default 34 on the 2600k i7 logically. My stock seemed to hover around 1.160-1.168 via MOBO BIOS.
NOW, raising that to 37 max ration brings VCORE to 1.296-1.300
So what the heck do you mean? Anytime you raise vcore, the voltage will increase to accomodate increased frequency and higher temperatures.
at 37 max ratio (3.7ghz) , I had 70°C on max load prime95 on my 4 cores on my i7 2600k with Noctua NH-D14 (1.296-1.3 vcore).
WHAT GIVES???

bump

Lucky 23 · Mar 24, 2012

@ turtley and others.... This is how i see it but please correct me if im wrong in how im seeing this.

My 2500k has almost the same VID and Cpu-z vcore basically as you. My VID @ full load is 1.4011 and 1.3961 @ idle and w/ 45 multi.

I tried a first test on P95 w/ a 45 multi +0.005 offset and my CPU-z Vcore (full Load) ranged between 1.280-1.288-1.296 MAX but it didnt last 5 minutes before failing so i need a higher + offset.

Now i tried a second test w/ a 45 multi and a +0.015 offset which brought my CPU-z vcore up to a range of 1.288-1.312 MAX. So you can see how the offset change my CPU-z vcore. 1.312 - 1.296 = .016. Adding a +0.015 in bios brought my CPU-z up to 1.312 from 1.296. It passed the first test of prime95 w/out failing so no im going to see how long it will last.

I was confused on this also seeing such a high VID but if i understand this correctly you dont have to get your VID to match your CPU-z voltage. According to the quote i posted above VID only the recommended Voltage required at a 45 multi (at a 42 multi the recommended VID will be lower) but you dont want to run 1.396v for 4.5ghz you want to run less. At least what im seeing you dont really need to pay much attention to the VID only what in CPU-z

(just for example) In order for your CPU-z voltage to match your VID you would need to find out the difference which would be roughly 0.1160, 1.396 VID minus Max Cpu-z voltage of 1.280 = .116. So if you enter a +0.1160 offset in bios you should see your CPU-z voltage fairly close to your VID (was 1.280 +0.116 offset = 1.396) but thats most likely too much offset for 45 multi. So if im right on understanding offset correctly were giving the cpu only a small offset which will increase/decrease the value seen in cpu-z.

Or if you need less vcore in CPU-z then you would start going into the negative offsets since a +.005 is the lowest positive. By setting a -.015 you should now see your vcore in cpuz roughly around 1.265v max.....(1.280-.015)

With the offset you set in bios your idle cpu-z voltage will also increase/decrease depending on which offset you apply.

For example w/ a 45 multi and a +0.005 offset my cpu idled w/ 16 mult and idle cpu-z voltage range of .984-.992.

Now w/ a 45 multi and a +0.015 offset my cpu idles at a 16 multi and a idle cpu-z voltage range of 1.000-1.008max. (.992+.015 offset = 1.007) so my idle voltage also increase when changing from a +0.005 offset to a +.015 offset.

My settings in bios are similar so you can check mine out below

CPU ratio 45
Internal PLL disabled
Intel Speed step Enabled
Short duration 250
Long duration 250
Long duration (sec.) 1
Additional turbo voltage Auto
Core Current limit 200
BLCK 100.00
Spread Spectrum disabled
Power savings disabled
Offset Mode w/ +0.015
Dram voltage 1.499 (9-9-9-24)
LLC Level 3 ( 5 is lowest & 1 is highest)
All other voltages on auto
C1e Enabled
C3 disabled
C6 Disabled
C state support Auto

Lucky 23 · Mar 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxAlbertoxX

bump

If im seeing this correctly you have a 37 multi and a +0.005 offset which equates to CPU-z load voltages around 1.296-1.3. So instead of a +0.005 offset you would want to bring your voltage down since you may need or want less then 1.3v (CPU-z) for 3.7ghz? So if im seeing offset correctly .....for example you would try maybe a -0.025 offset (1.3v -.025 offset in bios = 1.275 roughly in Cpu-z now). If you want less then 1.275v then you would try a higher negative offset to bring down the cpu-z voltage

TheEnergy · Mar 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky 23

If im seeing this correctly you have a 37 multi and a +0.005 offset which equates to CPU-z load voltages around 1.296-1.3. So instead of a +0.005 offset you would want to bring your voltage down since you may need or want less then 1.3v (CPU-z) for 3.7ghz? So if im seeing offset correctly .....for example you would try maybe a -0.025 offset (1.3v -.025 offset in bios = 1.275 roughly in Cpu-z now). If you want less then 1.275v then you would try a higher negative offset to bring down the cpu-z voltage

Interesting. that makes sense.

How the hell do all of you post pictures with a 45 or 47 ratio with offset +0.05 and voltages at load less than <1.300??

I put the ratio at 37, which is a WEAK overclock, and my voltage skyrockets....................

I'll try doing the negative offset.

Does anyone else have the 2600k i7 here? My voltage in BIOS with everything stock registered at 1.160-168 as default. Does this seem right?

How come the max voltage for the 2600k is still not listed? and why does the intel official site list it as 72C tmax but this tutorial say 85C?
http://ark.intel.com/products/52214/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-Processor-%288M-Cache-3_40-GHz%29

Behemoth777 · Mar 25, 2012

Been using this guide, it is great. But I can't get 4.9ghz stable with decent volts, so i'll have to settle for 4.8ghz.

Complete Overclocking Guide: Sandy Bridge & Ivy Bridge | ASRock Edition

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