[SoaDMTGguy]

I've got to 4.6 GHz using the settings recommended in this guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide

It is *semi* stable at this speed. It runs under normal loads (Cities: Skylines), but failed an overnight burn with Prime95 SmallFFT.

My key issue is this: I hit 4.6 on stock clocks, and increasing VCORE to 1.410 hasn't significantly improved stability.

Have I hit the OC ceiling of my CPU? Or, are there other options I should mess with in my BIOS to improve stability? All I've done so far is adjust VCORE.

 

[TwoCables]

So, setting the voltage in the BIOS to 1.410V doesn't make your system stable enough for Prime95?

What's the voltage being reported by CPU-Z while Prime95's "Blend" test is running?

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoCables

So, setting the voltage in the BIOS to 1.410V doesn't make your system stable enough for Prime95?

Correct.
Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoCables

What's the voltage being reported by CPU-Z while Prime95's "Blend" test is running?

1.410

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoaDMTGguy

Correct.
1.410

Oh good, you reported the actual voltage. hehe Most people just say what they set in the BIOS.

Anyway, so wow. Hmm. I have to think for a while - and I'm also kind of on the go, so I'll have to come back to this when I can focus on it more. It might be a few hours or more. Hopefully I won't be the only one to reply!

 

[chessmyantidrug]

Your CPU just might not be capable of maintaining that overclock under load. It isn't your fault, it's the silicon. Something tells me you won't notice a difference between 4.5 GHz and 4.6 GHz.

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmyantidrug

Your CPU just might not be capable of maintaining that overclock under load. It isn't your fault, it's the silicon. Something tells me you won't notice a difference between 4.5 GHz and 4.6 GHz.

I'm just surprised that I was able to get to 4.6 mostly stable without changing any voltage settings, but if I go to 4.7 on ANY voltage setting I try, it insta-crashes when I put load on it.

 

[chessmyantidrug]

That's the fickle thing about stability. We never know if our system is truly stable, just know that it's stable for X amount of time with a certain load. I just recently upped my overclock from 160x24 (3.84 GHz) to 180x24 (4.32 GHz) and increased core voltage to 1.375. Didn't bother stress testing because the only time I really can is while I'm asleep or at work. I figure if my system crashes while gaming, I can just back down my overclock to a known stable setting. I don't know how stable my system is, but I do know it has tested stable with these settings before and has been stable under the loads which I have given it.

 

[AlphaC]

Seems like a dud chip. If you followed that guide you might have better luck with the one on OCN (http://www.overclock.net/t/1100100/info-intel-2500k-2600k-overclocking-tips).

One key thing to look for is power limit and CPU PLL Overvoltage.

For me stability is 521 hours running BOINC.

 

[brkbeatjunkie]

If its any consolation, I run my 2600K at 1.465v in bios which translates to 1.428v in cpu-z to achieve 4.714ghz. These settings have been in play on my rig for over 2 years now lol, before that it sat just south of those numbers to achieve 4.6ghz. I attribute its virility to a really good PSU and CPU cooler lol.

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaC

Seems like a dud chip. If you followed that guide you might have better luck with the one on OCN (http://www.overclock.net/t/1100100/info-intel-2500k-2600k-overclocking-tips).

One key thing to look for is power limit and CPU PLL Overvoltage.

For me stability is 521 hours running BOINC.

I'm thinking you're right. It is a used CPU from Craigslist, so who knows what it's been through.

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoaDMTGguy

I'm thinking you're right. It is a used CPU from Craigslist, so who knows what it's been through.

Oh. Perhaps this is why they wanted to sell it.

 

[gecko991]

Grab a 2700K on Ebay or the list, they are slightly better. I still have one running right now at 4800 at 1.4 on liquid, stable as **** and can do over 5.

 

[chessmyantidrug]

I wouldn't replace an i7-2600K with an i7-2700K unless I got the latter for under $50. There's not enough of a performance delta between the two to justify the purchase. It would be like replacing an i7-6700K with an i7-7700K. Simply not worth it.