2600k advice.

Freeman

Freeman

Freeman

Soldato
Joined
24 Jul 2004
Posts
5,565
CPU: i7 2600k
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V LX
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3

I am looking to squeeze a bit more life out of my CPU purely to save money. I have never overclocked before.

With that in mind I suppose I should aim for between 4 - 4.5ghz?

From what I can gather I should just change the core value to 40 or 45 and leave the voltages alone. Is this correct?

Or should I go with something like this; will it be stable?

Ai Tweaker > Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
Ai Tweaker > BCLK/PCIE Frequency: 100.0
Ai Tweaker > Turbo Ratio: By All Cores
Ai Tweaker > By All Cores (Can Adjust in OS): 45
Ai Tweaker > Internal PLL Overvoltage: Disabled (this is not needed with an overclock this small)
Ai Tweaker > Memory Frequency: DDR3-1600
Ai Tweaker > iGPU Max. Frequency: Auto
Ai Tweaker > EPU Power Saving Mode: Disabled
Ai Tweaker > DRAM Timing Control: these can be set manually. You can go by what CPU-Z shows you inside of the Timings Table on the SPD tab.
Ai Tweaker\ CPU Power Management > CPU Ratio: Auto
Ai Tweaker\ CPU Power Management > Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology: Enabled
Ai Tweaker\ CPU Power Management > Turbo Mode: Enabled
Ai Tweaker\ CPU Power Management > everything else on Auto
Ai Tweaker > Load-Line Calibration: Ultra High (this should provide the smallest amount of vDroop without resulting in any vRise)
Ai Tweaker > VRM Frequency: Auto
Ai Tweaker > VRM Spread Spectrum: Disabled
Ai Tweaker > Phase Control: Extreme
Ai Tweaker > Duty Control: Extreme
Ai Tweaker > CPU Current Capability: 100%
Ai Tweaker > iGPU Load-Line Calibration: Auto
Ai Tweaker > iGPU Current Capability: 100%
Ai Tweaker > CPU Voltage: Offset Mode (this enables the voltage to adjust dynamically based on load which is a very good thing)
Ai Tweaker > Offset Mode Sign: +
Ai Tweaker > CPU Offset Voltage: 0.005
Ai Tweaker > iGPU Offset Mode Sign: +
Ai Tweaker > iGPU Offset Voltage: Auto
Ai Tweaker > DRAM Voltage: 1.50V
Ai Tweaker > VCCIO Voltage: Auto
Ai Tweaker > CPU PLL Voltage: Auto
Ai Tweaker > PCH Voltage: Auto
Ai Tweaker > DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: Auto
Ai Tweaker > DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA: Auto
Ai Tweaker > DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: Auto
Ai Tweaker > DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHB: Auto
Ai Tweaker > CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled (the Z68 chipset boards result in a BCLK of 99 MHz in CPU-Z with CPU Spread Spectrum enabled)


Advanced\ CPU Configuration > CPU Ratio: Auto
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor: Enabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Hyper-threading: Disabled, unless you're 100% certain that you need it. Disabling it helps allow for a higher overclock, it reduces temperatures, and it results in the CPU needing a lower core voltage
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Active Processor Cores: All
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Limit CPUID Maximum: Disabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Execute Disable Bit: Enabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Intel Virtualization Technology: Disabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology: Enabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > Turbo Mode: Enabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > CPU C1E: Enabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > CPU C3 Report: Disabled
Advanced\ CPU Configuration > CPU C6 Report: Disabled

I don't even know if it changes the voltages looking at it. It's just a guide I was given.

Any advice you can hand me?

I am currently reading through http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide and http://www.overclock.net/t/1279729/intel-i7-2600k-3-4ghz-asus-p8z68-v-pro-overclock-help

Thanks!
 
You should lock the vcore to something sensible rather than leaving it on auto.

Everything else can be left on auto for lower overclocks I would think.

Try 4GHz to start with and go from there.

EDIT - what ram do you have? in the above settings you are calling it to run at 1600MHz @ 1.5v, but not all will do that.

EDIT2 - Don't disable hyperthreading, that's why you bought an i7!

EDIT3 - What does CPUz report you voltage at under load before it crashes with the above settings.
 
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new boy said:
EDIT3 - What does CPUz report you voltage at under load before it crashes with the above settings.
Click to expand...


1.360

x40 is a bit more stable I guess but not a massive performance improvement. I wanted 4.5 but I guess I need a better cooler or something.

Weirdly at 4.5ghz my PC blue screens at about 82c whereas at 4ghz it blue screens at about 87c - what's up with that?

(I have turned hyperthreading back on, I agree)

edit: my ram is Corsair DDR3 XMS3 PC3
 
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Wow hyperhreading makes the CPU HOT!!! Instantly hits 95c+ when HT is turned back on. Having it off it'll blue screen before getting anywhere near those temps.

Switched dram voltage to 1.650 and ram to 1333mhz and it doesn't crash but I haven't let prime95 run for as long because of how hot HT is making it. So the test is a bit void.

edit: It's stable on the desktop though. Not tried gaming yet.
 
I'm at 4.5 now. It's struggling a little on heat when watching stuff like Twitch. Sat at 65c but it fluctuates. I think you're right, I'm a little limited by the cooler now.

Shame because I wanted 4.5ghz. I can maybe try settle for 4.
 
new boy said:
are you stable(ish) now?
Click to expand...

Yes. I think it'll fall over with prime95 though. Not tried games yet either but definitely stable (as are temps) on the desktop.

edit: tested with prime95. It doesn't blue screen but just gets very hot (98c). Much more stable than before.
 
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That's defiantly hotter than I would be happy to run a sandybridge chip at.

From a quick google, the HSF visually looks decent enough. I would expect more from it.

I would suggest trying a remount of the HSF.

But hey, if its stabler, then we are making progress right? :D
 
new boy said:
That's defiantly hotter than I would be happy to run a sandybridge chip at.

From a quick google, the HSF visually looks decent enough. I would expect more from it.

I would suggest trying a remount of the HSF.

But hey, if its stabler, then we are making progress right? :D
Click to expand...

I blame the hot weather! :)

But yes, it's good progress. Thanks for the help.
 
Also, whilst the heatsink is out the case, get as much dust out of it as you can, there will likely be a load of it lodged inside it which wont help matters,
 
I've got mine running at 4.4 GHz on 1.34v. I've been running at this for ages now without a problem and my temps rarely go above 65 when gaming.
 
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