New Gaming Rig Advice..

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OP
Joined
21 Apr 2013
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1,471
I haven't ever used the app (never use them) - i always use the BIOS to OC. Apps tend to be a bit heavy handed when dishing out the volts.

That said 3.8GHz using 1.3V is OK - good even - although there's a slim chance it may have hit it below 1.3V if you tinker (may not - but worth a try). I personally wouldn't go any higher than 1.35V, whatever you decide to go for - but 1.4V is perfectly safe with decent third party cooling. Some users go to 1.4V+ but the minimal gains are not worth it IMO.

I prefer a reasonable balance - a respectable clock with minimal volts. This way you get your 'pound of silicon' from your CPU and still keep things cool and quiet and most of all stable. You can push for it's maximum clock but this will require more volts, heat and for very little gain. Best to find a happy medium...

Anything past 3.7GHz and it becomes a bit of a voltage lottery - and then again, usually, over 3.85GHz. Have a play, watch some some YouTube tutorials. But if you're content at 3.8GHz - (and most would be) - then 3.8GHz @ 1.3V is a nice balance.

OPTIONAL: I would find the minimum volts it will run at 3.8GHz and then build from there - if you want to push higher again. Usually anything over 3.85GHz/3.9GHz you'll start to hit the voltage brick wall - but you may find that you can hit 3.9GHz with relative ease if you're lucky... (Again, i would stick around 1.35V and whatever GHz i could achieve - but if it was only slightly higher than 3.8Ghz - i would be happy with the 3.8GHz with minimal volts.)

Do you still have the stock cooler fitted - I can't remember? If you are still using the stock cooler don't go much higher with the voltage - your temps are good if that is stock.

I'll have a tinker around and see if I can get it lower than 1.3v. I am still using stock cooler, it's getting to highs of about 68 when gaming, it is noticeabley louder though than what it is without the overclock applied though. Maybe it's time to get a proper third party cooler now, will it bring down the temps enough to warrant getting one?
 
Soldato
Joined
19 Apr 2003
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13,513
I'll have a tinker around and see if I can get it lower than 1.3v. I am still using stock cooler, it's getting to highs of about 68 when gaming, it is noticeabley louder though than what it is without the overclock applied though. Maybe it's time to get a proper third party cooler now, will it bring down the temps enough to warrant getting one?
Stock cooler will be fine for ~1.3V.

If noise is a factor then, yes, you will need a quality after market cooler - personally i would choose a quality air unit but you may prefer an AIO (more points of failure and i would argue that they are noisier when factoring in pump noise and fans - but others love them.). Something like a Noctua, beQuiet or Phanteks - but you'll need to spend £40 plus to see 'significant' performance gains over the Wraith Spire. Although, if a quieter cooler is what you're after with similar/higher voltages then you could spend less - such as the Cryorig H7 @ £35. Great value cooler for the money...

But if you're after silence the Noctua or bequiet are solid choices - but i'm talking the slimline versions not the bricks as you're only going for moderate clock/volts?
 
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