New to overclocking

Dean037 · 15 Nov 2011 at 11:06

Hi all i built a pc around a month or 2 ago then been on my hols and since i got back i bought shogun 2 total war so just been playing that on ultra no problem its brilliant so firstly i will say thanks to everyone who helped me pick my components and answer my questions lol.

Anyway my spec is
intel core i5 2500k
asrock extreme 4 gen 3 z68
4gb ddr3 ram
1tb samsung spinpoint
HIS ati radeon hd 6950 ice q turbo 2gb graphics card

i now want to overclock before i start gaming to much and never end up doing it lol just wondering were to start ?

also will overclocking wipe my pc ? i am currently reading the beginers guide to overclocking

there was something a while ago were it said it was litterly a few clicks and thats it but should i just put up the clock a little to 4ghz then carry out tests or what i dont have any idea and what is the best site to carry out test etc? also i dont want to dame my cpu but aslong as i get 3 year or so i will be happy

any help would be greatly appreciated thanks again Dean

Plec · 15 Nov 2011 at 11:37

I'm not familiar with your MB - but the basic premis for such a minor clock (4GHz) would be to leave all the green features on (these don't effect clocks on i5), disable spread spectrum and turbo and leave the vCore on Auto.

Make sure your memroy is set up and running at the correct specs - set these manually ideally although you can use the XMP.

Set the multiplier to 40 - i.e. 4GHz. Then save and exit.

Download CPUz, real temp and prime 95 or IBT (or both) - and then run the stress test of your choice while monitoring temps and making a note of the Core voltage in CPUz.

If all seems stable and cool you're done - other than making sure it's stable with everyday usage over the next couple of week.

4GHz is such a low clock for the 2500K you shouldn't have any problems.

fire_munki · 15 Nov 2011 at 13:48

Hi, very similar here.
Had lots fun o/c my old core 2 machines but nothing with i5. Does anyone know a good guide for these chips as they are all diff to my old units.

Plec · 15 Nov 2011 at 14:02

fire_munki said:
Hi, very similar here.
Had lots fun o/c my old core 2 machines but nothing with i5. Does anyone know a good guide for these chips as they are all diff to my old units.

The following guide gives you a general understanding of how to clock an 1155 setup using p67 boards. The general settings and principles are the same as for the z68 - it gives examples on 3 different boards (MSI, Asus and Gigabyte) - link.

fire_munki · 15 Nov 2011 at 14:06

Sweet, cheers

Davefran · 15 Nov 2011 at 16:52

Dean037 said:
Hi all i built a pc around a month or 2 ago then been on my hols and since i got back i bought shogun 2 total war so just been playing that on ultra no problem its brilliant so firstly i will say thanks to everyone who helped me pick my components and answer my questions lol.

Anyway my spec is
intel core i5 2500k
asrock extreme 4 gen 3 z68
4gb ddr3 ram
1tb samsung spinpoint
HIS ati radeon hd 6950 ice q turbo 2gb graphics card

i now want to overclock before i start gaming to much and never end up doing it lol just wondering were to start ?

also will overclocking wipe my pc ? i am currently reading the beginers guide to overclocking

there was something a while ago were it said it was litterly a few clicks and thats it but should i just put up the clock a little to 4ghz then carry out tests or what i dont have any idea and what is the best site to carry out test etc? also i dont want to dame my cpu but aslong as i get 3 year or so i will be happy

any help would be greatly appreciated thanks again Dean

Do you have an aftermarket cooler, or are you using the standard Intel one ?

You can just pick 4GHz here, make sure ram is set to xmp and 1.5v manually. Also Disable Spread Spectum.

Dean037 · 15 Nov 2011 at 23:29

no i have a tranquil cooler, thanks for help so i have to disable spread spectrum and turbo (take it i find these 2 in the bios somewere lol) mine bios is exactly that one in the pick above can i just set it to 4 on there ? how do i set ram to xmp and 1.5v manually will that be in the bios ? i can also see the spread spectrum at the bottom there so i will need to disable that would you advise doing 4 then 4.2 and running the tests ? what is average overclock on the 2500k ? also will it be fine for 2-3 years and not wear it out to quick lol

thanks Dean (will reply tomorro as have to go now)

Plec · 16 Nov 2011 at 09:30

Dean037 said:
no i have a tranquil cooler, thanks for help so i have to disable spread spectrum and turbo (take it i find these 2 in the bios somewere lol)

Yes, you need to click on the 'Oc Tweaker' at the top of the UEFI and then 'Disable' 'Load Optimised CPU OC Setting'.

In the the same screen disable 'Spread Spectrum'

Dean037 said:
how do i set ram to xmp and 1.5v manually will that be in the bios ?

Again on the same screen click on 'DRAM Timing Control' - reading your online manual this should take you to another screen.

I'm afraid you haven't mentioned the brand or make of your memory so you will have to enable the XMP rather than input all the timings manually.

Once enabled check that the frequency is at 1600 and that the DRAM voltage is below 1.58V. If the DRAM is higher set it to 1.55V for now - you will probably be able to set this lower once you've given details of your memory but 1.55V is fine. (Of course if the voltage is below 1.58V after you've set the XMP don't touch it.)

Change your multiplier to 40 or 42 (makes no odds as to which) then save and exit.

Stress test for a few hours with your favoured benchmarking tool and then use and abuse for a few weeks to confirm stability.

Dean037 · 16 Nov 2011 at 23:43

thanks a lot plec, i have 4 gb (2 x 2gb) of corsairs xms3 ddr3 memory, i will try over weekend as on back shift this weekend and dont want to leave running without checking every so often, what program do you use for the stress test ?

also what would you advise starting at ? 4ghz or 4.2 etc if i disable the load optimised cpu oc settings as u say how do i overclock ? above some one said to use that like in the pic ?

thanks again Dean

Plec · 17 Nov 2011 at 11:41

Dean037 said:
thanks a lot plec, i have 4 gb (2 x 2gb) of corsairs xms3 ddr3 memory, i will try over weekend as on back shift this weekend and dont want to leave running without checking every so often, what program do you use for the stress test ?

Fot a basic clock such as yours prime 95 will be fine - run blend and then small ffts for a few hours each. 4/4.2 is a realitively monir clock - you shouldn't encounter any problems.

Also download CPU-z to monitor voltages and 'Real Temp' to monitor your temps.

Dean037 said:
also what would you advise starting at ? 4ghz or 4.2 etc

Either - choose which ever your most comfortable with. Your CPU should manage both with ease.

Dean037 said:
if i disable the load optimised cpu oc settings as u say how do i overclock ? above some one said to use that like in the pic ?

My instructions in the post above yours relates to that very screen/pic/GUI - it's the BIOS/UEFI. Follow the instructions in that post but post back if you need extra guidance.

Best of luck.

Threepwood · 17 Nov 2011 at 12:25

Nice guide also here...

http://www.overclock.net/t/910467/the-ultimate-sandy-bridge-oc-guide-p67a-ud7-performance-review

Dean037 · 18 Nov 2011 at 11:27

thanks again plec and everyone i will be tring this weekend hopefully will keep u posted

thanks