Overclocking an i5-2500k

d3moliti0n

d3moliti0n

d3moliti0n

Associate
Joined
11 Aug 2007
Posts
1,666
Hi, I have owned the following computer setup for just over a year now:

Intel i5-2500K CPU
Gigabyte P67A-UD4 motherboard
Akasa AK-CCX-4002HP Venom CPU cooler
4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 12800C9 memory - adding 8GB soon for 12GB total
GTX 260 896MB (216 core) - looking to upgrade GPU soon
Corsair TX650 (650W) V2 PSU

I overclocked my CPU to around 3.6GHz when I first got it and then never really bothered with OC'ing it any further. I don't think I changed anything other than the multiplier(?) in the BIOS settings to reach 3.6GHz with no issues. I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to overclocking, I only really know the basics.

But my question is, to what max speed could I push my CPU where I would only have to change the multiplier (at least I think it is that) and nothing else eg. not having to change voltage settings etc. I just want to get my CPU OC'ed to the max speed but the most stable/safe, without having to be changing lots of settings and doing test runs and so on. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Upto 4 ish should be doable on stock volts, might need more after that. With that cooler 4.5Ghz or so should be possible, but that would require altering a few settings. Just multiplier and voltage really, there are plenty of guides around to help you out :) May as well get the most from your CPU!
 
Just as random info, but i'm currently running mine at 4.2 on stock volts, not tried to take it higher yet. So a good 4GHz or so should be doable. All I did was up my multi and manaully set all the voltages to stock (so the board didn't Auto up anything).
 
I just got mine to up to 4.5ghz @1.248-126.4v, everything stock apart from ram voltage and I have '-' offset at .005 (dont know if thats a good thing or bad?)

I have dont 10 passes of ITB at max, which is better, prime or itb?
 
I like shorter runs of LinX, which I think is the same as ITB, followed by longer runs of Prime blend. Finally, gaming!
 
Whats the max safe voltage to put through an i5? Around 1.3v maybe temperature depending? Im guessing anything over 65c would be considered kinda high
 
Hi there, as a complete beginner to overclocking and building computers in general I was wondering what precautions have to be taken when overclocking processors such as the i5 2500k? Are voltages changed in the BIOS like the multiplier?
 
SlipperyNinja said:
Hi there, as a complete beginner to overclocking and building computers in general I was wondering what precautions have to be taken when overclocking processors such as the i5 2500k? Are voltages changed in the BIOS like the multiplier?
Click to expand...

Yeah, they are changed in the bios. There is some software that can change from in windows but generally speaking changing in the bios is the best option.
 
liamcrane said:
Whats the max safe voltage to put through an i5? Around 1.3v maybe temperature depending? Im guessing anything over 65c would be considered kinda high
Click to expand...

***OVERCLOCKING GUIDELINES***

- Do not exceed 1.425v core voltage, doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Aim to keep temperatures below 70c underload if at all possible
- Do not overclock with BCLK, again doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Recommended memory voltage is 1.50v, so make sure to run your memory at 1.50v, higher than 1.60v could limit lifespan of the CPU
- These recommendations come from OcUK and Intel, your warranty is un-affected but we highly recommend you adhere to the above to make sure your CPU lifespan is un-affected
- All Sandybridge CPU's worldwide should be run at the above or lower voltages, no higher!
Click to expand...


SlipperyNinja said:
Hi there, as a complete beginner to overclocking and building computers in general I was wondering what precautions have to be taken when overclocking processors such as the i5 2500k? Are voltages changed in the BIOS like the multiplier?
Click to expand...

There are plenty of guides around, what motherboard do you have? Might be able to find a specific guide for you. Also, see above for voltages
 
Ok so I have overclocked my i5-2500k to 4.2GHz at stock voltages (which appear to be around 1.25 from what I recall) and it seems to be running fine.

I have a question though, howcome in Core Temp and CPU-Z, it's not showing my CPU as overclocked, yet if I go into the BIOS, it is running at the overclocked speed and if I go into 'My Computer > Properties' it displays the overclocked speed? Here is a screenshot of Core Temp and CPU-Z to show you what I mean:

jl78f4.jpg


This also happened on my original overclock of 3.6GHz, it would never show as being overclocked in any of those two programs yet it would when going into the BIOS and if I checked the 'My Computer > Properties' screen.

Any ideas?
 
That would be 'speedstep' which steps down the speed to 1.6Ghz when the CPU is idling, it should go up to the max speed if you put it underloard (prime95, or IBT)?
 
Ok, this is a screenshot taken while running Prime95 64-bit, running 4 threads on the stress test:

1zwjdar.jpg


Do those temps/CPU speed/voltage look ok? Seems to be running fine and it's not crashed at all or anything.

I also ran the IntelBurn Test and ran the 'Maximum' stress test that uses all of your memory and the temps got into the 60's there, is that an issue or should it be ok? Still had no problems with it though.
 
60s are fine yeah, OcUK/Intel recommend <70
OcUK Product Page said:
- Aim to keep temperatures below 70c underload if at all possible
Click to expand...

How long has Prime been running? Generally 24hrs and it's considered completely stable.

But yes, temps/voltage look good to me :)
 
Prime had only been running about five minutes as of taking that screenshot. It was running on the 'Blend (tests some of everything, lots of RAM tested)' option.

Regarding the recommended 'below 70' temps, it was only on the IntelBurn Test on the 'Stress Level: Maximum' that was using 10k MB of RAM (I have 12GB RAM in total) when it was getting into the 60's, I think one core reached about 68 but that was the highest I noticed. Could that be an issue?
 
d3moliti0n said:
Prime had only been running about five minutes as of taking that screenshot. It was running on the 'Blend (tests some of everything, lots of RAM tested)' option.

Regarding the recommended 'below 70' temps, it was only on the IntelBurn Test on the 'Stress Level: Maximum' that was using 10k MB of RAM (I have 12GB RAM in total) when it was getting into the 60's, I think one core reached about 68 but that was the highest I noticed. Could that be an issue?
Click to expand...

No I doubt it. Prime/IBT are designed to stress the CPU/generate heat. In everyday use/gaming you won't get that kinda of load - if you're under 70 in IBT then for everyday use you're perfectly fine :)

[note the actual limit is more like 99 degrees, but obviously cooler is always better!]
 
Ok, thanks for your help beejjacobs.

One other thing I did notice though, in the BIOS settings, my memory seems to be running at 1333MHz, yet it's 1600MHz memory. I have 2x 2GB sticks originally, and today I installed 2x 4GB sticks. It's exactly the same memory, same timings etc. The only difference is the amount of memory, and there is a newer 'version' number on the sticker on the memory of the 2x 4GB sticks, but I assume thats more in reference to when it was made as opposed to being different in specification?

Is the memory supposed to be running at 1333MHz or should it be running at the 1600MHz that it's listed as?
 
No problem :)

It should run at 1600Mhz, two ways:

  • set the XMP profile for the RAM in the BIOS to get it to 1600Mhz
  • set the timings and voltage manually in the BIOS, based on the info on the RAM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom