a fresh attempt by a newcomer with audio issues
a fresh attempt by a newcomer with audio issues
Hello there,
I recently upgraded my setup with an i7 9700K and an ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-E Gaming. I wanted to push my CPU to its limits, so I followed a tutorial on YouTube about achieving a 5.0 GHz overclock. At first, I tried to match the voltage suggested by the guide—1.29 volts—but things didn’t go as planned. I encountered errors during stress tests with OCCT, which made me adjust my settings. Eventually, I settled on 4.8 GHz and 1.30 volts, since pushing the core voltage higher was risky given the temperatures I was seeing near 90 degrees under full load. I’m considering upgrading my cooler before attempting a higher voltage again. For now, I think 4.8 GHz is enough. Another issue I noticed was audio glitches; I first heard strange pops while playing MP3s in Winamp using Realtek audio. Someone online suggested adjusting the PCH core voltage to 1.1 volts instead of 1.0, which seemed to fix the problem. After that change, Winamp worked better, though I still experienced glitches during loading screens in games like Fallout 4 and GTA V. I adjusted it again to 1.2 volts, and it stopped happening, though I’m not sure if it’s completely resolved.
Someone mentioned a possible GPU issue at startup, which I also noticed.
I might be overreacting with the audio problems, but I could be sensitive. There’s a forum thread about this where someone fixed their PCH core voltage to 1.1 volts and it resolved the glitches.
Regarding power supply, I wonder if it’s too weak or defective. Also, I thought about using a PCI-E soundcard. What adjustments could help me diagnose this further?
Thanks!
Stress tests are typically executed for periods up to 24 hours, extending to +8 hours. When overclocking, it's essential to perform a stress test to ensure all components function correctly. For instance, if you reach 5GHz, running a test like Aida64 can help verify performance.
Is that 3 volts the correct value? If so, you'll need to adjust it rapidly.
Coffee Lake Refresh
SSE Frequency
AVX2 Frequency
Vcore
Capable
9700K
4.90GHz
4.70GHz
1.337V
100%
9700K
5.00GHz
4.80GHz
1.350V
Top 90%
9700K
5.10GHz
4.90GHz
1.362V
Top 38%
9700K
5.20GHz
5.00GHz
1.375V
Top 9%
9700K
5.30GHz
5.10GHz
1.387V
Top 1%
https://siliconlottery.com/pages/statistics
The table provided outlines the standard voltage requirements for each frequency.
Please share the complete specifications of your PC, including the power supply make and model. Did you also overclock your RAM? Which stress tests have you performed? Is the audio problem present even when the system is running at its default settings?
MoBo: ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-E GAMING configuration
CPU: Intel i7 9700K
PSU: Corsair RMx 750W CP-9020179-EU
GPU: ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX2080S-A8G-GAMING
RAM: HyperX Predator XMP 32GB (2x16GB 3600MHz DDR4 CL17 DIMM)
For the standard configuration I largely adhered to this individual's recommendations:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD1Ze80GpLo
The only deviations were the voltage settings from my earlier post and the inability to adjust CPU Current Capability to 170% (my maximum was 140%, so I chose that value).
I didn’t attempt to modify my RAM. The sole modification from the original was switching to XMP II instead of XMP I.
Audio problems disappear when using the stock profile.
Thanks again for your help.
EDIT: Regarding the stress tests, I ran MSI Kombustor for GPU, OCCT and Linpack in OCCT v5.5.7.
XMP is an enhancement for your RAM speed. The standard RAM speed is 2667MT/s for the 9700k. Kimbustor isn't a reliable GPU evaluation tool. The RTX 2080 Super Control offers one of the strongest stress tests. The top GPU RAM test is World of Tanks EnCore RT.
CPU Aida64 and prime95 perform well. Aida64 checks various CPU components. When overclocking, ensure your RAM stays consistent as frequency changes. Perform 8 passes for every test and 32 passes for test 7.
Before attempting overclocking, complete the stress test at stock settings. If you encounter problems at stock, consider a return to original specifications. It's preferable to avoid instability later.
The positive aspect is that sound-related issues disappear at stock configurations, allowing your RAM with XMP overclock to function smoothly.
Now it's time to carefully increase the speed and run tests. Eventually, problems may reappear. I suspect your overclock may not have been stable.
I completed Aida64 and Prime95 tests yesterday, using 8 workers for over 30 minutes each. Everything ran smoothly with no errors. Aida64 maintained CPU temps near 75 degrees, voltages stayed within specs, and there was no throttling. With Prime95, temperatures rose to about 100 degrees, so I stopped running it for long durations. As discussed, I require improved cooling.
I'm also looking for a PCI-E soundcard and would appreciate your help.
Stress tests are typically executed for periods ranging from eight to twenty-four hours. When you increase the clock speed, it’s important to perform a stress test to ensure everything functions correctly. For instance, if you reach 5GHz, running Aida64 is recommended to verify stability and monitor temperatures.
In my experience with memory overclocking, I used memtet86 and conducted each test multiple times—ranging from 0 to 9 cycles in increments of 2 hours. Additionally, I performed tests 10 and 13 several times, each lasting three hours. This totals approximately eight hours of testing with memtet86 (possibly around twelve hours overall). Running all tests simultaneously is essential; doing them one after another won’t yield accurate results. Spacing them out—like two days apart—is more effective.
For memetest, a minimum of eight successful passes at once and thirty-two passes for test 7 are required. Aida64 typically needs 8 to 12 hours. Prime95 can be used if temperatures rise too high; setting AVX instructions off or using an older version can help reduce heat. Aim for stable performance in both the smallest and largest FFT operations, suitable for gaming.
If temperatures exceed limits, reduce the overclock. Voltages must stay within safe ranges year-round, especially during summer when it gets hotter. Allow some buffer for higher temperatures and maintain cooling capacity. Be cautious with voltages like vcore to avoid damage.
Hopefully, your silicon will support a strong overclock. Here’s an example of a 9700k Prime95 run.