Changing CPU speed is causing me a lot of trouble!
Changing CPU speed is causing me a lot of trouble!
This older update is only five years old, so the advice about enabling EIST and C-states isn't the right approach. My regular CPU performance stays at 4.7GHz, while my high-end configuration runs at 4.9GHz (I can reach and maintain 5GHz, but it comes with higher voltage and heat). I don’t aim for benchmark scores; I only use the 4.9GHz setting when flying in Flight simulation.
For a 4.4GHz setup, EIST and C-states should likely work without causing instability at high CPU speeds. However, if your system fluctuates significantly in CPU Ration and voltage, it probably means your CPU Load Line Calibration isn’t optimized.
If your settings are set to Auto or above Level 3, you should adjust them. I’ve never pushed the LLC beyond Level 2, whether overclocking or not. It’s hard to diagnose the issue without checking every parameter in your UEFI OC options.
A good starting point would be to switch CPU V-Core Voltage Mode to "Override," disable EIST and C-states, and set the LLC to Level 2 (Level 1 can be too strict for some systems).
I had to upgrade from a Sandybridge platform (Z77 i7-2600K) to a Z97 chipset to better utilize the newest GPU and memory features. Now I’m using a Z97 with an i7-4790K (Devils Canyon).
With the i7-2600K, I could easily overclock to 5GHz without issues after six hours of gaming. The chip rarely exceeded 78°C, and I doubt I could reach 5.1/5.2GHz. I’m confident I could push it higher but didn’t feel the need.
The i7-4790K supports 4.9GHz, but its temperatures and voltages are higher than what I experienced on the 2600K. I’d rather avoid that performance at that level. The 4.9GHz will reach its peak around 83–85°C, which is a different scenario altogether.
As mentioned earlier, I was aware this discussion began around 2012 and only reviewed the first few posts. Still, I wanted to share this info for future reference.