cpu ring voltage (i7 4790k)
cpu ring voltage (i7 4790k)
Hello fellow overclockers!
I recently began overclocking my chip and achieved stability at 4.5 ghz with 1.2 cpu core voltage.
I’m wondering about the impact of CPU ring voltage – I left it on auto in BIOS, but I’m curious if adjusting it could help with further overclocking. Right now it’s a gentle step up, but it works for now.
Also, when I monitor my system, I sometimes notice my CPU frequency jumping to 4.4 ghz and even 4.6 ghz. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
The recommended ring ratio is 1.2v. I'm not familiar with many people exceeding that, so I don't know the exact upper limit before damage occurs. This information came from an official intel overclocking guide meant for CPU reviewers. If they state 1.2v is the cap, I'd guess around 0.5v higher would be safe. Limiting the ring to 1.2v might help with temperatures, but it probably won't make a big difference. My Asus board suggests 1.1v for stock, and I set it to 1.2v just to be sure.
I composed this for a different manual yet it remains applicable for this device. The main idea is to increase the Ring Ratio as the CPU Multi increases, though there are boundaries. For example, my chip cannot exceed 43x on the ring ratio without crashing.
CPU Ring / CPU Cache & Voltage BIOS Settings:
The CPU Ring / CPU Cache, also called "Uncore," manages the cache and operates in either "Synchronous" or "Asynchronous" modes, meaning it doesn’t need to match the CPU speed. It’s advisable to keep it near the current CPU frequency for optimal performance. Results vary among users; some manage higher frequencies while others can’t. Given the inconsistency seen with Haswell processors, experimenting with the CPU Ring is likely necessary for the best outcomes. The final setting for the CPU Ring Voltage should stay under 1.2v, and at around 4.5GHz you’ll need to adjust both voltage and ring accordingly to maintain stability.
I wrote this for another guide, but it still applies to this chip. You should increase the Ring Ratio as the CPU Multi increases. There is a limit, though—my chip won’t exceed 43x on the ring ratio without crashing.
CPU Ring / CPU Cache & Voltage BIOS Settings:
The CPU Ring / CPU Cache, also called "Uncore," manages the CPU cache and can operate in "Synchronous" or "Asynchronous" modes, meaning it doesn’t need to match the CPU speed. It’s usually best to keep it close to the current CPU frequency for optimal performance. From my findings, results are mixed—some CPUs handle higher frequencies, others can’t. With Haswell processors, you’ll likely need to experiment with the CPU Ring setting. The latest advice is to keep the ring voltage below 1.2v, and at around 4.5GHz you may need to adjust both the ring and voltage for stability.
Thanks for your prompt reply! Regarding my ring voltage, my motherboard set it to 1.196* on auto, which suggests it’s already near the limit. If I increase core voltage, what happens? Also, if I fix the ring setting, will temperatures improve?
The recommended ring ratio is 1.2v. I'm not familiar with many people exceeding that, so I don't know the maximum before damage occurs. My knowledge comes from an official overclocking guide meant for CPU reviewers. If they state 1.2v is the cap, I'd guess around 0.5v higher would be safe. Limiting the ring to 1.2v might help temperatures slightly, but it probably won't make a big difference. My Asus board suggests 1.1v for the standard model; I set it to 1.2v just to be sure.