First time overclocking...
First time overclocking...
Hello, I own an ASUS Z170 motherboard with an I7 6700K processor and a Cryo H7 cooler. My RAM is a G-Skill Ripjaws v series 3200. The voltage is set to 1.325 and the clock rate to 4.6, with XMP enabled for the RAM. The CPU temperature stays around 68-69°C. When I adjust the clock rate to 47, it becomes unstable and causes blue screens. Should I try increasing the voltage further? Do I need to change anything else? I’m new to overclocking.
Well.. Maybe I could adjust the voltage from 1.325 to 1.330 and check if it still works there? This seems to be your optimal setting, heh. I was considering 1.35 to test if it can support 4.7 ghz, but if not, just revert to 1.325 and 4.6 and leave it as is.
P.S. - Running RAM at its advertised frequency might influence CPU overclocking?
P.S.S. - The Cryorig H7 Tower Cooler has excellent reviews for overclocking too. I’ve read it can perform just as well as many water coolers. (But I also heard that water coolers don’t really offer much advantage over larger tower fans.)
Voltage and temperatures are mainly about comfort, just be aware of the consequences of going too far. Overdoing it can lead to immediate failure or a shorter lifespan.
Higher...
It would definitely require a voltage boost to achieve the desired output. However, if it were my situation, I wouldn't prefer a constant overclock above 1.33V, though some people can handle up to 1.35 or even higher. What equipment are you using for testing stability?
Yes, reaching up to 4.7 might require slightly increasing the voltage. But since your CPU is operating smoothly at around 68, this feels a bit unusual. Could it be due to idle temperatures, gaming demands, or stress testing? If it's idle, that's quite high—avoid pushing further. At gaming load, it's a bit elevated but manageable. Full load stress temps are acceptable, giving you some flexibility for additional optimization.
Kieth raised an important observation. Are these temperatures running at full capacity or in idle mode? If it's idle, it might be a bit high if it's at full load, but they're acceptable. I aim to maintain temperatures under full load at 75°C or below, though some users report 80-85°C during full load, while others keep it at the lower end of 65°C. The key is that lower temperatures and voltage extend CPU lifespan.
The readings at 100% stress from aida64 and CPU were as expected, with no changes when idling and without overclocking. These values apply only under full load.
The temperatures under 100% stress from aida64 and cpu z show this. At idle, they stayed consistent without overclocking. These readings apply only during full load. I’d say your temps are very good for the 1.325v 4.6ghz setup with that cooler.
You're thinking the same, aren't you? Just curious if pushing a bit more would help... Or what should I do next?
Your temperatures are excellent. You have more room for thermal adjustments by increasing the output, but it's worth considering whether you're planning to push more voltage through your chip over time. I've noticed people achieving 4.8ghz in the 1.4V+ range with an i7 6700K, but as I mentioned before, it's better to maintain voltages around 1.33V or lower to extend CPU lifespan. The higher the voltage you use, the faster it degrades due to electromigration.