F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking Getting started with Overclocking can be tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to help you through it.

Getting started with Overclocking can be tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to help you through it.

Getting started with Overclocking can be tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to help you through it.

K
kalleboii
Senior Member
738
01-23-2016, 07:46 PM
#1
Hello everyone,
I’m completely new to overclocking. I’ve owned my PC for around two years now and am considering giving it a try. My goal is to boost my CPU, possibly my RAM, and the graphics card. I’d like some safe starting points so I don’t waste too much time. Also, could you clarify which BIOS settings should be adjusted in GIGABYTE BIOS? I’ve searched online but haven’t found any videos that match my exact configuration. Here are my specs:

CPU: i5-4690k @ 3.5 GHZ
CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z97MX-Gaming 5
RAM: 16GB Dual-Channel DDR3
Video Card: 2GB MSI GTX 770
Storage: SAMSUNG 840 EVO 256GB
WD Caviar Blue 1TB (believe it)
Reg CD/DVD drive
EVGA 600B
Corsair 300R Windowed (just the fans included)

If you need more details or have questions, feel free to reply. I mainly use this system for gaming sessions lasting about four hours at a time, sometimes longer.
K
kalleboii
01-23-2016, 07:46 PM #1

Hello everyone,
I’m completely new to overclocking. I’ve owned my PC for around two years now and am considering giving it a try. My goal is to boost my CPU, possibly my RAM, and the graphics card. I’d like some safe starting points so I don’t waste too much time. Also, could you clarify which BIOS settings should be adjusted in GIGABYTE BIOS? I’ve searched online but haven’t found any videos that match my exact configuration. Here are my specs:

CPU: i5-4690k @ 3.5 GHZ
CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z97MX-Gaming 5
RAM: 16GB Dual-Channel DDR3
Video Card: 2GB MSI GTX 770
Storage: SAMSUNG 840 EVO 256GB
WD Caviar Blue 1TB (believe it)
Reg CD/DVD drive
EVGA 600B
Corsair 300R Windowed (just the fans included)

If you need more details or have questions, feel free to reply. I mainly use this system for gaming sessions lasting about four hours at a time, sometimes longer.

C
212
01-24-2016, 11:51 PM
#2
If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this approach. Each chip behaves uniquely and requires different ideal configurations. In short, when overclocking the CPU, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, skip the gradual adjustments until you reach your goals, and just make an educated guess. This is likely what you were seeking.
C
cursayerdragon
01-24-2016, 11:51 PM #2

If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this approach. Each chip behaves uniquely and requires different ideal configurations. In short, when overclocking the CPU, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, skip the gradual adjustments until you reach your goals, and just make an educated guess. This is likely what you were seeking.

R
ripa5000
Posting Freak
884
01-25-2016, 10:45 AM
#3
If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this approach. Every chip behaves uniquely and requires different ideal configurations. In short, when it comes to CPU overclocking, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, you can bypass the gradual adjustment process and just estimate what you think will work. I assume this is what you were seeking.

Your BIOS should display something similar. I don’t recall how to reach that menu since my system is no longer accessible.
https://imgur.com/OIrNXmS

CPU Volts = CPU Vcore
CPU Clock Ratio determines the frequency, with a default base clock of 100MHz.
For example, 45 equals 45 multiplied by 100MHz, which equals 4.5GHz.
Adjusting the ratio will change the CPU speed; altering the base clock/host clock is a more complex method for overclocking.

Here are some voltage guidelines (note: requirements vary by chip):
https://www.anandtech.com/show/8227/devi...i5-4690k/2

A Blue Screen of Death usually resolves itself by restarting the system and booting into BIOS, or by resetting the BIOS using jumpers or removing the CMOS battery.

Any responsibility for issues remains with you. Still, as long as you avoid extreme values in the settings, you should be okay. Be prepared for occasional blue screens or system freezes if voltage or ratio is too high.

Good luck.
R
ripa5000
01-25-2016, 10:45 AM #3

If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this approach. Every chip behaves uniquely and requires different ideal configurations. In short, when it comes to CPU overclocking, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, you can bypass the gradual adjustment process and just estimate what you think will work. I assume this is what you were seeking.

Your BIOS should display something similar. I don’t recall how to reach that menu since my system is no longer accessible.
https://imgur.com/OIrNXmS

CPU Volts = CPU Vcore
CPU Clock Ratio determines the frequency, with a default base clock of 100MHz.
For example, 45 equals 45 multiplied by 100MHz, which equals 4.5GHz.
Adjusting the ratio will change the CPU speed; altering the base clock/host clock is a more complex method for overclocking.

Here are some voltage guidelines (note: requirements vary by chip):
https://www.anandtech.com/show/8227/devi...i5-4690k/2

A Blue Screen of Death usually resolves itself by restarting the system and booting into BIOS, or by resetting the BIOS using jumpers or removing the CMOS battery.

Any responsibility for issues remains with you. Still, as long as you avoid extreme values in the settings, you should be okay. Be prepared for occasional blue screens or system freezes if voltage or ratio is too high.

Good luck.

H
hrgriff
Senior Member
573
02-01-2016, 09:58 PM
#4
If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this. Each chip behaves uniquely and needs specific optimal configurations. In short, when it comes to CPU overclocking, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, skip the gradual adjustments until you reach your limits and just make an educated guess. I think that's what you're looking for.

Your BIOS should appear as shown here. I don’t recall how to access this screen anymore since my system is no longer functional.
https://imgur.com/OIrNXmS

CPU Volts = CPU Vcore
CPU Clock Ratio determines the frequency
The default base clock/host clock is 100MHz
Thus, 45 equals 45 multiplied by 100MHz = 4.5GHz
Adjust the ratio to modify CPU speed; changing the base clock/host clock is a more challenging method for overclocking.

Here are some voltage guidelines. (*Not all chips work the same; some need higher voltages*)
https://www.anandtech.com/show/8227/devi...i5-4690k/2

BSOD = Blue Screen of Death (usually resolved by restarting and booting into BIOS to restore safe settings or resetting the BIOS via jumpers or CMOS battery removal)
Any responsibility remains with you. However, as long as you avoid extreme values in the settings, you should be okay. Be prepared for occasional blue screens or system hangs if voltage is insufficient or the ratio is increased excessively.

Good luck.
H
hrgriff
02-01-2016, 09:58 PM #4

If you're short on time, you might want to rethink this. Each chip behaves uniquely and needs specific optimal configurations. In short, when it comes to CPU overclocking, focus mainly on CPU ratio and vcore voltage. If you're pressed for time, skip the gradual adjustments until you reach your limits and just make an educated guess. I think that's what you're looking for.

Your BIOS should appear as shown here. I don’t recall how to access this screen anymore since my system is no longer functional.
https://imgur.com/OIrNXmS

CPU Volts = CPU Vcore
CPU Clock Ratio determines the frequency
The default base clock/host clock is 100MHz
Thus, 45 equals 45 multiplied by 100MHz = 4.5GHz
Adjust the ratio to modify CPU speed; changing the base clock/host clock is a more challenging method for overclocking.

Here are some voltage guidelines. (*Not all chips work the same; some need higher voltages*)
https://www.anandtech.com/show/8227/devi...i5-4690k/2

BSOD = Blue Screen of Death (usually resolved by restarting and booting into BIOS to restore safe settings or resetting the BIOS via jumpers or CMOS battery removal)
Any responsibility remains with you. However, as long as you avoid extreme values in the settings, you should be okay. Be prepared for occasional blue screens or system hangs if voltage is insufficient or the ratio is increased excessively.

Good luck.

B
BGStacks
Member
160
02-02-2016, 04:53 AM
#5
You might need to restart your BIOS, but you'll notice a display similar to this and you can choose Smart Tweak HD in the Startup Settings.
B
BGStacks
02-02-2016, 04:53 AM #5

You might need to restart your BIOS, but you'll notice a display similar to this and you can choose Smart Tweak HD in the Startup Settings.

K
KawiianMili
Posting Freak
786
02-05-2016, 05:45 AM
#6
You might need to restart your BIOS, but you should notice a display similar to this and choose Smart Tweak HD in Startup Options https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCWbfpqLmHg. Perfect, thank you for this.
Finally, what temperature is seen as ideal for overclocking but not the best? TIA
K
KawiianMili
02-05-2016, 05:45 AM #6

You might need to restart your BIOS, but you should notice a display similar to this and choose Smart Tweak HD in Startup Options https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCWbfpqLmHg. Perfect, thank you for this.
Finally, what temperature is seen as ideal for overclocking but not the best? TIA

X
xXSmooveSXx
Junior Member
45
02-25-2016, 03:55 PM
#7
Below 80C is acceptable, under 70C is preferable.
X
xXSmooveSXx
02-25-2016, 03:55 PM #7

Below 80C is acceptable, under 70C is preferable.

M
MisterKapol
Member
126
03-18-2016, 05:41 AM
#8
Volkgren:
Below 80°C is fine, under 70°C is preferable. I've noticed some folks reaching up to 95 degrees Celsius—does that seem a bit excessive?
TIA
M
MisterKapol
03-18-2016, 05:41 AM #8

Volkgren:
Below 80°C is fine, under 70°C is preferable. I've noticed some folks reaching up to 95 degrees Celsius—does that seem a bit excessive?
TIA

M
maxmat345
Member
65
03-18-2016, 06:14 AM
#9
95 is a bit too hot, so it's better to keep it elsewhere. I was talking about normal load temperatures for activities like gaming or everyday tasks. So, keeping it below 80°C during typical usage is ideal.
M
maxmat345
03-18-2016, 06:14 AM #9

95 is a bit too hot, so it's better to keep it elsewhere. I was talking about normal load temperatures for activities like gaming or everyday tasks. So, keeping it below 80°C during typical usage is ideal.