Here is a common version of this title:# Overclocking an i7 6700k causes trouble
Here is a common version of this title:# Overclocking an i7 6700k causes trouble
I tried to make my liquid-cooled I7 6700K run faster on an MSI Z170A Krait gaming X3, upgraded the BIOS, and set these options in a program called OC Explore Mode: expert mode. I changed several settings like CPU Ratio Apply Mode to "all core", set CPU Ratio to 46, used Dynamic Mode for CPU Ratio, kept Ring Ratio on Auto, turned EIST on or off as needed, enabled Intel Turbo Boost but left it disabled, set CPU Core Voltage to 1.35v or 1.40v. I also tried disabling two other features: Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor and Intel C-State. When using Linx Prime 95 and IBT (Intel Base Timing), the result stayed exactly the same after a couple of minutes: the multiplier dropped down to 44, the frequency settled at 4400MHz, and then it kept that fixed speed going for longer than expected. Temperatures were always okay. Is this normal? Why is my computer acting this way when I try to make it faster?
I am using the exact same processor as you, so there is no point in trying to boost speed past 4.5GHz. If you are hitting 4.4GHz but your system slows down at 4.0GHz, that sounds like a real issue. Let me know what exactly happens when you try that.
I set all the limits to the maximum in the CPU Futures section. Now it is a bit more stable, but at some point I keep seeing continuous drops in the multiplier (the clock speed goes up and down instead of staying steady). I've been watching with hwinfo and getting these warnings about "VR Thermal Alert" both from IA and RING messages. I think this might be because my motherboard's VRMs or whatever is built into the processor are too hot. So here are two questions: 1) What exactly is going on? Is this causing it? 2) Besides lowering vcore and putting a fan on the motherboard heatsinks for the VRMs, are there any other settings in the BIOS like trying to lower another frequency or voltage besides vcore? (My case has a big tower with two huge intake fans of 140mm, one large exhaust of 120mm at the back, and three more 120mm intake fans on top of the radiator.)