I have a bad OC'ing 4770K
I have a bad OC'ing 4770K
My 4770K is a poor overclocker, only reaching stable speeds around 4.2GHz. Should I upgrade to a 4790K or just keep it? I enjoy pushing my CPU to the limit, but this model doesn’t offer much room for overclocking. I have a good AIO water cooler and a Z97 motherboard. I don’t want to waste that equipment on a weak overclock.
Let's clarify a few details.
1) The specifications of your motherboard.
2) The details of your AI cooler.
3) The information about your power supply.
4) Your issue—whether it's overheating or instability.
let's clarify a few details first.
1) What is the model and make of your motherboard?
2) What is the model and make of your AiO cooler?
3) What is the model and make of your power supply?
4) What is the issue? Is it overheating or just instability?
1) Asus Z97-A
2) Corsair H105
3) Corsair 750TX V2
4) Unstable, but requires 1.35v at 4.2GHz.
let's clarify a few points first.
1) What brand and model of your motherboard?
2) What brand and model of your AI cooler?
3) What brand and model of your power supply?
4) What’s the issue? Are you experiencing overheating or just instability?
1) Asus Z97-A
2) Corsair H105
3) Corsair 750TX V2
4) It’s unstable but it takes 1.35v at 4.2GHz.
Good motherboard and power supply. I don’t think those are the problems.
Your AI cooler is 240mm, so it shouldn’t be struggling.
That leaves your CPU.
I have a few more questions.
1) When you overclock, did you raise the multiplier or just the base clock?
2) If you power on the system and enter BIOS, what’s the CPU temperature in the menu?
3) When it crashes or freezes, what’s the highest temperature you’re observing before it stops?
The Haswell (also known as i7 4770K) struggles with heavy overclocking. Most users reach around 4.5ghz at 1.4v, but 4.2 @ 1.35v is not uncommon though rare. My setup runs at 1.2v @ 4.2ghz and 1.45v for 4.6ghz. I prefer keeping it at stock now.
Edit: For the Haswell, adjust the Ring Ratio (Ring Cache) together with CPU overclocking or you’ll hit a ceiling around 42 multi with a ring at 38. Also, boost the voltage to 1.2v.
I’d test this approach and if successful, gradually increase just the CPU. The ring ratio typically struggles beyond 43-44, but 42 can push you to about 4.6ghz.
CPU: 43 @ 1.35
Ring: 42 @ 1.2
1) Multiplier
2) 31c
3) 78c no crash but issue found on Core #3 in OCCT.
1.29 to achieve 4.3Ghz on my old 4770k works for me. I managed 4.5Ghz with 1.35, but it quickly started throttling due to heat. A few chips struggled at 4.1 and 4.2Ghz—these were the worst performers, mostly just limited to their original speeds. Still quite uncommon. If you're open to selling the 4770k and buying a used 4790k, I understand why you'd consider it. Right now I'm at around 4.4Ghz with some room for improvement.
Did you check my recommendation?
My cache voltage was already above 1.2v. I tested 1.3v and your other options. I encountered an error in occt after 3 seconds, followed by a BSOD after 5 seconds.
Was the BSOD related to CLOCK_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION or CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT?