i5 2500k OC – Unable to adjust my Vcore configuration despite power-saving features turned off
i5 2500k OC – Unable to adjust my Vcore configuration despite power-saving features turned off
Hello. As mentioned in the title, I’m not able to adjust my Vcore configuration. I turned off all power-saving options and started adjusting the clock speed from 33k to 34k, then to 35k. Each step up in speed seems to raise my Vcore even though I set my Dynamic Vcore to +0.0. My motherboard only supports a DVcore setting.
Here are my specifications:
CPU: i5 2500k
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
PSU: PC Power & Cooling ZT Series 750 Watt
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) Timing 9-9-9-24-2N, Voltage 1.5V
I’ve captured screenshots of my BIOS at the default settings. I reviewed every menu and submenu:
main: [link]
M.I.T. status: [link]
Advanced Frequency settings: [link]
Advanced CPU core features: [link]
Advanced Memory settings: [link]
Advanced Voltage settings: [link]
Below are images of what I attempted. Pay attention to the format: these show a screenshot from Open Hardware Monitor while idle, under 100% load at p95, and a picture of my screen after returning to the BIOS after making changes and testing.
Vanilla voltage on vanilla settings:
[link]
How I’m increasing clockspeed and which power-saving features I’ve turned off:
[link]
Ensuring Vcore stays at 0.0:
[link]
Test results:
Clock speed 3400, Load Line Auto:
[link] (only trial where Vcore didn’t increase on the post screen)
Clock speed 3400, Load Line Level 1:
[link] (post screen shows Vcore rising from 1.224 to 1.248)
Clock speed 3500, Load Line Auto:
[link] (post screen indicates Vcore increased to 1.260)
Clock speed 3500, Load Line Level 1:
[link] (post screen shows Vcore up to 1.272)
Anyone has an explanation for why my Vcore is fluctuating despite disabling the settings that should prevent it? If I can’t control my Vcore, it’s hard to safely push my CPU overclock.
the system is constrained by the fixed voltage limits, which means these adjustments are just for explanation. you set the multiplier to x50, boot into windows and load the cpu. it automatically increases the vcore to 1.5v dynamically. then in bios you apply a negative offset of -0.1v. in theory, if it's slightly above or below that range, you can adjust the llc level to aim for the desired 1.4v. if it's too high, try a slightly larger offset. this approach works best. essentially, you can't stop the dynamic vcore; you must accept its behavior and use other bios settings to bring it down to your target voltage.
since you have an LLC and CPU PLD enabled by default, it's likely this is the case.
The system has an LLC and a CPU PLL on auto, likely functioning properly. Load Line Calibration was attempted on both auto and Level 1, but it only reaches level 2 on the motherboard. The question asks about the CPU PLL, its safety to modify, and what setting to adjust. A search suggests relevance depends on BCLK changes.
it has been a long time since I used those cpus; i can't quite recall if the cpu pll was around 1.7 or 1.8. it would also be useful to have an option to set a fixed cpu voltage, just like i remember.
mcnumpty23 I'm not sure if you completely read my post or looked at the screenshots I provided of my bios. I cannot set a fixed Vcore, I only have a dynamic Vcore. My motherboard has a fixed Vcore that is not changeable, by a dynamic Vcore to offset the fixed Vcore. Because of this, the voltage is not supposed to change unless I tweak my DVcore which I have not been doing, yet it's still changing on its own.
If there is actually an option to set a fixed Vcore and I am incorrect please tell me the name of the setting in the screenshots I provided at the start of the post of each screen of my bios. It would make this so much easier if I could actually control my fixed Vcore.
based on your recollection, you managed to configure a stable voltage and utilize the offset settings. on dynamic vcore, besides the automatic option, there are additional choices available.
And it's not one of those older gigabyte boards where you had to press Ctrl + F1 to find hidden options, is it?
Under Dynamic Vcore it appears as shown:
http://i.imgur.com/bIjA9xE.jpg
I can adjust it in small steps of +/- .001.
My motherboard sadly cannot lock a fixed Vcore. This whole dynamic Vcore approach doesn't seem to function well.