Initial Overclocking Assistance - Need Help!
Initial Overclocking Assistance - Need Help!
I've looked through many forums and articles about overclocking and tried it myself and with software.
Gigabyte's EasyTune suggests I can reach around 4.6Ghz using Autotune, but when I tried it my voltage jumped to 1.45 which wasn't advised by others. So I changed it back.
Later, I managed to get a 4.4Ghz result with Intel's XTU, running a stress test without issues until about 20-30 minutes later when the screen blue-screened because of wrong voltage settings. I adjusted it down to 1.25 and experimented with other voltages from different sources.
I'm finding it really tough since I have no clear guidance, despite wanting to do this for years.
I'm hoping someone can share a reliable guide showing a stable clock speed between 4.4 and 4.6Ghz, explaining the recommended voltages and BIOS options—everything is labeled differently.
I understand it's hard because each CPU is unique, but I thought a boost to 4.4-4.6Ghz would be safe based on what others recommend.
P.S. I realize my PC is quite old and might need an upgrade, but I can't afford it yet, so I'm opting for overclocking until then.
PC details:
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 ATX LGA1150
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage:
- Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" SSD
- Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB 2.5" SSD
- Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM HDD
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB ACX
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply: OCZ ZT 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Modular
OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
Temperatures: Idle CPU 30°C, Gaming CPU 50°C
If you only want to adjust the multiplier, keep the rest at their automatic settings and only modify the VCore manually.
- Begin with the BIOS configured to its best default settings.
- Lock the VCore to the BIOS standard (around 1.25V).
- Raise the multiplier until you reach a stable maximum speed for that default VCore during testing.
- After identifying the highest stable multiplier with the default setting, increase it gradually.
- Configure the CPU multiplier to the first unstable clock value.
- Adjust the VCore in small steps of 0.05 until stability is achieved.
- Continue this process until you hit your safe voltage or temperature limit. If increasing by a factor of one more than stable...
If you only want to adjust the multiplier, leave all other settings as they are (auto) and only modify the VCore manually. Begin with the BIOS configured to its best default settings. Then fix the VCore to match the BIOS standard (around 1.25V). Raise the multiplier until you reach a stable maximum speed for that default VCore during a stress test. After identifying the highest stable multiplier with the default setting, increase it gradually. Set the CPU multiplier to the first unstable clock frequency. Then adjust the VCore in small steps of 0.05 until stability is achieved. Repeat the process. Continue until you hit your safe voltage or temperature limit. If a big jump in multiplier demands a huge voltage rise, you’ve reached the CPU’s limit. I recommend keeping the VCore below 1.3V and temperatures under 80°C. More adventurous users might go further, but those numbers are usually safe. For more details, see: http://lifehacker.com/a-beginners-introd...pr-5580998
If you're only adjusting the multiplier, keep all other parameters at their default values (auto). Only modify the VCore manually. Begin with the BIOS configured to its best defaults. Then fix the VCore to match the BIOS setting (around 1.25V). Raise the multiplier until you reach a stable maximum speed achievable with that VCore during a stress test. Once you identify the highest stable multiplier for the default VCore, increase it gradually. Set the CPU multiplier to the first unstable clock. Then adjust the VCore in 0.05 steps until stability is achieved. Repeat the process until you hit your maximum safe voltage or temperature. If a significant jump in multiplier demands a huge voltage rise, you've reached the CPU's limit. I recommend keeping the VCore below 1.3V and temperatures under 80°C. More adventurous users might go higher, but those numbers are usually safe. For reference: http://lifehacker.com/a-beginners-introd...pr-5580998
It makes sense to begin with a lower setting. A 1.18 vcore works well; I can achieve an OK OC on my 3570K at 1.18V @ 4.2Ghz without Turbo Boost, especially if it's disabled. My goal is a solid boost with minimal heat and low power draw, reaching around 57°C under load.
Adjusting Turbo Boost adds complexity, but turning it off lets you run at higher speeds across all cores or use lower voltage. It’s wise to master the fundamentals first, then gradually incorporate Speedstep later.
Edit: Correction made. I intended to mention Turbo Boost when I originally shared Speedstep.
I tried the multiplier at 44 with a voltage of 1.25 and the first 26-minute test worked well. Then I tried 45 with 1.3 volts, but it triggered a blue screen error. I went back to 44 @ 1.25 and ran another test, which also showed the same issue after 20 minutes. Currently, I'm set at 44 @ 1.275, and after 30 minutes everything is functioning.
Stress Test Temperatures
- Multiplier 44, Voltage 1.275
Motherboard
- 30
CPU
- 62
Is this the highest performance you can achieve from your CPU?
You could achieve better results by turning off turbo boost. That might help prevent things from becoming unbalanced. It could also stop the system from attempting excessively high clock speeds on the 1 and 2 cores.
You might achieve higher speeds by turning off Turbo Boost. It could disrupt balance, especially if the system attempts extremely high clock rates on 1 and 2 cores. Consider disabling Turbo Boost and testing 4.5 @ 1.3 volts again or ask if that would improve performance compared to the current setting.
It might not be required to go that far when TB is under control.
I don't believe TB is really activating, are you sure? The numbers are all locked at 44 for each core. That's the same as before. Back then (when CPU was at 34), Core 1 had 38 and Core 2 had 37.
I think I'm just misunderstanding, but I'm okay with 4.4. I was trying to push as much performance as possible. If 4.4 is the best I can achieve, that's acceptable.
Thanks for your assistance.
It turns out I read too many forums and changed several voltages at once.