Is the i5 7600k a bad overclocker or something else entirely?
Is the i5 7600k a bad overclocker or something else entirely?
Hey there. I'm just starting out with overclocking and not sure where to begin. I assembled the new system and decided to try overclocking this time, thinking everyone around me is doing it with 5GHz on Kaby Lake. Here’s what I did:
1. Used AIsuite for automatic overclocking – got 4.6GHz at about 1.3V, stable.
2. Then X.M.P and manually adjusted to 4.7GHz at 1.30V, also stable.
3. Next tried 4.8GHz at 1.35V, still stable.
4. The tricky one was 4.9GHz at either 1.39V or 1.43V – it didn’t work and the system overheated.
Quick note on temperature: when idle it was around mid-30s, but during testing it reached 80–82°C. Not a big concern, but I added it anyway.
I found some comments online suggesting 1.3V helps reach 5GHz. Am I just not getting the right settings? Are there any other tweaks I should make? Any tips would be super helpful. Thanks!
Rig details that might help:
i5 7600k
Asus Z270i ITX mobo
Corsair 16gb LPX RAM (2400 C14)
Noctua NH-D15S
Have you attempted adjusting the LLC settings? If not, the CPU may lose its voltage under stress, making an overclock unsuccessful. If you haven’t changed it, return to BIOS and look for Load Line Calibration (LLC), adjusting it to a standard range between 2 and 6, perhaps. This ensures a stable voltage around your chosen setting. The issue is that results vary per CPU/mobo, so I can’t specify the exact step you should use. To verify, start by setting it to extreme, then monitor the current voltage feeding the CPU closely using tools like CPU-Z or Prime95 while applying load.
It's quite possible you've missed out on the silicon chance. Either way, the board looks strong for overclocking (at least for ITX).
Have you adjusted the LLC configurations? If not, the CPU may lose its voltage under stress, making an overclock unsuccessful. If you haven’t changed it yet, return to BIOS and look for Load Line Calibration (LLC), adjusting it to a standard setting between 2 and 6, perhaps. This ensures the voltage remains stable around your target value. The issue is that this adjustment varies per CPU/mobo, so I can’t recommend a specific step for you.
To verify, start by setting it to Extreme, then monitor the current voltage going to the CPU while running Windows, CPU-Z, or Prime95. Aim for a stable voltage close to your target, such as 1.35V. If using a higher step like 5-6 or Extreme, expect the voltage to be slightly higher (around 1.37V), whereas a lower step will show it closer to 1.32V. Keep testing until you find the setting that consistently hits 1.35V. Also note, if you later adjust the voltage to something like 1.4V, you’ll likely need to tweak the LLC again.