Issue with Intel Pentium G3258 overclocking
Issue with Intel Pentium G3258 overclocking
I've got a overclocked G3258 running at 4.2ghz with 1.450v, but despite the high voltage, everything seems unstable. Blue screens appear when recording with OBS and playing demanding games. If I drop below 1.4v, my PC crashes. I've gradually increased the voltage to reach 1.450v now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
As I had mentioned before and illustrated in the chart from my initial post, 1.300 volts is the optimal Vcore setting for 22 nanometer processors when used over extended periods. Still, since core voltage directly affects core temperatures, it's always preferable to keep it lower.
The general agreement among knowledgeable system builders, reviewers, and overclockers is that a cooler setup leads to better stability, performance, and lifespan. The goal is to reach the highest stable overclock without surpassing the recommended core voltage and temperature thresholds.
CPU:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Cooling solution on this system: [Insert details]
Note: Higher voltages may indicate instability or excessive voltage stress on the CPU, possibly due to motherboard issues. Any previous overclocks are also noted.
You may wish to detail your specifications clearly, such as:
CPU: Motherboard: RAM: SSD/HDD: GPU: PSU: Chassis: OS: Cooling system also included. Additional overclocking attempts have been made.
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258
Motherboard: Asrock z97 pro 3
RAM: HyperX blu 8gb 2 sticks
SSD/HDD: 120gb ssd, 2x hdd
GPU: Geforce GTX 760
PSU: Corsair CX500
Chassis:
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Cooling system: 3 120mm fans, stock CPU cooler included.
I have only ever performed a 4.2ghz overclock on this system, which I started in 2015. Over time, voltage adjustments were necessary. Previously, streaming and recording with OBS worked well, but recently I've experienced FPS drops in OBS and random blue screens when the PC is left on for extended periods. Playing games for long durations can also lead to blue screen issues.
The CPU cache voltage is 1.4v and RAM is at 1.65v. It might be worth reducing the RAM voltage.
The ideal long-term Vcore level for 22 nanometer processors is around 1.300 volts. Your current Core voltage is significantly higher, which has negatively affected your processor and is not easily reversible. High Vcore can speed up the "Electromigration" process, causing damage to the traces and junctions inside the chip layers and nano-circuits. This leads to more frequent blue-screen errors over time. Generally, CPUs become more vulnerable to Electromigration as they shrink further, but Intel's 14 nanometer Microarchitecture stands out due to improvements in FinFET transistor technology that enhance voltage tolerance.
Here are the recommended Core voltages for various microarchitectures from 14 to 65 nanometers since 2006:
When pushing your processor close to its maximum overclock, remember that a 100 MHz increase typically requires about 50 millivolts (0.050) more voltage to keep things stable. If you need 70 millivolts (0.070) or more for the next stable 100 MHz boost, it indicates your CPU is being overclocked beyond its safe limits.
The only short-term solution to counteract Electromigration is to raise the Vcore further, which only speeds up wear and tear. A better approach would be to lower both Core speed and voltage—something most overclockers prefer to avoid.
I own a G3258 in my wife's system, which has been overclocked to 4.7GHz at 1.29 volts since it was built in early 2014. My niece has a similar unit, overclocked to 4.6GHz at 1.28 volts, built in 2015. Both operate smoothly on Hyper 212 EVO boards. Achieving her stable at 4.7GHz required more than 1.335 volts, which I was unwilling to risk. The gap between 4.6 and 4.7GHz is less than 2.2%, so it doesn’t significantly affect overall performance. It’s simply not worth pushing the processor beyond its recommended voltage and temperature limits just to squeeze out another 100 MHz.
Recently, I saw another forum user with a G3258 running at 5.0GHz. The exact voltage isn’t remembered, but it likely wasn’t unusually high—just part of the Haswell generation. He managed to get one in the top few percent, while I received a few decent units. Unfortunately, your unit didn’t perform as well. That’s just how things work.
Your CPU is showing signs of strain. If you don’t want to replace it soon, consider lowering the Vcore and Cache voltage to no more than 1.300. Accept whatever performance this setting provides, so you can plan for a future upgrade instead of being caught off guard when it stops booting.
Sorry, there’s no better news for you.
CompuTronix :
lNerdyComputerGuy
,
The maximum recommended long-term Vcore for 22 nanometer processors is 1.300 volts. Your Core voltage is far too high, which has degraded your processor. You're seeing it first hand, and it is
not
reversible.
Excessive Vcore may result in accelerated "Electromigration"
-
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Electromigration
This prematurely erodes the traces and junctions within the processor's layers and nano-circuits, which will eventually result in blue-screen crashes that become increasingly frequent over time. As a rule, CPU's are more susceptible to Electromigration with each Die-shrink. However, the most notable exception is Intel's 14 nanometer Microarchitecture, where advances in FinFET transistor technology have improved voltage tolerance.
Here's the maximum recommended Core voltages per Microarchitecture from 14 to 65 nanometers since 2006:
When tweaking your processor near it's highest overclock, keep in mind that for an increase of 100 MHz, a corresponding increase of about 50 millivolts (0.050) is needed to maintain stability. If 70 millivolts (0.070) or more is needed for the next stable 100 MHz increase, it means your processor is overclocked beyond it's capability.
The only
temporary
fix for Electromigration is to further increase Vcore, as you've done, which will only accelerate the degradation process. The better alternative is to reduce Core speed and voltage, which no overclocker wants to hear.
I have a G3258 in my wife's rig which has been OC'd to 4.7GHz at 1.29 volts since I built it in early 2014. I have another in my niece's rig OC'd to 4.6 at 1.28 volts which I built for her in 2015. Both run cool on Hyper 212 EVO's. To get my niece's stable at 4.7 required more than 1.335 volts, which I was not willing to risk. The difference between 4.6 and 4.7GHz is less than 2.2%, which has no noticeable impact on overall system performance. It simply isn’t worth pushing a processor beyond recommended Core voltage and Core temperature limits just to squeeze out another 100 MHz.
A few days ago I saw another forum member with a G3258 OC'd to 5.0. I don't recall the voltage, but since it didn't catch my attention, it couldn't have been exceedingly high. It's the Haswell edition of the Silicon Lottery. He got one in the top few percent, I got a few that were decent, but unfortunately, your sample wasn't so good. Sorry, but that's just how it goes.
Your CPU is dying. If you don't want to be replacing it any time soon, then I recommend that you dial down the Vcore and Cache to no more than 1.300, and live with whatever OC that voltage will give you. This way you can plan for a replacement or upgrade, rather than being taken by surprise one day when it'll no longer boot.
Sorry I don't have better news for you.
CT
Thank you for the reply and since i am new to overclocking (pretty much) this is a breath of fresh air information, currently i have dialled the overclock down to 4.1ghz at core voltage of 1.375 and i think a cache voltage of 1.3v (cache ghz 3.6 ghz i think).
ive ran realbench, intel burn test and prime 95 and they have all passed.
I have also played ETS 2 and recorded / streamed for 2 hours plus without a blue screen so i think i've found a stable overclock and it may have been because i was at 4.2ghz and never tried any lower in fear of losing FPS.
Should i try going lower with the voltage or is 1.375v ok?
About a year or two ago i ran the CPU at 4.2ghz at 1.3v without any bluescreens even under heavy load, but since i was new to overclocking i didn't know to reduce the cache voltage lower than the core voltage.
How does this work then?
The core voltage and cache voltage both are different areas of the motherboard that give out voltage???
Thanks
The value remains well beyond the Vcore degradation line for 22 nanometer chips. My strongest recommendation once more is to consider 1.300 as the upper limit for long-term stability. I’m curious if you’re operating the stock cooler.
CompuTronix :
1.375 is still too far above the Vcore degradation curve for 22 nanometer processors. My best advice once again, is to regard 1.300 as the maximum recommended Vcore for long-term sustainability. I hope you're not running the stock cooler.
Concerning Core and Cache voltages, 4th Generation processors have a Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR) on the substrate (green circuit board) under the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) which creates voltages used within the Die. How the individual voltages are allocated and which settings can be adjusted in BIOS varies between motherboard manufacturers, models and BIOS versions.
Let me put this in perspective for you ... I've been building and overclocking over 25 years, and have OC'd many 3rd and 4th Generation 22 nanometer processors, and have owned several. The only time I have ever exceeded 1.300 volts on a 22nm Ivy Bridge or Haswell processor was to run a few overclock benchmarks at 1.325, and then dial it back down under 1.300 for 24/7 usage. I also ensure that my rigs are cooled well enough so they never exceed 80°C.
Of all the overclocked rigs I've built over the years, those which still haven't been retired or replaced are running perfectly fine every day at the overclock and voltage settings I selected. One such rig I built for a friend is a Q6700 OC'd to 3.6GHz at 1.475 Vcore, which is a very good overclock. If you look at the chart I posted for you, the Q6700 is a 65 nanometer Core 2 processor which shouldn't exceed 1.500 volts. That CPU has been running OC'd in that rig since early 2008 problem free, with just a GPU and an SSD upgrade.
The point, which I can't overemphasize enough, is to keep a healthy perspective on overclocking ... don't get too crazy with it ... just stay within the maximum recommended voltage and temperature limits. The only way your processors will die is of obsolescence.
CT
Thanks for your in-depth answers, they are very informative and i am thankful that you can provide this much information to me.
Regarding cooling, i'm using the stock cooler yes and when running stress tests i've seen it go around 90c.
Overclock:
The overclock is now at 4.1ghz with a Vcore of 1.300v and a cache voltage of 1.250v.
I've ran Intel Burn Test on standard testings for 10 passes and it passed all of them, i'm currently running realbench right now for 15 minutes and will see if there are any blue screens.
After that i will try prime95 although i want to play my games so i'll probably only do it for about 20 mins.
Realbench passed and I've been running Prime 95 for more than an hour without any blue screens. Should I lower the voltage or is 1.3v okay for long-term use? I own the CPU since late 2015 and have always kept it overclocked at around 4.2ghz from 1.3v to 1.450v, but I'm not sure how it became stable suddenly at such a lower voltage.