Key frequencies are changing during operation
Key frequencies are changing during operation
My Specs -
CPU - I7-9700k stock
MOBO - Z390 A pro
RAM - 32 vengeance clocked to 3000
GPU MSI - 2070S
PSU - 600w Evga White plus
AOI - Arctic Freezer 2 240
In short - My core frequencies are changing during load from an OC. I don't understand why.
Longer version - I own an i7 9700k which I overclocked to 4.9, more than its stock of 4.6 many times.
I had to remove the OC because my case and cooler couldn't handle the CPU heat. I just purchased a new case and got an AOI so I can continue overclocking.
I adjusted the CPU to 4.9 using the default method for that purpose, which I'm quite familiar with.
After OC, I set it to 4.9 and during gaming tests with MSI afterburner, I noticed my core frequency fluctuating on load, dropping back to 4.6 then rising again to 4.9, and this pattern repeated continuously until idle, then returning to 4.9.
I used Hwinfo64 and CPU z to confirm the fluctuations.
My temperatures remain stable, generally between 60s and 70s at most.
I've also tried manual OC to 4.9 and fixed it, setting my own voltage to 1.25.
I'm unable to figure out what's happening; I don't see any indication that overclocked cores drop back to stock only during load.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
LLC, or Load-Line Calibration, adds extra voltage when necessary to the CPU, helping maintain a more stable vCore during high demand (closest to your manual setting). It helps narrow the difference between CPU voltage in idle and load conditions. This configuration is ideal for achieving optimal 24/7 CPU overclocking.
You can locate the LLC settings in your BIOS under the OC tab. Since you don’t have an MSI motherboard, I’m uncertain how to access it. Your motherboard seems functional, so I’ll give it a try... It’s on the lower end but still supports decent overclocking. A more robust motherboard with a stronger VRM setup would be preferable.
Your maximum vcore limit is 1.35v, but I tend to stay below 1.3v for sustained performance. Feel free to test again at 1.3v and...
What type of LLC are you using? I would redo the overclock from the beginning with a 4.9GHz boost at a constant 1.28v and a mid-level LLC configuration. Once stable into a desktop environment, run Prime95 blend, monitor temperatures. If everything is fine, reduce the vcore slightly and try again. The LLC should help prevent voltage drops and related stability problems.
Thank you for your reply. The attempts I made include overclocking to 4.9 and 5ghz, using cores like 1.58 and even 1.37. Everything functions properly as long as it works fine, but when I apply a load it automatically reverts to 4.6. Today’s test showed that setting the voltage to Auto works well most of the time, though the voltage can rise to 1.4, which is the chip’s maximum and causes temperatures to exceed 80°C on BF5. This has never been a problem before I installed the new case and AOI, although I wasn’t aware of it at the time.
Could you explain what a LLC is and suggest recommendations for it? It might be a game changer. I’m running out of ideas... Perhaps a new MOBO could help.
LLC, or Load-Line Calibration, adds extra voltage when necessary to the CPU, helping maintain a more stable vCore during high load (closest to your manual setting). It helps narrow the difference between idle and load CPU voltages. This configuration is ideal for achieving optimal 24/7 CPU overclocking.
You can locate the LLC settings in your BIOS under the OC tab. Since you don’t have an MSI motherboard, I’m uncertain how to access it. Your motherboard should be fine, so I’ll give it a try.
Make sure your setup is on the lower end but still capable of decent overclocking; a better motherboard with stronger VRM would be preferable.
Your maximum vcore limit is 1.35v, but I tend to stick below 1.3v for 24.7 use. Feel free to test at 1.3v and set your LLC value in the middle as a starting point.
Thanks for the update. I purchased a new MOBO and it's holding well, even reaching 50 ghz. I might push it higher, possibly up to 5.2, but I'll revert back to 4.6. I used a mini guild for the OC I tested on the new MOBO, but it didn't work before, and it had been that way for a year. It seems the MOBO was the issue. I'm currently running at 2.8 atm, and I might lower it soon, though it's only at 4.9.