Looking for assistance with boosting the performance of an i7 4770K?
Looking for assistance with boosting the performance of an i7 4770K?
For the past year, I've been exploring optimal configurations for overclocking on my MSI Z97 Gaming 3 motherboard and my i7 4770K. I believe my current settings are limiting the full potential of my i7 4770K.
In my research, I've tried various stress tests. Initially, I used Intel burn test immediately, then repeated it 20 times. Afterward, I performed AIDA64 stress tests focusing on FPU and CPU for 15 to 20 minutes each. Following this, I ran Prime95 version 26.6 with small FFTs for 15 to 20 minutes, along with 10 Cinebench R15 multi-core runs and 2 Cinebench R15 single-core runs. Recently, I also delidded my CPU, which significantly improved stability and reduced temperatures considerably—this will surely aid me as I approach higher and more consistent overclocks.
My main concern remains the BIOS configuration. I haven't deeply adjusted it yet and still find many options confusing.
PC Specifications
- i7 4770K Delidded Liquid Metal Pro
- NZXT Kraken X62 280mm AIO
- MSI Z97 Gaming 3 Motherboard
- 16GB Hyper Savage 2400MHz RAM
- Corsair Force MP500 M.2 SSD
- Kingston V300 SATA SSD
- CORSAIR Enthusiast RM750X Power Supply
BIOS Settings
CPU Ratio Apply Mode > All Core
CPU Ratio > 45
CPU Ratio Mode > Fixed Mode
EIST > Disabled
Intel Turbo Boost > Disabled
Enhanced Turbo > Disabled
Legacy Tweaking > Disabled
OC Genie Function Control > By BIOS Options
Ring Ratio > 45
CPU Base Clock (MHz) > 100.00
CPU Base Clock Apply Mode > Auto
CPU PCIE PLL > Auto
Filter PLL > Enabled
DRAM Frequency Clock > Auto
DRAM Frequency Clock > 2400 MHz
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) > Enabled Profile 1
Memory Try it! > Enabled CL11 Compatibility CL11 2400
DRAM Timing Mode > Link
Memory Fast Boot > Enabled
DigitALL Power
CPU Phase Control > Normal
CPU Vdroop Offset Control > Mild +37.5%
CPU Over Voltage Protection > 600mV
CPU Under Voltage Protection > 600mV
CPU Over Current Protection > Disabled
CPU Switching Frequency > 740KHz
CPU VRM Over Temperature Protection > Disabled
CPU VRM Over Temperature Shutdown > Enabled
Digital Compensation > x1.2
Imon Overwrite > Auto
Transient Boost > Disabled
SVID Communication > Enabled
VCCIN Voltage 2.200
CPU Core/Ring/GT Voltage Mode > Override Mode
CPU Core Voltage 1.280
CPU Ring Voltage 1.350
CPU SA/IOA/IOD Voltage Mode > Manual Mode
CPU SA Voltage > 1.050
CPU IO Analog Voltage > 1.100
CPU IO Digital Voltage > 1.150
CPU IOA/IOD Voltage Boost > Auto
DRAM Voltage > 1.650
PCH 1.05 Voltage > Auto
PCH 1.5 Voltage > Auto
CPU Specifications
Hyper-threading > Enabled
Active Processor Cores > All
Limit CPUID Maximum > Disabled
Enable Disable Bit
Intel Virtualization Tech > Enabled
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch > Enabled
CPU AES Instructions > Enabled
Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor > Enabled
Intel C-State > Disabled
Long Duration Power Limit (W) > 4096
Long duration Maintained(s) > 128
Short Duration Power Limit (W) > 4096
CPU Current Limit (A) > 1024
VR Iout Slope > Auto
VR Iout Offset Sign > Auto
VR Iout Offset > Auto
Internal VR OVP OCP Protection > Disabled
Internal VR Effeiciency Management > Enabled
Internal VR Switching Frequency > +6
DMI Gen 2 > Enabled
DMI De-emphasis control > -6 dB
CFG Lock > Enabled
Regarding PCI latency timer settings, you might want to consider 32, 64, or 96 as options. The default is 32, but I'm not sure if changing it will improve stability.
Some observations that seem odd are:
- Achieving 4.6GHz at the same core frequency while needing to raise ring voltage for stability.
- The sudden instability when setting ring ratio to auto and ring voltage to auto, despite using auto values.
Please let me know if you notice any changes in BIOS that you'd like to adjust.
Thank you for reading.
I'm experiencing the same issue. My 4770k runs smoothly at 4.5Ghz, and adjusting any BIOS settings doesn't make a difference. It's frustrating because with my Corsair H100x I'm seeing full load temperatures around 60 degrees. I believe it has reached its limit. Going from a 3.5 base clock to 4.5Ghz while staying stable is quite a challenge, so maybe we should just accept it? What were you hoping to achieve? A 4.7+?
I'm experiencing the same issue. My 4770k runs smoothly at 4.5Ghz, and adjusting any BIOS settings doesn't make a difference. It's frustrating because with my Corsair H100x I'm seeing full load temperatures around 60 degrees. I believe it has reached its limit. Going from a 3.5 base clock to 4.5Ghz while staying stable is quite a challenge, so maybe we should just accept it? What were you hoping to achieve? A 4.7+?