Looking for guidance on overclocking for the first time
Looking for guidance on overclocking for the first time
First up, on your build - hopefully you have a GOOD psu. That's absolutely necessary as you need to keep the voltage stable - and overclocking increases stresses exponentially as the voltage usage and cpu frequency goes higher (and out of spec). Also, there is no hard and fast rule as to how high a particular processor will go, each one is different. That being said, usually for Skylake I've seen normal OC's going up to about 4.6ghz.
The general limits on voltages and temps are as follows:
Skylake - Volts: 1.40v NO higher. Temps: 75C on average. Little higher/lower fine, constant higher temps though degrades your CPU lifespan. Usually 75C is nice and safe for daily usage.
Software needed: Prime95 for stress testing. HWMonitor...
You can adjust your CPU overclocking to any level you prefer, but it also relies on the quality of your cooler. For a medium overclock on an i5-6600k with a Hyper 212 cooler, it's manageable. You'll need to experiment with voltages at the target frequencies. If the system fails, reduce the frequency or increase the voltage—it's straightforward.
Once you've achieved the desired performance, stick with that setting unless your temperatures become excessive.
Overclocking your GPU is highly beneficial, as they offer significant room for improvement. Just ensure you use an appropriate program tailored to your specific card.
First up, on your build - hopefully you have a GOOD psu. That's absolutely necessary as you need to keep the voltage stable - and overclocking increases stresses exponentially as the voltage usage and cpu frequency goes higher (and out of spec). Also, there is no hard and fast rule as to how high a particular processor will go, each one is different. That being said, usually for Skylake I've seen normal OC's going up to about 4.6ghz.
The general limits on voltages and temps are as follows:
Skylake - Volts: 1.40v NO higher. Temps: 75C on average. Little higher/lower fine, constant higher temps though degrades your CPU lifespan. Usually 75C is nice and safe for daily usage.
Software needed: Prime95 for stress testing. HWMonitor for keeping tabs on temps during overclocking.
1) turn your multiplier up by 1.
2) stress test. If passes with no errors, and temp is below 75C go to step 1. If fails, or temp exceeds 75C go to step 3.
3) if voltage is at 1.40 or temp is 75C, you're done. go to step 5.
4) turn up voltage .01V. Go to step 2.
5) turn multiplier DOWN by 1
6) stress test. If passes, go to 7. If fails, go to step 5.
7) Finished.
Your average CPU is tested to be super stable and run as cool as possible, so it's clocked at a particular voltage and speed for efficiency. With better cooling, it can run faster, but it'll also need more voltage. More voltage increases stability at higher speeds, but also causes higher temps. So - you're going to creep up on the max frequency at the lowest voltage based on YOUR cooling which is better than stock.
So you're going to increase the frequency at normal voltage until it needs more, then you'll increase voltage, then check the frequency and increase again, moving both up until the limits are met. Once you hit your thermal limits at that chips particular voltage you'll turn it down a notch to be stable. Of course, this is all general OC'ing guidelines, and your specific instructions depend on the motherboard bios.
So - use this as a guide, and at your own risk. You should be able to get it to 4.3-4.4ghz easily before having to increase any voltages. Again though, each chip is unique in it's makeup which makes some a little better, some a little worse.
Initial thoughts on your setup - it’s important to have a solid power supply since stability is key. Overclocking adds extra strain, especially as voltage and CPU speed rise (and may go beyond recommended levels). There’s no strict maximum for each processor; they vary widely. For Skylake models, typical overclock results are around 4.6ghz.
General guidelines on voltages and temperatures:
- Skylake: Max voltage 1.40V, average temperature around 75°C. Slight variations are acceptable, but higher temps reduce lifespan. 75°C is generally safe for regular use.
- Tools needed: Prime95 for stress testing, HWMonitor to monitor temps during overclocking.
Steps to follow:
1) Increase the multiplier by 1.
2) Run a stress test. If successful and temperature stays under 75°C, repeat step 1. If not, proceed to step 3.
3) If voltage matches 1.40V and temp is 75°C, you’re ready.
4) Raise voltage slightly (0.01V).
5) Decrease the multiplier by 1.
6) Repeat stress test. If successful, move to step 7. If not, go back to step 5.
7) Finalize once stable.
Your CPU should be tested for stability and cooled efficiently. Higher cooling allows faster speeds but demands more voltage. More voltage boosts stability at higher frequencies, yet raises temperatures. Adjust frequency at a fixed voltage until you reach limits, then tweak voltage accordingly. This process is general OC advice; your motherboard’s BIOS will influence the exact path.
Your EVGA SuperNova 650W G2 PSU should handle this overclocking, but keep in mind it’s best suited for your specific setup. Thanks for the clear guidance—trying it tomorrow morning sounds like a plan.
Here’s your requested text rewritten:
The amount you should overclock your CPU depends on several factors, including your cooler and the specific model you're using. For a mid-range overclock on an i5-6600K with a Hyper 212 cooler, it's manageable. You'll need to experiment with voltages at the target frequencies. If the system fails, adjust the frequency or voltage settings—it's straightforward.
Once you've successfully overclocked, maintain that setting unless you notice excessive heat.
It’s definitely worthwhile to push your GPU to higher speeds, as they offer significant room for improvement. Just ensure you use the appropriate software for your card.
Thanks for the advice. I thought constantly resetting the overclock was unnecessary and risky.
He was just starting with overclocking, so keeping at 1.4v is a safe choice for continuous use.
I understand your point, but it seems you were suggesting the maximum voltage.
My current setting is only 1.32v, going higher would require 1.4v+, which isn't practical.