OVERCLOCKING i5 4690k (help)
OVERCLOCKING i5 4690k (help)
Hey guys
just like the title mentioned, I'm trying to overclock my CPU. I have an MSI Gaming 3 H97 MBO, and this is my first time doing it. I'm not sure what settings to use, but I was hoping to find some guides or links to other websites that could help. I was thinking about getting the Corsair H75 liquid cooled cooler, but I'm not entirely sure what overclocking level to aim for—my goal seems to be keeping the voltage around 1.3 and not going beyond 4.5.
Quick edit: I checked my MBO and it doesn't support heavy overclocking.
🙁
Should I just skip this?
Anyway, I really need some advice.
Thanks!
Don't alter voltage initially when increasing overclocking. Begin by gradually adjusting the multiplier (starting from 39x, then 40x, etc.) using a 100 BCLK or front side bus setting until you encounter a crash during a stress test. This helps establish your baseline for voltage adjustments. You can experiment with various multiplier and BCLK pairings (for example, 43x multiplier with 102 BCLK achieving 4.4GHz) to see what works best.
Don't disturb the voltage during initial overclocking. Begin by gradually increasing the multiplier (39x, 40x, etc.) using a 100 BCLK or front side bus setting until you encounter a crash during a stress test. This helps establish your baseline for safe voltage adjustments. You can experiment with various multiplier and BCLK combinations (for example, 43x multiplier with 102 BCLK achieves 4.4GHz, similar to 44x multiplier with 100 BCLK).
Typically, reaching 4.5GHz requires between 1.15 and 1.20 volts, depending on cooling and chip quality. Note that these outcomes won<|pad|>'so not appear with the standard Intel cooler, and better cooling—whether air or liquid—will improve performance.
Should I even attempt this given my motherboard's limited overclocking capabilities? If yes, is there a way to bypass this challenge or should I consider a more affordable cooler?
weeman8888 :
should i even attempt it given my motherboard isn't ideal for overclocking? if yes, is there a way around this issue or should i opt for a more affordable cooler?
my motherboard should suffice for simple overclocking tasks, just adjusting bus speed and Vcore. For a decent budget cooler, the Cooler Master EVO 212 was once popular, but it's now surpassed by the Cryorig H7, which costs around $25 to $35 US.
if you're looking to boost performance, I suggest using a Z97 motherboard. other boards generally perform well, but they don’t handle overclocking as effectively. if you have the chance to upgrade and get something like a Z97 or MSI Gaming Z97 GAMING 5 LGA 1150, you’ll see significant improvements and higher overclocks. that’s my opinion.
the gaming 3 doesn’t really need overclocking at first, since its cooling and fans/chokes are of lower quality compared to boards built for overclocking. switching to water cooling could actually hurt your chances if your VRM is already well-cooled, especially with aftermarket fans. also, most BIOS settings on non-overclocking boards limit performance further, as they’re designed for standard CPUs, not high-end ones. unless you really need to push everything, I’d recommend another board instead. hope this helps.
i’m not 100% sure, but most of these boards don’t support overclocking properly. the voltage settings vary a lot, around 1.3 seems reasonable. i’d just set the voltage to high and let all multipliers run up to 45, then try some tests.
here’s a video that walks you through testing your board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yucCk_Zrc
it might not be the exact board you have, but it’s a useful reference. also, updating your BIOS can make a big difference.