Overclocking wannabe. . .
Overclocking wannabe. . .
System below. . .
I'm searching for guidance on overclocking memory. I already have a well-tuned processor, but from what I've read, it's possible to OC the i7-6700 with an ASUS Z170 MOBO. It seems from my setup that I can do so. I'd like to understand which safe voltage levels would help boost performance. I have no prior experience with adjusting voltages and am worried about damaging the system. Could someone provide a simple introduction for beginners on what to check and recommend good tools for manual OC in the software suite with my MOBO? Also, I've heard that memory can exceed 2133 MHz, but according to the literature for my MOBO, it says reaching 3000 MHz is achievable through overclocking. I'm really nervous about changing voltages without proper knowledge and fearing a failure. . .
Mark Jurgenson:
It's really tough to begin fresh without solid knowledge, just to avoid a complete crash.
Don't push things too hard. Overclocking isn't necessary to get the best performance; you'll hit limits quickly.
No, you can't change the settings on any locked processor due to a microcode update. The feature isn't hidden, but it won't work. You'd need to revert your BIOS to a particular version for certain boards to allow BCLK overclocking—something I strongly advise against, especially for someone new, given the risks of Windows updates and lost warranties.
I'm not sure you remember reaching 3000mhz if it wasn't noted as capable...
Mark Jurgenson :
It's really tough to start fresh without any real understanding, just to avoid burning yourself out. . .
Don't push things too hard. You don't have to overvolt to get a good boost; you'll hit a limit.
And no, you can't change the settings on any locked processor on any motherboard because it's protected by a microcode update. The option isn't hidden, but the adjustments won't last. You'd need to revert your BIOS to a very particular version for certain boards in order to BCLK overclock a locked chip—something I'd strongly advise against, especially for someone new, given the risk of breaking things with Windows updates and voiding warranties.
I'm not sure you can remember reaching 3000mhz if it wasn't listed as capable on the packaging. DDR4 usually doesn't handle overclocking well.
Do your homework before you experiment. If you're unsure about a setting, wait to change it until you understand its purpose.