Overclocking/hardware nightmare, convince me to return to the game.
Overclocking/hardware nightmare, convince me to return to the game.
I want to start by saying thank you for your time and support throughout this process. This community is truly great.
I’m still trying to figure out whether the issue was my own actions or a problem with the hardware.
Here’s what happened.
I invested two years saving up, then bought my ideal computer: a 5820k processor, an h110i gtx cooler, an ASUS X99 Deluxe, a 980 ti hybrid with SSD storage. Before this purchase, I spent months reading forums to learn about overclocking and got excited when I finally managed to reach 4.4–4.6 ghz.
After several tests, I reached a stable speed of 4.1 ghz at 1.28v. At first, temperatures stayed within a safe range (30–70°C), but they gradually increased. I tried cleaning the radiators and fans with compressed air, yet performance dropped. Eventually, rendering videos in Sony Vegas pushed temperatures up to 100°C. I removed the overclock and settled for a more stable 3.3 ghz at 1.0v.
Over time, my temps varied widely—sometimes 20°C idle, other times 50°C.
Recently, while watching a Twitch stream, my PC shut down abruptly with a loud noise. It didn’t restart. A friend who works in PC repair confirmed the motherboard was likely the issue. My power supply worked fine elsewhere. I upgraded to a new ASUS X99 Deluxe II, which is now running perfectly—this wasn’t due to the cooler or thermal paste.
My temperatures fluctuated daily, but the environment stayed constant.
Now, after some time, I’m experiencing problems with a Twitch stream. My system powers off unexpectedly. A knowledgeable friend diagnosed me and found the motherboard faulty.
I ordered a brand new ASUS X99 Deluxe II, as I heard ASUS RMA support is poor and I needed minimal downtime. My friend installed the new board and my 5820k. The chip was damaged during installation. He tested it with his own 5820k and it worked fine.
I’ve since done an Intel cross-ship and received a new 5820K for $700, which is a loss. Now my original X99 Deluxe is damaged. I’m considering getting a new CPU, but I’m worried about losing the investment.
If I try overclocking again, should I aim for under 1.3v? Or is this situation unusual?
I’m a video producer and editor who relies on stable performance. I’d appreciate your advice—was it just bad luck, or could my overclock attempts have contributed to the failure?
Please let me know if I made any mistakes or if I was unlucky enough with the hardware. I hope I can get this resolved without long downtime.
It's not your responsibility. ASUS's X99 boards have been experiencing random chip overvoltage for years. The cause remains unknown, and the company has remained quiet about it. This issue has even affected users who set their systems to stock configurations. Simply search for "Asus X99 overvoltage" online.
While my 5820K wasn't a top-tier overclocker, that doesn't explain its failure. I've now upgraded to a better overclocker for this model.
I attempted to overvolt my "golden" 5820K twice, but managed to prevent damage before it was too late. My usual settings are [email protected], which cache at [email protected], reaching 1.36 Core and 1.45 Cache. Even worse, my first 5820K suffered...
Overclocking is always risky. I’m not sure you were given a "slow chip" or a "bad motherboard" for the requirements. They’re designed to meet certain standards. Overclocking means pushing them beyond those limits, and once you go past them it’s hard to predict the outcome. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Even if you manage a "stable" overclock, the extra heat will shorten the system’s lifespan, making it a matter of how long it stays stable.
Quitting overclocking makes sense. It’s entertaining to watch a system run smoothly—until it fails. You end up with something that’s barely functioning but quickly deteriorates, especially beyond its limits.
Staying within the specifications ensures a more reliable and longer-lasting setup.
Absolutely, I understand your concern. It does seem unlikely. The chip appears to be unlocked, and the motherboard has an "OC socket," but it doesn't seem like a practical solution. It's possible the CPU was affected instead of the motherboard. What do others think?
It's not your responsibility. ASUS's X99 boards have been experiencing random chip overvoltage for years. The cause remains unknown, and ASUS hasn't addressed the matter. This issue has even affected users who set their systems to stock configurations. Simply search online for "Asus X99 overvoltage."
While my 5820K wasn't a top overclocker, it still faced problems. Now I'm using a better overclocker for my issues.
I attempted to overvolt my "golden" 5820K twice, but managed to prevent damage before it was too late. My usual settings are [email protected], which cache at [email protected], reaching 1.36 Core and 1.45 Cache. Even worse, my first 5820K was exposed to 1.68-1.82V! BIOS updates didn't resolve the problem, so I removed AI Suite, and it hasn't returned. Currently, AI Suite seems to be the main culprit.
It's not your responsibility. ASUS's X99 boards have been experiencing random chip overvoltage for years, and no one has clarified the cause. This issue has even affected users who set their systems to stock configurations. Simply search for "Asus X99 overvoltage" to find more information.
That said, my 5820K wasn't a strong overclocker, but that doesn't explain why it failed. Personally, I've upgraded to my third 5820K and fourth X99-A, and now I'm using a solid overclocker for my needs.
I attempted to overvolt my "golden" 5820K twice, but managed to prevent damage before it was too late. My usual settings are [email protected], which cache at [email protected], reaching 1.36 Core and 1.45 Cache. Even worse, my first 5820K was pushed to 1.68-1.82V! BIOS updates didn't help, so I removed AI Suite, and the issue hasn't returned. So far, AI Suite seems to be the main culprit.
Thanks for the reassurance, scuzzy.
I've read a lot, but maybe you could clarify some simpler questions for me or others.
1. Should I overclock my CPU cache to a high frequency close to the CPU clock? What advantages does this bring in terms of performance?
2. How much does overclocking impact everyday activities, like launching programs or closing multiple browser windows? I searched online but found little information.
3. Are there limits to how much performance improvement you can get from overclocking? Based on my AIDA64 stability test with 100% load, I only reached 58c (CPU clock: 3.6 // CPU core voltage: 1.059v, stock turbo "auto" voltage), leaving plenty of thermal margin.
Thanks all.
Thanks for the helpful clarification.
I’ve read quite a bit, but I’d appreciate some more straightforward answers for me. Or if anyone else is interested.
1. Is it essential to OC the CPU cache to a high frequency close to the CPU clock? What advantages does this bring in terms of performance?
2. How much do changes in overclocking impact everyday activities, like launching programs or closing multiple browser windows? I looked up online but found little information.
3. Are there limits to how much performance improvement you can get from overclocking? From my tests with Aida 64 and a 64-core processor, I only reached around 58c (CPU clock: 3.6, core voltage: 1.059v). This suggests I have plenty of thermal margin.
Thanks all.
You really don’t need to OC the cache—it offers a slight speed boost but can cause instability by increasing heat. It’s better to first secure a stable core overclock before adjusting it further. The cache is more prone to wear than the cores, so keeping it below 1.15V is wise.
Overclocking Chrome shouldn’t slow things down significantly; it should remain fast even at 5820K. Unless you’re running CPU-heavy tasks like video encoding or rendering, there’s little benefit in pushing your OC too high. It makes more sense to stick with a conservative setting. I’d aim for a stable clock around 1.20-1.25V and a cache speed of 1.10-1.15V for the best balance. This should give you a 25-35% improvement without risking shorter component life.
Really, so you think mild OC's caused my mobo and 5820k? I mean no disrespect, it just seems unreal.
The chip is "unlocked", the motherboard has an "OC socket", but it doesn't seem practical. It’s possible the CPU would have failed instead of the mobo?
Anyone else have an opinion on that?
You mentioned you reached up to 100 degrees. At that point, even short periods could wipe out your system, let alone spend hours editing video for days. I don’t know why you’re surprised it died.
The reason behind your actions isn’t entirely clear either.
You probably wouldn’t have succeeded without overclocking, but it’s impossible to say for sure. It’s likely a mix of a faulty motherboard and attempting to overclock it, leading to overheating and failure. There’s a chance the motherboard itself is the problem, though I suppose that’s also possible.
If you try overclocking again, remember cooling the CPU is only part of the issue. You need to keep your system’s temperature low as well; excessive heat in the wrong place will end it. A few $20 case fans might have made a difference, but maybe not enough.