Question about ASUS Z97 A 4790K OC voltage?
Question about ASUS Z97 A 4790K OC voltage?
I’m just starting out with OC and this is my first project. I’d appreciate some guidance from experienced users. Please set aside all the usual stuff, okay?
I have an ASUS z97-A with the latest BIOS, an Intel i7 4790K, 16 GB RAM, 2133 MHz, and a 850 EVGA 750 Gold PSU.
My main concern is the Vcore voltage. I’m seeing a reading of 1.88 Vcore on the monitor under the voltages section. Is this normal or is it too high? If it’s elevated, how can I adjust it in the BIOS? I’ve read a lot but haven’t found the exact setting for this. Do I use one of these options: CPU CACHE VOLTAGE (manual mode), CPU SYSTEM AGENT OFFSET MODE SIGN (+), or something else? I also noticed the CPU ANALOG I/O voltage offset is set to AUTO, which might be contributing. Thanks!
Lee Summer, a non-computer person trying this for the first time...
This article is a valuable resource for you http://pcdiy.asus.com/2014/06/6-4970k-cp...herboards/. It particularly highlights the section you shared, which I even copied directly for you.
Hi lsummer
I’m going to try this because you share the same CPU as me and use an Asus board. Asus offers Auto rules, which set your BIOS, reboot, and XMP profile for accurate timings and RAM voltage. Just adjust the multiplier to your preference and input the manual voltage—don’t change anything else. Use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility; most tools add extra voltage. One approach is to set the multiplier to your desired value, like 1.2v, and if you encounter crashes, reboot and increase voltage until stability returns after at least 8 hours. Another method is to check your CPU’s default voltage in AISuite 3 and gradually raise it in small steps until stable. This is how I achieved 4.7 at 1.2v. Overclocking demands patience, and your BSOD will show Clock_Watchdog_Timeout. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
The input voltage is the level that powers the VRMs on the motherboard, which then supplies the CPU's power. Typically you aim for about 0.6 volts higher than the CPU's Vcore during heavy loads. A value of 1.88 volts won't damage the chip, but you should verify the CPU Vcore under stress using hwinfo64.
This article is a valuable resource for you http://pcdiy.asus.com/2014/06/6-4970k-cp...herboards/. I even included the copied portion for you.
Understanding UEFI settings and the advantages of ASUS auto rules is crucial. Throughout overclocking, especially with new chipsets and CPUs, one important aspect to assess is the auto rule adjustments. These are the automatic parameters set within the UEFI that change when other settings are modified. For instance, if you switch your CPU turbo multiplier from auto to a specific value (like 46), this triggers auto rules to activate, helping ensure a smoother and more straightforward overclocking process. These rules can affect things like voltage levels, cache ratios, OCP thresholds, and more. They play a vital role and are determined after extensive manual tuning by ASUS before the chipset is released.
ASUS’s UEFI auto rules have consistently set industry standards for reliability and performance. This trend continues with their Z97 motherboards, requiring minimal advanced adjustments. While not as straightforward as the one-button overclocking in ASUS AiSuite III, fine-tuning still involves setting CPU voltage, enabling XMP, and entering the desired multiplier. All other parameters are governed by the auto rules programmed into the UEFI.
Thanks for the update.
Sorry for the delayed response—I was busy at work and just returned, trying to push the limits. I reached a 48 multiplier initially, everything seemed fine until I switched on Prime 95, which caused temperatures to rise too quickly. I adjusted the water cooler settings (Corsair), changed the compound, and reduced the voltage back to 48. This fix lasted about an hour.
Next, I loaded the flight sim without any tests just to check performance, but it crashed within 45 minutes. I then lowered the OC to 47, set the voltage at 1.26, and ran Prime 95 for three hours. Temperatures reached around 88°C a few times, but mostly stayed near 80°C.
I’ve been using this setup now for a week, and it seems stable—never exceeding 73°C when running the simulation (P3D & Xplane).
I know it could become unstable over time, so I’ll keep monitoring. For now, I think I’m done adjusting the OC.