R5 1600 experiencing voltage fluctuations during idle operation.
R5 1600 experiencing voltage fluctuations during idle operation.
Hi, I've successfully increased the overclock of my Ryzen R5 1600 to 3.75Ghz with a load voltage near 1.308V, adjusted via BIOS offset voltage. Temperatures remain excellent even with the stock cooler, as I keep the OC low to avoid excessive heat. My main worry is that during idle or light loads, the voltage swings significantly—like jumping from 0.4V to 1.330V. The question is whether this behavior is normal and safe for the CPU while it's idling. I'm a bit puzzled because my previous FX6300 stayed stable at a fixed voltage. I'm currently using an Asus ROG Strix B350-F gaming motherboard and my RAM is at 3066MHz.
Edgars Auzans:
I could just flip them back on, but I mean... it won't hurt my CPU if the voltage swings from around .4v to 1.319v?
*EDITED: No. TRUST ME all other parts in your DESKTOP will fail long before your processor does.
😀
This is why most motherboards with auto voltages overvoltage fail. They understand these things don't last unless damaged by something else. I still haven't mastered the offset mode on my 4790K, so mine stays at 4.5GHz with a steady Vcore of 1.2. Heat and PSU quality are usually the biggest worries, as both can damage your CPU.
Edgars Auzans:
Hello, I've successfully increased the overclock of my Ryzen R5 1600 to 3.75Ghz, and the voltage under load is approximately 1.308V, which I set via BIOS using the offset voltage option. Temperatures remain excellent even with the stock cooler, as I keep the OC relatively low since I don't want to overstress the CPU. However, my main worry is that during idle or light load, the voltage varies significantly—like jumping from 0.4V to 1.330V. The question is whether this behavior is normal and if it's safe for the CPU while it's idling. I'm a bit puzzled because my old FX6300 didn't exhibit such fluctuations, even though it ran at a steady voltage.
I'm currently using my R5 1600 on an Asus ROG Strix B350-F gaming motherboard, with RAM at 3066MHz. A few points to consider: is your BIOS up to date? I've heard that certain Ryzen 5 models and specific Asus boards can cause similar issues. Also, what are your clock speeds during these events? If your system is running on a "Balanced" power setting, you might notice the clock speeds drop to zero and then spike when an app runs. This is normal behavior thanks to the Turbo feature in both AMD and Intel processors. Offset settings typically allow the CPU voltage to adjust accordingly. It seems I might be pushing it a bit beyond typical loads to boost stability.
Occasionally, other applications or programs may consume some resources, raising the CPU load slightly. Usually this isn't an issue, but it's worth checking. Also, any specific software you use for monitoring could contribute to the problem. For instance, I prefer CPUID's HWMonitor, though many users suggest alternative tools due to compatibility and error issues. Sometimes these programs themselves can increase CPU temperatures beyond what other software shows.
BIOS is current, and the frequency remains steady at my adjusted settings, which is 3.75Ghz atm. I use HWmonitor and CPUz to keep track of everything. Everything appears to function properly, as voltage stays consistent during load. I’m mainly concerned about fluctuations when the system is idle, but that shouldn’t damage the CPU, should it?
I believe I've identified the issue: voltage changes during idle were caused by 'global C state control' and 'core performance boost' being active, and these should be turned off during CPU overclocking. After disabling them in BIOS, idle voltage stabilized at 1.286V, load at around 1.308v and 1.319v which is suitable for Ryzen 1600. The Cinebench 15 score of 1261 also looks good. Should I continue keeping C-state and core performance boost disabled? What are your thoughts?
Edgars Auzans shares his experience: BIOS is current, frequency remains steady at my adjusted settings of 3.75Ghz under load. For monitoring, he uses HWmonitor and CPUz. Everything appears normal, with stable voltage even during idle. He notes concerns about voltage changes at rest, but believes it shouldn’t damage the CPU. It’s been discussed that high voltages may harm CPUs faster, yet he hasn’t experienced failure from age or upgrades. As long as it isn’t consistently at risky levels, he feels safe.
Edgars Auzans:
Should I exclude C state to keep the voltage fixed or allow it to vary a lot? I think fluctuations with c6 could lead to instability. You can try it if you really face stability problems, but if everything works well, I’d keep them on since they aid in idle power saving.
Edgars Auzans:
I could try turning them back on, but I mean... it won't hurt my CPU if the voltage changes from around .4v to 1.319v?
*EDITED: No. TRUST ME all other parts in your DESKTOP will fail long before your processor does.
😀
This is why most motherboards with auto voltages overvoltage fail quickly. They understand these things don't last unless damaged by something else. I still haven't mastered the offset mode on my 4790K, so mine stays at 4.5GHz with a steady Vcore of 1.2. Heat and PSU quality are usually the biggest worries, as both can damage your CPU.