Request VCORE to stop when not in use but maintain a maximum of 1.3v during operation
Request VCORE to stop when not in use but maintain a maximum of 1.3v during operation
I have an overclocking inquiry. My MSI z390 gaming edge AC motherboard is running with the latest BIOS version, and I'm using an 8700k processor. It's not the newest setup, but it's all about experimenting right now. Previously, I kept the voltage at auto settings and maintained a constant 4.7ghz turbo across all cores. However, the core voltage was constantly changing—sometimes around 0.9 or even higher, which caused some throttling during intense tests. I attempted to manually adjust it to 4.7ghz with a fixed 1.3v Vcore, and it performed much better without overheating or excessive throttling. Now I'm aiming to keep the voltage stable at 4.7ghz while reducing voltage drops during idle periods. I want to ensure the maximum voltage stays at 1.3v so it never goes beyond that. MSI offers various core voltage modes—adaptive, override, offset, etc.—but I've tried several combinations without success. Additionally, I enabled CSTATES, which I thought might help, but it didn't yield the desired results. I'd appreciate guidance on achieving this balance.
The simplest approach is to activate the core C7 state in the BIOS. Cores that aren’t working will automatically switch to C7. When a core needs to carry out a task, it exits C7 and immediately enters the C0 state for full performance. Cores in C7 are not connected to the power supply, so they remain at 0 volts and operate at 0 MHz. Voltage for unused cores stays active even when the computer is idle. This leads to reduced power use and lower temperatures during inactivity or light usage.
I'll attempt this tomorrow. Currently cstate is configured to auto with the c state range or whatever it is, set to auto. I previously enabled it once but left the range on auto... This time I'll turn it on and set it to c7 to observe the results.
Just trying to conserve power while my PC is idle—sometimes that's a big difference. But I want the cores to maintain 4.7 and keep stable voltage during gaming.
The screenshot shows the system running with the Windows High Performance power plan. Active cores operate at maximum speed with full voltage, while inactive cores are in C7 mode, running at zero speed and receiving no voltage.
Not sure if this image is showing but I enabled Cstate and set the limit to C7, I am seeing no difference. Vcore doesnt drop below 1.296 and no indication that any cores and shutting off. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.. if this doesnt work maybe there is another way to get the voltage to drop at idle like I was describing.. but this option would be good too if I could make it work.
The Vcore data provided by the monitoring tools applies only to active cores. If a core in C7 is inactive, the software cannot display its voltage because no current flows through that core. The core remains disconnected from the power rail. For accurate insights into idle core usage, use HWiNFO64 or ThrottleStop 9.6. Monitoring tools like HWMonitor and AIDA64 do not track C state activity.
I can now observe that c7 functions properly when idle using hwinfo64. It seems I'm achieving significant power savings during idle and will resume full performance at 1.3v whenever I engage in any activity, especially gaming – which is acceptable. This represents a form of extreme power conservation while idling. Still, I wonder if it's feasible to limit my overclock to a maximum of 1.3v while allowing the voltage to drop further at 1.3v when not fully required. This would require adjusting the various power modes. It’s a solid foundation, but I’m hoping to refine it further. If you have any experience, I’d appreciate your advice. Once this is resolved, I aim to reach 4.8 or 4.9, though I suspect my current 1.3v setting might be too high at the moment.
The C states exist to consistently lower power usage and manage heat. They activate whenever a CPU core isn’t fully utilized. During gameplay, idle cores automatically switch to C7 to minimize energy use and thermal output. These low-power states remain accessible not only during inactivity but also when the system is running smoothly.
To keep your CPU operating at peak performance continuously, ensure it receives full voltage for active cores. Reducing voltage requires adjusting the speed to prevent crashes. For better control, switch to the Windows Balanced power plan.
Keep in mind that Intel processors can rapidly alter speeds and voltages—monitoring tools that check the CPU only a few times per second may not reflect its real behavior.
Optimizing efficiency comes from maximizing idle core C7 usage. Identify and remove unnecessary background processes that keep the CPU running unnecessarily. With a lean system, voltage concerns become less critical.
If you choose to overclock, revert to the Windows High Performance plan for more stable voltage settings. The Balanced plan may cause fluctuations in clock speed and voltage. When C7 is enabled, the Balanced plan doesn’t save power as expected.
Refer to my 5000 MHz screenshot above. Pursuing low voltage or clock speed when C7 is on isn’t necessary. It’s surprising how a 10-core CPU can run at 5000 MHz quietly and efficiently.