Ryzen 3500X at 1.43 Volts by default
Ryzen 3500X at 1.43 Volts by default
I own a Ryzen 3500x on a B550 Mo-Bo, the BIOS is current, but when I open Ryzen Master I see voltages above 1.4 volts during idle. Other apps like HW Monitor confirm the same thing. I’ve adjusted the overclock from 4.1ghz at 1.4+v to 4.2ghz at 1.325, and temperatures have improved significantly. The airflow is strong enough with stock settings, keeping the CPU under 65°C. After these changes, temperatures never exceed 60°C and idle stays in the low to mid-30s Celsius.
Another point of concern is why the system defaults to 1.4V even though some say anything above that is harmful. Would it be safe to run an overclock at 1.4V for higher frequencies, given my thermal capacity?
The higher the voltage, the greater the temperatures, which reduces the lifespan of your CPU. From 4.2 to 4.4 the balance between performance gain and thermal effects isn't worthwhile. In my opinion, it's smarter to overclock your GPU instead. It's designed for that and includes more robust protection features.
The important detail that's absent is whether it's operating at that voltage. The cpu controls its own power consumption more effectively than you can.
Going up and down this way is actually more secure than trying to fix it at 1.325v.
It appears to remain consistently above 1.4V continuously, even during idle, and it jumps between 1.4 and 1.43.
It's typical for Ryzen to increase voltage up to 1.5V during core boosting, and boosting cores often happens. 1.43V is normal. Use HWInfo64 instead of HWMonitor and focus on CPU Core Voltage (SVI2/TFN) to check actual usage. Make sure VCore is set to AUTO so it manages itself.
If I'm being direct, it seems these individuals are relying on outdated advice or simply following warnings without checking facts themselves, and they may not fully grasp how MOSFETs function.
If you review your own query,
would it be acceptable to set the overclock to 1.4V for achieving 4.4GHZ, given my thermal capacity? That was the point I was making.
It's typical for the system to behave that way. Many users respond to a sudden spike in voltage, such as 1.4 or higher, which can pose serious risks. However, if the situation is managed properly, AUTO Ryzen employs a rapid response method to reduce voltage as temperatures rise, ensuring the CPU remains safe.
Understanding the process: CPU wear from electromigration happens when both core temperature and current density are extremely high at the same time. The only effective way to reduce core current is by decreasing voltage, which also impacts clock speeds. The Ryzen boost feature maintains high voltages for stability during intense clock increases, but it will automatically lower them when temperatures drop enough to prevent damage. Reducing both voltage and frequency helps maintain a controlled temperature.