s about overclocking Alienware Aurora R7 (8700K)
s about overclocking Alienware Aurora R7 (8700K)
So, under regular conditions, not when stressed. I assume if it works fine for you, it should suffice, but whenever there’s any kind of overclock, the system needs stress/stability checks at 100% load across all cores. Otherwise, you can’t be sure if silent data corruption is occurring. If this is just for gaming, it might not be too important. But if you run any apps and your overclock isn’t stable after full stress testing—like 15+ hours of testing—I’d be worried. Plus, the OS is still a point of concern, as many systems that seem okay at first can later cause strange crashes or unsolvable errors, usually linked to an unstable overclock not validated with standard methods.
No, that looks quite solid. As mentioned, there might be stability concerns that could impact precision if they become noticeable below 24 hours, minimum 15, so extending the runtime would be wise for reliability. Ten hours seems like a reasonable choice to ensure stability in the short term. Thermals are acceptable at 75, and I prefer keeping my rigs under 70, which means refining cooling settings further could help. Increasing airflow or using higher static pressure fans later might be beneficial, but currently it's within acceptable limits.
My system automatically changed to Windows power saver and I consulted Alienware support about this problem. They provided a driver that they said should resolve the issue, but during installation they advised keeping the system in high performance mode permanently. They claim this setup is more efficient with overclocking than balanced mode.
There appears to be a disagreement on this matter. Some believe balanced mode is sufficient for optimal CPU and GPU use when pushed hard and supports longer operation, while others support the manufacturer's suggestion.
Darkbreeze:
It seems reasonable. While there might still be stability concerns noticeable at lower speeds, they think running it longer would be safe for now. Ten hours should provide decent protection in the short term. Thermals are acceptable at 75°C, but they prefer keeping temperatures under 70°C. They suggest fine-tuning cooling further if possible, such as increasing airflow or using higher static pressure fans later, though current specs are close enough that it’s technically acceptable.
They are foolish. I didn’t mention anything about using balanced mode. What you should do is, after overclocking systems for fifty or more attempts, usually without any issues, set the system to performance mode, then navigate to advanced settings and adjust the minimum processor power state to 5 or 10%, while keeping the maximum at 100%. I usually stick with 5% and have never faced problems on any setup like that.
Also, ensure EIST (Enhanced Intel speed step) is activated in the BIOS, as most OEM boards include this setting by default. Did we ever talk about the power supply? I don’t think so. There might be complications if the PSU is group regulated, which seems likely with an OEM unit.
The 8700k uses the C7 low power core state, which can lead to crossloading problems on a group-regulated PSU. Many manufacturers overlook this, and I’ve seen cases where incompatible CPUs came with unsuitable power supplies despite expectations. This can cause instability, blue screens, or even complete shutdowns.
Check the back of your machine and confirm the model number listed on the specifications sticker.
I modified the “Minimum Processor State” for performance mode from 100% to 5%.
The documentation at http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/alienware..._en-us.pdf outlines all the BIOS settings I have. However, I wasn’t able to locate any information regarding EIST.
I also didn’t find the exact PSU model, but I did gather the details below. These were taken from the manual at http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/alienware..._en-us.pdf.
Power ratings
Table 14. Power ratings specifications
Input voltage
100 VAC–240 VAC
Input frequency
50 Hz–60 Hz
Temperature range
Operating
5°C to 50°C (41°F to 122°F)
Storage
–40°C to 70°C (–40°F to 158°F)
Type
850 W
Input current (maximum):
10 A
Output current:
3.3V/20A, 5V/20A,
12VA/32A, 12VB/48A,
12VD/16A, -12V/0.5A,
5Vaux/4A
Rated output voltage:
3.3V, 5V, 12VA, 12VB,
12VD, -12V, 5Vaux
Darkbreeze :
They are not very helpful. I never mentioned anything about using balanced mode. What you should do—after testing over fifty systems or more with no issues—is to switch the system to performance mode, then navigate to advanced settings for the performance profile and adjust the minimum processor power state to 5 or 10%, leaving the maximum at 100%. I usually stick to 5% and have never encountered problems on any setup like this.
Additionally, verify in the BIOS that EIST (Enhanced Intel speed step) is activated. If there are user-adjustable options for this feature, they are typically enabled by default on OEM boards. Also, let’s not forget about the power supply. I suspect it might be group regulated, which could cause problems if the system relies on an OEM unit—especially since this model likely uses one.
The 8700k employs the C7 low-power core state, which may lead to crossloading issues with a group-regulated PSU. Many manufacturers overlook this detail, and I’ve seen several units come with incompatible power supplies for the CPU platform despite expectations. This can result in instability, blue screens, or even complete shutdowns.
Check the back of your machine and confirm the model number listed on the specifications sticker.
There should be a model number for the power supply somewhere. It's usually on the back or one of the sides. By law, companies can't sell power supplies without the specifications and model number on the unit.
It might be inside the case if it's attached to the back, or it could be on one of the sides. I would unplug it from the wall, take out the four screws that secure it to the case, and remove it just enough to see the side or back where the specs or model number should be. It has to be there somewhere or this would be a violation.
Alternatively, someone might have taken the sticker off, but even then you'd likely find a cleaner spot for it. I need the model number to check the internal platform. Other details are helpful, but not essential for this task.
I checked the case and noticed these numbers on the PSU:
CN-01XCK3-PE200
-79I-0511-A00
DP/N 01XCK3
Darkbreeze :
There should be a model number for the power supply somewhere. It's likely on the back or one of the sides. By law, companies can't sell power supplies without providing the specifications and model number on the unit.
It might be included in part of the case if it's attached to the back, or it could be on one of the sides. I removed it from the wall, took out the four screws that secure it to the case, and just pulled it off enough to see the sticker or model number on each side/back. It definitely has to be there somewhere or this would be a violation.
Alternatively, someone might have taken the sticker off, but even then you'd probably still see a clean area where it was removed. I need the model to confirm the internal platform. The other details are helpful, but not essential for this task.
Is there a brand name visible on the power supply? Could this be a Corsair model inside? Those figures didn’t appear at all during a search online, suggesting they are likely internal identifiers rather than part of the public model. There’s a label somewhere on the device that might resemble this one. It may not match exactly, but there should be something similar present. The listed voltage requirements are legally required, so the model number is probably there too. Somewhere—possibly hidden or removed—should be an identical unit in your system. It could be on top, a side, or at the back, depending on how the power supply was installed; you might need to retrieve it to confirm its presence.