Seemingly odd voltage levels for the Ryzen 5 processor.
Seemingly odd voltage levels for the Ryzen 5 processor.
I just upgraded to a Ryzen 5 1600x and wanted to check the voltages in HWmonitor. At idle I see 1.4-1.46v, but under load with P95 it drops to 1.2v. The temperatures are a bit high at idle (40c-48c), though under full load at 4.1ghz they stay below 70c. The BIOS has stock settings except for some custom fan curves. I've heard that 1.4v+ can be risky, so I checked my 4690k running at 1.45v for most of the time, assuming it's safe as long as temps are controlled. Any advice or information would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
Hey there,
What motherboard are you using and which BIOS version is active? I recommend beginning with a vcore offset. If you're consistently reaching 1.4 or higher during idle, an offset around 0.10 could lower the voltage to approximately 1.3, which should allow the chip to run smoothly even under core load at 3.9GHz. Just to be sure, running Prime95 isn't the only test—small FFT tests are needed for stability. I expect your temperatures could climb to 80°C or more. Which cooler do you have?
Things have evolved since then for both Intel and AMD. The first Ryzen models perform well up to 1.5v without issues, and it's typical for voltage to be higher during idle to maintain stability. Voltage also decreases when the load increases, as power consumption rises and watts accurately reflect actual performance. The 1600x cooler isn't included with the original unit, and its boost mode is optimal up to 60°C. If it exceeds that temperature, boost reduces and performance suffers, so a more robust cooler might be necessary.
After some research I think it’s best to leave it alone. The motherboard is a GA-AB350M-DH3 with the latest BIOS. For cooling, I’m using the original aluminum AM4 cooler with a copper core, MX-6. After an hour of testing it reaches around 74.8°C on small fans, the 5°C difference comes from lowering the Jetflos to 100% and it’s because I’ve been tired of that setting for a few days. I’m also not sure if a voltage offset is available in this BIOS, though it’s possible I missed it. I’m not too concerned unless I need a better AM4 compatible bracket for my old 212 Evo, otherwise I’ll stick with what I have.
It's actually quite intriguing, though I hadn't come across any other sources about boost performing optimally up to 60c. That makes sense given how games tend to cap around that level.
I'm currently using an MX-6 with the standard aluminum/copper core heatsink, but I'm planning to get a compatibility kit for my 212 Evo soon. This should help keep temperatures well below 60c during the summer, at least that's what I expect since it kept my 4690k@5Ghz around 75-80c.
Thanks in advance! I really value the advice, and I've never felt worse about delaying upgrades. This was just the most affordable option I found secondhand after my Devils Canyon died.
My first Ryzen was 1600x, purchased on the very first day I could replace the Fx 8350 system. I tested it on an Asus Prime X370 Pro with 16GB of 3000MHz RAM. Over time, I upgraded to models like the 2700x, 3700x and later the 5800x (on x470 MB) as they became available. I tried various setups and, being an old-school user since the 386 era, overclocking began immediately. Since these systems didn’t come with factory coolers (only non-X models), I relied on a range of AIO coolers. As my CPUs advanced, I started with the CM Nepton 140XL, 240 and 360 Arctic. From the start, temperature was a key factor affecting performance in auto modes. Until the 5800x, it performed best with a boost frequency up to 60c, with minor adjustments using PBO and voltage changes. Nothing else improved performance significantly—just better cooling. The Zen3 (5000 series), although officially rated at 90-95°C, actually runs cooler by about 10°C compared to that. Unlike previous generations, frequency boosts are abrupt and intense, making voltage and temperature highly sensitive. Therefore, the ideal starting point is always to ensure adequate cooling beyond what’s strictly necessary.