the i5 2500k requires strong voltages for successful overclocking
the i5 2500k requires strong voltages for successful overclocking
Hi, I'm trying to overclock my CPU using a stock cooler and a Gigabyte z77-d3h motherboard with 2x4GHz RAM. Others in this forum mentioned they ran their CPUs at 4.2GHz with stock voltages. I attempted to overclock to 4.2GHz without an LLC controller even at 1.28V, but it caused BSOD. When using LLC medium or high and 1.26V, it works fine for daily tasks but fails the IntelBurn and prime95 blend tests, and the idle voltage is unusually high at 1.26V. Should I use LLC and what’s the problem?
Pushing the boundaries using the stock cooler is futile since the threshold will shift as soon as you install an aftermarket one. You'll be just fine with an RX 580 or GTX 1060. Only when you upgrade to a GTX 1070 does an overclocked 2500K begin to show results.
Well, for example every chip is unique and because it's a 6-year-old model it may not perform as expected when it was purchased.
Usually, using an LLC configuration is recommended since it aids in voltage droop under heavy loads... the voltage should be sufficient for 4.2Ghz.
To determine the appropriate LLC setting, you can perform some stress tests and observe how much your voltage decreases during load... if it drops excessively and a BSOD appears, you should increase the value.
Additionally, the consistent idle voltage of 1.26 might be due to missing an offset setting in the BIOS, disabling power-saving features (such as c-states or speedstep), or adjusting power performance settings on Windows. It's best to test without an offset until you identify the correct voltage.
A BSOD during testing doesn't always indicate a CPU issue—it could stem from RAM problems (always test with XMP disabled) or even from your power supply or motherboard malfunctions... what were your temperatures before the crash?
Finally, avoid using the latest versions of prime95; stick to intelburntest and/or AIDA64.
Good luck!
Thank you for the update, now the system runs smoothly at 4.2ghz with 1.26v and high LLC. Disabling XMP made it more stable. The idle voltage stays at 1.26v; I turned on c3/c6 states and EIST, which reduced the clock ratio to x16 but kept the voltage unchanged. I can't adjust the offset voltage (dynamic vcore for gigabyte) since it's hidden. During the Intel burn test, the CPU temperature reached 85°C—definitely high, so I plan to purchase a better cooler.
I can't remember with gigabyte but I think you set the cpu voltage to normal and use a DVID (?) setting and then the voltage will also drop when idle.
Once you get it stable, you can start manualy inputting your dram timings in the bios... with my 2500k, the auto settings through XMP only worked upto 4.5Ghz and from then on I had to set them manualy upto 4.8Ghz.
85C in IBT isn't too bad... if in gaming your temps are around 60-65C you're just fine... although 1.26 for 4.2 can be considered mediocre (but not unexpected due to the age of the chip).
Hi, I'm adjusting my CPU with the stock cooler.
Halt your current work, take out the overclock and purchase a compatible aftermarket cooler.
If you're configuring a manual VCORE for overclocking, turn off any BIOS power-saving options that change clock speed or voltage, like C6 and EIST.
The Prime95 Blend test doesn't reach full load; use the Small FFTs test instead.
LLC is useful mainly if you plan to run an overclock continuously.
I'm just checking the limits of my CPU before purchasing a cooler. I plan to upgrade the HD7850 to an RTX 580 or GTX 1060, so I want to confirm if my CPU can handle such graphics cards. I'm using power-saving features to reduce idle voltage and power use. If you think this is unnecessary, I could turn it off.
Pushing the boundaries using the stock cooler is futile since the threshold will shift as soon as you install an aftermarket one. You'll be just fine with an RX 580 or GTX 1060. Only when you upgrade to a GTX 1070 does an overclocked 2500K begin to show results.