The lower the CPU volts, the better it is.
The lower the CPU volts, the better it is.
There's alot on this forum about people getting them to 4.8 on 1.2/1.25, not as rare as you think.
Auto voltage is THE most stable basis for an overclock. Because it automatically goes to a voltage that is high enough for every single OOB cpu to run at, it means almost every single one can overclock on it without needing to change it higher, no?
Whether OP decides to go up or down is up to them, but if he's truly already at stable 4.8 with 1.25, yes he can probably lower the voltage.
I believe current remains the main factor behind damage. A short circuit that leads to total failure can occur very quickly, before any OCP can respond. While high current generates heat which causes harm, attributing damage solely to temperature is like claiming a chip can be dunked in LN2 and still withstand lightning strikes all day.
Regarding voltage, the upper bound is the safe limit—it's not the absolute maximum. You can exceed it temporarily, but beyond that risk permanent failure. I've been told a general guideline is no more than 10%, so for example at 1.52V, 1.67V fits within that range, though I prefer avoiding it to prevent early breakdown.
It seems this discussion mixes two distinct failure types—electromigration and dielectric issues. I’m not sure how to clearly separate them. The idea of a 'safe' voltage limit with Ryzen is tricky; most guidelines are rough estimates without a solid standard. I can be certain that reducing voltage doesn’t negatively affect reliability or lifespan. We previously adjusted processor and component voltages to boost reliability and efficiency in aerospace, carefully aligning each device’s performance range for stable operation under low voltage conditions.
Auto isn't used since it inherently lacks stability.
CPU demands shift rapidly, and Auto cannot respond quickly enough to match these changes on the lowest point of the ripple curve. This is why LLC is introduced to add extra voltage, preventing voltage dropout and ensuring sufficient power states.
At the same time, LLC also adjusts the top voltage of the ripple, which helps maintain safe voltage levels.
When a CPU demand occurs but VID isn't high enough or fast enough, the system crashes.
Maintaining a fixed voltage, VID, and using LLC bypasses these problems, allowing consistent performance regardless of load.
Stability issues only arise if voltages or LLC settings are misconfigured.