This instruction applies to Intel i5 12600KF and prevents it from exceeding 4.9 ghz on MSI Click BIOS version 5.
This instruction applies to Intel i5 12600KF and prevents it from exceeding 4.9 ghz on MSI Click BIOS version 5.
BIOS PHOTOS:
"Advanced Cpu Configuration" and Overclock settings:
https://imgur.com/a/x4odMDW
See also: https://imgur.com/a/x4odMDW
I own an MSI A WIFI DDR4 B660 board that supports overclocking. I recently updated the BIOS in the hope it would resolve the issue, but it didn’t work. Now I’m forced to reset all other settings. Overclocking isn’t possible in XTU either—probably a BIOS-related setting I haven’t adjusted yet.
Other factors to consider include being unlucky with the silicone lottery and/or having insufficient MoBo VRM phases. Be aware that there is no assurance the CPU can run faster than its maximum turbo frequency. Generally, a lack of thermal headroom is the main reason for not achieving higher frequencies, though even with ample headroom, stability at elevated speeds remains uncertain. The number of MoBo VRM power phases also plays a role in determining how much CPU can be overclocked. For instance, a MoBo with 8 phase VRM may perform adequately with stock CPU speeds, but it falls short for significant overclocking.
It won’t let me adjust the value past 49, only down to 50 or lower. I’m certain my CPU can handle higher numbers when I type "50" or any value above that, but anything over it will reset to 49. I also can’t increase the number with just the + key, though I can decrease it by pressing the - key. I have no problems overclocking other components, only the CPU.
The VRMs on the other hand—are you certain they’re preventing me from reaching 5 GHz? I thought it might be due to some BIOS restrictions or settings.
The B660 chipset isn't meant for CPU overclocking. Even though Intel has made the CPU OC feature available, manufacturers like MoBo aren't required to include it. They can adjust CPU frequency and other settings in BIOS, but they can also impose restrictions within BIOS settings. It seems MSI intentionally set a cap, allowing only P-core maximum turbo at all times—still considered a form of CPU OC. This limitation likely stems from the limited number of VRM phases MoBo has. If MoBo had more VRM phases, such restrictions wouldn't be necessary.
It's regrettable that MSI didn't promote overclocking on their site, so I expected it to be possible
Technically, MSI didn't lie and you can OC your CPU. i5-12600KF P-cores base clocks are 3.7 Ghz and boost clocks are up to 4.9 Ghz. Meaning that CPU P-cores, for the most part, run at 3.7 Ghz while boosting up to 4.9 Ghz when needed. Now, you were able to apply all P-core OC on your CPU, where all P-cores run at constant 4.9 Ghz (max boost clocks), rather than default 3.7 Ghz. <- That still is CPU OC. But you can't get the level of OC you want, e.g 5.0 Ghz. Btw, even if you have high-end MoBo, even then you won't gain much from CPU OC. Latest CPUs are so efficient that they have little, if any, OC headroom. Back in the day, with older CPUs, CPU OC was worthwhile. E.g i have i5-6600K with 3.5 GHz base and 3.9 Ghz boost. With CPU OC, i could get it 4.5 Ghz all core (increase of 600 Mhz over boost), or with delid, ~4.7 Ghz all core (800 Mhz over boost). And there have been some delidded i5-6600K CPUs, that can hold 5 Ghz all core. Your CPU, i5-12600KF, is so efficient, that most chips out there, can only hold all core stable at 5.0 Ghz (100 Mhz over boost). With this, there is so little OC headroom, that CPU OC, IMO, isn't worthwhile. Source: So, 100-300 Mhz OC over boost clocks is so little, that CPU OC with current, highly efficient chips, isn't worthwhile. There won't be any meaningful performance increase. If the headroom would be bigger, like it is with my 6th gen CPU, where on minimum, i look towards 600 Mhz increase over boost clocks (or up to 1.1 Ghz over boost, if very lucky with delidded chip), then CPU OC makes sense. All-in-all, CPU OC is dying niche and outside of record breaking, isn't worth the effort anymore.
Where did you find information about overclocking the CPU on that board? The B chipset isn't designed for CPU overclocking; if you wanted to, you should have purchased a Z motherboard instead.
On the MSI website it mentions you can perform an OC on the CPU, though it's located quite far away. The specifications provided are: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-WIFI-DDR4. You need to scroll down significantly until you reach the "Audio", "BIOS & Software", and "Security" sections. In the "BIOS & Software" tab, click on "MSI Center", then select "Click BIOS 5". From there, look for the relevant option.
Can you locate an instance of someone overclocking with a B660 board? I believe the details on the Intel site might be incorrect. If it’s feasible, finding a couple of examples should be straightforward.