Tips for minor overclocking
Tips for minor overclocking
It is not accurate to say so. The Prime95 Small FFT without AVX steady state workload follows Intel datasheets, not some unusual or extreme testing approach.
This is completely unrelated to my fellow moderator and the author of the Intel temperature guide, Computronix. It’s quite surprising.
If running the system under full steady state without staying below 80°C indicates insufficient cooling, then the cooling solution may be inadequate, the overclock too high for the available cooling, or possibly due to poor hardware quality. Or it could simply be an unrealistic overclock.
All CPUs, no matter their origin, should be able to handle a full 100% core steady state workload for 15 minutes without exceeding the recommended thermal limits—typically around 80°C for Intel and Ryzen, or at least ten degrees above TJmax for older FX models. Temperature readings from FX platforms aren’t reliable, so they shouldn’t be relied upon.
There is a method to approximate the remaining thermal margin using a thermal specification, but it’s unnecessary when you can easily see Overdrive or Core Temp values indicating clear thermal margins.
My concern with Aida64 is that it doesn’t provide a steady state workload strong enough to push the CPU to its maximum power draw, unlike more rigorous tests such as Prime Small FFT, OCCT small data set, or Heavyload. Running Aida64 for thermal compliance checks is like testing an umbrella on a rainy day.
Although this guide is tailored for Intel Core-i processors, it contains valuable insights that apply to any modern consumer CPU.
I understand there is an issue with the FX Series chips and their temperatures, so for overclocking the chip, how can I accurately keep it outside of that 10 degree margin from 80 ? If Coretemp isn't showing me the true temperature and AMD overdrive isnt either (I thought AMD Overdrive showed the thermal margin temperature? )
I am going to try to find a stable voltage and temperature for 4.5 and i'm going to stop there, if not, it seems stable at 4.4 1.35V
Also I'm experiencing a problem with the VID. Both AMD Overdrive and Core temp display the VID at 1.3375V, while in the BIOS it's set to 1.37V. Could this discrepancy be causing inaccurate readings? Or are there factors restricting the VID value? Prime95 is failing during the stress test at 4.5Mhz, and I'm adjusting the Vcore by 0.01V each time while monitoring the thermal margin closely.
AMD displays the thermal margin. When you observe Overdrive, the value displayed decreases as the CPU warms up, but it does not rise. For Core Temp, you can also view the thermal margin by navigating to Options, Settings, and selecting the Advanced tab, then checking the box labeled "Show distance to TJmax in temperature fields."
VID refers to the voltage level requested by the CPU to the motherboard's VR (voltage regulator), controlled by the CPU itself. This setting can vary depending on power-saving modes such as C1E/EIST and each CPU has a distinct maximum VID set during manufacturing. Disabling these features will reset the CPU’s VID to its maximum value permanently.
VCore represents the actual voltage delivered from the motherboard to the CPU, which may be automatically adjusted by the CPU or manually changed by users (e.g., during overclocking). It can differ from the VID due to software-based readings and may be higher or lower than the CPU’s internal setting. The reading of VID is essentially a status indicator within the CPU, whereas VCore reflects the real voltage being supplied.
I have Coretemp configured that way, the distance to tjmax, but AMD overdrive reduces the thermal margin by 10 degrees. The readings don’t match up—seems like AMD overdrive is capping the temperature at 70 instead of 80. That’s quite strange.
Also,
@Darkbreeze
appreciate the explanation about VCore vs VID values. I’ll disregard what I see in the software. I’m not stable at 4.5MHz with 1.38 and a worker failing in Prime95, so I think I’ll keep going until it stabilizes. Or maybe the thermal margin is too small, so I’ll revert to 4.4Mhz, which is my overclock limit?