Tips for overclocking and related queries
Tips for overclocking and related queries
Hey there, newcomer here. I’ve been around these forums before and can help you out. Your setup looks solid: Intel I7-11700K with Corsair 240 AIO, PRIME Z590M-PLUS, 3200 CL16 DDR4, Samsung 980 Pro NVMe, and a RM850 PSU. You’re aiming for around 4.9 or 5.0 GHz across all cores, and you suspect your voltage settings might be the issue. Core 3 and 5 tend to stay stable at around 100°C. You mentioned seeing voltage spikes above 1.42V sometimes, mostly between 1.4 and 1.38V, with most runs in the 1.3 to 1.38 range at about 30-40% load. You’re worried about overheating and want better cooling without risking damage. Need tips on stabilizing the voltage and improving core temps?
You're asking about testing methods, voltage settings, and where you perform overclocking. Specifically, you want to know about stress testing tools, how you're adjusting voltage, whether you're using negative or fixed offsets, and if you're doing overclocking in XTU or the BIOS.
The high voltage spikes you mentioned match my 8700K perfectly. I completely missed the silicon lottery. I replaced the IHS with a custom cobber, nickel-plated and using liquid metal, to manage temperatures. The stock 8700K requires such high voltage. My friend with the stock unit has the original IHS and old thermal paste, but he runs cooler. It’s frustrating. In short, you might have lost the silicon lottery completely, just like me. To control temps further, I applied a -Offset of 0.095mV, which reduced overall temperatures by 5-6°C across all cores. Additionally, if you use four RAM sticks, switching to a kit with two sticks could help—four sticks increase stress on the memory controller and raise temperatures.
Everyone uses the XTU benchmark; Cineplex r23, prime64, even Warzone will work. 2. I lowered the voltage to .045 on the BIOS and then adjusted further in XTU with an offset of -0.045, etc. 3. I set all cores to 4.9 in the BIOS and then boosted overclocking in XTU—core 0 and 1 at 5.0, others at 4.9. Thanks!
I'll test the RAM module. I have four 8GB sticks, totaling 32GB. I'll try that and compare the results. I'm also considering leveling the IHS for a smoother fit, but I need to check the warranty first. Thanks again for your support!
Consider using a static voltage setting instead. Offset voltages can cause unusual problems similar to what you're seeing, and static voltage generally supports more reliable overclocking at a fixed voltage (due to technical factors). Open the BIOS and switch the voltage mode from Offset to Static, Fixed, or whatever ASUS defines it as. Set the voltage to 1.35V and test stability—aim for around 4.9V. If it fluctuates, increase gradually up to a maximum of 1.4V in small steps (~100mV increments), verifying stability each time. If spikes persist, there may be another issue.
Hey, your feedback is really useful! It seems like you're getting closer to the desired temps now, though it took a bit longer than expected. You might want to try a slightly lower voltage of 1.33 and observe the results. If it works, you can then boost to 5.0 across all cores and adjust from there.
Think you've landed a solid win now... Prime95 worked without needing Cinebench, and the 5.0 setup with all cores running kept temps steady at 1.34 volts static. The voltage still jumped to 1.394, which is much better than the previous spikes above 1.5.