Unstable output with adaptive voltage control
Unstable output with adaptive voltage control
Hi,
The summary is short:
stable performance with manual settings on an i7 6700k, but unstable with adaptive.
More details:
I’ve looked into various solutions, but none seem particularly helpful or effective. My setup includes an Intel i7 6700k, 16GB DDR4 RAM, Asus Z170i Pro gaming PC, Supernova G2 650W, and a custom cooling system in a tight-fitting Corsair case. I’ve avoided overclocking the graphics card during testing, though I encountered issues with scan.co.uk that prevented me from repeating tests consistently.
I tested stable overclocks at 4.6GHz @ 1.365V using stress tests like x264 Stability Test and Realbench. The results were consistent—no problems. However, when switching to adaptive voltage, even with a small positive offset, the system becomes unstable in realbench testing.
I’ve experimented with different voltage settings for adaptive mode but haven’t pushed it too high without risking damage. Under load, temperatures stay below 80°C (AIDA64 and x264), which is acceptable as long as I stay under 90°C. I still have time to fine-tune the fans if needed.
Anyone have advice on how adaptive voltage works or alternatives that could prevent constant high voltage usage? Thanks for your help!
When you configure a target voltage of 1.35V and an offset of +0.05V, the system can reach up to 1.4V without considering the LLC (Load line calibration). It's important to define a specific LLC level instead of relying on auto-setting. Using Level 4 is acceptable. LLC helps minimize vdroop. Avoid letting the motherboard adjust the LLC randomly, as this could raise the voltage beyond your intended setting.
Adaptive voltage only sets the voltage you prefer during turbo speeds. You must either boost the offset or adjust the set voltage when using adaptive mode. There are no other real options besides raising the voltage setting, lowering it to 4.5Ghz, or switching to manual mode. I have a similar 6700k that needs more than 1.36v to remain stable at 4.6Ghz—it's a matter of luck with silicon.
Adaptive voltage only sets the voltage you prefer during turbo speeds. You must either increase the offset or adjust the set voltage in adaptive mode. There are no other options besides raising the voltage setting or lowering it to 4.5Ghz or switching to manual mode. For a similar 6700k model, stability above 1.36V at 4.6Ghz is rare—it depends on the specific design. I was disappointed when I saw my setup only reached 100MHz after spending £400 on custom watercooling. It’s a significant investment. If you’re considering offsets, they might also affect your turbo voltage; for example, if you offset by 0.35 or more, your turbo could rise to 1.4V or higher. What offset would work best in that scenario?
When you configure a target voltage of 1.35V and an offset of +0.05V, the system can reach up to 1.4V without considering the LLC (Load line calibration). It's important to define a specific LLC level instead of relying on auto-setting. Using Level 4 is acceptable. LLC helps minimize vdroop. Avoid letting the motherboard adjust the LLC randomly, as this could raise the voltage beyond your intended setting.
Suztera:
If you configure a target voltage of 1.35V and an offset of +0.05V, the system can reach up to 1.4V without considering the LLC (Load line calibration). It's important to define a specific LLC level instead of relying on auto-setting. Leaving it at Level 4 is acceptable. LLC helps minimize vdroop. Avoid letting the motherboard alter the LLC settings randomly, as this can greatly raise the voltage beyond your intended value. I plan to test this tomorrow and verify stability using realbench and cinebench.