voltage spikes in adaptive mode
voltage spikes in adaptive mode
Hello everyone,
I've been working on and testing my new i5 6600k over the past few days. So far, everything has run quite smoothly during manual voltage tests.
My system configuration includes:
i5 6600k
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming
nzxt Kraken X61
g.skill 2x8gb DDR4 2666mhz
Seasonic S12G 550w
I've maintained stable performance at both 4.5ghz / 1.230v and 4.4ghz / 1.215v, using LLC 5 (1-7). Testing was done with Realbench for 8 hours on 16gb RAM, P95 v26.6, small fft's, and Cinebench R15.
However, I've started noticing minor problems when switching my stable overclocks to adaptive mode. In both scenarios, I set the "additional core voltage" to 1.230 or 1.215, kept "offset voltage on auto", enabled SpeedStep, and left C-States on auto. Windows power plan was set to balanced.
Despite this, I'm observing short voltage spikes up to 0.030v above the maximum Vcore I configured in BIOS—even during desktop use or internet browsing. Most of the time, the Vcore stays close to or slightly below the BIOS-specified max, but these spikes are concerning, especially as I plan longer gaming sessions or video editing.
I understand that stress tests with AVX instructions can cause voltage spikes in adaptive mode, but I'm seeing noticeable fluctuations. While my overall Vcore remains within safe limits, I'm trying to keep it under the BIOS max values. I've also thought about running manual mode voltage continuously at 24/7 with SpeedStep enabled, though I'm worried about the long-term effects of constantly running at maximum load.
Sidenote: setting a negative offset didn't help much—it even caused a crash in BIOS when using the 4.5ghz configuration.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Do not rely on adaptive voltage. Stick to manual settings. Always opt for manual when increasing performance. Sometimes manual adjustments are necessary.
The impact of continuous manual voltage adjustment on CPU lifespan isn't clear. I'm unsure if leaving SpeedStep and C-States active will help the CPU downclock during inactivity. It's best to consult a reliable source for more accurate information.
When it runs continuously at that voltage, even with manual adjustments for voltage and speed, the voltage decreases when the processor isn't handling heavy tasks. I can monitor the voltage using CPUZ while my CPU operates at 5.0ghz continuously. The CPU maintains its speed but the voltage remains low until it's under load, after which it rises back to 1.41v—the setting I've configured with manual voltage.
What model of motherboard are you using? Your CPU voltage remains stable even with manual mode active and speed testing turned on. It reduces clock speed during idle but doesn't lower the voltage; it stays consistent when monitored with cpu-z and hwmonitor.
I'm following the balanced power plan as described in my initial post. I'm using cpu-z and hwmonitor to monitor the voltages. The CPU clock speed drops when it's idle, but the voltage remains stable.