Wait, how does Ryzen overclocking even work again?
Wait, how does Ryzen overclocking even work again?
I just watched that der8auer video about boosting the 5950x with an ASUS Crosshair VIII and the "amp-based OC mode toggle." It made me realize there’s no way to adjust overclock profiles based on active cores, and the process feels a bit unclear. On my 6700k, I thought I could just increase the multiplier and get a stable 4.5 instead of the default 4.00. With Ryzen, single-core boost is turned off by default for all cores. He tried pushing 5.0GHz on a 280mm AIO in single-core mode and 4.0GHz with all 16 cores. It took him extreme cooling to hit 5.8GHz on all cores, though. Is it worth spending £350 on a Ryzen 3000/5000 if you need a custom board to avoid losing single-core performance? The 4.8/4.0 boost seems like a good balance unless you want top-tier cooling for the 5900x or 5800x. I’m still not very familiar with how overclocking is shaping up right now. As I remember, simply raising the multiplier seemed to give consistent gains and extra flexibility with decent cooling options.
Only if the goal is to boost performance should I look for options that come ready to use.
core speed isn't the only factor considered; improvements in instructions per cycle keep Ryzen strong for gaming. If you're only aiming to overclock, it's not worthwhile—consider buying an FX for that purpose.
The Zen 2 (and newer) design works differently from Intel’s approach in boosting. When the system idles and switches to Zen, it prioritizes the fastest core in each CCX, pushing its speed well beyond what the CPU can normally handle across all cores—like achieving 4.5Ghz on your 3800X despite its maximum capability of 4.8Ghz on all cores. This boost targets low-intensity high-frequency tasks that the OS constantly runs. However, it demands a much higher voltage from the fastest core, which is far beyond what any single core would typically need. When you enable an all-core overclock, the CPU must limit boosting to prevent voltage issues. Setting all cores to the same high clock raises their required voltage, leaving no room for additional boosts. The slowdown comes from other cores downclocking to compensate. I’ve shared this insight since getting my Zen 2, and a few months ago Jayz2Cents explained it in a video too. Running an OC on Zen 2 is only worthwhile if you’re willing to manage extreme cooling. Rarely can you push an OC higher than the CPU’s automatic limits, and forcing all-core overclock sacrifices single-core performance. The wisest choice is to let it run naturally unless you need maximum performance, in which case PBO is a better option.
When lowering Zen2/Zen3 temperatures without aiming for overclocking, it seems you're already within AMD's guidelines. If that works, it could save you money since you were considering a more expensive Noctua D15 cooler. If a cheaper option is sufficient, you might want to go with it.
It's usually better to own something rather than just needing it, and another advantage of Noctua is their nearly silent performance.