You're looking for assistance with overclocking but haven't had much experience yet.
You're looking for assistance with overclocking but haven't had much experience yet.
Hey there, I’m looking for some guidance on overclocking. Here’s what I have so far:
Mobo
: ASRock Z490 Taichi
CPU
: Intel i9-10900 (not the 10900K)
GPU
: MSI GAMING X TRIO 24G 3090
RAM
: Dual-Channel 2x Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR4-3200MHz (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16)
PSU
: Corsair HX1200
CPU Cooler
: Noctua NH-D15 Black
PC Case
: Phanteks P600S Eclipse White (only the included fans, planning to add 2 Noctua NF-A15 HS-PWM 140mm later)
OS
: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
I mainly use the system for browsing and basic tasks like Excel, Word, and gaming on a 2K (2560x1440) 165Hz display. My goal is to push all games to their ultra settings with maximum FPS. I remember considering the 10900K but later realized I’ve never overclocked before, so I’m worried it might not be worth it.
I’m stuck and searching forums daily, but I can’t grasp many details or feel comfortable experimenting because my setup is costly. I’ve already boosted RAM speeds to 3333mhz (1666mhz per module), adjusted timings to 15-18-18-36, and used a voltage of 1.398V. My RAM XMP settings are 3200Mhz with 15-19-19-36 and 1.35V – everything seems stable. I ran stress tests on 3DMark for hours without issues.
Now I’m wondering: can I push speeds higher, lower timings, or increase voltage? What risks am I taking? If it works, is the gain worth it? I don’t want to risk anything if I only see a few extra frames.
Additionally, could I improve CPU performance further? I know it’s not a K model, but are there BIOS tweaks or software options that might help? I’m using the top air cooler available and want to use it optimally. I’ve heard about adjusting VCCSA/VCCIO voltages during overclocking – should I try that, especially since I don’t have a K model?
Lastly, regarding the GPU (or BFGPU), I’ve increased core voltage in MSI Afterburner to +100, set power and temp limits to 102 and 91, added +45 to core clock and +350 to memory clock. It works fine within those ranges, but anything beyond seems to cause crashes. I see people overclocking cards up to +250-450 core clock and +700-900 memory clock – how do they manage it?
I’m open to any advice or clarification you can provide. Thanks in advance!
There is no possibility of overclocking this CPU that should be done. Using the system bus could impact other components, and any significant overclocking would likely lead to instability in other parts of the motherboard.
If you desire better performance, consider these options: return the CPU if it's still within the return period and upgrade to a higher-end model like the 10900k or 10850k. Alternatively, you could sell your current CPU and replace it. You might also achieve slightly improved performance by using a faster memory kit or one with reduced latency. A CL14 kit would slightly reduce latency and provide minimal additional gains.
BLCK overclocking isn't something I suggest because it can disrupt other buses, such as PCI-E.
Don't attempt it.
FLCK overclocking applies to AMD only, as Intel uses a monolithic die rather than chiplets. FLCK refers to the infinity fabric interconnect speed, connecting AMD's chiplets.
CPU voltage power target overclocking is available on some motherboards; it doesn't actually overclock the CPU but pushes it toward higher clock speeds, causing it to increase more aggressively.
Regarding RAM, beyond timing adjustments, I wouldn't push further since your timings are already quite tight—lowering them further seems unlikely.
For GPUs, people often achieve high overclocks by overclocking the Founders Edition, whereas you have a pre-installed OC card with a higher boost clock by default.
Still, none of these adjustments will significantly improve performance beyond a small margin at most.
The i9 10900K is already faster than the non-K version out of the box, so overclocking isn't something they anticipate or recommend for real gains.
The era of pushing CPU speeds to five times their original rate is sadly behind us, and today CPUs and GPUs are nearing their limits, making stock performance more realistic.
There isn't any overclocking possible for that CPU that should be done. Using the system bus would impact other components, and any significant overclocking would likely lead to instability in other parts of the motherboard.
If you're looking for better performance, consider these options: return your CPU if it's still within the return period and upgrade to a higher-end model like the 10900k or 10850k. Alternatively, selling your current CPU would allow you to proceed with a faster memory kit or one offering lower latency. A CL14 kit could slightly reduce latency and improve responsiveness, though it comes at a cost and requires returning or selling your existing RAM.
In reality, your CPU is likely sufficient, with ample cores, and some users are successfully running the 3090 with less powerful CPUs without issues.
I understand, I'm really pleased with my PC's performance overall. It's just that I spent a lot of money on this, so I should maximize every bit of it. I see, therefore I should keep my overclocking done as is since the system runs smoothly with these settings. Unfortunately, the RAM kits and the CPU are no longer available, so I'll wait for Rocket Lake and probably upgrade to a faster, lower-latency kit and a Rocket Lake CPU if it makes sense.
A lesson learned here: if I'm planning an extreme build, I should opt for the unlocked K model. It was a mistake thinking saving 50 euros would be worth it.
Thanks a lot for your advice and support! 😊