First time overclocker, want some reassurance from more experienced overclockers.

[iiBetrayforAR]

So I will be overclocking my system soon as I ordered an H100i, along with several other things. Specs:

3770K
H100i (With MX4 Thermal paste)
Maximus V Formula
4x4GB Corsair DDR3 1600Mhz
240GB Intel 335 SSD
1TB WD Black
Matrix 7970
HAF X
SeaSonic Platinum 860w
Windows 8

The fan config I will be running is the H100i at the top of the case with 2 SP120 QE's on top(Exhaust). The stock 200mm side (Intake), stock 230mm front fan(Intake), AF120 QE at the back of the case(Exhaust), and an AF120 QE mounted in the 5.25in bay area(Intake).

Are there any weird things I should know about my hardware (or Windows 8) when overclocking the CPU? I have heard about the H100i back plate sticking up issue, and if I notice mine sticking up I will certainly get some washers and correct it.

I would like to achieve 4.5Ghz, but if it appears the silicone lottery has been good to me, I will push it as far as I can without murdering it. After getting it stable at whatever clock/voltage, I'm going to do an offset voltage.

I have been reading up on this guide, and others referenced in it: http://www.overclock.net/t/1291703/ivy-bridge-overclocking-guide-asus-motherboards

Thanks in advance

Nick

 

[jamesriley94]

Hi,
On Ivybridge, overclocking is dead easy.

Put the clock speed to 4.5ghz through the multiplier at 45 - leaving the BCLK alone.

Then set the voltage to 1.175v, and increase in 0.025v increments until stable for 12 hours on prime. Then you can try to bring the voltage down slightly (ie, down by 0.005v) until no longer stable in order to find the lowest point.

That's pretty much all there is to it. You really won't need more than 4.5ghz, but if you want to have a play, you can just go through from the same method as before.

On Ivy, there's usually a big increase between 4.5ghz and 4.6ghz in volts needed.
For example, mine will do 4.5ghz at 1.21v, but needs around 1.3v for the extra 100mhz, which really isn't worth it IMO.

I wouldn't go above 1.3v for 24/7. Others may argue you can push it further, and to be fair the chip will survive if you push it further - but the small increase in performance really isn't worth the larger increase in heat at that kind of voltage.

 

[iiBetrayforAR]

My understanding from that guide I linked is that really you don't want to go past 1.45v Which I don't want to go a ridiculous amount of voltage, if I can get 4.5Ghz on 1.25v or less I will be pretty happy. I'm not going to have the clock speed and voltage max 24/7, I'm going to offset the voltage, and let the clock speed scale back when not in use.

I also discovered the H100i has pre-applied thermal paste, does anyone know if it is any good? Is it really worth taking it off and applying MX4 to it?

 

[jamesriley94]

Tbh, I've not actually watched the guide, but you seriously don't want to go as high as 1.45v. I had mine at 1.375v for 2 weeks and my 3770k started to degrade, so I'd definitely say no higher than 1.3v now.

Don't go for offset overclocking. Stick to manual volts, and keep them low enough so they don't need to throttle back with offset. If you have it at 1.25v 24/7 with an h100i, temps will never be a problem.

From my experience, offset mode required far far more volts to actually get the CPU stable - went from 1.205v stable for 4.5ghz at the time, to needed 1.265v on offset mode.
Stick to manual and keep it low, and you'll be fine.

 

[iiBetrayforAR]

Yeah, I really don't want to go very high voltage. I would like to keep it low.

Why not, if you listen to TotallyDubbed's explanation (http://youtu.be/xNVk0FlGp_U?t=19m10s) of it sounds like a nice thing. Wouldn't running max voltage 24/7 decrease the life of the CPU? Like his guide suggest, I plan to find my proper voltage for my PC, and make sure it is stable, then do the offset.

Offset basically scales back the voltage when it is not needed, correct?

 

[jamesriley94]

It does step down your processor's voltage when it isn't needed yes, and in theory it is a good idea. However, you won't damage your processor if you stay around that kind of voltage 24/7 anyway.

In my own experience, I needed far more volts in order to get stable with offset overclocking. Because of the excess heat produced when doing this, I found that to be worse than just leaving it fixed.

By all means try for yourself - if you can get the same stability at the same voltage as you would in manual mode, by all means go for it. But for me it wasn't worth the effort as it just wasn't as stable as manual mode.

 

[iiBetrayforAR]

Ok man, I will try the offset, but if it doesn't work, oh well.