Help with i5 3570K overclock

[Wahzy]

Hello.

I'm new here but have been following the forums for some time now. Really enjoy watching the guides and reviews on the YouTube page.

I had better start off with what I have:
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz
GByte GA-Z77-D3H Z77 MoBo
CORSAIR CARBIDE 300R BLACK
Intel Core i5 3570K s1155
Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A CPU
MSI Geforce 560TI 1024MB Twin Frozr II
OCZ 550W PSU

Now I have tried overclocking with some success. I tried a fixed voltage but was worried about it being a constant all the time even when web browsing and what not.

Currently @ 4.3GHZ and maxing out 78-79 degrees using OCCT Linpack AVX.

My best clock was @ 4.3GHZ
-0.030V DVID
PLL 1.65V
LLC TURBO
RAM XMP Profile 1

I'd like to be at 4.4GHZ ideally. Currrently there at the moment.
+0.045V DVID
PLL 1.165V
LLC TURBO

All seems stable, no WHEA errors etc. However if I run OCCT test it goes over 85 degrees straight away so it stops. Although at idle CPU temps are only 22-29 degrees. Voltage does peak at around 1.392V approx under load which I am guessing is my problem. If I drop the DVID any less then it becomes unstable. Any help is greatly appreciated.

My other option would be better cooling? Currently using stock case fans with the Thermalright cooler. It's doing a push pull effect with a 120mm at the front and the 140mm at the rear. Could I invest in maybe a Corsair 120mm AF and stick it at the top as an additional exhaust?

This is my first real attempt at an OC after doing my first ever build myself.

The only thing I use my PC for is Flight Sim X.

Cheers look forward to reading your responses,
Alex.

 

[Master&Puppet]

I'm afraid you are heat limited - I'd stick with a lower OC because topping out on temps in the 80s is absolutely as high as you can go.

I doubt that changing the case fans will make much difference to your core temperatures at all - Ivy is limited by heat inside the chip itself so unless you choose to de-lid your chip I'm afraid you've gone as high as you can go.

I'm fully water cooled and de-lidded and under load my 3570K runs at 1.385v (max temp 66C). I consider that a voltage limit and wouldn't suggest running these chips above 1.3 - 1.35v on air cooling. Keep your max temp to 80-85C.

 

[airdeano]

M&P pretty much put in out there.. your thermally limited to what you have.
you could purchase high-end cooling for .1GHZ (deffo not best value).
not busting your motherboard, but we have had a couple others with similar issues
with high voltage low multi complain of stability and temperatures. might be a
silicone lottery deal or power-phase issue in the D3H. just speculating.

 

[Wahzy]

Thanks for your comments. Would you say I am safe enough at 4.4GHZ or should I lower my clock to preserve the CPUs life?

Just a shot in the dark but would upgrading my PSU to i.e. 750W help?

Failing that the only other bottleneck I can see is my GPU. If CPU is limiting me then I'd be glad if anyone could recommend me a decent graphics card.

Thanks again,
Alex.

 

[Master&Puppet]

If I were I would lower your clock down to 4.3 to keep the CPU life. 100MHz will make very little difference in games.

OCZ PSUs aren't the best by a stretch but I doubt that will have much affect on your overclock. Your system isn't going to be pushing it too hard.

Yes your GPU will be holding you back in general gaming. The 3570K is a top notch gaming processor but the 560ti is a little dated now. My recommendation would be a fast 7870/660ti or a 7950/670 depending on your budget. Any of those would be 30-90% faster than your 560ti. However FSx is a sim and is not designed to run at high frame rates so I'm not sure you will see as significant increase in frame rates as those by upgrading any of your hardware since you are well above the minimum recommendations as it is.

 

[Wahzy]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I am now @ 4.3GHZ but do worry about my PSU. Maybe it'd be a good idea to upgrade the GPU and PSU at the same time. Aren't the 7XX Nvidia Cards due out soon? Perhaps best to wait for the 670 prices to lower in reflection of the newer card on the market.

 

[right2carry]

M&P pretty much put in out there.. your thermally limited to what you have.
you could purchase high-end cooling for .1GHZ (deffo not best value).
not busting your motherboard, but we have had a couple others with similar issues
with high voltage low multi complain of stability and temperatures. might be a
silicone lottery deal or power-phase issue in the D3H. just speculating.

I doubt you'd consider a H100 "high end cooling" yet I'm able to get my 3570k on a D3H to 4.7 GHz @ 1.35 v with temps maxing out at 65C on Prime95, real world computing/gaming temps seldom reach 55C.