Learning the OC craft.

[SEBAR]

Hey guys, I am starting to learn overclocking. I have been following the forum and learning the basics. I have finally put myself into a good position to really start to take overclocking seriously. I have always relied on the built in features for overclocking, never going over the standard turbo clock.
I am using a Maximus iv Gene Z/Gen 3 with a 3570K cooled by a custom CPU only water loop with a RayStorm CPU waterblock and an EX240 radiator.

The project log is here: http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=45515

Last night I decided to give it a try and ended up with a 4.6GHz overclock with 1.35 volts. The temps where okay with a delta temp of 45.75 degrees. I think I can bring those volts down a bit and still be stable.

questions:
Should I disable the turbo mode when manually overclocking?
How long should I validate an overclock using Prime 95, and are there any other programs I should be running?
Any help is appreciated.

 

[seumasbeathan]

I would recommend just leaving prime running overnight when you go to bed, if it passes that it should be fine

 

[ObscureParadox]

Answer to first question would be yes, disable any turbo features and energy saving features when overclocking to ensure you have the most stable processor possible. Now i don't really have any experience with Ivy Bridge myself but i believe 1.35v is pretty high for a 4.6Ghz overclock under water but i don't know for certain so i don't quote me on that.

Everyone has a different opinion on what is classed as "the right amount of time to stress test". I personally stress test for about 3 hours and then if everything is still working normal and at a decent temp then i class that as stable.

 

[SEBAR]

I would recommend just leaving prime running overnight when you go to bed, if it passes that it should be fine

Overnight is going to be tough for me. I would prefer to be by my computer to monitor just incase something goes wrong. After I find a nice overclock with resonable temps and volts I will feel more comfortable running it overnight.

Answer to first question would be yes, disable any turbo features and energy saving features when overclocking to ensure you have the most stable processor possible. Now i don't really have any experience with Ivy Bridge myself but i believe 1.35v is pretty high for a 4.6Ghz overclock under water but i don't know for certain so i don't quote me on that.

Everyone has a different opinion on what is classed as "the right amount of time to stress test". I personally stress test for about 3 hours and then if everything is still working normal and at a decent temp then i class that as stable.

Thanks for the assist. I will be adjusting the volts down today when I get home. I will try and get the volts down to around 1.25.:huh:

 

[Josh Weston]

Disable EIST and Turbo boost
To quickly test your overclock for stability, say when you're bringing the voltages down, use Intel Burn Test's Maximum preset for 10 runs. If it passes that, shift your volts down. When you run into instability and need to bump your volts up a little, you've found your chip's limit. From there, run Prime for as long as you can. You don't really have to be babysitting it, as the chip won't harm itself. Either Prime shall stop working, or your system shall shut down - either way, no harm done. If it passes a 12 hour run of Prime you should be well on your way
Bear in mind, however, that Prime is not always needed. My 3770K passes IBT like a champ, but it really, really dislikes Prime. I fold on my chip 24/7, and i've never had any stability issues with it.

Also, i'm going to link you to Master&Puppet's godsend of an article on Z77 overclocking. It's using a different board to you, but you should be able to apply it to your own.

General guide: http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=45604

In depth look at LLC and such: http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=46502

Happy overclocking, dude
Be sure to inform us of your resulting clock/vcore/temps!

 

[SEBAR]

My attempt to reach 4.8GHz last night was a failure. I was able to get into Windows a few times but BSOD after a minute or two. I also found the CPU Level up in BIOS and am currently sitting at 4.6GHz, 1.35V. I think I need to read up on the BIOS in the users guide a little more before I try again. I am also going to give M&Ps Ivy Bridge Over-Clocking Experience a good read thru.

 

[SEBAR]

Okay guys, I am not having the best of luck overclocking. I cannot get 4.6GHz with less than 1.31 volts. am I doing something wrong. Right now I am in windows at 4.6 with 1.29 volts and have got Prime running but crash after a minute or so. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Am I being to ambitious with my overclock?

Thanks

Edit: Sorry I may have jumped the gun a little I has checking online and have seen most people running I5-3570K at 4.6GHz have more than 1.3 volts. I am still puzzled why I cannot get 4.7GHz stable. I keep bumping up volts but no luck. Right now I am stable at 4.6GHz 1.31 volts. My temps are 55, 62, 61, and 58, BTW it is 26 c inside my house right now.

 

[airdeano]

what BSOD error are you getting? more than likely, its voltage and how much LLC
control do you have in the overclock. Master & Puppet has been splashing in the
LLC and offset voltages to make the temps and stabliity better.
i'd say move to 1.375 max LLC control and retest.

airdeano

 

[SEBAR]

what BSOD error are you getting? more than likely, its voltage and how much LLC
control do you have in the overclock. Master & Puppet has been splashing in the
LLC and offset voltages to make the temps and stabliity better.
i'd say move to 1.375 max LLC control and retest.

airdeano

It is a mix of BSOD and system freezing at start up, :huh: sorry I do not know that the BSOD says because I did not read them. I will be sure to check the message today and take note of the error.

In the BIOS I have LLC set to 50%, not sure that that equates to but it says that it is suitable for overclocks between something like 4.5 - 4.8.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Personally I've found that LLC doesn't help at all. I'd turn it off and up the voltage a bit to get it stable. Although if you are getting BSOD at this clock then you aren't really stable. Might have to set a lower clock to keep the volts sensible under load.

 

[SEBAR]

Personally I've found that LLC doesn't help at all. I'd turn it off and up the voltage a bit to get it stable. Although if you are getting BSOD at this clock then you aren't really stable. Might have to set a lower clock to keep the volts sensible under load.

The best I can get currently is 4.6GHz with 1.315 volts. I still need to do a long term validation to see if it holds up. I handled Prime for an hour at this OC.

The purpose for this overclock is just to see how high I can go and to learn of course. I will not be running a high OC for everyday use.

You are saying to just turn LLC to 0% and increase volts?

Thanks for the help.
I have read both of your guides, thanks a lot for those they really helped out.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Basically - yes. I'm not a fan of LLC and since you've read my thoughts you know why!

My first guide is obviously for a different CPU altogether. You could push towards 1.5v for a bench run but I'd keep it under 1.4v for 24/7. Watch the heat obviously. I highly recommend an offset overclock for 24/7 too.

 

[SEBAR]

Basically - yes. I'm not a fan of LLC and since you've read my thoughts you know why!

My first guide is obviously for a different CPU altogether. You could push towards 1.5v for a bench run but I'd keep it under 1.4v for 24/7. Watch the heat obviously. I highly recommend an offset overclock for 24/7 too.

I will be running only stock turbo speed of 3.8GHz for 24/7 use. The overclocking is just for fun. I have been folding for a few days with the clock at 4.6GHz using the build in settings, 1.34 volts. It has given a nice little boost in PPD.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Well actually I also disagree with running it at stock! The motherboard will overvolt the CPU on auto so you might as well play with the turbo settings and get the most out of what the motherboard is throwing at it anyway.

 

[SEBAR]

Well actually I also disagree with running it at stock! The motherboard will overvolt the CPU on auto so you might as well play with the turbo settings and get the most out of what the motherboard is throwing at it anyway.

I see your point. I am wanting to keep the temps down as much as possible because I may be adding the GPU into the water loop. I know it is frowned upon to have a CPU and GPU on a 240 rad and a 120 rad but I have seen others do it and still maintain good temps.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Ah ok, well yea you haven't got the coolest components for that radiator size so the GPU clock speed would take priority for gaming. What depth are the rads?

 

[SEBAR]

Ah ok, well yea you haven't got the coolest components for that radiator size so the GPU clock speed would take priority for gaming. What depth are the rads?

I only have the ex240 right now. I was thinking on getting an ex120 and adding in an XSPC waterblock for the 670. They are only 30mm rads and will have push/pull fans. I have also considered another ex240 and modding it into the floor, the only problem with that is that I would prefer the leave this case un-modded in case I want to sell.

This may never happen, I am quite happy with the CPU only loop as it is. The 670 does get very hot at load, over 80c on a hot day.

 

[Josh Weston]

Instead of a 30mm rad push pull, why not get a 55mm rad and run it with one set of fans?

 

[SEBAR]

That is a possibility I have considered. My CPU temps are good with this ex240 would an upgrade to a thicker rad be worthwhile? I love the look of the Alphacool NexXxos UT60, not sure it would fit?

 

[SEBAR]

Update on OC. I have got windows to load and have not had a crash yet. I am at 4.7GHz, 1.37 volts, LLC set to 0. I will begin stress testing to see if it is stable. I am excited because this is the first time I have gotten the system to work at 4.7. Thanks for the advise M&P.