Trying to OC my i4770k but computer freezes @ 4,2 GHz

[Mark Johansen]

Trying to OC my i4770k but computer freezes @ 4,2 GHz
Hi there

I just bought a new computer with the following setup:

i4770k
Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H
Asus GeForce GTX770 OC (DirectCUII cooling)
Samsung 840 EVO
Noctua NH-D14
Kingston HyperX DDR3-2133 (XMP Series)
SeaSonic 750W 80+ Silver Certified

I'm new at this thing but I've watched Tom Logan's video on overglocking and tried to follow it through.

I've changed the following settings in BIOS:

VCore Loadline Calibration from Auto > Extreme
Vcore from Auto > 1.200 (I've also tried 1.250)
I've enabled Intel Turbo Boost Techology
I've disabled CPU Enhanced Halt, C3/C6 State Support, CPU Thermal Monitor and CPU EIST Function
I've tried both XMP profiles (9-9-9-24 / 11-12-11-30)


I've used OCCT and Prime95 for testing.

Before OC'ing anything my temps reach a maximum of 80 C with Lin checked off in OCCT and around 65 in Prime.

When OC'ing I've only been able på reach 4,1 GHz stable (4,1 GHz Clock Ratio and CPU frequency @ all cores). If I OC further my computer will start to freeze around 10-30 seconds after starting the test in OCCT (with Lin checked off). This is the same whether I use XMP profile 1 or 2 and whether I change the VCore from 1.2 to 1.25 (I was able to run 4,0 GHz @ 1.1 Vcore).

Am I doing something wrong or did I just lose the silicon lottery?

Regards Mark

 

[NeverBackDown]

Try running the memory at 1600mhz at CL9 timings at 1.5v. Will stress the cpus memory controller less and may help with the OC. I see you have said this but to make sure do this throughout the whole testing.

Your temps don't seem too bad, but your clocks/volts do. Try running your 4ghz clock at its lowest volts possible. After it passes an 8 hour test in OCCT with Linpack on then try Prime95 for 8 hours(personally don't like this but up to you). If it is stable try to boot into windows at 4.1ghz, it will probably fail so go back to bios and rasie the volts by /.05 until you can get into windows. Bench it and see what happens and if it ever fails keep raising it by .05 until stable for 8 hours.

Keep in mind for gaming anything over 4.4ghz starts to see no performance increase.

 

[Mark Johansen]

Thanks for your reply - appreciate it!
I'll try and plug the timings in manually.
By the way, I was wondering if Uncore in Advanced CPU Settings should differ from the CPU glock or if they should they be the same?

Now I've changed the RAM-timings manually (to 9-9-9-24, 1T, 1600 MHz)
My computer is still freezing around 15-20 seconds into the test (OCCT, Lin checked off). I've tried changing the VCore from 1,100 to 1,125 to 1,150 to 1,185 to 1,195 and even with the VCore at 1,195 @ 4,2GHz my computer freezes.
Anything else I can do to prevent this or does it really seem like my CPU 'sucks'?

-----------------------------------------

Update:

I read somewhere that Uncore should be 8/9 of the CPU Frequency to keep the system stable. Keeping that in mind I raised the CPU frequency to 4,3 GHz @ 1,14 VCore and it actually seemed stable in OCCT (with Lin checked off).
Overwhelmed by the difference compared to when I set Uncore to 1:1 I speeded things up (guess that was quite stupid) and raised the CPU frequency to 4,5 GHz @ 1,175 VCore. Then I tried running Prime95 and got BSOD 124 (WHEA uncorrectable error). Should I worry about this or is it probably just because my CPU needed more VCore?

 

[NeverBackDown]

I would leave Uncore alone.. CPU may just not want to clock very high. Have you updated the bios?

 

[Mark Johansen]

I would leave Uncore alone.. CPU may just not want to clock very high. Have you updated the bios?

Thanks for your quick reply NeverBackDown

Yeah, my BIOS is updated to the newest version (F7)

After I left Uncore at 8/9 it seems much better.

From what I've been able to compare to 1,175 seems quite low for a 4,5 GHz overclock.

How great is the chance that I got the 124 BSOD because of too low VCore? I'm frankly a bit afraid that it could be due to something else.

I haven't touched anything else besides:

VCore Loadline Calibration from Auto > Extreme
I've enabled Intel Turbo Boost Techology
I've disabled CPU Enhanced Halt, C3/C6 State Support, CPU Thermal Monitor and CPU EIST Function
Manually set the RAM timings to 9-9-9-24, 1T @ 1600 MHz and 1,5 VRAM

 

[NeverBackDown]

124 bsod is related to hardware issues and in most cases it commonly pops up for is not enough volts applied-- then you blue screen. Try 1.2v or around there and see hot it goes.

Another thing you could do to rule out the memory is to set it at 2T instead of 1T though do one at a time and not both at a time to see what happens when one setting is changed.

 

[Mark Johansen]

124 bsod is related to hardware issues and in most cases it commonly pops up for is not enough volts applied-- then you blue screen. Try 1.2v or around there and see hot it goes.

Another thing you could do to rule out the memory is to set it at 2T instead of 1T though do one at a time and not both at a time to see what happens when one setting is changed.

I've decided to go for 4,3 GHz at Vcore 1,155 with my memory running at 2133 MHz for the time being. I was able to run OCCT with Lin on for 35 minutes with max temps at 82,85,85,81. I'm only using an air-cooler (Noctua NH-D14).

Edit:

OCCT temps maxed out at 82,85,85,81 after 35 mins
AIDA64 System Stability Test maxed out at 71,72,73,70 after 35 mins

Can you guys please give me some feedback on these temps?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Temps are probably where they should be for the D14, I can't say it's exactly where it should be because I don't have the D14, but for the most part does not look to bad.

 

[Mark Johansen]

My temps seem quite good until I run those Lin / AVX / FPU tests in OCCT and AIDA. They really screw with my temps (at 4,3 GHz I reach 90 C).

I think I could get a stable 4,5 GHz clock pretty easily but this one time I tried running an AVX test at this clock my temps peaked at 94 C within seconds and I stopped it.
I'm only using my computer for browsing, films and gaming. How many of you guys would settle with tests that don't include AVX with this use in mind?

 

[SeraNoxa]

what games are you playing ? atm i have a 4770k stock, and no CPU problems.

 

[Mark Johansen]

what games are you playing ? atm i have a 4770k stock, and no CPU problems.

Hey there

Are yours OC'ed? I only play Counter-Strike:GO atm, lol. But I'm planning on buying BF4 and I'm afraid my temps will reach >85 in that game with this OC (4,3 GHz and 2133 MHz RAM)
So I guess I could rephrase my question: does games like BF4 compare to tests with AVX regarding temps?

 

[tinytomlogan]

Hey there

Are yours OC'ed? I only play Counter-Strike:GO atm, lol. But I'm planning on buying BF4 and I'm afraid my temps will reach >85 in that game with this OC (4,3 GHz and 2133 MHz RAM)
So I guess I could rephrase my question: does games like BF4 compare to tests with AVX regarding temps?

OCCT AVX will be the hottest you will ever see your pc. Thats the point.

 

[Mark Johansen]

In my experience the AVX test in AIDA64 is even more punishing.
But I get your point just wanted to make sure it counts in every situation. Now I can finally chill. I'm content with this OC (until I get some serious cooling).
Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

[SeraNoxa]

i have a h100i cooler on the cpu, and i have no problems with temperatures. everything is stock:
With that noctua, you shouldnt have any temp issues in bf4, but why OC to 4.3 when the normal turbo mode, can do the same and you wont have any problems. and as for CS:GO you definitely dont need any OC for that

 

[NeverBackDown]

i have a h100i cooler on the cpu, and i have no problems with temperatures. everything is stock:
With that noctua, you shouldnt have any temp issues in bf4, but why OC to 4.3 when the normal turbo mode, can do the same and you wont have any problems. and as for CS:GO you definitely dont need any OC for that

Never let the PC OC for you.. stick to manual OC'ing for the best results.