Using Gigabyte EasyTune

[EmmEff]

Hi,

I've built a system with Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC Mobo and a Haswell i5 4670K. I was playing with the Easytune software to overclock. I tested by converting a video file with Handbrake, with CPU set at 3.8 Ghz. I then tried different settings and used the Medium (4.2 Ghz) and Extreme (4.4 Ghz).

On the default setting the video was taking 2 mins to process and the cpu temp sat around 40 degrees.

When I set extreme tune, it processed the video in 1:45 and the cpu temp was sitting at just under 60 degrees. It actually made the H100i fans spin a fair bit faster.

OK, so my questions are:

Is this a good / safe way to overclock?
Are my performances and temperatures OK?
If my system seems to perform fine on default setting, should I bother with overclocking?

I use this system to play games.

Thanks.

 

[S_I_N]

uninstall ezcrap and do it proper those programs are notorious for using to much voltages for overclocking. While it appears yours did not it's always better to manually overclock.

 

[WYP]

software overclocking always uses more volts than needed.
this = higher temps and power consumption.
the software will automatically use volts which will get almost any processor of that type to those speeds. depending on the silicon lottery you should be able to get those clocks stable with a few less voltage increments.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Dont bother, youve got an overclocking board, learn how to use it......

 

[EmmEff]

Thanks for replies. Will read up on manual overclocking.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thanks for replies. Will read up on manual overclocking.

Ive made a video and theres an article front page mate, everything applies to you and you just need to follow it to learn your cpu and system

 

[EmmEff]

Ive made a video and theres an article front page mate, everything applies to you and you just need to follow it to learn your cpu and system

Could you link me to the tutorial/video? I can't find them on front page. Sorry if they're right under my nose.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I think he is referring to this..


It's for 1155 but the main princepals apply

 

[EmmEff]

Thanks.

 

[EmmEff]

I'm going through the video tutorial right now, and I have 2 questions...

When setting up the memory, the tutorial says to go into channel a and make some changes, however it doesn't say to make any changes to channel b. Why? Are changes on channel a enough?

I'm trying to find my lowest CPU vcore voltage, and am currently testing at 1.075v. What is my lowest voltage setting likely to be, and what happens if I go below the bottom threshold?

Hope that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Cru]

I'm trying to find my lowest CPU vcore voltage, and am currently testing at 1.075v. What is my lowest voltage setting likely to be, and what happens if I go below the bottom threshold?

can't really predict that as every CPU is different. trial and error.
if you go below your PC won't boot / crash when stress testing
just go into the bios and add voltage again
if you can't get to the bios clear cmos

 

[NeverBackDown]

I'm going through the video tutorial right now, and I have 2 questions...

When setting up the memory, the tutorial says to go into channel a and make some changes, however it doesn't say to make any changes to channel b. Why? Are changes on channel a enough?

I'm trying to find my lowest CPU vcore voltage, and am currently testing at 1.075v. What is my lowest voltage setting likely to be, and what happens if I go below the bottom threshold?

Hope that makes sense. Thanks.

In most cases as default the memory channels are "link" set in the bios which means after setting up one stick all other sticks will you use the same settings which is what tom probably assumed in the video.

Every cpu is different as noted above. Try to find the lowest volts on stock clocks to get a reference point. For examle...i have my CPU(3570k) at 3.6ghz at 1v in the bios but with LLC it goes from .972-.992 depending on load, so i effectively have my CPU at a higher clock than stock and lower volts... For you you may have a CPU that can hit 3.8ghz at the same voltage or you may have a 3.8ghz 1.1v CPU . It's all silicon lottery.

The threshold would be how low you can get the volts at whatever clock you have.. if too low then it's unstable.

 

[EmmEff]

but with LLC it goes from .972-.992

Don't you have LLC set to extreme as per the advice, meaning your voltage stays uniform? Or have I misunderstood?

 

[S_I_N]

dont worry about timings for now since your just learning it. Set XMP and forget it for now. get your cpu stable first and foremost then you can try and tighten your timings.

 

[EmmEff]

I have got a stable CPU at stock on 1.02v (it failed at 1.00v and subsequently held on OCCT test for 2 hours at 1.02v).

So, I am now setting up for the 4 ghz OC at 1.1v. I've changed the settings for the CPU and cores to 40, but there is a setting there called CPU uncore and it's currently set at 36. Do I need to change the uncore setting too, or do I leave that alone?

 

[EmmEff]

OK, it refused to boot at 4.2Ghz on 1.1v so I've reverted to 4.0Ghz @ 1.1v and will leave it there until someone comes back with info on the previous question about uncore settings.

Thanks.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Don't you have LLC set to extreme as per the advice, meaning your voltage stays uniform? Or have I misunderstood?

LLC or Load Line Calibration will supply more or less volts just a little bit to ensure a stable overclock. Sometimes it's useful other times not but in my case(and yours) it is worth having enabled.. In my bios it's set at 100%.

OK, it refused to boot at 4.2Ghz on 1.1v so I've reverted to 4.0Ghz @ 1.1v and will leave it there until someone comes back with info on the previous question about uncore settings.

Thanks.

You need to up the volts to get 4.1ghz.. run 4ghz at 1.1 in OCCT for at least 8 hours to ensure it's actually stable.

 

[EmmEff]

LLC or Load Line Calibration will supply more or less volts just a little bit to ensure a stable overclock. Sometimes it's useful other times not but in my case(and yours) it is worth having enabled.. In my bios it's set at 100%.



You need to up the volts to get 4.1ghz.. run 4ghz at 1.1 in OCCT for at least 8 hours to ensure it's actually stable.

Been running long OCCT tests as I've went along. I'm now sitting at 4.4Ghz @ 1.25v. The voltage I'm at here isn't far from my personal ceiling so 4.4 looks like it's going to be my max if I can get it stable.

I've had the 4.4 setup running on OCCT but the test was aborted after an hour as one of the cores reached the 80 degree threshold. I'm using a Corsair H100i and ambient room temp is around 25 degrees.

Probably best if I start a thread in the cooling forum and try to optimise my set up before I go any further with the OC.

Thanks for all advice so far, no doubt I'll be back in this thread!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Personally i would go with no higher than 4.2ghz because games won't really benefit from it(benchmarks will but not as much as you would think).