Some Dumb n00b Questions

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elchorizo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
234
Hi all,

I've been building my own systems for a long time but I've never overclocked before. I decided I want to on my new rig but I have some basic questions. I use my computer for development, some video editing (1080 60p video, which is quite resource intensive to play, let alone edit), lots of video encoding (blu-ray rips etc..), and gaming of course (I play BF3 and Civ5 a ton).

Also, my place can get hot in the summertime. I don't have AC so sometimes its in the 80s in my house (ugh!) on on rare occasions, even hotter. But I'd say in general it is in the 70s.

Here are some key components I ordered:
  • CPU: 3770k
  • Mobo: ASRock Z77 OC Formula
  • Ram: Not sure, I have 16gb of DDR3 1600 ram in my current rig, but I'm not sure if I'll use that or get something new.
  • Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 (air)
Questions:
  1. I plan to use the settings in the ASRock for auto overclocking to start. As far as I understand it, the board will adjust the multiplier and voltages automatically for me. Do you guys agree with this approach or should I attempt to set these things manually? From what I've read, I might be able to go to 4.5. We'll see I guess :)
  2. Assuming the overclock even boots, how do I test its stability? Should I run some software for a time (like memtest?). I've read a ton of suggestions but I'd like your insight on how to test this. If I'm about to knife someone in BF3 and my rig blue screens I'll rage :p
  3. If I overclock the CPO do I need to overclcok the ram too? or can it just stay at its default clock? Is there any reason why I should or shouldn't overclock the ram also (assuming its not required).

Thanks a ton!
 
elchorizo said:
Hi all,

I've been building my own systems for a long time but I've never overclocked before. I decided I want to on my new rig but I have some basic questions. I use my computer for development, some video editing (1080 60p video, which is quite resource intensive to play, let alone edit), lots of video encoding (blu-ray rips etc..), and gaming of course (I play BF3 and Civ5 a ton).

Also, my place can get hot in the summertime. I don't have AC so sometimes its in the 80s in my house (ugh!) on on rare occasions, even hotter. But I'd say in general it is in the 70s.

Here are some key components I ordered:
  • CPU: 3770k
  • Mobo: ASRock Z77 OC Formula
  • Ram: Not sure, I have 16gb of DDR3 1600 ram in my current rig, but I'm not sure if I'll use that or get something new.
  • Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 (air)
Questions:
  1. I plan to use the settings in the ASRock for auto overclocking to start. As far as I understand it, the board will adjust the multiplier and voltages automatically for me. Do you guys agree with this approach or should I attempt to set these things manually? From what I've read, I might be able to go to 4.5. We'll see I guess :)
  2. Assuming the overclock even boots, how do I test its stability? Should I run some software for a time (like memtest?). I've read a ton of suggestions but I'd like your insight on how to test this. If I'm about to knife someone in BF3 and my rig blue screens I'll rage :p
  3. If I overclock the CPO do I need to overclcok the ram too? or can it just stay at its default clock? Is there any reason why I should or shouldn't overclock the ram also (assuming its not required).

Thanks a ton!
Click to expand...

I just upgraded to a 3570k and had some of these same questions. My primary use is gaming. For the ram I simply enabled XMP profile 1 in the bios. This set my ram for its default 1600mhz and 1.5v with 9-9-9-9-24 timing. There is not much point in overclocking your ram as you will not see any real performance boost for gaming and it can cause stability issues.

You can achieve a stable, modest overclock of between 4.2 to 4.4 by simply changing the turbo multipliers to 42 to 44. A multi of 42 will give you 4.2ghz, 43 yields 4.3 and 44 yields 4.4. Leave everything else on auto. I also have a Hyper 212 evo and I've never gone above the low 60's while gaming. Room temp is 70F. CLock at 4.2ghz.
 
From what I've ben reading, you shouldnt need a large over clock unless your running SLI/CFX solution at the moment(unless you just want to). As for the ram, I did a memory overclock on my cpu and it effected the speed of my ram but my system is still stable. To test the over clocks for stability Ive used intel burn test and memtest.
BTW, At my current overclock the highest temp recorded was 71C during crysis 3. During game play it usually fluctuates between mid 50C and mid-high 60C temperatures.
 
A few things that nobody has mentioned yet. Auto overclock will give you a good baseline of what to shoot for, but you can almost always achieve the same clock on lower voltages (and therefore lower heat) if you do it manually. Intel processors have the memory controller inside the CPU, and you don't have to overclock the RAM at the same time as the processor, but it will naturally happen if you change the base clock (FSB). If you change the multiplier only, which is what the K processor allows you to do, then memory remains unaffected unless you also change those settings.

Software: Intel Burn Test, Prime95, anything that maxes out the CPU and reports errors will do, just make sure you test it for many hours; If you overclock your memory, Memtest86 or Memtest86+. A good rule of thumb is about an hour per test while you're dialing in your clock/voltage and then a 24hr test to ensure that it's stable. Some people also run a GPU test program at the same time to get a more accurate absolute max temp reading.

Overclocking memory beyond 1600 doesn't typically result in a significantly quantifiable gain, especially since you have to increase the timings in many cases. Since you do a lot of encoding, you may see a bit more than your average gamer. Run an encode and record the duration, then bump up your memory and run the same encode.

One final point, and this is more of a pet peeve. Use one standard when talking about temperatures, not ambient in F and CPU in C.
 
Since you're on air and have high ambients, I'd stay away from auto OC. The key for you to get a good 24/7 stable overclock is optimizing heat output. You can't do that with excessively high volts.

I typically manually set all voltages to standard values, set memory to rated XMP specs, and start bumping CPU multi. Every bump that boots into windows, run a linx/OCCT/Prime stress test. If it fails, bump voltage until you've reached the max safe volts/temps (for your chip, IMO, that's around 75C and 1.35v.)

Auto is easy, but you'll get far better results for 24/7 if you DIY ;)
 
I wanted to thank you guys for your detailed responses. This gives me some confidence when I give overclocking a try :)

I got the parts in yesterday and got the machine up and running. Got windows on there now. I'm working weird hours but I'm hoping to spend the weekend trying to find where I can safely OC to. I will put your suggestions to work.

Thanks again!
 
elchorizo said:
I wanted to thank you guys for your detailed responses. This gives me some confidence when I give overclocking a try :)

I got the parts in yesterday and got the machine up and running. Got windows on there now. I'm working weird hours but I'm hoping to spend the weekend trying to find where I can safely OC to. I will put your suggestions to work.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

With auto OC out of the way, this is the next thing you'll need to ditch :D
 
Definitely don't do auto OC. it always pumps too much voltage. While I can't give you a full on guide for overclocking. Here's a quick and dirty:

You're basically going to want to up your multiplier to whatever you want to start with (on air maybe 4.2ghz). You'll want to change your voltage offset to something like +.1v, and your LLC to the highest setting possible. Make sure your memory timings and voltages are safe and disable power saving, allow pll overvoltage, and the option to downclock on idle (I always forget the name). After that boot your system up and use CPU-Z along with RealTemp to write down your idle voltage (give it like 5 minutes to idle after startup), temperature, multiplier, and load temperature (use prime95 on small ffts and wait for about 5 minutes and look at CPU-Z and RealTemp). If you manage to finish say 15 minutes of prime95 with no errors or BSODs, then push your multiplier up a notch, and repeat until you get to where you want to be or you can't go any further. Then slowly start lowering your offset voltage (Maybe 0.05v at a time) and keep running tests until you're at the lowest stable voltage and you're gravy. I'm sure others can add more info to this/point out of i missed anything but that's a decent overview I think.
 
Thanks taco, I think i can manage to fix this auto oc voltage now

Edit: so far im at 4.8 with temps in the high 80s.. im trying to get away from 90 degrees if i cant do it on air im gonna return to 4.7 till i find myself a nice water cooler.
 
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Don't auto OC, too much voltage. Change the Turbo multiplier not the baseline multiplier or your CPU will be running at full speed all the time, generating heat which doesn't sound like something you need more of. You're probably looking at about 1.36 volts, maybe 1.38 to get 4.6GHz. You may want a better cooler though, especially in a hot environment. Something with dual fans.

4.4GHz is still a good overclock if that's all you get at first.
 
Just an update, ive managed 4.8 @ 1.352-1.360. Need to do longer tests though but stable in prime95 for a hour anda half . Temps are mid to high 80s. (84-89C) during the tests.

While testing I've been reading this http://www.overclock.net/t/1291703/ivy-bridge-overclocking-guide-asus-motherboards


Anyway while reading, I seen it helped to reduce the PLL voltage from 1.8 at stock to 1.7 after doing so my temps are a bit better. Now im seeing high 70s to mid 80s while using blended tests in prime.
 
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