Help Needed Please. 3770k & 3570k Overclocking. Possible Issue???

euphoria4949 · Mar 4, 2014

Hi to all, sorry in advance for the long post, but I want to try to explain the situation as best I can.

So, I really hoping for some expert overclocking advice please, as I think I may have an issue with something in my rig! Possible a faulty motherboard or PSU, or maybe something in the BIOS I've missed.

The Problem: I have a 3770k currently in my ASUS Z77 Sabertooth Motherboard. I had some problems overclocking it at the start when I first built the rig last year, it seemed to need a lot of voltage to OC it, and it point blank refused to OC past 4.4GHz. Well since then I managed to pick up a 3570k at a price that was too cheap to pass up on from a PC store that was closing down.
I tried OC'ing the 3570k in the same system and I discovered that the max OC I could achieve was at exactly the same voltage as the max OC on the 3770k. Both BSOD almost instantly when the voltage is above 1.3v. The 3770k 4.4GHz @1.3v and the 3570k 4.6Ghz @1.3v. Both become completely unstable at 1.31v or higher at ANY clock!
The temps are fine, I'm run a custom water loop so the temps on both CPU's at their max OC are around 50c while gaming and 60c while stress testing.

So I've got to thinking! 2 different CPU's, both will not go over 1.3v. Surely this must mean there is something in the PC that is causing this. Maybe a setting in the BIOS I'm not aware of, maybe the RAM needs overclocking or the timings or voltage needs changing, maybe the PSU can't push more than 1.3v through the CPU power cable.......???
My knowledge of overclocking is maxed out, I'm out of ideas :'(

So could a few very kind people please offer their advice or ideas to what this might be caused by. I would immensely appreciate it.

My rig as it stands:
ASUS Z77 Sabertooth
3770k or 3570k
Seasonic X-850w Gold
16GB Corsair Vengeance RAM 4x4GB

Thanks everyone, all advice is greatly appreciated.

unknownofprob · Mar 4, 2014

sounds like your motherboard doesn't like going over 1.3V, ultimately limiting your OC capabilities.

euphoria4949 · Mar 4, 2014

unknownofprob :

Yeah possible. But the question is, Why?? :??:

I know this MoBo can push enough voltage for suicide runs, I've seen people using it at 1.7-1.8v, so why is my board being a pain in the ass!

Do you think changing any of the RAM timings, voltage or clock speed could effect it??

4Ryan6 · Mar 4, 2014

euphoria4949 :

Curiouser! and Curiouser!

I am running an ASUS Sabertooth Z77 with a 3770K running (manual), fixed voltage and my CPU voltage range is only restricted by me?

So either you have a bad motherboard, or you have not got it set to manual BIOS control giving you full access to manual settings?

So can you explain how you've got the BIOS setup to narrow down your situation???

Additionally list your full missing hardware specs brand and model#s and the Operating System you're running as well?

euphoria4949 · Mar 4, 2014

Yeah that's what I thought. I was sure there wasn't any kind of VCore restriction on this board.
The rest of my rig is:
ASUS GTX 690
W7 64bit SP1

I've tried setting the VCore to Manual, 1.35v @any clock = BSOD, and I've tried Offset which I'm using at the moment. But either way as soon as it exceeds 1.3v...... BSOD either at boot up or as soon as I start stressing the system.
Pics below of my BIOS (Current BIOS v1908), I have tried older and newer versions but it didn't help. Since I took these pics I've changed the VCore from -0.005 offset to +0.010 offset giving me a Vcore under full load of 1.288v.

Thanks for your help, seriously appreciate it.

4Ryan6 · Mar 4, 2014

First of all, Your settings are all over the place, and that may be why you're having these problems however before we begin, your Memory modules were the very reason I asked you for brand and model# so continuing without that information is me assuming you have it set properly?

So for the record I want to know the exact memory you have installed in this motherboard before we proceed?

While waiting on that?

The first thing I want you to do is in Screen #2
Open [> OC Tuner] and Select (Cancel) then save, and exit the BIOS and Do Not even open that feature again.
Unless of course you have a crash that causes you to reset the CLR CMOS, as that will probably reset it to default and re-enable the feature.

euphoria4949 · Mar 7, 2014

Thank you for your reply and sorry for my delay, we're having line upgrades in our area so our net connection is up and down.

Anyway, my RAM is this stuff: Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 (4x4GB)

Also I clicked on the OC Tuner function to cancel it. But as I was going to Clear CMOS anyway, so I clicked "OK" on the OC Tuner to run it just to see what that would do and strangely it OC the CPU to 41 on the core clock and increased the BCLK to 106! Plus it dropped the RAM to I think it was something like 1384Mhz :??:

But I've cleared everything now anyway and clicked cancel on the OC Tuner.

Thanks again

4Ryan6 · Mar 7, 2014

Thanks for posting that memory information because you will be setting the memory manually so I need to be sure as to the settings you need to run it at, to successfully run a increased multiplier overclock you need a solid foundation to work from, then after you're up solid and stable you can tweak the memory if you want and see if it remains stable.

I'm going to look over your settings and post my suggestions to change from your posted pictures by screen, I'll try to do it later today as I'm kinda seriously busy right now and if not later today, first thing tomorrow.

euphoria4949 · Mar 7, 2014

4Ryan6 :

Thank you pal, I really appreciate it as I'm out of ideas, except for RMA the board :-\

4Ryan6 · Mar 8, 2014

OK lets see for sure if the Sabertooth is bad, Leave all the settings the same as pictured unless they're listed to change, this is a test to see if your motherboard truly will not allow a stable voltage above 1.30v.

You have the cooling to handle this test so lets run a 5ghz test overclock to see if you could even boot going past 1.30v, you'll be setting your memory manually so for starters under the advanced tab, select CPU Configuration, and Disable ~ Hyper Threading, and also Execute Disable Bit, leave the rest as they're set.

Now on the same page open: CPU Power Management Configuration; set CPU Ratio to 50 and make sure everything else in that screen page is Disabled that you can disable.

While still under the Advanced section open System Agent, and ensure that Memory Remapping is Enabled.

Now open the Ai Tweaker section, change BCLK/PEG Frequency from 100.0 to 100.1
Enable ASUS MultiCore = Enhancement
CPU bus speed : DRAM speed Ratio Mode = 100:133
When you make that manual change make sure the next setting is 1600mhz (However with the Base Clk Change it should read 1601mhz, but don't be concerned if it doesn't)

Now open DRAM Timing Control and manually set the timings to lock in the memory! (This is important)
According to the screenshot the Primary Timing upper section set on Auto to the correct setting just take each of the primary section off Auto and manually set to the setting of each, leave the Secondary section alone. and escape out of there.

Open DIGI+ Power Control
CPU Voltage Frequency = Manual
CPU Fixed Frequency = 350
CPU Power Phase Control = Auto
CPU Power Response Control = Auto

Escape back to AI Tweaker Main Page.
Set CPU Voltage to Manual Mode
Set CPU Voltage to 1.365V

Take DRAM Voltage off Auto and set it to 1.50V

Leave all voltage settings besides CPU and DRAM on Auto

Save these settings and exit the BIOS and see if it will boot to the desktop.

euphoria4949 · Mar 8, 2014

Unfortunately I had already cleared CMOS to start OC'ing from a clean slate.

But I tried you settings, I changed everything to what you said and double checked it all but the system froze at the windows logo. I restarted it and got the "Windows didn't shut down correctly" screen and it froze at that screen as well.
I thought maybe my CPU wasn't a good OC'er so I just tried dropping the CPU ratio to 49 and got the same result, freezing at Windows logo. I further tried 48, 47, 46 and 45. At 46 and 45 the system actually booted to desktop but as soon as any stress was put on the system it blue screened.

4Ryan6 · Mar 8, 2014

The CPU voltage I gave you was for at least 5ghz you would need much lower CPU voltage for those lower multipliers.

I think I ran 4.5ghz at something like 1.15v

euphoria4949 · Mar 8, 2014

At 4.4GHz mine becomes unstable below 1.25/1.26v

Are you thinking maybe it's just a pure coincidence that 2 different chips won't go past 1.3v and it's not a board issue after all, or is there anything else you can think of?

4Ryan6 · Mar 8, 2014

euphoria4949 :

No it sounds to me like it is the motherboard, the possibility of 2 bad CPUs of different processing levels an i5 and an i7 are virtually slim and none IMO.

I suggest RMAing the motherboard to ASUS but use the telephone contact method it is the fastest way to get results.

You did install the 2 motherboard cooling fans right?

euphoria4949 · Mar 8, 2014

That's what I was hoping to avoid. I built the rig just before emigrating to Eastern Europe, sending it back to the UK and then getting it shipped back to me when it's been replaced will cost nearly as much as the board is worth. Plus it leaves me without my beloved rig for at least 6 weeks as it takes an age to get things sent over here.
I guess I might just have to keep it for the time being and RMA if I go back to the UK later in the year.

Out of curiosity, do you think ASUS will want it returned "With" the thermal armor installed??? I'm a little concerned as I had mine airbrushed and although it doesn't effect the board in any way, I don't want them saying it's modded so tough luck :??:

I do have the 2 little fans installed, and thank you for the heads up about phoning them rather than doing it on their site.

Well 4Ryan6, I sincerely want to thank you for your help, I really appreciate you taking the time pal.
I'll report back either on this thread or maybe drop you a quick PM when I RMA it to let you know how it went.

Big thanks again

4Ryan6 · Mar 9, 2014

You're Welcome!

I don't see why painting the plastic thermal armor could cost you your warranty it wouldn't have hurt a thing IMO but I am not ASUS either?

I didn't realize your location situation so I hope it all works out for you, PM anytime! Ry

Y0GI · Mar 9, 2014

Anyway, my RAM is this stuff: Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 (4x4GB)

That link goes to 2X4GB modules and yet you state that you have 4X4GB installed. Did you buy 1- 16 GB kit or 2 - 8 GB kits? If the later, I think that your memory could be holding you back due to a slight mismatch between the kits, especially with 4 sticks.

You may want to try increasing your memory voltage slightly to 1.55 or 1.60 volts. I know that increasing the memory voltage on my system allowed me to increase my OC from 4.2 GHz to 4.6 GHz.

Yogi

euphoria4949 · Mar 9, 2014

Y0GI :

Yes I did buy 2 (2x4GB). I bought 1 pack of 2x4GB when I built it, and since then I bought another 2x4GB as I was using a program that uses up to 16GB of RAM to help speed up that program.

Thank you for your help, I might give the RAM voltage a shot.

Y0GI · Mar 9, 2014

At a minimum, I would submit an RMA request to Corsair explaining the situation and request an exchange for a 16 GB matched set. Corsair is pretty good about such things. Even better would be a 2X8 GB kit.

Yogi

euphoria4949 · Mar 9, 2014

Y0GI :

Ok, my RAM knowledge isn't great, but I was under the impression that 2x 8GB sets (2x4GB + 2x4GB) would be fine as long as they were identical models. Was I wrong thinking this??? Because even if I had 2x 8GB sticks if I wanted to upgrade to 32GB, I would have to buy a complete 32GB set and sell my 16GB set.

Y0GI · Mar 9, 2014

Ok, my RAM knowledge isn't great, but I was under the impression that 2x 8GB sets (2x4GB + 2x4GB) would be fine as long as they were identical models. Was I wrong thinking this??? Because even if I had 2x 8GB sticks if I wanted to upgrade to 32GB, I would have to buy a complete 32GB set and sell my 16GB set.

It is ALWAYS better to buy a factory matched set to prevent any possible incompatibility issues.

Yogi

euphoria4949 · Mar 9, 2014

Y0GI :

Damn it *Facepalm*. Wasn't aware of that. Thank you for the heads up.

Y0GI · Mar 9, 2014

You're welcome.

As a test, you might try pulling out 2 sticks of Ram and see if that helps your OC. Just be sure that the sticks that you use have matching lot #'s.

Yogi

4Ryan6 · Mar 9, 2014

Good catch Y0GI I missed that! :pfff:

Y0GI · Mar 9, 2014

Good catch Y0GI I missed that!

Thanks, Ryan!

There isn't much that slips past YOU!

Yogi

Help Needed Please. 3770k & 3570k Overclocking. Possible Issue???

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