4690k on z97x gaming 5. First time overclocker

elk123 · Aug 29, 2014

Hi,

I have an evo 212 hyper, 4690k, and z97x gaming 5. I'm still waiting for graphics card but I don't want to overclock it (the gpu).

I'd like to make sure that my cooling is functioning properly first. I'm using CPUID HWMonitor and it says that cores 0-3 range between 28-41 c, when I'm browsing. Under package, it is 33-41. Is it safe to try and overclock?

I'm thinking of starting small, going from 3.5-4.2. On this site, http://www.anandtech.com/show/8227/devils-canyon-review-intel-core-i7-4790k-and-i5-4690k/2 , it says that the cpu voltage for 4.2 ghz is 1.1. So, do I just need to go into the bios, change the cpu voltage, set the memory profile to xmp and change the core clock value? Or do I need to change the multiplier as well? Actually, I know nothing, what do I need to do?

Thanks!

legend001523 · Aug 29, 2014

yes, you should watch out for temps during a oc, anything above 80-85 and you should stop, make sure to look at the cpu core temps, as they are the numbers that matter, just go into bios and you'll have a option of increasing frequency

Vexillarius · Aug 29, 2014

Those temps are fine for overclocking.

Voltage requirements are different for every chip so do make sure you stresstest you system when you OC it. Your particular chip may require more voltage (or less if you're lucky).

Don't just jump to 4.2 in one go, be patient and take small steps.

Set the XMP profile first (as this can change CPU settings as well), disable Turbo and all power saving states, reboot, and just turn up the multiplier a little. Reboot, stress test for 10-20 minutes and keep an eye on your temperatures. If you don't get temps that are too high, errors, freezes, BSODs etc you can turn up the multiplier a little more. Rinse and repeat. When you do get errors/freezes etc turn up the VCore voltage a tiny bit and retry.

When you're done, either because of temperature limits, or because of voltage requirements that are too high (~1.3-1.4v VCore would be a good upper limit to set for yourself for a first overclock, IF temperatures permit it, they probably won't) then do a much longer stress test. Opinions differ on how long you should stress test but it should be measured in hours, not minutes. If you get errors, freezes etc turn the overclock down a bit and try again until your system is stable.

dish_moose · Aug 29, 2014

Look here - I think 4.5Ghz will be easy for you.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1487772/gigabyte-z97x-discussion-help-and-owners-club-soc-and-gaming-editions-also-included
-Bruce

elk123 · Aug 29, 2014

Vexillarius :

Those temps are fine for overclocking.

Voltage requirements are different for every chip so do make sure you stresstest you system when you OC it. Your particular chip may require more voltage (or less if you're lucky).

Don't just jump to 4.2 in one go, be patient and take small steps.

Set the XMP profile first (as this can change CPU settings as well), disable Turbo and all power saving states, reboot, and just turn up the multiplier a little. Reboot, stress test for 10-20 minutes and keep an eye on your temperatures. If you don't get temps that are too high, errors, freezes, BSODs etc you can turn up the multiplier a little more. Rinse and repeat. When you do get errors/freezes etc turn up the VCore voltage a tiny bit and retry.

When you're done, either because of temperature limits, or because of voltage requirements that are too high (~1.3-1.4v VCore would be a good upper limit to set for yourself for a first overclock, IF temperatures permit it, they probably won't) then do a much longer stress test. Opinions differ on how long you should stress test but it should be measured in hours, not minutes. If you get errors, freezes etc turn the overclock down a bit and try again until your system is stable.

So I dont need to boost the core clock? What are the other power saving states? Sorry, new to this! Thanks so much for the help

Vexillarius · Aug 29, 2014

I wouldn't bother with the core clock the first time, it complicates things a great deal. You can definitely look into it later though as having the same CPU frequency but with a lower multiplier and higher core clock can result in better performance than simply upping the multiplier. Just make sure you're comfortable with the BIOS and basic overclocking before you touch it.

Power saving states are features designed to for example downclock the CPU when it's idle, to save power. They're nice, but they can make it harder to stabilize an OC. When your OC is stable you can try turning them on again, but you should do a long stresstest again to make sure your system is still stable. If not, you may have to give the CPU more VCore (and thus increase temps) or lower the multiplier.

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

I need to add something important.

I was wrong about the maximum voltages.
I'm used to AMD and used their numbers instead of the numbers for Intel.

~~The maximum safe sustained VCore for your CPU is 1.30v!~~

Don't worry if you've tested at 1.4v or something similar, it won't matter much for short periods, but do turn VCore back to 1.3v max.

elk123 · Aug 30, 2014

At around 1.25 temps got u to 99c after 5 min on prime 95. Having bit of trouble with voltage settings

Vexillarius :

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

99 degrees Celsius is way too high. Your CPU may begin to throttle at those temps so it doesn't get heat-damaged (again, don't worry about your CPUs lifespan if this happens for short periods of time only). Temperatures in Prime95 Small FFTs shouldn't go above ~80 degrees Celsius.

Now the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is a nice cooler, but it isn't high-end. Basic overclocking with a 212 Evo is definitely possible, but you won't get big overclocks out of it.

What is your multiplier set to?

You're going to have to turn down the voltage because of the temperatures and if a lower voltage means an unstable overclock you'll have to turn down the multiplier as well.

elk123 · Aug 30, 2014

btw I was doing the blend test. Sjhould it be the small ffts?

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

Small FFTs test maximum temperature and only the CPU.
Blend test shows if CPU, RAM and Motherboard are playing nice together.

Both are important.

EDIT: Blend also tests RAM stability in general.

dish_moose · Aug 30, 2014

I guess you didn't look at my link. Many DC owners do not use prime as a stress test. It generates too much heat.
-Bruce

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

I read the first 5 pages of that topic and didn't find anything relevant or even a single mention of stresstesting. Kinda lost interest.

Besides, using Prime95 will at least put you firmly on the safe side if you use it with DC, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a beginner overclocker.

Which program is recommended with DC then?

dish_moose · Aug 30, 2014

http://www.overclock.net/t/1490324/the-intel-devils-canyon-owners-club
Look here more general DC info. Should have posted this.
-Bruce

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

I was just reading that topic lol.

Guess I'll go with Intel XTU when my 4790K comes in in a couple weeks.

To Elk: I've never used that program before so if you decide to try and up your OC a little by using Intel XTU or AIDA64 (which I've also never used) for example I probably won't be able to help much, aside from some basic advice.

elk123 · Aug 30, 2014

Sorry Bruce, I completely forgot. Been so in and out of the BIOS that I went a bit nuts. Will read up on it, though.

I think I'm just going to settle for my 4.3ghz overclock. Max temps between 75-78 for all cores. I honestly don't even think I need to overclock, I just wanted to learn how to do it, haha.

One thing I forgot to mention, I'm using my integrated graphics card because my regular one had to be sent back. When I get a new one, probably gtx 770, should I do stress tests again or just game for a while?

Thanks

Vexillarius · Aug 30, 2014

The GPU shouldn't affect your overclock's stability.

dish_moose · Aug 30, 2014

Depending on which GPU you get (vent air in or outside case) the temps may go up slightly inside the case. That may affect our stability.
-Bruce

elk123 · Aug 30, 2014

Thanks

4690k on z97x gaming 5. First time overclocker

Distinguished

Splendid

Reputable

Splendid

Distinguished

Reputable

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Splendid

Reputable

Splendid

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Splendid

Distinguished

Share this page