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Will a motherboard affect how far your chip can OC at all?

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  • Overclocking
  • Intel
  • Chip
  • CPUs
  • Various
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Overclocking
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October 11, 2014 4:35:48 PM

Hi

Just wondering to various Overclockers with different Mobo's.

Will a motherboard affect how far your chip can OC? or is it entirely dependent on how good of an overclocker the chip you bought?

Any info is appreciated

Thanks

More about : motherboard affect chip

a b K Overclocking
a b å Intel
a c 160 à CPUs
a c 232 V Motherboard
October 11, 2014 4:40:19 PM

Yes, definitely. Some motherboards are far superior than others in this regard. They use better components and have more effective cooling systems. Better OCing motherboards often support more flexible OC options as well in their BIOS.
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a c 169 K Overclocking
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a c 234 V Motherboard
October 11, 2014 4:53:28 PM

One of the biggest things affecting OCs is stable and clean power....this gets multiplied by each unit on the line...the better the front lines do, the easier the job on downstream electronics.....

Your power supplier has voltage fluctuations based upon load
Your house has varying loads over tome which changes the voltage fed to your PSU
Your PSU reacts to these and tries to deliver stable voltages to MoBo
Your GFX cards and MoBo do the same for GPU and CPU

So how stable the voltage is going in the less variation in what CPU and GPU see, the better they can OC (all other things being equal)

How much and how many things the BIOS allows you to OC also have an effect.

There's also what features are available which affect not only how much you can OC but how easy it is to do so .... voltage monitoring points, start buttons, features which allow special settings for LN2 / DICE

Of course much of this can be negated with a bad luck of the draw CPU. In recent years the gap that manufacturers have been able to create between themselves has diminished. In the end, we're talking maybe a weighted average of 2 %.....but that's the difference between a 4.6 and 4.7 Ghz speed.
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October 11, 2014 5:16:49 PM

JackNaylorPE said:
One of the biggest things affecting OCs is stable and clean power....this gets multiplied by each unit on the line...the better the front lines do, the easier the job on downstream electronics.....

Your power supplier has voltage fluctuations based upon load
Your house has varying loads over tome which changes the voltage fed to your PSU
Your PSU reacts to these and tries to deliver stable voltages to MoBo
Your GFX cards and MoBo do the same for GPU and CPU

So how stable the voltage is going in the less variation in what CPU and GPU see, the better they can OC (all other things being equal)

How much and how many things the BIOS allows you to OC also have an effect.

There's also what features are available which affect not only how much you can OC but how easy it is to do so .... voltage monitoring points, start buttons, features which allow special settings for LN2 / DICE

Of course much of this can be negated with a bad luck of the draw CPU. In recent years the gap that manufacturers have been able to create between themselves has diminished. In the end, we're talking maybe a weighted average of 2 %.....but that's the difference between a 4.6 and 4.7 Ghz speed.


No offence. But with all the "......." and those information about power etc. makes you sound like your saying,

"here's another guy who thinks overclocking is so simple and or its only affected by motherboard what an idiot..."
Same as those guys in the component section of the forum saying "current 4K is not real 4K I know this because I know everything".

But I don't know, its probably me being too paranoid . Though its hard to distinguished since talking through messages can easily be misinterpreted because there is no voice behind it. :p 

was mostly checking some info about motherboard affecting cpu Overclockability same for GPU's too.
But your information is pretty good either way. Need to take them into account later on.

And thanks for the input COLGeek
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a b K Overclocking
a b å Intel
a c 160 à CPUs
a c 232 V Motherboard
October 11, 2014 5:28:09 PM

Actually JackNaylorPE provided some very good info. OCing and the ability to do so is a matter of power and heat management. Better, more capable components will handle increased power and heat more effectively. Key for optimal performance is the ability to manage power fluctuations, another characteristic of higher quality components.

Jack is certainly not a troll and is one of our more knowledgeable and helpful members.

You are most welcome. What motherboard do you have in mind, BTW?
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a c 169 K Overclocking
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a c 247 à CPUs
a c 234 V Motherboard
October 11, 2014 5:59:29 PM

tetsuya23 said:
Though its hard to distinguished since talking through messages can easily be misinterpreted because there is no voice behind it. :p 


I guess that's what happened but after rereading one thing I didn't get across that I wanted to and that was that the MoBo is a key player. Since you asked about what had an effect, I wanted to make sure it was understood that a very good MoBo can be hampered by a low quality PSU and other factors

That's the 1st time tho that I had one interpret the "...." in a negative way. I started doing it when managing Compusrve forums back in the early 90's. Cost was a significant consideration back then (we paid literally by the minute online) and separating points by ...... was a tool I used to a) allow peeps to limit quotes by just quoting a point between the ....'s and b) to also quickly find what I wanted to go back and highlight.
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October 11, 2014 7:13:08 PM

What I'm curious is how would you go about trouble-shooting an unstable Overclock and determine if it's an issue of the CPU, MoBo, or PSU. Let's say for example, you can't keep an overclock over a certain voltage, could that be an issue in the power delivery, either in the motherboard or in the PSU, or is it just an issue of the CPU? If so, how would you go about tracing the problem?

I get that Motherboards and PSUs are important but I've really never seen people go into detail about the limitations of each individual component and how they will affect the system on a whole, especially when it comes to the difference between low-end, medium end, and high-end boards. Once again with that example, say its done on a low-end board. Would it even be worth it to upgrade to a $300 board to ensure stability or would you just be throwing money at a CPU that's at its limit? How would you assess what's causing the issue?
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a c 169 K Overclocking
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a c 247 à CPUs
a c 234 V Motherboard
October 11, 2014 7:59:16 PM

My approach is to balance the build .... what is the goal ? This is a bit simplistic but

Serious overclocking:

1. A PSU that delivers voltage within 1 % on all rails
2. A full featured MoBo with great BIOS .... (Asus Maximus VII Formula)
3. Great memory with Hynix Modules
4. An i7 CPU and hope ya get lucky
5. UPS square wave

Moderate overclocking:

1. A PSU that delivers voltage within 2.5 % on all rails
2. A full featured MoBo with decent BIOS .... (MSI GD65)
3. Decent enthusiast memory
4. An i5 CPU and hope ya get lucky
5. Quality SP

No overclocking:

1. A PSU that delivers voltage within 5 % on all rails
2. A half way decent MoBo .... (basically > just about anything > $100)
3. Decent memory
4. A CPU
5. Quality SP


Nothing here intended to be "hard and fast" .... just an approach that has worked for me over the years.
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October 12, 2014 6:47:20 AM

@COLGeek
@JackNaylorPE

Ye, I guess I was just a bit pissed when I got on here after work last night and just kinda unloaded a bit in here ;P haha...

Right now a friend of mine is building a PC and did a deal with him to sell off my current ASRock Mobo + my 750W PSU for a good price to him + helping him assemble. Then Ill replace my sold components with a new PSU and Mobo together with the new gpu I bought still uninstalled though.

I am interested mainly for a new PSU such EVGA's SuperNova 850W G2 (from what I get from selling my old PSU I only need to add £10-£15 more and get the EVGA PSU. I thought it was alright)

For the mobo, price premium for the highest end Z97 is up top though (was checking the maximus/Hero) I'd need to add like +£25-£50 or so + my ASRock's sale price. Still re-using my de-lid i5-4670K . I am still looking for vast reviews for different Mobo's mainly for Z97's/information about how a mobo can affect OC or other variables that will affect it, before I pull the trigger and buy a new mobo/PSU. And then just try push everything as high as possible but stay on a stable clock and good temp's in custom loop, would be great too with air cooling only since I usually alternate between the two.

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a c 169 K Overclocking
a b å Intel
a c 247 à CPUs
a c 234 V Motherboard
October 12, 2014 11:24:12 AM

The MSI GD65 is a feature for feature match with the Asus Hero and has equal or better quality components. Over the last 4 years Asus and MSI have been within a few tenths of a % point in return rates ... sometimes Asus is better, sometimes MSI ...always worth checking specific boards though. Here's April's (latest) top 5 boards w/ problems. I have a Rampage Build planned but that news put it on hold.... As there's no other board in that category that particularly attracts me in that category, methinks I wait a bit till they get the kinks worked out.

- 9,65% ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
- 6,96% ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0
- 5,03% ASRock Z77 Pro3
- 4,95% ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
- 4,44% ASRock H87M

Getting back to your options, MSI would eat £41 of that price difference.

Asus Hero - £159.56 inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-maximus-vii-hero-in...

MSI GD65 - £118.76 inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-z97-gd65-gaming-inte...

I have used both .... only thing I noticed build / performance wise was I liked the Asus BIOS layout better and the Hero was plagued with the BIOS clock freeze bug (Asus forums were down for 2 weeks but are now back)

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49989-VII-HERO...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49904-VII-Hero...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33895-Hero-Tim...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?46242-Hero-boo...

Not many z97 reviews around, but here's 2 for the Z87 version .... same board , different chipset


http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_z87_gd65_ga...

Quote:
MSI has been using components that meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G for some time as part of its Military Class build philosophy. Parts such as Super Ferrite Chokes that run at up to 35 degree Celsius lower temperatures, have a 30% higher current handling capacity, and a 20% improvement in power efficiency; Tantalum filled Hi-C Caps that are are up to 93% efficient; and "Dark Capacitors" that feature Lower ESR and a ten-year lifespan all tied into a PCB with improved temperature and humidity protections as part of the "Military Essentials" package......In the end MSI's Z87-GD65 is a board that comes with an expansive feature set that includes all your basics and the extras that set them apart such as the V-Check points, upper end audio, Dual BIOS ROMs, KIller Network package, Military Class IV package, and a three-year warranty. Couple that with good looks that carry the dragon theme through the board, and you have a winning combination at $189.


http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z8...

Quote:
Now and again a motherboard appears that is so obviously brilliant, and so affordable, that we wonder if anything will be able to top it. For a while that crown was held by the ASUS Sabertooth, both in X58 and then P67 variants. Then MSI stole the crown with the Z77 MPower. Looking at the Z87 GD65 Gaming we think it's going to take something extraordinary to top it, such is the perfect storm of price, performance, features and looks.

The switch to Military Class 4 has given us an extremely ready overclocker too. You're always thermally limited when overclocking and the i7-4770K is one of the most demanding around. Considering the amount of cooling we're using we think that although the GD65 is capable of bringing 5GHz from our i7-4770K you'd need a proper water loop to make the most of it.

Performance is outstanding. The stock results were a particular highlight. We know a lot of people still just like to put their CPU in and go, without overclocking it first. Despite how easy it is these days we know that the fear factor still exists. So you'll be glad to know that the MSI Z87 GD65 Gaming really rocks hard even at stock settings. Naturally the overclocking is blistering too, with some OC3D records broken.

MSI have laid the gauntlet down to all the other manufacturers. Gorgeous to look at, blistering performance and all at a very affordable price, the MSI Z87 GD65 Gaming is not only the new benchmark for Z87 motherboards, but probably for all motherboards.
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October 13, 2014 8:27:48 AM

JackNaylorPE said:
The MSI GD65 is a feature for feature match with the Asus Hero and has equal or better quality components. Over the last 4 years Asus and MSI have been within a few tenths of a % point in return rates ... sometimes Asus is better, sometimes MSI ...always worth checking specific boards though. Here's April's (latest) top 5 boards w/ problems. I have a Rampage Build planned but that news put it on hold.... As there's no other board in that category that particularly attracts me in that category, methinks I wait a bit till they get the kinks worked out.

- 9,65% ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
- 6,96% ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0
- 5,03% ASRock Z77 Pro3
- 4,95% ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
- 4,44% ASRock H87M

Getting back to your options, MSI would eat £41 of that price difference.

Asus Hero - £159.56 inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-maximus-vii-hero-in...

MSI GD65 - £118.76 inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-z97-gd65-gaming-inte...

I have used both .... only thing I noticed build / performance wise was I liked the Asus BIOS layout better and the Hero was plagued with the BIOS clock freeze bug (Asus forums were down for 2 weeks but are now back)

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49989-VII-HERO...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49904-VII-Hero...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33895-Hero-Tim...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?46242-Hero-boo...

Not many z97 reviews around, but here's 2 for the Z87 version .... same board , different chipset


http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_z87_gd65_ga...

Quote:
MSI has been using components that meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G for some time as part of its Military Class build philosophy. Parts such as Super Ferrite Chokes that run at up to 35 degree Celsius lower temperatures, have a 30% higher current handling capacity, and a 20% improvement in power efficiency; Tantalum filled Hi-C Caps that are are up to 93% efficient; and "Dark Capacitors" that feature Lower ESR and a ten-year lifespan all tied into a PCB with improved temperature and humidity protections as part of the "Military Essentials" package......In the end MSI's Z87-GD65 is a board that comes with an expansive feature set that includes all your basics and the extras that set them apart such as the V-Check points, upper end audio, Dual BIOS ROMs, KIller Network package, Military Class IV package, and a three-year warranty. Couple that with good looks that carry the dragon theme through the board, and you have a winning combination at $189.


http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z8...

Quote:
Now and again a motherboard appears that is so obviously brilliant, and so affordable, that we wonder if anything will be able to top it. For a while that crown was held by the ASUS Sabertooth, both in X58 and then P67 variants. Then MSI stole the crown with the Z77 MPower. Looking at the Z87 GD65 Gaming we think it's going to take something extraordinary to top it, such is the perfect storm of price, performance, features and looks.

The switch to Military Class 4 has given us an extremely ready overclocker too. You're always thermally limited when overclocking and the i7-4770K is one of the most demanding around. Considering the amount of cooling we're using we think that although the GD65 is capable of bringing 5GHz from our i7-4770K you'd need a proper water loop to make the most of it.

Performance is outstanding. The stock results were a particular highlight. We know a lot of people still just like to put their CPU in and go, without overclocking it first. Despite how easy it is these days we know that the fear factor still exists. So you'll be glad to know that the MSI Z87 GD65 Gaming really rocks hard even at stock settings. Naturally the overclocking is blistering too, with some OC3D records broken.

MSI have laid the gauntlet down to all the other manufacturers. Gorgeous to look at, blistering performance and all at a very affordable price, the MSI Z87 GD65 Gaming is not only the new benchmark for Z87 motherboards, but probably for all motherboards.


Ah I see, I might check some other alternatives. Really interested on that Hero but id need to add 59 more quid :( . Although that MSi is definitely doable. And yes, been watching some videos with the hero mobo, and from all UEFI, ROG have the best looking one with alot of features with Asus next. Might check some more reviews for the GD65 this time.

I appreciate the info and links :) 
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a c 169 K Overclocking
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a c 247 à CPUs
a c 234 V Motherboard
October 13, 2014 11:19:34 AM

I too liked the Asus UEFI BIOS layout best but have to wonder if it's just because it's the one I am most familiar with .... but I did notice that with Z97, Asus mirrored the MSI look and style.
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October 13, 2014 12:26:10 PM

JackNaylorPE said:
I too liked the Asus UEFI BIOS layout best but have to wonder if it's just because it's the one I am most familiar with .... but I did notice that with Z97, Asus mirrored the MSI look and style.


Ye, been on a mobo video marathon now choosing what to get. As for ROG though I think they are really nice and I bet they have a rich backing/sponsor.. and that eye kinda logo, kinda gives off illuminati hahaha xD
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