Overclocking: i7 3770k w/ MSI Z77A-G41 (Voltage Issue)

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ak2000spooky

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Mar 14, 2011
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I'm finally overclocking my i7 3770k, but after doing some research it seems my cheap MB is limiting some of my OC options and I need help!

In my BIOS' overclocking settings I am unable to set an exact CPU core voltage... I can only leave the core voltage on two settings: Auto or on an offset. All the guides/forums I looked at said to set the core voltage at "x" or "y", but I don't have that option. What should I do (I'm not looking to push the CPU too much, I'd be happy with a 4.2-4.5Ghz range)?

I turned off the turbo settings and as a test I bumped up the Ghz to 4.2 and left the voltage on Auto, which after 10 hours running (ongoing) prime95 (small fft) resulted in temps fluctuating between 70-80C (FYI the fans were set on a relatively low setting) and voltages of between 1.000-1.1816V. Another funny thing, when I opened my task manager while running prime95 it showed the CPU Ghz was limited to 4.2Ghz, but when the voltage fluctuated higher to ~1.1816V it showed the actual GHZ rising from 4.2Ghz to 5.0Ghz...

Is there a better way to OC with the offset voltage settings in order to lower the temps and allow for better stability or is Auto my best option?


Current System:
- Intel i7-3770k
- Gigabyte GTX 970 G1
- 180GB Intel 520 SSD
- 500GB Samsung EVO SSD
- 1TB WD Black 7200 RPM
- MSI Z77A-G41 (LGA 1155 / Intel Z77)
- 16GB 1600 G.Skill Ripjaws X Series
- Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium HD
- Nanoxia Deep Slience 5 Case
- ASUS ROG SWIFT PG278Q
- Custom Liquid Cooling (EK CPU/GPU Blocks,140mm Rad & 240mm Rad)
 
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ak2000spooky

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Mar 14, 2011
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That is a different MB. Like I said in my original post, I don't have the option to choose a specific voltage... I can only offset +X amount or leave it as Auto.
 
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ak2000spooky

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Mar 14, 2011
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Thanks, I checked it out and it seems that due to the limited settings that the budget board has... I don't have enough control to OC very well. Right now I disabled any settings which would cause fluctuations and set the multiplier to 42x and left the core voltage on auto. I ran prime95 overnight,it did not crash and the temps peaked a little over 70C,but I did notice the every now and then the voltage would fluctuate and the multiplier would drop to 35x for a second and then jump back up to 42x. Also, the voltage while at idle was about 1.21V, but under prime95 it dropped to 1.088V with occasional fluctuations.

I guess I'm screwed and I'll leave it at 42x and hope for the best. In hindsight, I wish I didn't cheap-out on the MB.. oh well I plan to get a new MB/CPU/GPU/RAM in December 2016 or January 2017 so I can fully enjoy my 2560x1440 monitor.
 
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ak2000spooky

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Mar 14, 2011
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18,530


Thanks, I checked it out and it seems that due to the limited settings that the budget board has... I don't have enough control to OC very well. Right now I disabled any settings which would cause fluctuations and set the multiplier to 42x and left the core voltage on auto. I ran prime95 overnight,it did not crash and the temps peaked a little over 70C,but I did notice the every now and then the voltage would fluctuate and the multiplier would drop to 35x for a second and then jump back up to 42x. Also, the voltage while at idle was about 1.21V, but under prime95 it dropped to 1.088V with occasional fluctuations.

I guess I'm screwed and I'll leave it at 42x and hope for the best. In hindsight, I wish I didn't cheap-out on the MB.. oh well I plan to get a new MB/CPU/GPU/RAM in December 2016 or January 2017 so I can fully enjoy my 2560x1440 monitor.
 
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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Apr 14, 2002
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That is completely up to you, the 3770Ks overclock ability with a good overclocking motherboard is only limited by the CPU cooling, the better the cooling the further the overclock, but you will not be held back by the settings available to you in the motherboard BIOS with that ASRock motherboard.

My 3770K is overclocked to 5ghz and has been ever since I first had it in my possession, but I am running chilled water cooling, with your cooling you should be able to reach somewhere in the 4.5ghz ~ 4.7ghz range.

Whether that is worth it to you or not, is totally up to you.

 
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ak2000spooky

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Thanks! I think I'll pick up a new MB for the 3770k, boost it to 4.5Ghz and just upgrade the GPU later.
 
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