New to OC, voltage wont drop at idle

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Hey guys, new to OC and I've run into an issue/question. Basically I can't get my cpu to drop voltage while idle, it constantly runs at my set 1.260v-1270v. I have a Gigabyte z170x G1 Gaming 7, I can't find any "adaptive" setting, am I blind? Is it not a gigabyte setting? Another question is what is the downside to running at this constant voltage, is that a thing? Do people do that? Anyways, thanks for answering any novice questions.

My rig:
i7 6700k @ 4.2ghz (Boost clock)
Noctua NH D15
Gigabyte z170x G1 Gaming 7
MSI 6gb 980 ti
16 gb ddr4 ram @ 2133hz

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

So you overclocked and turned off power saving features right. Like c1e and c6 and other features like apm and cool and quiet, wait that's for AMD, idk I'm confusing myself. So you have power savers off. That's why it's constant. No long term effects.

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

So a constant voltage of 1.270v wont damage the cpu? I havent oc'd it passed the inherent boost clock it already had of 4.2ghz. I will try enabling all the c things, they're on auto atm, will report back.

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

what I mean is do NOT enable them. If you do, it might cause a dangerously low voltage and triggering under voltage protection switch. you want them off. At 1.270v is quite good. its not high. No effects

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Yeah, I have no adaptive mode in my Gigabyte bios, if I set it to normal: the voltage jumps around, if I set it to auto, it also jumps around, so It wont power down voltage at idle in my current mode, but it did before i set the voltage. The whole reason I set it to 1.270 is because it would spike to like 1.34 which i felt was completely unnecessary. The voltage never dropping is safe, I will take your word as I'm only a novice. All of my c - thingy are on auto, everything feels fine.

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

ok so here's the thing. turn off all those things I told you, like OFF, and then set voltage back to auto. you do not need so much voltage for that cpu. keep on auto for voltage.
what are your current temps? I feel dumb for not asking.

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Idle? It fluctuates constantly at idle, I feel like the readings are wrong as 1 second a core will be at 28 then it'll popm to 35 or something idk why reading on HWmonitor and CPUz are different but this is the gigabyte g1 version of cpuz so its prob more accurate to my mobo. SOme readinings just while downloading a game: http://imgur.com/a/J7XL5 I'll go disable those c-things what's a good voltage because auto will pump out up to 1.34 so its out of the question to use auto, as auto gives it even more power for no reason

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Also, are you certain 1.260 is too much for 4.2ghz? That doesn't sound right, it sounds like the ideal voltage, again, you have more exp than I do though so I'll take your word

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

Yea since 4.2 is the turbo, setting to auto will ensure you have rather right voltage. Keep up your temps down on CPU. Also regulator overclockz on the 6700k can be done for 4.3-4.4 on 1.265v. No matter every chip is different. So the best idea is to stay on auto when you aren't leaving the turbo speed.

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

So what, that means I'm running a 4.2ghz at 1.344v? I feel like auto is doing something wrong, especially when most sustain as you said 4.3-4.4 on 1.265v?

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

umm are you using HWMonitor? Try HWiNFo and use CPU-Z. Run a load on the CPU. the voltage will be lower when it is on load. I'm probably not knowledgeable enough to know. Also make sure you are reading the core voltage not some other voltage
http://imgur.com/LnerHjF

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

I have a feeling somewhere down the line you lost what I was asking. I have a voltage, right? And I need it to drop while idle, but you told me disable all c-states which are what helps idle the cpu I don't get it.... 2nd why are the voltages going to be lower on load, load = more power needed, so the voltage lowers? Was that a mistype? Final question: Is it ok to run cpu at a constant voltage or not? Does it need to power down on idle? I feel helpless, this computer has been more troubleshooting than enjoyment of the past 3 monthes, maybe computers arent for me.... fuck =( this is so frustrating

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

So I set everything to auto and as expected the voltage is jumping all around from 800v, and it jumps around constantly, up to a max of 1.330v when openining a bunch of tabs etc... anybody who stumbles on this thread... plz help seems really high but I mean it's on auto wtf do I do. There is no adaptive, and if I set a set voltage, it wont drop during idle, even with c-states. Anyone? Im fine running at a constant 1.270v if its okay to run at a constant voltage idk

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

Spcheck if there is a setting for EIST or the speed stepping setting. Set any voltages and speed to dynamic?

Ryan_78 · May 11, 2016

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/326667-cpu-overclock-not-downclocking-when-idle/
Also do these settings. There's an Haswell Power mode guide when you scroll down.
Minimum CPU state in power settings should be 5%, max is 100. Also change to balanced mode

Reckoner97 · May 11, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Changing it to balanced helps lower it but it still spikes to 1.344v. Idk what to do, however, can you tell me if it's safe to run at a constant 1.270v or will it damage the cpu, or will I still get a good 4 or 5 years out that biznitch

Ryan_78 · May 12, 2016

Have you used cpuz to read temps? Whatever you're using might be wrong. Second time suggesting

Reckoner97 · May 12, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Hey man, replying on my mobile. I've tried hwmonitor, hwinfo, cpuz, I've linked several pictures of the readings. They all report the spike, I'm not sure what to do. The only way my cpu will lower it's voltage while idle is on the auto option and while on auto it spikes, as said before. I'm sorry I guess I'm just screwed I'm sure this is a headache for you to try and help and I don't hold it against you if you don't want to anymore lol. I really have no clue what more i can do. I've tried to find videos but nothing helps, it just won't lower while idle unless on auto. I'm sure someone must have a solution but maybe not. I guess I'll just keep it at auto.

Reckoner97 · May 12, 2016

Tldr: the only way i can change the cpu vcore is by making it a fixed number, it wont lower when idling. Another thing is ive only touched the vcore, is there more i should be doing than that, I've tried the cstates etc to no avail. Perhaps someone with the same mobo could shed some light

Ryan_78 · May 12, 2016

But setting it ti 1.260 will not dramatically decrease its lifespan. It is fine. In fact raise the core clock to 4.3 or 4.4 with the 1.260-1.270 voltage and see if it's stable. If it's stable keep it. It's no problem to keep it that high. I know Intel and AMD voltages differ, but I am still putting 1.44v through mine and I expect it to go for 2 years, maybe less but ..

Reckoner97 · May 12, 2016

Hey man I appreciate you sticking with me through this headache. Does yours drop at idle? Also I have a 3year newegg warranty and buying an Intel oc warranty. What tests would you suggest and how do I know it stable. Also I had heard of people keeping it at a consistent voltage. I have it on a 15min sleep cycle so when I leave the computer she takes a nap. Your really swell human being for helping man

Reckoner97 · May 12, 2016

Ryan_78 :

Do you run at a constant voltage?

Ryan_78 · May 12, 2016

well thx and np.
so when I had a overclock, I keep all the c states off and power saving off. That causes the CPU to use full power and voltage. What it is supposed to do is drop voltages when on load. Also my plan is performance.
use testing tools like prime95, aida64, CPU-Z bench, OCCT, and intel burn test
if you think its a problem fo you, you can RMA it hopefully and get anew one if you must.
I run at constant 1.44v. expect it o last 2 years or some months less

Reckoner97 · May 13, 2016

Ryan_78 :

I want a bit more than 2 years but honestly Im sure Ill get a good 3. Anyways final problem, when Im running that constant voltage my fan also speeds up quite a bit (Noctua NH-d15) and never slows down. Is there a way around this? Is it a problem? It just seems unhealthy to be running the fans like that constantly when there is no reason to (low temps already). So atm I have it set to auto, and it bumps up to high voltages after idling for awhile its really weird, I have a balanced power plan. But to the main point is there any way to have fans running lower at 1.270v or is it just controlled by the voltage. UPDATE: It seems to be "System and Compressed memory" making it spike on idle, however, unfortunately, Idk what that is. This problem will be irrelevant if i can control fan speed at the set voltage, I just dont know if thats a thing or not if I just have to deal with the fan at the set voltage or if its controllable

madmatt30 · May 13, 2016

Changing llc will drop your load voltage with vtage on auto but maybe at the cost of stability, irregardless a constant voltage of under 1.3v isn't going to hurt your CPU in any way at all.

If you don't have an adaptive or offset voltage option in bios then its one it the other.

New to OC, voltage wont drop at idle

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