Overclocking i7 990x - BCLK frequency, or multiplier?

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Kenton82

Kenton82

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Jan 4, 2017
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Hi all! Been a while since i did anything with the old rig. I recently managed to get a 990x for £50 through a friend who had an old PC he was breaking. I have installed the CPU, and everything is great running at stock. Last night i tried my hand at overclocking. Everything went ok - i think... I need to know if using the multiplier would be best for me, instead of using just the BCLK?? The RAM i have is rated @ 1600MHz, but after overclocking the CPU to 3900MHZ, the RAM ends up @ 1503MHz. this is as close to the rated frequency as i can choose. I don't think this RAM will take much overclocking (I may be wrong on this!) Would this cause a big problem? I have stress tested on Prime95, but i stopped it after 7 mins as the CPU temp crept up to 85c and i did not want to let it go any higher. SO, would i get a safer result re-setting the overclock and then using the multiplier method?? I am still using air cooling (see name badge for model) so i can't overclock to the upper limit. 3.9 or 4.0GHz would be perfect for me. I will be getting a Noctua NH-D14 very shortly. Also worth mentioning is that the VCORE is currently running in auto and reporting 1.36V which seems high, and could be the reason for higher temps, coupled with the cooler i am using. Can i reduce the voltage manually for better temps?

See my name badge for system info!

I have a screen shot of my overclocked BIOS here:

https://imgur.com/a/xM81r01

Any help would be gratefully received, been scratching my head big time with this! :??:

Cheers peeps.



 
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zebarjadi.raouf

zebarjadi.raouf

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Jul 10, 2018
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Hi, first things first, if you're running on the stock cooler and thermal paste(3- W/mK) for any reason (like testing), change to aftermarket ones.

BCLK OCs nearly everything on the motherboard, so getting stability can be tricky as you have to play with RAM, CPU, iGPU, Vcore, VTT (System Agent Voltage) and etc. Because of the trouble, many don't recommend it.

As for your setting, don't use AUTO for CPU Ratio and RAM Frequency, set it manually, bios might change it in the future for whatever reasons.

Now to answer your main question, if you're thinking about performance, it DEPENDS. Some systems get better benchmark scores with the multiplier, others get better ones with BCLK, so unfortunately, you have to test both and most of the time, it's not worth it.

Just stick with the multiplier, it's easier and safer. Do BCLK if you are bored with a long day ahead of you. I did mine on a day like that and crashed 11 times before I got it stable.

If your RAM is rated @1600, it should be able to handle it. my BCLK is 152 and my RAM (rated @1600) is working @1620. If by chance your RAM becomes unstable, Lower it's multiplier or use looser timing or increase the RAM voltage.

I can't say much about your voltage as I don't know it's default voltage but Intel's site says its normal. As for decreasing it (yes, it can lower the temps), use your auto voltage (1.36) as a base, then manually (on Static) decrease it one step at a time (0.01) till it gets unstable. BTW, never stay at temps above 90c for a long time and temps below 80c are golden.

One last note, overclocking is safe and fun, if you know how to fix some common problems like no screen after starting pc (manual bios reset). What most people get is a freeze or a restart.

Happy Overclocking.
 
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Gaidax

Gaidax

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Sep 27, 2013
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BCLK is a bad choice for OC, that's like last resort OC. Go for multiplier.

Like the guy above said - BCLK OC ends up OCing things you don't want to OC and this introduces massive stability issues that are difficult to debug, on top of it BCLK OC in reality gives a very very little gain for the trouble.
 
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Kenton82

Kenton82

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Jan 4, 2017
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Hi guys, thanks so much for the response's! It looks like i was right to double check this. I will give the multiplier method a go next. For some reason, my very old motherboard seems to be ok with what i have attempted with the BCLK, even though i did get a few things wrong, and it has two dodgy RAM slots! I did not once have a BSOD or any other worrying glitches during my first attempt. This has encouraged me to go forth with the overclocking. I have now purchased the Noctua NH-D14 cooler, but have yet to fit it as the case on the back of the motherboard needs modifying so i can get the back plate on.
As soon as i have managed to fit the Noctua, i will be giving the Multiplier a good go, and i will of course update the thread. I have been around PC's all my life (36 now) but NEVER had the guts to have a go at Overclocking.

Thank you guys once again for your time, and i will update ASAP!

All the best,
K
 
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