Intel 2600k Voltage Question

tokadub

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Mar 8, 2011
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So I got my new Noctua NH-D14 cooler so I wanted to try to push my overclock a little bit further on my 2600k. I am @ 4.5 GHZ right now using an offset voltage of +.045v. My temperatures are satisfactory for me right now reaching 69 degrees max under prime 95 stress testing.

My question is how come my CPU voltage is reading 1.304v max while running Prime 95. But it goes all the way up to 1.384v doing simple things like just the computer starting up?

Is this how it is supposed to be? It seems very counter intuitive that my CPU is stable under 100% load in prime 95 with a voltage of 1.304v, and it goes all the way up to 1.384v at times doing much simpler processing tasks.

I believe even 1.384v is safe for a 2600k as long as my temperatures are good? If that's true maybe I won't change anything. But I am wondering if I should try to mess with the LLC settings (not sure if this would fix it never changed these settings), or whatever other settings are required so that my voltage maxes at around 1.304v. I just don't understand why I need so much higher voltage then what I am using at 100% load?

Am I missing something here? Should I try to fix this?
 

tokadub

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Mar 8, 2011
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Some more info:

Yes, I am using offset voltage. And I would prefer to continue using it because I really like how the voltage drops so low when you are idle. So manual voltage would not be a good option for me.

I tried out changing my LLC settings. But it appears changing that above the 0% (Auto) value I was using only results in an increase in voltage?

With LLC on 0% (auto) my max voltage was 1.384v and 1.304v in prime95.

When I changed it to 25% (medium) my max voltage was 1.392v and 1.336v in prime95.

So it appears that using any kind of LLC will only result in an increased voltage, which is exactly the opposite of what I am trying to do.

I am back to 4.3 GHZ for now. I am not happy with how high my voltage is when I try 4.5 GHZ.

The differences are:

4.5 GHZ: (+.045v offset mode)

Total voltage Range: 1.040v-1.384v
Prime95 voltage: 1.304v
Max Temperature: 69 degrees Celsius

4.3GHZ (-.015v offset mode)

Total voltage Range: 0.976v-1.320v
Prime95 voltage: 1.248v
Max Temperature: 62 degrees Celsius

Seems to be the 4.3 GHZ is just a lot better for a long term overclock? I guess this will be fine for now since it's still really fast.

I am just still a bit confused why if I am stable with 1.304v in prime 95 the design lets me go up to 1.384v for easier tasks? If it was stable in prime 95 couldn't it always just be at this lower voltage?