Blue Screen even with Slight OC i5 3570k

[jidery]

I have recently run into a weird problem, where my computer is blue-screening with the slightest over-clock. I brought the CPU to 4.4ghz, which from what I was reading I assumed was a safe OC, and got a nearly instant Blue screen on login. I lowered it to 3.8ghz at 1.124v and I get a blue screen on the LinX stress test. Temps are OK, I barley peak over 40c on 3.8ghz.

Quick note, System is 100% stable under normal clocks.

Any idea what is going on? I have never had a build that refused to overclock as much as this one.

System Specs:
Windows 7 64 bit
i5 3570k
GTX 670
ASUS P8z77-v Pro
16gb Corsair vengeance 2000 speed.

 

[dma0991]

What are the voltages that you've set at 4.4GHz? Oddly enough, mine wouldn't overclock much when it was new. It somehow mellowed after a few tries/hours and overclocks to 4.5GHz without much issues afterwards.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Increase the volts

 

[pantsaregood]

That's incredibly unusual, though I don't guess it is completely outside of the realm of possibility for an Ivy Bridge CPU to fail to break 4.0 GHz.

Could anything else be causing instability? RAM, perhaps? The BCLK isn't being changed, right?

 

[masteryoda34]

probably you have some setting wrong. but it is worth pointing out that there are no guarantees when overclocking.

 

[krose]

What is the BSOD code?

BSOD Codes for SandyBridge P67,Z68 and Ivy Bridge Z77

0x124 = add/remove vcore or QPI/VTT voltage (usually Vcore, once it was QPI/VTT)
0x101 = add more vcore
0x50 = RAM timings/Frequency add DDR3 voltage or add QPI/VTT
0x1E = add more vcore
0x3B = add more vcore
0xD1 = add QPI/VTT voltage
0x9C = QPI/VTT most likely, but increasing vcore has helped in some instances
0X109 = add DDR3 voltage
0x0A = add QPI/VTT voltage

 

[Puppies04]

OP how are you adjusting the OC on the chip? Are you using 3rd party (i.e ASUS) software, manually adjusting the multiplier or are you trying to raise the BCLCK? Also are you leaving the voltage on offset or trying to set it manually.

P.S My main suspicion is you are trying to raise the BCLCK instead of the multi to overclock the chip which just isn't going to work on a second or 3rd generation core CPU.

Get back to us with some details and i'm sure we can figure this out.

 

[Termie]

My guess is the memory settings are wrong. Most likely running at DDR3-2000 but with the wrong timings. It will default to 1333-9-9-9-24, and if you simply punch in 2000 without changing the timings, you'll have blue screen constantly.

 

[jidery]

OP how are you adjusting the OC on the chip? Are you using 3rd party (i.e ASUS) software, manually adjusting the multiplier or are you trying to raise the BCLCK? Also are you leaving the voltage on offset or trying to set it manually.

P.S My main suspicion is you are trying to raise the BCLCK instead of the multi to overclock the chip which just isn't going to work on a second or 3rd generation core CPU.

Get back to us with some details and i'm sure we can figure this out.

I have tried both Automatic Overclocking and Manual Overclocking under ASUS AI Suite, both give similar results.

What is the BSOD code?

BSOD Codes for SandyBridge P67,Z68 and Ivy Bridge Z77

0x124 = add/remove vcore or QPI/VTT voltage (usually Vcore, once it was QPI/VTT)
0x101 = add more vcore
0x50 = RAM timings/Frequency add DDR3 voltage or add QPI/VTT
0x1E = add more vcore
0x3B = add more vcore
0xD1 = add QPI/VTT voltage
0x9C = QPI/VTT most likely, but increasing vcore has helped in some instances
0X109 = add DDR3 voltage
0x0A = add QPI/VTT voltage

BSOD Code is: 0x00000124 (0x0000000000000000, 0xfffffa800d7a1028, 0x00000000fe200000, 0x0000000000021136).

My guess is the memory settings are wrong. Most likely running at DDR3-2000 but with the wrong timings. It will default to 1333-9-9-9-24, and if you simply punch in 2000 without changing the timings, you'll have blue screen constantly.

Where can I find this?

Thanks for the help guys, im still new to this overclocking thing.

 

[Yuriman]

I posted this in another thread but this is a slight modification of it.

I recommend you try the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility for your first overclock. You don't need to reboot when changing multipliers/voltages, and it works a LOT better than the software included by motherboard manufacturers.

First you need to go into bios and change vcore to offset mode, but don't change the voltage (I set mine to +.005v because +0v wasn't available). In power saving features, disable C3/C6 and Package C states, but make sure you leave C1E enabled. Basically everything else can be left at default.

Once in windows, load up the Intel utility and max out the Turbo Boost Power Max and Core Current Limit, like so:

This basically turns off TDP limitations (your chip is rated at 77w TDP but you want to be able to draw more power than that when overclocked).

To overclock, drag the multiplier sliders up and hit apply. Do not play with the reference clock, only multipliers. You'll probably want to go up 1x at a time and run Prime95 or IBT to test for errors. When you reach a threshold where you're no longer stable, you can either increase the voltage, or drop your multiplier back down.

The max safe voltage for day-to-day usage is arguably about 1.3v, which on my board is about +132mv. I can get up to around 4.6ghz on my chip without going over 1.3v but your mileage may vary.

 

[Termie]

I have tried both Automatic Overclocking and Manual Overclocking under ASUS AI Suite, both give similar results.



BSOD Code is: 0x00000124 (0x0000000000000000, 0xfffffa800d7a1028, 0x00000000fe200000, 0x0000000000021136).



Where can I find this?

Thanks for the help guys, im still new to this overclocking thing.

Yuriman's solution may work as well, but my advice is to try a very simple BIOS overclock first. To do so, make sure everything in your BIOS is at default - if you haven't entered the BIOS before, it will be. If not, upon clicking on exit you should get an option to return to optimized defaults.

Next, select the option to enable CPU ratio under "Extreme Tweaker", and type in 37 - it should automatically populate the ratio for all four cores at once. Then restart. Make sure you have the Asus application set to defaults, or better yet, for now uninstall it. I actually use it sometimes and I don't think it's all that bad, but here we want to make sure it's not applying a setting you don't know about.

Let us know how it goes. A ratio of 37 absolutely shouldn't require any additional voltage and should work with perfect stability. If it is successful, go back in and select another ratio, potentially 38 or 39. By the way, the very first thing you'll want to notice when you go into the BIOS is if Asus is using a technique known as "Multicore Enhancement" on your motherboard, which would force your 3570k to run with a 38 multiplier at all times. If so (and if this is stable), you would then start with a ratio of 39.

 

[jidery]

I posted this in another thread but this is a slight modification of it.

I recommend you try the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility for your first overclock. You don't need to reboot when changing multipliers/voltages, and it works a LOT better than the software included by motherboard manufacturers.

First you need to go into bios and change vcore to offset mode, but don't change the voltage (I set mine to +.005v because +0v wasn't available). In power saving features, disable C3/C6 and Package C states, but make sure you leave C1E enabled. Basically everything else can be left at default.

Once in windows, load up the Intel utility and max out the Turbo Boost Power Max and Core Current Limit, like so:

This basically turns off TDP limitations (your chip is rated at 77w TDP but you want to be able to draw more power than that when overclocked).

To overclock, drag the multiplier sliders up and hit apply. Do not play with the reference clock, only multipliers. You'll probably want to go up 1x at a time and run Prime95 or IBT to test for errors. When you reach a threshold where you're no longer stable, you can either increase the voltage, or drop your multiplier back down.

The max safe voltage for day-to-day usage is arguably about 1.3v, which on my board is about +132mv. I can get up to around 4.6ghz on my chip without going over 1.3v but your mileage may vary.

Just attempted this, set everything in the BIOS at default, started this software, the multiplier was 38.38.37.36 depending on how many cores active. I set the multiplier at 40 at all levels, stress tested, tested OK. Took it to 41, same results tested OK. Took it to 42, blue screen at start of stress test, almost instantly.

CPU Temps are at 60c

 

[Termie]

Just attempted this, set everything in the BIOS at default, started this software, the multiplier was 38.38.37.36 depending on how many cores active. I set the multiplier at 40 at all levels, stress tested, tested OK. Took it to 41, same results tested OK. Took it to 42, blue screen at start of stress test, almost instantly.

CPU Temps are at 60c

Looks like you found the limit of your processor at stock voltage. Now it's up to you whether you want to clock it higher. It will take more work.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Just attempted this, set everything in the BIOS at default, started this software, the multiplier was 38.38.37.36 depending on how many cores active. I set the multiplier at 40 at all levels, stress tested, tested OK. Took it to 41, same results tested OK. Took it to 42, blue screen at start of stress test, almost instantly.

CPU Temps are at 60c

Is the memory kit a 4 x 4GB or 2 x 8GB set?

 

[jidery]

Is the memory kit a 4 x 4GB or 2 x 8GB set?

4x4GB

Looks like you found the limit of your processor at stock voltage. Now it's up to you whether you want to clock it higher. It will take more work.

I'll try this under the BIOS this time, the intel utility doesn't allow for me to change my voltages for some reason.

Update: Just tried it, still Blue Screens.

My bios settings:

Also I made a mistake telling you the RAM in my system, it's 1333, I originally intended to get 2000, but I got a really good deal on the RAM I have, so I had made a last second decision to switch.

 

[lyssword]

relax memory timings/speed

 

[BonzaiDuck]

4x4GB



I'll try this under the BIOS this time, the intel utility doesn't allow for me to change my voltages for some reason.

Update: Just tried it, still Blue Screens.

My bios settings:

Also I made a mistake telling you the RAM in my system, it's 1333, I originally intended to get 2000, but I got a really good deal on the RAM I have, so I had made a last second decision to switch.

OK. Right away I can see some things needing attention -- or especially one thing.

Your bCLK!! It's set to 103. Set it to default/auto or 100. [And there's supposed to be a sort of "second gear" in IB bCLK, so other advice is anticipated.]

IF you plan to overclock the RAM, do it with the "DDR" settings {1333, 1600, 1866, etc.}. Do NOT do it with bCLK. Also, if you attempt to over-clock the RAM, you may want turn your attention to the VCCIO voltage (slightly, . . . carefully) -- especially for a 4x4GB situation. But don't OC the RAM until you've found a high, stable, comfortable multiplier setting for the processor. [Sorrry about the bold-face, but your bCLK sticks out like a sore thumb].

Note that your target DRAM speed is 1372 -- not 1333. Someone correct me, but I'm pretty sure this is a result of the 3Mhz overage in bCLCK.

 

[Puppies04]

^ Yep, setting bclck any higher than 100 is a surefire way to knock any SB/IB system over. Sure some rigs can handle 102-105 but you are playing with fire.

If it was me I would try adding a little voltage to the RAM (1.55vish) I had a set of corsair dimms that wouldn't run at the rated speed without a little voltage tweak. Also if you want OC higher then you can try taking it off manual voltage and using offset mode with a little +offset (start at +0.05 and work your way up in 0.05v increments) and add a little LLC if your voltage is dropping too low under stress (medium should be fine)

 

[pantsaregood]

Turn Internal PLL Overvoltage on. Set your BCLK to 100. Set your RAM speed to automatic. Work from there.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

^ Yep, setting bclck any higher than 100 is a surefire way to knock any SB/IB system over. Sure some rigs can handle 102-105 but you are playing with fire.

If it was me I would try adding a little voltage to the RAM (1.55vish) I had a set of corsair dimms that wouldn't run at the rated speed without a little voltage tweak. Also if you want OC higher then you can try taking it off manual voltage and using offset mode with a little +offset (start at +0.05 and work your way up in 0.05v increments) and add a little LLC if your voltage is dropping too low under stress (medium should be fine)

First, per Pantsaregood -- he's right, and I forgot about that.

Second, what Puppies recommends will work, but after a year fiddling with this SB rig and reading more OC'ing guides, I've come to a conclusion that the best thing to do is as follows:

Set the Offset to "+," reduce it to a minimum 0.005V, and do the rest of your adjustment on the "Turbo voltage," "Extra voltage for turbo-mode" or whatever you identify as that setting in the Z77 BIOS. (With my Z68, it is in "CPU Power Management." Seemed to me this was sloppy BIOS menu organization, but that's just an opinion.)

You can trade off increases in LLC with reductions to the turbo "Extra" voltage. [and you could do the same thing with Offset V, but . . . as I said . . . the approach I mentioned is recommended by a more recent OC'ing guide.]

 

[Termie]

Actually, before the OP touches any voltages, he should just set BCLK at 100 and go for a 42 multiplier. Beyond that he may need additional voltage.

 

[Yuriman]

First, per Pantsaregood -- he's right, and I forgot about that.

Second, what Puppies recommends will work, but after a year fiddling with this SB rig and reading more OC'ing guides, I've come to a conclusion that the best thing to do is as follows:

Set the Offset to "+," reduce it to a minimum 0.005V, and do the rest of your adjustment on the "Turbo voltage," "Extra voltage for turbo-mode" or whatever you identify as that setting in the Z77 BIOS. (With my Z68, it is in "CPU Power Management." Seemed to me this was sloppy BIOS menu organization, but that's just an opinion.)

You can trade off increases in LLC with reductions to the turbo "Extra" voltage. [and you could do the same thing with Offset V, but . . . as I said . . . the approach I mentioned is recommended by a more recent OC'ing guide.]

I agree with this entirely. In fact, I advocated this in my post above.

As others have stated (and I stated in my post), do not touch bclock! It should be 100 or auto.

Set voltage to offset and then adjust turbo voltage (the Intel utility uses this method). You probably can't adjust the voltage in the Intel utility because you don't have it in offset mode.

As for LLC, there are arguments for it either way. My testing has indicated that load line calibration (LLC) is better set to minimum or off in my system, but that's not really relevant to light overclocking. Don't worry about this for now.


Also, for consideration, my chip can only reach 4.3ghz before I need to start adding voltage, so it's not unreasonable for your chip to need more voltage at 4.2ghz. Set your base clock to 100 and give it some more volts (after changing it to offset mode) and report back!

From my above post, restated:

First you need to go into bios and change vcore to offset mode, but don't change the voltage (I set mine to +.005v because +0v wasn't available). In power saving features, disable C3/C6 and Package C states, but make sure you leave C1E enabled. Basically everything else can be left at default.

That is to say, reset everything in your bios to default, make those changes, save and exit. This is all you need to do in bios, the Intel utility can handle the rest. It's just as capable of good overclocks as any other method - I've hit 4.9ghz with my chip using that utility.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Only a mild afterthought, Yuri . . .

You're probably correct about LLC -- or expecially if OP is new to this.

I was reticent, conservative, reluctant -- to use LLC, starting with 25% or "Medium." Finally chose "High" (50%), which left me with vDroop "net" effect of 30mV. IDontCare noted that his Maximus IV mobo with "Auto" LLC got him a perfect cancellation of vDroop. I felt more comfortable with the 30mV residual. There seems to be either consensus or prevailing wisdom that setting LLC to a higher level resulting in overall VCORE above the un-drooped level is a bad idea.

And OP's best options at the moment: Leave LLC alone (0%) and see what he can do with the basic advice we've given.

As for the Intel utility. It looks like some robust software. Old dogs avoid new tricks, and I feel "more in control" for twiddling the BIOS settings. Each to his own.

 

[Yuriman]

On the topic of LLC (and as a threadjack) I found that although I had less vdroop with LLC (and thus could use less additional turbo voltage) my actual lowest stable full load voltage as reported by CPU-Z was lower with LLC disabled.

My observations: my crashes seemed to happen when switching frequencies or changing loads, ie times when voltage and frequencies were changing, not when voltage was at its absolute lowest (full load). With LLC disabled, because I was using a higher offset, the voltage was higher in periods where frequency/voltage were changing and it prevented crashes, and when the processor settled down at full load the voltage would droop and overall power consumption was lower than if I had LLC enabled.

Your mileage my vary, of course.

 

[pantsaregood]

You really don't need to worry about LLC at a 4.2 GHz overclock. Until you're running above ~4.6 GHz, you shouldn't need to worry about it.