Has a comparison between motherboards overclocking the same processor been done?

[DerekZ06]

Has there ever been any comparison of motherboards overclocking the same i7 3770k or similar processor been done?

I ask because my i7 3770k won't overclock even 200mhz faster, and I'm wondering if it's my as rock z77 extreme 4, so I'm looking into other motherboards.

 

[Vectronic]

It's not because of the make/model... but might be that specific board.

Both ASRock Z77 Ext4's I've had overclocked my 3570K > 4.5GHz (and further with better cooling).

 

[rolli59]

Usually sites that do board comparisons use the same CPU in all boards. Your problem may be insufficient cooling and so on.

 

[Zap]

Usually sites that do board comparisons use the same CPU in all boards.

I believe this to be true, especially with roundups.

AnandTech mini roundup
Manual overclocking with a 3770K @highest stable GHz
ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 @4.7GHz
ASUS P8Z77-V Pro @4.7GHz
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H @4.7GHz
MSI Z77A-GD65 @4.6GHz

Note that the ASRock board would not boot into Windows at 4.8GHz while the ASUS and Gigabyte would, but were unstable. The notes for the MSI board are strange, saying 4.6GHz was highest stable but then said it worked at 4.7GHz but at too high a temperature. IMO stable = works, so was it stable at 4.7GHz? IDK.

In any case, I think the best you would get with a different motherboard is 100-200MHz, and that's not even close to being guaranteed at all. However, you can always (at your risk, or buy the "overclocking" warranty from Intel) increase your cooling and voltage. IMO that is "more guaranteed" to get you more clocks than a new motherboard.

 

[DerekZ06]

I've got great cooling. The package will not break 45c at stock. At 4.2ghz, it will not break 55c using 1.228V. At 4.4ghz, it won't break 60C using 1.285V.

Using those settings, it is stable in prime95. Except in custom mode using 75% ram and 5min intervals causes BSODS. Doesn't matter the settings, only stock is stable.

Also, pushing more than 1.3V causes instability at all clocks. Using less than 1.2V At 4.2ghz and higher causes instability in all prime95 tests.

 

[Zap]

Have you tried fiddling with RAM voltages? BIOS updates? LLC?

 

[DerekZ06]

Yep, I've done all that.