Help me OC my 2700k please

[X-Legend]

After through much trail and error, I finally got custom build computer up and running. I got a sweet deal on the 2700k, and hopefully with your guy's help, I can OC it to optimal efficiency. I am completely new to overclocking, so any and all tips and advice are greatly appreciated. Instructions are a must for someone like me. My current rig:

CPU: Intel Core i7 2700k @ 3.5ghz stock (for now)
Case: NZXT Phantom
Fans: 6 stock NZXT fans (2x top, 2x side, 1x back, 1x front)
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/Gen3
RAM: G.SKill RipjawX 2x4GB - 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24 1.5v
PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO750W
Video Card: XFX ATI Radeon 6870
HDDs/SSDs: Intel 320 160gb, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB, some other Samsung 500GB drive
Sound Card: Creative Xi-Fi Fatal1ty Pro
DVD-RW Drive: Yes (dunno the make or model)

My aim is a clock speed that gets the most of the processor and heatsink without drastically reducing the processor's lifespan (by the way, is there some kind of ratio for OC = lifespan cutoff?) I read that 2500k's and 2600k's can easily get up to 4.1ghz on stock fans, so I expect the Noctua to pull out a few more mhzs on the clock rate. Asus has its "Turbo" software that OC's everything automatically, but I'd rather get more gains than what that program provides (I think it OCs around 4.1ghz) at probably more stables settings provided by you guys.

I do a decent amount of gaming. I'll be mostly emulating, so the higher clock rate the better (I assume). Other tasks I do include photo and video editing.

Some of my temperatures at idle:

Thanks in advanced.

 

[tweakboy]

Your already very high on the full load temps being around 72c and above. Even a stock HSF on stock 2700k would do 65c at max.

Soo firstly lets make sure your heatsink is properly contacting the CPU. Please make sure of it that it clicks or screws in or however way you put the Notca HSF you have. I hope you used thermal paste of course....

On that heatsink in your message you can OC to 4.2 to 4.3 Ghz easy at 1.31v

Remember to fix your RAM frequency to what it specs after OC make sure ram is running at right speed.

I advice you try a 1.30v cpu voltage , check memory frequency and change multiplier number to like 40 or soo calculate to get what you want. then watch the temps... also you might need to crack open that case to expierment if CPU temps fall. gl

 

[X-Legend]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply! Really appreciate it.

I reapplied the thermal paste several times during the build setup (by the way, I used the one that came with Noctua heatsink - the NT-H1) because I has having issues with the motherboard. Eventually I sent it in back to the retailer to get a new one. Before the last time I applied the thermal paste, I tried wiping some of it off with a Q-tip lightly dipped in 91% Isopropy alcohol (carefully, of course). I got most of it off on both the heatsink and the processor. I used the line method (across the middle of the CPU surface), but I may have applied a little too much when I initially put it on the surface area of the CPU. I assumed it wasn't a big deal. Of course, I'm now all out of thermal paste. Could it be the thermal paste is preventing contact with the heatsink? I know if I check I'll have to reapply the paste again. I guess I'll have to buy some more if that's really the case (I hear artic silver 5 is the best).

Where do you see the full load temperatures by the way? From what I remember, I quickly opened those applications for about 3 minutes without any kind of stress from other programs. I have seen the programs sometime provide inaccurate temperatures. Just to be sure, I'm doing a LinX stress test as I'm posting this. I'll post back here in a few hours or so with the results of the load temperatures.

Again, thanks for the help.

Something to note: I don't hear the Noctua fans running any faster, even though it's doing a stress test. Do I have to create a fan profile using Asus' software?


EDIT: The temperatures on load seem be around 58c for now, maxing at 62c.

 

[krose]

Your temps are fine, he was looking at distance to TJmax in your screenshot. And ignore anything else he says from here on out.

 

[MrTransistorm]

There are several useful guides for overclocking Sandy Bridge CPUs. Here are a couple of good ones:
http://www.overclock.net/t/910467/the-ultimate-sandy-bridge-oc-guide-p67a-ud7-performance-review
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/39184-p67-sandy-bridge-overclocking-guide-beginners.html

Every one has their own methods, and every CPU is different.

As for me, I started by disabling the power-saving features (EIST, C1e, C-states). I then increased the turbo multipliers to 45 and set the Vcore manually to about 1.35 and tested for stability (see this thread about stability testing). It went well so I upped it 46 and then to 47. For that multiplier I had to increase the Vcore to 1.392 and enable LLC.

I didn't want to go much higher than that for 24/7, so then I focused on re-enabling the power-saving features and using offset Vcore. It can be a bit tricky to find the right balance of offset and LLC. For my CPU I ended up with an offset of +0.070 with LLC on 1 (the BIOS I use only has two levels; 1 is less LLC/more Vdroop).

There are several different settings that can be explored in the process of overclocking your CPU, but the main ones are Vcore (auto, manual, offset), Turbo multipliers, LLC, and power and current limits. If you go much above 4.7 GHz, you might also need to enable CPU PLL Overvoltage. If you are overclocking your memory (1600 or higher), you will probably have to increase Vtt.

There are too many finer details to get into in a single post. Check out the first link I posted for better explanations of what each setting does.

Your already very high on the full load temps being around 72c and above. Even a stock HSF on stock 2700k would do 65c at max.

Tweakboy, you need to stop giving advice if you aren't going to bother reading properly.

X-legend did not post any load temps. That 72C you see is the distance below Tjmax. The highest CPU temp shown was 43C on the Core Temp image.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

lol

You have an ASUS board so you should be overclocking with turbo and leave C1 as well as EIST on, disable C3 and C6.

Overclock with the turbo and use offset voltage.

I'd suggest keeping temps below 75C under prime95 load while testing stability.

There is no magic cut off, even factory processors degrade over time. Unless you're planning to run over 1.5v or keep the processor for 10 years I wouldn't worry about degradation at all.

 

[X-Legend]

Ah, so my temperatures are fine? That's reassuring. Thanks for clarifying. Again, I'm new to all this. I thought I was misreading those programs, because I didn't see anywhere that it shows high load temperatures.

On load my temperatures max at 61c (using Linx). I too plan on having my computer on 24/7 in most cases. Power saving features are preferred, as I don't want to be running at 4.5ghz constantly (or whatever clock rate I happen to go with). I'll check out that guide, try out some settings, and get back to guys with my results. Really appreciate the effort to help me out, thanks a bunch.

 

[Kenmitch]

I have a Asus MB and 2700k so I'm familiar with the BIOS but I'm at work currently. I'll check the thread when I get home and help if needed still. You don't need to change much to get 4.4-4.5ghz stable. Most likely your temps will dictate your overclock.

2700k's pump out the heat at higher clocks under heavy loads. I'm on wafer and see 70*'s with linX @ 4.8ghz

 

[Puppies04]

Your choice OP. You might find that overclocking with a manual voltage is faster and takes less tweaking but your cpu will still be receiving that voltage even when it doesn't need it, using offset mode can be a little more tricky to set up but it will allow your cpu to drop the voltage down to under 1v when it is idleing at 1.6ghz, dropping idle temps and prolonging the life of your chip (although staying under 1.4v shouldn't massivly reduce your chips lifespan).

You have already been given some sound advice in this threead, stay below 75 degrees (i wouldn't worry if one core went slightly higher) under full load stress testing (i.e intel burn test for 100 runs @ very high) and i doubt you will ever see much over 65 degrees for the rest of the chips life. These stress tests are vastly more intensive than 99.9% of the tasks most people use their comps for, they are just very good at picking up instabilities in your OC without having to wait 1 week to find out if your OC is stable.

Aim for a nice 24/7 4.5ghz overclock. Sure you could push it all the way up to 5ghz but in reality you won't really be able to tell the difference other than slightly higher numbers while stress testing and higher temps.

My 2 cents

Edit....

Just as an example, my chip hits around 78 degrees on its hottest core while running extended IBT runs (72 on the coolest). Tonight I have been playing SWTOR, had vent open, ran a full windows defender scan and a spybot scan all at the same time aswell as having a few browser pages open and the chip has peaked at 55 56 58 57 on the 4 cores.

 

[X-Legend]

I went with the XMP profile for now just to get a feel for things.

Earlier I tried using the Asus TurboV EVO program tool to optimize the CPU. It capped at around 4.6ghz, but I read that OS-based BIOS configurations are terrible. It also gave me some pretty whacky timings for my RAM. So I cleared the CMOS just to be sure I went back to the defaults. That's when I chose the XMP profile.

Is there any way I can get a template of the configured BIOS settings - just so I can get a good idea of where to start things off? I plan on finding out my own optimized settings, but I would like a good reference to go on. I'll probably shoot for that 4.5ghz.

 

[Idontcare]

I went with the XMP profile for now just to get a feel for things.

Earlier I tried using the Asus TurboV EVO program tool to optimize the CPU. It capped at around 4.6ghz, but I read that OS-based BIOS configurations are terrible. It also gave me some pretty whacky timings for my RAM. So I cleared the CMOS just to be sure I went back to the defaults. That's when I chose the XMP profile.

Is there any way I can get a template of the configured BIOS settings - just so I can get a good idea of where to start things off? I plan on finding out my own optimized settings, but I would like a good reference to go on. I'll probably shoot for that 4.5ghz.

Check your Vdimm if you use XMP on an ASUS mobo. My MIVE-Z changes the Vdimm to 1.65V by default if I tell it to use XMP, even though my dimms are spec'ed for 1.5V XMP profiles and the SB cpu is spec'ed for a Vdimm max of 1.57V.

 

[Kenmitch]

As stated in my earlier post I'll give you a helping hand. But with overclocking your results may very from mine.

To start I'd suggest you take advantage of the overclocking profile feature in your bios. It should be in Tools > overclocking profiles. What I do is setup my bios the way I want it and start with stock settings. I disable the nasty things that I won't use such as the Marvell controller, e-sata, etc. I set up my drives the way I want them like ACHI, hot swapable, etc. I set up my memory to run at its specs. Once this is done I reboot and go into bios and name this profile stock and save it in the first slot.

Is there any way I can get a template of the configured BIOS settings - just so I can get a good idea of where to start things off? I plan on finding out my own optimized settings, but I would like a good reference to go on. I'll probably shoot for that 4.5ghz.

Here are my current settings for a 4.6ghz overclock on my 2700K which seems to not need a whole lotta vcore to be stable. Most likely you'll be able to boot into windows with these settings. Stability under stress? You'll have to test it and see.

All settings are in the AI Tweaker section.
Ai Overclock Tweaker (Manual)
BCLK/PCIE (100.0)
Turbo Ratio (By Per Core Cannot Adjust in OS)
1-Core limit (46)
2-Core limit (46)
3-Core limit (46)
4-Core limit (46)
Internall PLL Overvoltage (Disable)
Memory Frequency (DDR3-1600) or whatever you have
EPU Power Savings (Disabled)
Load Line Calibration (Regular) = none as it works for me up to 4.8ghz
VRM Frequency (Manual)
VRM Fixed Frequency (350)
Phase Controll (Optimized)
CPU Current Capability (100%)
CPU Voltage (Offset Mode)
Offset Mode Sign (+)
CPU Offset Voltage (0.050) With my board and cpu = 1.296v's under load YMMV
Dram Voltage (1.525) spec on mine is 1.5v but I like to give it a little boost
Other Voltages left on (Auto)
CPU Spread Spectum (Auto) didn't play around with this yet.

If you don't wanna try booting up at 4.6ghz at first the only thing you need to change is the value of the 1,2,3,4-Core limit to what you want to try. Example 44 is 4.4ghz. The only setting that needs tweaking would be the Core limit value and the offset voltage amount for the most part. I'm thinking your cooler will crap out above 4.6ghz but it's your job to prove me wrong

Any more help needed just ask.

May the overclocking gods look down upon you and smile! < pondering as new sig....Hmm

 

[X-Legend]

I'm guessing these are the proper timings and voltages for a stable setup. Although I don't recall the DRAM frequency being above 800mz.

 

[Kenmitch]

I'm guessing these are the proper timings and voltages for a stable setup. Although I don't recall the DRAM frequency being above 800mz.

You messed with your BCLK it looks like or it's reading wrong. Look a couple post up and I gave you a what works for my 2700k template to try and see.

 

[X-Legend]

Oops, sorry. That was directed at the post above you. I went ahead and made a new profile with your settings (thanks by the way), except at 4.5ghz instead of 4.6ghz.

Temps on small loads (running programs include Steam, Chrome with a dozen or so tabs, performance monitors):

The clock rate likes to jump around a lot. I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I'll try out some stress tests and post back with the results.

 

[Kenmitch]

I went ahead and made a new profile with your settings (thanks by the way), except at 4.5ghz instead of 4.6ghz.

Those setting are a YMMV. Depending on your chip you may be able to drop the offset value or may need to raise it a little bit.

Just in case anybody is looking at the pictures and scratching their head wondering why in some the cpu is a 2700k and in others it's a 2600k it's a Core Temp thing. Guess it needs updated as it shows a 2600k for my 2700k also.

 

[Idontcare]

I'm guessing these are the proper timings and voltages for a stable setup. Although I don't recall the DRAM frequency being above 800mz.

CPUZ doesn't tell you the Vdimm, just reports the SPD settings.

In your BIOS you should be able to confirm the Vdimm your BIOS is applying to the ram, you definitely want to confirm your BIOS is applying the 1.5V Vdimm per the SPD/XMP profiles. My Asus mobo (MIVE-Z) won't, I have to set it manually, it defaults to 1.65V which is way to high for the SB CPU.

 

[X-Legend]

Where would the Vdimm settings be located in the Asus BIOS? Also, what exactly is Vdimm? Thanks in advance.

 

[Idontcare]

Vdimm is the voltage on the dimms (your sticks of ram).

Because the ram voltage effects the memory controller, and the memory controller is integrated into your Sandy Bridge CPU, Intel specs the maximum Vdimm for SB platforms to be 1.5V nominal and 1.57V max.

Your ram is also spec'ed to run at 1.5V nominal.

However it is still up to your motherboard's BIOS to actually properly set the Vdimm. Setting it to auto in the BIOS is not good enough (it should be, but its not).

In your BIOS you need to hunt around for the Vdimm value. There should be a place to specify it (and the current value may be specified there), and then there is usually a second place in your BIOS where it will tell you what the currently applied Vdimm is (along with Vcc and so on).

 

[Puppies04]

Where would the Vdimm settings be located in the Asus BIOS? Also, what exactly is Vdimm? Thanks in advance.

It is called VRAM voltage in the ai tweaker setup page.

 

[X-Legend]

I'm back with some new results. Here's the settings I put in the BIOS - most of everything was set to auto:

X.M.P profile enabled with VRAM voltage and timings set to manual (manufacturer settings):

Multiplier: 4.5 across the board
Internal PLL: Enabled
LLC: Medium
VRM Frequecy: Auto
Phase Control: Standard
Offset: -0.010v

Here's my temperatures while running LinX for about an hour or so (passed all 20 cycles):

On load, max temperatures sit at around 71c, averaging at about 68c. vcore fluctuates between 1.272v-1.304v. On idle, vcore fluctuates between 0.952v-1.096v and temperatures sit at around 28c-30c.

Any tips to lowering core voltage and increasing clock rate while maintaining a decent temperature? I'd prefer to keep the power saving options on since I'll be leaving my machine on practically 24/7. I'm not sure what some of those BIOS settings do, so I'm a little hesitant on adjusting them without proper guidance. Also, is it normal for the vcore and clock rate to fluctuate so much on idle? One second it's at 1.6ghz at 0.9957 vcore, then next it's at 4.5ghz at 1.1407 vcore?

EDIT: Running Prime95, CPU-Z shows that the vcore stays at 1.280. That seems odd to me, because Linx does not stress the processor at 100&#37; full load, yet the vcore went above the Prime95 load.