Help needed i5 2500k Sandy Bridge Overclock Settings

[Bubba91873]

System Configuration:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge Quad-Core 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W BX80623I52500K Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000
Artic Silver 5 Thermal paste
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock P67 EXTREME6 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157231

UEFI BIOS Version L2.19

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ooler_master_hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Intel Z87/ Z77/ Z68/ P67 Low Profile Extreme Performance Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GAB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231847

Thermaltake Toughpower 750w PSU

Blu-Ray Burner
Antec 300 ATX Computer Case 5x 90-120mm fans and 1x 200mm fan

3 Problems
1. I am wanting to over-clock my i5 2500k unlocked CPU from 3.3 to between 4.0-4.5 would make me happy with that. But I am a noob to over-clocking and need an expert

to guide me with my BIOS settings for a safe overclocking without going too extreme. I think my hardware is quite capable of keeping temps down and handling what I

want to do.
I need detailed setting changes and possible explanantions and patience please.

2. My RAM is listed here as being XMP profile compatible with my mobo but the XMP setting is completely missing from my BIOS.All ram is recognised and I have tried

using the 2 sticks in the blue slots and then the white slots to see if they showup nut no luck. They are showingup as dual channel though.
http://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=52&chip=35&model=531

3.I RMA'ed this board a 2 years ago, and when I recieved the replacement they upgraded the BIOS to L2.19 ??????? On the website for the mobo they show the latest

BIOS version as being 2.10 and that should only be installed if I wanted to upgrade to newer cpu's. I've read lots of warnings on forums ot never install this bios

or I might as well throw the board away/bricked.

I have owned this system since 2012 with no problems except for the 1 RMA on the board.

Can someone please help with expert advice ?

Picture of inside my comp, please ignore the cable mess, its not modular ;/
http://i.imgur.com/z6jOnrq.jpg

UEFI L2.19 BIOS Welcome Screen
http://i.imgur.com/sgqrT27.jpg

OC Tweeker Section Top Portion and Default Settings
http://i.imgur.com/uO3FhX1.jpg

OC Tweeker Section Bottom Portion and Default Settings
http://i.imgur.com/YgUGojz.jpg

Advanced CPU Configuration Section
http://i.imgur.com/LQNWjcN.jpg

Hardware Monitor and Temps Section
http://i.imgur.com/eQFcSDe.jpg

Thank you in advance.

 

[Ketchup]

4.0 shouldn't be too hard for the chip, but I don't know about the chipset. On my Z68 all I had to do was turn up the multiplier until I got up around 4.5.

 

[Burpo]

You can maybe use this video as a guide (don't have to go as high as 4.5 tho).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLR2YZrevQ

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You can maybe use this video as a guide (don't have to go as high as 4.5 tho).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLR2YZrevQ

That's a good idea for the OP, but I prefer print and pictures. This has nothing to do so much with this thread: I'm a 20th century guy; I can absorb more per unit time from print media than I can from some . . . presentation.

So, accounting for my old-school bias, I'd also suggest the OP should read some OC'ing guides for P67 boards in general, the AsRock P67 board if he can find a specific review or guide, and maybe give a looksee at 2500K OC'ing guides for Z68 chipset as well.

There are piles of guides available still for Gen 2 processors, P67 and z68 as well as z77 chipsets. OP mainly wants to work within the parameters of P67, but sections of later guides may offer insight. Keep in mind that SB-K was still a new processor when P67 was released, so there's less collective experience from those online guides.

Also, Bubba is asking for a summary list of settings for the processor and board. Only someone with firsthand familiarity with P67 would be able to do that, and if they did -- the settings are only ball-park values OP could test and tweak while still remaining in the dark about a progression of settings that lead to a higher stable overclock.

Finally, someone should mention to him the list of Stress-test and monitoring software, but all those things are available in the Overclocking stickies.

Per some other recent threads, I'll suggest that "cookbook overclocking" will put the user in a bind if some intermittent instability occurs. What to fix? What to change? How much to change it?

At least Lindbergh had a periscope in that plane without a front window . . .

All that being said, :thumbsup: for the video. It at least offers some promising settings. And the Z68/Z77 tutorial which seems to follow after provides more or different information about the BIOS menus.

 

[Bubba91873]

The problem that I am having after my own efforts and viewing videos in the past and last night is that the BIOS L2.19 on this board is very different then the other bios settings that overclockers are using.
I did not put this bios on the board, the techs at asrock did that when I RMA'ed the board.
Settings for me are greyed out or are not there.
For example when I go to choose a multiplier in the cpu ratio it only gives the default oc profiles or disabled option instead of choosing manual and setting the multiplier to 45 f.e.

set short duration power limit
and
set long power duration power limit values also refuse to be changed. I put in 200 and it will revert back to 120 or w/e.

Reading general guides and theories on overclocking is all fine and well, but in my situation that is a waste of time and effort no offence intended. I am not dumb nor ignorant, I am simply asking for value changes and why this BIOS is giving me problems.

 

[Bubba91873]

I am strongly thinking of asking ASROCK for a new bios chip without any bios on it or a very early version on it but not sure of how to go about this ?
This imo is the problem that is holding me back.

If you need further pictures of the problems, I would gladly upload them.

 

[Ketchup]

You don't need to send it back. Just use their flash utility to flash it back to a version available on their website.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

How are you cooling the CPU? Maybe I missed it but I didn't see any mention of a after market cooler?
You should be able to flash it back to an older bios, You may need to use the converter for the bios file(not sure). OK i just read the P67 board had a PLL over voltage issue, here is a link with supposed gfixed Bios

http://forum.hwbot.org/showthread.php?t=15952

 

[Ranulf]

This might help Bubba if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1198504/...guide-sandy-bridge-ivy-bridge-asrock-edition#

Thanks Philly on the bios link. Bookmarked that for future need.

 

[Burpo]

If flashing bios won't work, contact these guys..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOS-Chip-A...676?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc6cf5e84

 

[billbobaggins87]

This might help Bubba if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1198504/...guide-sandy-bridge-ivy-bridge-asrock-edition#

Thanks Philly on the bios link. Bookmarked that for future need.

OP use this. It covers all you need to get started. If your not willing to read and understand what your doing i Highly suggest not doing it. No reason to have a thread or discussion on this as there is FAR more than enough information readily available to you on how to OC that exact combo.

and 4.0 is easily achievable by just changing the multiplier.

 

[Bubba91873]

How are you cooling the CPU? Maybe I missed it but I didn't see any mention of a after market cooler?
You should be able to flash it back to an older bios, You may need to use the converter for the bios file(not sure). OK i just read the P67 board had a PLL over voltage issue, here is a link with supposed gfixed Bios

http://forum.hwbot.org/showthread.php?t=15952

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-065-_-Product

With that cooler and cpu running at idle my temp with an antec 300 case is 37c.

 

[Bubba91873]

OP use this. It covers all you need to get started. If your not willing to read and understand what your doing i Highly suggest not doing it. No reason to have a thread or discussion on this as there is FAR more than enough information readily available to you on how to OC that exact combo.

and 4.0 is easily achievable by just changing the multiplier.

The bios version L2.19 I have does not allow the change the multiplier even to a basic 40. And using the stock oc profiles 4.0 to 4.8 none do anything.
The options it gives for cpu ratio are disabled, 4.0 through 4.8. There ie no option to set manual.

I do not mind to read guides that are specific to my motherboard and cpu and spend time doing so. I just dont need ones that only teach theory and broad over-clocking terms. I'm not being a jerk so dont take it the wrong way.

These have been very helpful answers and they are greatly appreciated.
The bios is the problem imo and flashing it back to an older one I can certaintly do myself.
Problem is, which bios version to go with ? The one I had previously before the board was rma'ed had the options I needed but they upgraded it to 2.19.

 

[Bubba91873]

I will try flashing the bios back to a previous version tommorrow night from that link that was posted and then report back.

And I do thank you all for the help and answers.

 

[MadScientist]

Here's some old posts that may be helpful.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2194092&highlight=2500k

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2194577&highlight=2500k

And how to apply thermal compound to HDT coolers:
http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5

I'm still running a 2500K at it's original oc'ed settings with an old Corsair A70 HDT cooler, which is similar to the CM Hyper 212+.

My system is still running great and I see no reason to upgrade. I did though upgrade my video card to a Geforce GTX 970.

 

[Bubba91873]

Here's some old posts that may be helpful.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2194092&highlight=2500k

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2194577&highlight=2500k

And how to apply thermal compound to HDT coolers:
http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com...sk=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5

I'm still running a 2500K at it's original oc'ed settings with an old Corsair A70 HDT cooler, which is similar to the CM Hyper 212+.

My system is still running great and I see no reason to upgrade. I did though upgrade my video card to a Geforce GTX 970.

What is your bios version that you are using ? Also noticed you live in TN. I'm in Powell outside of knoxville.

 

[Bubba91873]

Weather is kinda crazy today were I live so I will wait nad see if it calms down tonight so that I have reliable electricity when I flash the chip. Dont want it bricked.

Thinking about going back to version 1.5 or so. Need to read some forum reviews to see if people had problems with earlier versions and what to expect.

 

[Ketchup]

Only BIOS I see on their site is 2.10, so I see no reason to think that it wouldn't the best for your particular board. (Possibly an exclusive BIOS from Asrock, but we have already seen that this idea isn't working out too well.)

 

[MadScientist]

We have different motherboards so the bios versions are probably different. The latest bios version on my board is 2.20 but I'm still running 1.70. No need to upgrade to 2.20 when it runs fine with 1.70.

Flash your bios back to version 2.10 if 2.19 is giving you problems.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/P67%20Extreme6/?cat=Download&os=BIOS

 

[Bubba91873]

Only BIOS I see on their site is 2.10, so I see no reason to think that it wouldn't the best for your particular board. (Possibly an exclusive BIOS from Asrock, but we have already seen that this idea isn't working out too well.)

Yeah I never asked them to upgrade the bios when I rma'ed/ IIRC I was using either 1.7 or 1.9 becuase i did not want to install 2.10 becuase it is used for newer cpu;s and the warning that comes with it on the download page.
As you can see in my screenshot it says L2.19.

Their official bios on the page is 2.10. Makes no sence to me.

 

[Ketchup]

Are you sure you can't overclock with the BIOS you have? When I look at your screen shot, I see "CPU Ratio" set to auto, but is in white, indicating that you can change it.

Just type in 40 here, and she what it does.

For example when I go to choose a multiplier in the cpu ratio it only gives the default oc profiles or disabled option instead of choosing manual and setting the multiplier to 45 f.e.

Where are you seeing default or disabled? As I said, in you own screen shot I see CPU Ratio set to auto, and it a changeable entry.

I would keep the BIOS you have an see if you cannot do this. The profile settings you refer to and something you would set and save, so if you have never down this on the current BIOS, it makes sense that there is nothing present here.

 

[Bubba91873]

In version 2.19 the highest CPU multiplier it will allow me to input is 37. I type anything higher it defaults to 37.If I could set it to 40 I would.

Ketchup79 I was seeing disabled in the oc profiles. Some guides say there is also a manual but mine does not have that. Curremntly the oc profiles are disabled and cpu ratio set to 37.But does not register.

I flashed the BIOS to 2.10 successfully but still have the same problems. I followed exactly the guide from here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1198504/...guide-sandy-bridge-ivy-bridge-asrock-edition#

I used his settings and voltages to start with before running prime 95 and monitoring temps. But this bios will not allow me to set the multi above 37.
I changed vcore temp to 1.3
He reccomends changing long and short duration power limits to max which is 10,000 and press enter. It will not go over 120 for both.
He also rccomends 10,000 for Primary plane current limit, but it wont go above 500.
All else is set exactly as in the guide prior to running prime 95 and changing anything else.
I am stuck at this point.
Even at 37 multi and basic changes the CPU still showsup as being 3.30 ghz, no change.

I can either accept this and stop, or try to downgrade the bios further to 1.6 which is available here for my Asrock Extreme6 (B3) motherboard:http://forum.hwbot.org/showthread.php?t=15952

But I am alittle scared to do so.

 

[Bubba91873]

I think this bios 2.10 and higher is only meant for newer cpu's and it preventing me from ocing the 2500k sandy bridge.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/P67 Extreme6/?cat=Download&os=BIOS

 

[Ketchup]

OK. BIOS shouldn't matter. What happens when you leave everything at auto and just use the EZ OC? It should find a good number for you.

Also, I have seen boards misbehave when there is no fan connected to the main CPU fan connector, so make sure your main cooler is plugged in there.

 

[Bubba91873]

OK. BIOS shouldn't matter. What happens when you leave everything at auto and just use the EZ OC? It should find a good number for you.

Also, I have seen boards misbehave when there is no fan connected to the main CPU fan connector, so make sure your main cooler is plugged in there.

Yeah the fan on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus is plugged in and running correctly. CPU temp is at 38c while im running 3ds Max modeling a 9 million polygon Tiger 1 tank model.

If I leave everything at default or load defaults and just choose any of the EZ OC profiles it does nothing. It changes some settings but it still shows my cpu at 3.30ghz in both bios and when right clicking on computer icon and choosing properties.The options go from disabled to 4.0 up to 4.8. None make a difference.

The highest multiplier it will allow me to choose is 37 in cpu ratio with either bios version.
This is suppose to be a i5 2500k with unlocked multiplier and thats why i bought it originally.

I am open to any suggestions and do appreciate the help. I can either leave this as is or try to further downgrade to 1.6 but I am not sure it is safe to do so.