Multiplier Stuck at 39 I7 3770k

[uziasz]

Hi, ive got problem. My multiplier in bios is stuck at 39 (16-39) and cant go past this. Ive got Intel Core i7-3770 K @4x4.6 GHz Ivy Bridge 3. Generation and MSI Z77A-G43 Z77 motherboard. Ive did some research and found that i7-3770 K got stuck at #39 on motherboards like Gigabyte Z68 and P67 but there was nothing about MSI Z77. Its pretty new pc and i would like to get these 4.6ghz oc. Might it be just bios issue? Is there anything i could do to surpass it? If i cant then would it mean that i cant oc my cpu because of motherboard?

Also when ive read some guides about oc etc ive noticed that i cant manualy set up my cpu voltage ive got options only auto, +0.02v, +0.04v, +0.06v and +0.08v.

I did upgraded bios version from MSI website, didnt helped.

 

[Smoblikat]

Hi, ive got problem. My multiplier in bios is stuck at 39 (16-39) and cant go past this. Ive got Intel Core i7-3770 K @4x4.6 GHz Ivy Bridge 3. Generation and MSI Z77A-G43 Z77 motherboard. Ive did some research and found that i7-3770 K got stuck at #39 on motherboards like Gigabyte Z68 and P67 but there was nothing about MSI Z77. Its pretty new pc and i would like to get these 4.6ghz oc. Might it be just bios issue? Is there anything i could do to surpass it? If i cant then would it mean that i cant oc my cpu because of motherboard?

Also when ive read some guides about oc etc ive noticed that i cant manualy set up my cpu voltage ive got options only auto, +0.02v, +0.04v, +0.06v and +0.08v.

I did upgraded bios version from MSI website, didnt helped.

Im confused at this:
Ive got Intel Core i7-3770 K @4x4.6 GHz Ivy Bridge 3

How can it be at 4.6, but have its multi set to 39?

 

[uziasz]

Thats the problem i cant get 4.6ghz, bcuz multiplier let me go up to 39 so it cant go pass 3.9ghz.

Its in german but its from action i bought it:
"Sockel 1155, 4 x 3.5 GHz @ 4 x 4.6 Ghz • 1 MB L2 Cache , 8 MB L3 Cache• Boxed-Version, Integrierte Grafik, Intel TurboBoost • max. Leistungsaufnahme 77 Watt (Strukturbreite 22 nm)"

So without OC it should be 3.5GHz if i understand good and it had 35 multiplier in bios when i first checked, i wanted to get it higher but highest i can get is 39, i think it should let me go higher?

 

[Smoblikat]

Thats the problem i cant get 4.6ghz, bcuz multiplier let me go up to 39 so it cant go pass 3.9ghz.

Its in german but its from action i bought it:
"Sockel 1155, 4 x 3.5 GHz @ 4 x 4.6 Ghz • 1 MB L2 Cache , 8 MB L3 Cache• Boxed-Version, Integrierte Grafik, Intel TurboBoost • max. Leistungsaufnahme 77 Watt (Strukturbreite 22 nm)"

So without OC it should be 3.5GHz if i understand good and it had 35 multiplier in bios when i first checked, i wanted to get it higher but highest i can get is 39, i think it should let me go higher?

You dont need to worry about voltages for now. You should be able to set it at 6ghz (not going to happen, but possible) so being locked at 39 is quite low. I have seen it before, have you tried to update BIOS/Roll back BIOS?

 

[Harvey]

What BIOS version are you using? If it's not the latest version, 2.4, the notes for this version say:

- Enhance OC function.
- Update USB module.
- Improved memory compatibility.
- Improved gaming mouse & keyboard compatibility.

You can download version 2.4, here.

Hope that helps.

 

[pantsaregood]

If MSI screwed up like Gigabyte did and continued using BIOS instead of UEFI, that may be the problem. Older 6-series Gigabyte boards misread Ivy Bridge as being locked because of using BIOS instead of UEFI.

Also, you probably have a dynamic VCore setting in your BIOS.

 

[Harvey]

If MSI screwed up like Gigabyte did and continued using BIOS instead of UEFI, that may be the problem. Older 6-series Gigabyte boards misread Ivy Bridge as being locked because of using BIOS instead of UEFI.

The lack of UEFI is not the problem. From MSI's detailed specs page:

Intel® Z77 Chipset Based

• Military Class III components: Top quality & stability
• OC Genie II: Auto OC to boost performance in 1 sec
• ClickBIOS II: Easy-to-use UEFI BIOS interface
• THX TruStudio PRO: deliver the fullest audio experience
• Support USB 3.0 & SATA 6Gb/s
• Support CrossFireX Technology

 

[uziasz]

I did upgraded bios version from MSI website, didnt helped.

Yes ive upgraded it from 2.1 to 2.4.

 

[cmdrdredd]

This might sound basic but on my motherboard and maybe others, the multiplier is not clickable. What I mean is you cannot click on the box that says x39 and then edit it. You have to click on the multiplier function or use arrow keys to highlight it and then use the + or - keys to change the number.

 

[uziasz]

This might sound basic but on my motherboard and maybe others, the multiplier is not clickable. What I mean is you cannot click on the box that says x39 and then edit it. You have to click on the multiplier function or use arrow keys to highlight it and then use the + or - keys to change the number.

Its clickable for me and values i can choose are from 16 to 39. I can change that frequency~ its set up on 10k but guess if should stay at 10k.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Any options in your bios for making "max turbo frequency user selectable"? or something like that? Maybe something is set to lock you out.

 

[lakedude]

I've got the 3770s, it was a bit confusing which settings to change at first. The mouse click BIOS was not my friend. Had to RTM and play around with the keyboard (not the mouse) but eventually got my 4 bins of free Turbo out of Intel.

Also that label is a bit weird, are we certain it is a "k" part?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Further I found a review of your motherboard and they have this to say.

Having said that, this isn’t likely to be a concern, as MSI has crippled the EFI of the G43 to such levels that you’re unlikely to be able to coax a major overclock out of the board. The measly 0.06V that you’re able to add to the Vcore is very low, and meant that we could only overclock our test CPU to 4.4GHz, rather than the 4.8GHz we’ve been able to hit with every other Z77 board.

This is a frustrating state of affairs, as up until this point we were fairly impressed with the G43. We’ve got other Z77 MSI boards in the labs that can add plenty of extra voltage too, which indicates that higher Vcore voltages are something that MSI has purposely chosen to leave out. This is a troubling thought as it could indicate the start of a trend, with motherboard manufacturers purposely limiting their low end boards to ensure you have to buy a premium board to overclock with.

It’s essentially the same tactic as Intel has employed with its K series CPUs, forcing users to trade up if they wish to overclock. We can’t say we blame it - as a business MSI would prefer consumers to buy its premium rather than entry level products - but we can’t help feeling that it’s a tactic that is completely at odds with the overclocking spirit.

 

[uziasz]

Also that label is a bit weird, are we certain it is a "k" part?

Yes its a K. Even cpu-z says that.

@up

So if i understand right... i need to get new motherboard if i want to oc?

 

[lakedude]

So if i understand right... i need to get new motherboard if i want to oc?

I'm pretty sure your MB will OC, maybe just not as good as some of the others...

 

[cmdrdredd]

You'll be able to get something out of it, at least into the 4Ghz range. Just gotta figure out why it's locking you out.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Not sure what your mobo's uefi options are, but can't you change the turbo multipliers instead of the 'normal' multiplier?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Not sure what your mobo's uefi options are, but can't you change the turbo multipliers instead of the 'normal' multiplier?

I'm still using a Z68 board, but I've looked at the screenies for a Z77 -- couldn't find major differences. My board was an ASUS, and I sent them a query as to "whether you could over-clock the base multiplier." For my i7-2600K, that would be default 34. They told me they don't support changing that multiplier in their BIOS. Instead, the only over-clocking allowable was for the "Turbo multiplier" which for me had default 38. I can UNDERCLOCK the base multiplier -- I just can't overclock it.

I observe this, knowing I'm mostly "blind" on experience with the Z77's, but it could be a source of confusion for the OP. Potential and options could change between chipsets, but if I had to bet a few bucks on it, I might put my money on the "no change" choice.