Overclocked speed when idle

[Zoom123]

I have a 2600K CPU on a P8P67 Pro motherboard overclocked to 4.5GHz.

On some overclocking tutorials I followed it was shown that the full overclocked speed is used only when the system is under load and when idle it is running at a lower speed (something like 1.6GHz if I remember correctly)

However in my case CPU-Z reports 4.5GHz even when idle. Did I do something wrong?

 

[Sean_JC]

Make sure that SpeedStep is enabled in bios

 

[Puppies04]

Did you sort it zoom? I can give you the exact settings I am using if you want, mine idles @1.6ghz on the same board you have.

Edit. acually mine is a P8Z68 but it is the same in the bios

 

[fastamdman]

As the 2nd poster said it's the EIST setting. If intel's speed step setting is enabled the processor will downclock both the voltages and speed, if it's disabled you will run at your overclock setting and vcore setting 100% of the time.

I highly recommend leaving the setting ON because the less vcore you put through the chip, the longer it will last, plain and simple.

 

[Puppies04]

As the 2nd poster said it's the EIST setting. If intel's speed step setting is enabled the processor will downclock both the voltages and speed, if it's disabled you will run at your overclock setting and vcore setting 100% of the time.

I highly recommend leaving the setting ON because the less vcore you put through the chip, the longer it will last, plain and simple.

Depends if he is OCing with manual voltage or offset voltage. If manual the chip will downclock to 1.6ghz with EIST but it will not lower the voltage other than dropping slighlty because of LLC.

 

[fastamdman]

Good point. It also helps to use offset voltages when using the safety features like eist/c1/ce/c3 all that jazz. This will ensure the chip downclocks both the speed and the voltages which WILL help lower cpu idle temps and could possibly keyword possibly help keep the chip alive longer. But once again, I doubt anyone will have the chip long enough to care.

 

[Zoom123]

Thanks. In my case SpeedStep was actually disabled within windows. I enabled it and now it goes down to 1.6GHz when idle.

But my core voltage didn't change (1.34) as it was set manually. (this is how it was done at the tutorial I followed here:
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/39184-p67-sandy-bridge-overclocking-guide-beginners.html

Is there a better way to overclock 2600K on P8P67 Pro?

 

[Kenmitch]

Thanks. In my case SpeedStep was actually disabled within windows. I enabled it and now it goes down to 1.6GHz when idle.

But my core voltage didn't change (1.34) as it was set manually. (this is how it was done at the tutorial I followed here:
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/39184-p67-sandy-bridge-overclocking-guide-beginners.html

Is there a better way to overclock 2600K on P8P67 Pro?

Your link is down currently.

I have the P8P67 Pro Rev3.0 running a 2700K so it's similar to yours.

I use the offset voltage with LLC set to (regular) none.

cpu voltage > offset mode > offset mode sign > + > cpu offset voltage you'll have to play around with this one. Dependant on LLC settins so try around 0.050 or so and see what you get for loaded vcore.

EDIT: While testing my 2500K(sold it) I discovered that changing the LLC to regular(none) allowed me to drop my vcore by 0.040v without loosing stability. My 2700K I'm testing out works up to 4.8ghz using LLC set to regular(none) and is stable with a 1.36v vcore. If I toy around with 5ghz I do have to bump up the LLC a little bit tho. Currently working on a power profile for my chip at stock,4ghz,4.2ghz,4.4ghz,4.6ghz and the first bigger vcore jump is at 4.8ghz. Toying around with 5ghz is gonna be saved for later.

 

[djshortsleeve]

Your link is down currently.

I have the P8P67 Pro Rev3.0 running a 2700K so it's similar to yours.

I use the offset voltage with LLC set to (regular) none.

cpu voltage > offset mode > offset mode sign > + > cpu offset voltage you'll have to play around with this one. Dependant on LLC settins so try around 0.050 or so and see what you get for loaded vcore.

EDIT: While testing my 2500K(sold it) I discovered that changing the LLC to regular(none) allowed me to drop my vcore by 0.040v without loosing stability. My 2700K I'm testing out works up to 4.8ghz using LLC set to regular(none) and is stable with a 1.36v vcore. If I toy around with 5ghz I do have to bump up the LLC a little bit tho. Currently working on a power profile for my chip at stock,4ghz,4.2ghz,4.4ghz,4.6ghz and the first bigger vcore jump is at 4.8ghz. Toying around with 5ghz is gonna be saved for later.

Not to hijack, but do you notice any diff between 2500 and 2700k? I assume in thread intensive activity. Other than that besides OC potential?

 

[Kenmitch]

Not to hijack, but do you notice any diff between 2500 and 2700k? I assume in thread intensive activity. Other than that besides OC potential?

In normal everyday use not really. It was an impulse buy based on a $260 2700K more than anything. At the time I found the 2700K deal I was looking at microcenter 2500K/Z68 mb's combos and debating if I wanted to pick up one to play around with. I decided that the 2700K would be a better option for me as I pretty much just wanted to start a new overclocking adventure anyways.

Buys 2700K($260) sells 2500K($160 quick sale) so the $100 gets me from 4.5ghz to 4.8ghz + hyperthreading requiring the same loaded vcore of 1.36v's. To some it doesn't look like much for $100 but once I figure in the many days and hours of another overclocking adventure it's well worth it to me. My chip has a shot at 5ghz but I've decided to play around with that when I get the itch again.

 

[Zoom123]

Your link is down currently.

I have the P8P67 Pro Rev3.0 running a 2700K so it's similar to yours.

I use the offset voltage with LLC set to (regular) none.

cpu voltage > offset mode > offset mode sign > + > cpu offset voltage you'll have to play around with this one. Dependant on LLC settins so try around 0.050 or so and see what you get for loaded vcore.

EDIT: While testing my 2500K(sold it) I discovered that changing the LLC to regular(none) allowed me to drop my vcore by 0.040v without loosing stability. My 2700K I'm testing out works up to 4.8ghz using LLC set to regular(none) and is stable with a 1.36v vcore. If I toy around with 5ghz I do have to bump up the LLC a little bit tho. Currently working on a power profile for my chip at stock,4ghz,4.2ghz,4.4ghz,4.6ghz and the first bigger vcore jump is at 4.8ghz. Toying around with 5ghz is gonna be saved for later.

Can you give me your complete settings for your 2600K at 4.8GHz?

I tried 4.6GHz (46x100) with LLC set to regular and offset mode (+) 0.050, but the max vcore was about 1.33 under load and it was not stable under Prime.

I also have PLL Overvoltage disabled as per the tutorial I linked in my initial post.

 

[Kenmitch]

Can you give me your complete settings for your 2600K at 4.8GHz? I tried 4.6GHz (46x100) with LLC set to regular and offset mode (+) 0.050, but the max vcore was about 1.33 under load and it was not stable under Prime. I also have PLL Overvoltage disabled as per the tutorial I linked in my initial post.

I have the 2700K but it's pretty much just a 2600K anyways.

I'll have to go look thru that guide and see what it shows for settings as it looks like it's up for now.

Are you still using the offset mode? Does the voltage throttle down at idle now?

The + 0.050v offset was just a starting point. So if it gets you 1.33v under load with +0.050v and your chip needs 1.35v you would need to bump the offset up some more try + 0.065v and test again. Try it with LLC on regular and see if it works. One thing you don't wanna do is mess with the LLC settings and offset at the same time. For example if you have LLC on regular using offset voltage and your getting 1.35v under load changing the LLC to medium your voltage will most likely go up to 1.37v under load. So it's one of those do one at a time things to see what you get.

I'm not sure if my exact settings would work on your chip at any given speed as my chip looks like it doesn't need a whole lotta voltage to stabalize. I'll have to reboot with my 4.8ghz profile and see. I was toying around at 5-5.1ghz last night with non suicidal runs tho.

 

[Zoom123]

Are you still using the offset mode? Does the voltage throttle down at idle now?

I am back to manual mode now in the way I had it stable before (1.335v and LLC on Ultra High for 4.5GHz). As it is now at full load I get temps that sometimes approach 80C on 2 of the cores. Does this mean that I probably can't go much higher on this chip?

When I tried the offset mode the voltage at idle was about 1.05 and at about 1.33 at full load (but I tired it with 4.6GHz and it was not stable).

If I understand correctly the difference between the manual and the offset is not that the offset would allow a higher overclock, but that the idle voltage would be lower. Is that right?

If we assume I will stick with the 4.5GHz, is there a safer way to do it than manual 1.335v with LLC on Ultra?

 

[Kenmitch]

If we assume I will stick with the 4.5GHz, is there a safer way to do it than manual 1.335v with LLC on Ultra?

I'm not an expert on the subject but I try to avoid using LLC at all. I like the offset voltage way as I don't have to feed more voltages at idle and it helps to keep the overshoot voltage inline < Using high LLC can cause momentary high voltage spikes when the chip goes from load to no load to little load etc,

If it was me I'd just go into bios and save your current profile as it's stable. It's under the tools option I believe > overclock profiles or something like that. It's easyier to change up if you name them also.

Once you save the profile then try the offset voltage mode again. You just need to find the correct value to get you back to the same loaded voltage and you should be stable. Sometimes you'll be stable at a little lower vcore without LLC enabled at all. You gotta just play around with it. It's best to keep the LLC as low as possible but it's up to you if you wanna use it.

Try offset mode with a + value of 0.080v's or so and load it and see what your vcore is with the 45x multiplier. If it's higher or lower than you need just up or down the offset to get it closer. Depending on what your testing with the vcore will go up and down with the load.

It's trial and error with offset but once you get the hang of it I think it works the best. It's the way the chip was meant to be run so it shouldn't be too much work to get it to what your chip needs to be stable at a set clock.

 

[Zoom123]

Thanks. I will try that. What about the temps? They can get 78-79C under load with Prime95 with the above settings. Isn't that a bit too high? Actually it is the temps that stopped from trying a higher oc, since I wouldn't mind to push the voltage a bit more. I am using the Hyper 212+ cooler.

 

[Zoom123]

I tired some different settings with the offset and 4.6GHz After running Prime95 for 20 minutes temps went to 81C and I stopped it.

Is this normal? The voltage never went more than 1.365 and at 4.6GHz the temp was so high. Could it be that the Hyper 212+ was not placed correctly?

 

[Kenmitch]

I tired some different settings with the offset and 4.6GHz After running Prime95 for 20 minutes temps went to 81C and I stopped it.

Is this normal? The voltage never went more than 1.365 and at 4.6GHz the temp was so high. Could it be that the Hyper 212+ was not placed correctly?

Do you single fan or double on the 212? Push pull may help if single fan. Was the temps peaked? Or still climbing?

SB's ramp up heat quickly even under water. Its normal in a way as after xx minutes it'll peak determined by your cooling solution. Maintaining the temps is the hard part.

Case airflow and ambient temps of the room play a big part also.

 

[Zoom123]

Singe fan. Would this be a normal temp for this kind of cooler?

I don't know if it would rise more because I stopped it when it reached 81C, but this was after 20 minutes of Prime.

I guess I shouldn't try to oc more than 4.5 It is winter now but temps here in summer rise quite a bit and I wouldn't want to risk anything.

 

[Kenmitch]

Singe fan. Would this be a normal temp for this kind of cooler?

I don't know if it would rise more because I stopped it when it reached 81C, but this was after 20 minutes of Prime.

I guess I shouldn't try to oc more than 4.5 It is winter now but temps here in summer rise quite a bit and I wouldn't want to risk anything.

20 minutes in I'd think it peaked already. Adding a second fan would help as long as your case has good airflow already.

If you monitor your system temp you'll get an idea of your airflow. Just let rig sit at idle then note the temps. If your system temps rise a lot during heavy stress testin then you need better airflow. My case takes pretty much all day heavy testing overclock fest to rise. But doesn't rise much at all 5-6*c sometimes others 1-2*c

Good Luck!

 

[Puppies04]

I tired some different settings with the offset and 4.6GHz After running Prime95 for 20 minutes temps went to 81C and I stopped it.

Is this normal? The voltage never went more than 1.365 and at 4.6GHz the temp was so high. Could it be that the Hyper 212+ was not placed correctly?

That does seem a little high for that voltage but it all depends on your setup.

Please list your case, number of case fans and a rough idea of the ambient temps in the room you were testing it in.

 

[Zoom123]

The case is this one: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=71 (without the PSU) case fans as listed in the above page. Room temps at about 20C.

 

[Puppies04]

It isn't exactly a wind tunnel but i would still say there are 5-10 degrees of improvements to be had. Have you got acceess to a fan adjustment (cpu and or case) profile so you can shift a little more air? Also try reseating the cpu cooler with some decent new TIM installed.

 

[Kenmitch]

The case is this one: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=71 (without the PSU) case fans as listed in the above page. Room temps at about 20C.

Open side panel and stress test before try reseating the cooler. I think its more lack of airflow.

If it helps your temps then you have some options like replace rear fan with one with greater airflow. Drive bay fan mod might help if your lower bays are empty.

Case mod is option if you got the skill and tools. A 120mm sucking in close to CPU cooler would help.

Being thermally limited on overclocking sucks. The I went to water with Q9550 and HD 5850. I just move it from CPU/MB combo to combo with a little upgrade here and there.