Quick tips for overclocking 4690K

[Annisman*]

Not looking for a huge overclock, this is for a friend's PC that I just put together.

Is it still as simple as increasing the multiplier these days ? How about BIOS settings ? Should I be turning off the throttling settings or let it move up and down at need ?

Just some quick tips would be awesome, I will continue to look at guides but most of them go into a bit more detail than I think I need.

Mobo is: Asus Z-97-A http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132510

He's got an AIO cooler so I'm not worried about keeping the chip cool.

Edit: I see 1.25v is the recommended limit for this chip

 

[Ketchup]

Since it's someone else's computer, it would put it at about 200 Mhz less that you can push it at stock voltage. Don't want someone to come wining to you when they fry the thing.

 

[Annisman*]

Haha I hear that man.

 

[Annisman*]

It seems like anything I can find on the web just mentions upping the voltage and changing the multiplier but what I don't see is any mention of the CPU 'C' states or how to disable the turbo option (if that's recommended). Surprised I'm not finding more helpful information.

Alright who can tell me the difference between CPU ratio and Cache ratio for example ?

 

[Ketchup]

It seems like anything I can find on the web just mentions upping the voltage and changing the multiplier but what I don't see is any mention of the CPU 'C' states or how to disable the turbo option (if that's recommended). Surprised I'm not finding more helpful information.

I didn't touch them when I got my 2500k to 4.8. Just tapped the voltage, and then settled for a speed where I didn't have to. Honestly, the C-states work very well at lowering the heat output and cost of running the machine, and disabling them does nothing to make the computer faster.

 

[ctk1981]

It seems like anything I can find on the web just mentions upping the voltage and changing the multiplier but what I don't see is any mention of the CPU 'C' states or how to disable the turbo option (if that's recommended). Surprised I'm not finding more helpful information.

Alright who can tell me the difference between CPU ratio and Cache ratio for example ?

No more than 1.25V, up the ratio to ramp up clock speed. Uncore/cache ratio should be kept the same or lower than clock ratio. On mine it topped out at 4ghz which is about where you see diminishing gains anyway (for cache). Disable EIST, c1,3,6 states for maximum overclock. Leave everything else as is. I was able to get to 4.5ghz on mine with no further adjustments and at 1.225v. Anymore and keeping temp in check was problematic at full load, even with a waterblock.

 

[Annisman*]

No more than 1.25V, up the ratio to ramp up clock speed. Uncore/cache ratio should be kept the same or lower than clock ratio. On mine it topped out at 4ghz which is about where you see diminishing gains anyway (for cache). Disable EIST, c1,3,6 states for maximum overclock. Leave everything else as is. I was able to get to 4.5ghz on mine with no further adjustments and at 1.225v. Anymore and keeping temp in check was problematic at full load, even with a waterblock.

Alright this is good, this is what I need right here. Shooting for a modest 4.4Ghz with this chip.

My only question is about the uncore/cache ratio, how does one know when to raise it ? Is keeping it below the clock ratio really the only rule with that ?

 

[Kenmitch]

Little to gain by raising uncore higher as far as performance goes....Unless you count possible instability.

 

[Annisman*]

Can I just not touch the uncore ?

 

[ctk1981]

Yeah, if you want to be safe you can leave the uncore at the default ratio.

 

[Annisman*]

This chip looks like a dog, wasn't even stable at 4.4Ghz with 1.25 on the core, temps are great.

 

[Kenmitch]

This chip looks like a dog, wasn't even stable at 4.4Ghz with 1.25 on the core, temps are great.

Just set it up for 4.2GHz or so on all cores. Doesn't sound like much but will be better than stock speeds. Stock max turbo is only 3.9GHz anyways. Xtra .3GHz or so on all cores for free isn't bad.

I call my 4790k a dud as it seems like 4.7GHz @1.27v's is all she wants to do with stability.

 

[Yuriman]

If I recall, 4.4 at less than 1.3v was average at worst for early Haswell CPUs. I don't know how much manufacturing has improved since then, but 4.3 @ ~1.25 doesn't sound bad.

 

[aigomorla]

its far easier to overclock via software first then straight bios.
use an overclocking tool associated with your motherboard brand.
Then raise all voltages to the highest your comfortable with, and then scale the cpu speed. (this gives u max ghz @ associated voltage)
After u get your max ghz, then start lowering the value of voltage til you found what the lowest voltage possible is with that upper ceiling on your current ghz. (lowest safe voltage)
Take values for multi + lowest safe voltage, and then hard input them directly into bios.


Basically in today's processor the only safe thing to increase is the multiplier, unless ur on an AMD.
Do not touch uncore, as it overclocks EVERYTHING and people found its not really stable after you exceed +/- 10mhz .

No one can tell you just put these X values in your system, as no two systems will ever be alike, even using same brand parts.
Only you can prevent forest fires errr can find what your best values are on your system.

 

[Annisman*]

Well I've got it down to 4.3Ghz but a good trade off was that I was able to lower the Vcore quite a bit while doing so. 10 hours stable on Prime 95. I think it peaked at 75C.

 

[Kenmitch]

Well I've got it down to 4.3Ghz but a good trade off was that I was able to lower the Vcore quite a bit while doing so. 10 hours stable on Prime 95. I think it peaked at 75C.

Sounds good enough. Your buddy will enjoy playing prime95.

 

[Annisman*]

Sounds good enough. Your buddy will enjoy playing prime95.

Hey, I play Prime 95 so he can play everything else.