[Mphaker]

Hey guys
I just purchased a i7 2600k and a Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 motherboard. I didn't actually get it yet but I checked over the BIOS and I formulated a couple of OC settings to 4.1-4.2 GHz on a Hyper 212+ (for longevity, I know it can puch 4.7-5.0). Please leave feedback and/or suggestion for changes. Thanks.

Computer hardware:
i7 2600k
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 mobo
Rosewill value series 600W (lol)
Cooler master hyper 212+
G skill sniper 8GB DDR3 1600mhz
ATI Radeon 5770

Load optimized-Default
CPU ratio-manual-41x
Internal PLL overvoltage-enabled
Intel Speedstep-enabled
Turbo boost power- manual
Short Duration power limit-200
Long duration power limit-200
Long duration maintained-1s
Additional turbo-auto
Core current limit-200
Host clock-100
spread spectrum-disabled

Power saving-off
CPU core- Offset mode- 1.28 v
Offset voltage-+0.050
CPU load line calibration -lvl. 4
(Now all 4 settings here are auto but I'm typing out here the voltages set at auto)
DRAM voltage- 1.5 (I'll OC later)
PCH voltage- 1.059v
CPU PLL voltage- 1.832v
VTT voltage-1.051

CPU C3-Disable
CPU C6-Disable
Intel Virtualization Technology- Enable
No execute memory protection-Disable

All other settings not shown are either enable or auto

Please leave comments about my settings guys. Would really help out a lot as this is my first Sandy Bridge OC from a recent LGA775 upgrade.


Thanks

[wingman99]

I would try to go higher on your multiplier like 4.5X

[ChaosInMind]

You could probably ge tto 4.8 or 4.9 without much effort AND still get longevity.

[Bisquit]

Offset voltage-+0.050
CPU load line calibration -lvl. 4

You should aim for a lower offset voltage like starting with +0.005.
You will probably end up with around 1.240, which should be enough for 4.2Ghz.
You could also just up your multiplier, like 44x or even 45x, and leave the offset as you have now. Watch your temps though.
Make sure to test with cpuz and prime95 for stability.

I read alot about IBT, stressing more with higher temps opposed to prime95, this is not the case on my system, prime gets hotter here.

I have an asus board so can't advice for llc level.

Anyway, could be you need a negative offset value, but you can only find out with testing prime95 and cpuz.

On a side note, vdroop plays a part in this, for instance, I need 1.280 for 4.5Ghz, this is monitoring in cpuz, not in bios, so when I test I notice my voltage hoovers between 1.264 and 1.288, sometimes even lower, the dips are on the edge for me, now with a new powersupply my vdroop is little to zero, same settings result in a voltage between 1.272 and 1.288, with 1.280 90% of the time, all while stressing and testing. This means overall stability.
So if your vdroop is bigger (because of older psu) you might need more offset voltage.

Anyway, usually the only things you need to change for overclocking the cpu are offset voltage and multiplier. From 4.7/4.8Ghz on you may need to alter more settings.
So find out with a fixed voltage first, test for stability, use offset voltage to achieve the same vcore which is stable and get the benefits of powersaving features of your cpu.

ps. overclocking your memory yields little benefits, 1600Mhz is already fast, you need to go well over 2000Mhz to find gains.

[manu2b]

On Asrock boards, LLC level 2 gives 0 vdroop, which means that the cpu won't add or drop any vCore on load.
You should try o reduce the offset to 0.005/0.010 as Bisquit suggests and set LLC to level 2.
You can also lower the PLL voltage to 1.709 (or even lower) as it doesn't seem to have any impact on stability and will drain less power so you'll have less heat output.

[Mphaker]

Thanks a lot guys. Going to try to drop the offset and PLL until I crash in stress testing.