2500K Beginner Overclock Review--4.00GHz OC

[ManusDei]

I just finished up my first OC, that i judge successful at least. I was attempting to OC to 4.00GHz on my i5 2500K. I tried going up to 4.5GHz with little success and decided all i need for now is 4.00GHz (may try to work my way up eventually, but for now i just want to game). Listed below are my system specs, BIOS settings, and CPU-Z screenshots. I tested this OC with Intel Burn Test and Prime95 and these results/temps/voltage readings are listed below (sorry for the lack of screenshots for these tests). I have been running this OC for about a week now with no problems whatsoever. From a practical testing standpoint, have ran Skyrim heavily moded for increased visuals,etc. and on Ultra settings with no problems and at a good performance level (no other games as of yet). My voltage Max has never gone over 1.28V (according to CPUHD and HWINFO64) while playing games and generally using my computer at normal load and my temps are usually around the 30C range. My voltage normally is around the 1.26-1.27V range under normal conditions.

So basically, is this a good OC? What do you think? If the forum could review my settings and give any advice/suggestions i would really appreciate it. Thanks!


BIOS Settings (version F6)

--Advanced Freq Settings
CPU Clock Ratio [33x]
BCLK/DMI/PEG Clock Control [Disabled]
BCLK/DMI/PEG Freq [1000--100.00MHz]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) [Profile1]
System Memory Multiplier [Auto]
Memory frew [1600] [1600]
Internal Graphics Clock [1100] [Auto]

--Advanced CPU Core Features
CPU Clock Ratio [33x]
PWM Freq control [auto]
Cpu over current protection [auto]
Internal CPU PLL Overvoltage [auto]
Real-time ratio changes in OS [disabled]
Intel Turbo Boost Tech. [auto]
Turbo ratio (1-core) [37] [40]
Turbo ratio (2-core) [36] [40]
Turbo ratio (3-core) [35] [40]
Turbo ratio (4-core) [34] [40]
Turbo Power Limit (watts) [95] [auto]
Core current limit (amps) [97] [auto]
CPU Cores enables [All]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) [auto]
C3/C6 [auto]
CPU thermal monitor [auto]
CPU EIST Function [auto]
Bi-Directional PROCHOT [auto]

--Advanced Memory Settings
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) [Profile1]
System memory multiplier [auto]
Memory Freq [1600] [1600]
Performance Enhance [turbo]
DRAM Timing Schedule [auto]
Profile DDR Voltage [1.5V]
Profile VTT Voltage [1.05V]
Channel interleaving [auto]
Rank interleaving [auto]

--Channel A/B timing Settings
CAS Latency Time [9][9]
tRCD [9][9]
tRP [9][9]
tRAS [24][24]
tRC[33][auto]
tRRD[5][auto]
tWTR[6] [auto]
tWR[12][auto]
tWTP[24] [auto]
tWL[8] [auto]
tRFC[128] [auto]
tRTP[6] [auto]
tFAW[24] [auto]
Command Rate (CMD) [2][2]
IO latency [1][auto]
Round trip latency [37] [auto]

--Advanced Voltage Settings
Multi-Steps Load-Line[disabled]
CPU Vcore [1.335V] [1.280V]
Dynamic Vcore (DVID) [+0.000V][Auto]
QPI/VTT Voltage [1.050V][Auto]
System Agent Voltage [0.920V][auto]
Graphics core [1.075V] [auto]
Graphics DVID [+0.000V][auto]
CPU PLL [1.800V] [auto]
DRAM Voltage [1.500V] [auto]
DRAM VRef [0.750V] [auto]
DRAM Termination [0.750V] [auto]
Ch-A Data VRef. [0.750V] [auto]
Ch-B Data VRef. [0.750V] [auto]
Ch-A Address VRef. [0.750V] [auto]
Ch-B Address VRef. [0.750V] [auto]

--Miscellaneous Settings
Isochronous Support [enabled]
Virtualization technology[enabled]


OC Testing Results—4.00GHz
-Intel Burn Test (IBT)
-Prime95
• 4.00GHz, 1.250V
o Load-line DISABLED
o BOOST TECH RATIO 1 - 4 [40]
o QPI/VTT VOLTAGE [AUTO]
o TURBO POWER LIMIT [AUTO]
o CORE CURRENT [AUTO]
o EIST ENABLED
o Intel burn test-FAILED
 Maximum setting, 20 passes
• 4.00GHz, 1.280V
o IBT-PASSED
 Maximum Setting, 20 passes
 IBR test CPU Vcore Max-1.284VV
 IBT test CPU Temps Max- 57,63,61,59
o Prime-Passed Large FFT’s-6.17hours
 Prime test CPU VCore Max-1.32V
 Prime test CPU Temps Max-53,58,56,54
o Prime-Passed Blend-10.34 hours
 Prime test CPU VCore Max- 1.32V
 Prime test CPU Temps Max-53,58,54,53


CPU-Z Screenshots while running my PC under normal load








System Specs:

-EVGA SuperClocked 012-P3-1573-KR GeForce GTX 570 HD w/Display-Port (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
- GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM
- CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
- Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
- COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL (9-9-9-24-2N; 1.5V)
-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible
-3 [200mm] fans (side, front, top) & 1 [120mm] rear fan; 2 [120mm] push/pull heatsink fans
-ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X OEM
-Intel i5 2500k 3.3 GHz 6MB Cache CPU

 

[raident30]

solid overclock, you can still pump that up to 4.5 or 4.4

 

[Jman13]

I'm confused. Your post continually says 4.4 GHz, but your BIOS settings and CPU Z screenshots all point to you running at 4.0 GHz.

The voltages you're running at are fine for 4 GHz and would be excellent for 4.4, but at the 4.0 you're running they're not especially great, but there's certainly nothing wrong with those voltages. I run my 2500K at 4.1 and 1.22V, though I likely could go to 1.18 if I wanted to, but since I use offset to keep voltage low at idle (0.78V), I can't back off further at load without becoming unstable at idle.

 

[E-Ninja]

im also confused.. lol

 

[raident30]

I'm confused. Your post continually says 4.4 GHz, but your BIOS settings and CPU Z screenshots all point to you running at 4.0 GHz.

The voltages you're running at are fine for 4 GHz and would be excellent for 4.4, but at the 4.0 you're running they're not especially great, but there's certainly nothing wrong with those voltages. I run my 2500K at 4.1 and 1.22V, though I likely could go to 1.18 if I wanted to, but since I use offset to keep voltage low at idle (0.78V), I can't back off further at load without becoming unstable at idle.

i think that 1.18 is the stock voltage on load right? i have an offset of .075 and i am rock stable at 4.4ghz...

 

[Jman13]

My board defaults to 1.24V on load at stock speeds. I'm running with a -0.08V offset right now, as my board chooses 1.30V at 4.1 when left to full auto.

Each speed has a different 'stock' voltage. (4.0 goes to 1.29, for instance).

 

[ManusDei]

Sorry all, my bad. Meant i am running at 4.00GHz now. I tried running with these settings at 1.250V Vcore and it wouldnt pass IBT on max 20 passes so i upped it to 1.280V. Is this a stable OC for 4.00GHz. Thanks.

 

[raident30]

Sorry all, my bad. Meant i am running at 4.00GHz now. I tried running with these settings at 1.250V Vcore and it wouldnt pass IBT on max 20 passes so i upped it to 1.280V. Is this a stable OC for 4.00GHz. Thanks.

that's quite high for a 4.0ghz, i can run stock voltage on 4.0ghz. you can run 4.5 at 1.260/270/280 depending on your chip

 

[Jman13]

If its passing 20 runs of IBT on Max, it'll be pretty darn stable. If you need 1.28 for 4GHz, you don't have a golden chip or anything, but it's a perfectly fine voltage to run the chip at. You could probably hit 4.3 pretty easily, but the huge OCs some people get might not be realistic (though who knows till you try). My chipo seems pretty good and I think I'd easily get to 4.5, and likely higher, but I don't plan on going beyond 4.1 for a while. I tend to keep my machines for a while, so I don't like to push them early and shorten chip life.

 

[ManusDei]

Yeah, it passsed 20 max runs on IBT no problem with 1.280V but at 1.250V is failed after it went all the way through. My chip def. is not the best of the best though agreed there. So maybe i should just try to leave it at my voltage now--1.280V--and up to 4.3GHz? And if not that, then stay at 4.00Ghz and try to get voltage down a little.

 

[raident30]

If its passing 20 runs of IBT on Max, it'll be pretty darn stable. If you need 1.28 for 4GHz, you don't have a golden chip or anything, but it's a perfectly fine voltage to run the chip at. You could probably hit 4.3 pretty easily, but the huge OCs some people get might not be realistic (though who knows till you try). My chipo seems pretty good and I think I'd easily get to 4.5, and likely higher, but I don't plan on going beyond 4.1 for a while. I tend to keep my machines for a while, so I don't like to push them early and shorten chip life.

i think your chip will be very old before it dies... just a thought.

@op, i've reach 4.5ghz @ 1.295 vcore, pretty much stable 3 hours prime95 blend.. i think you can do it too there's nothing bad in trying...

 

[ManusDei]

that's quite high for a 4.0ghz, i can run stock voltage on 4.0ghz. you can run 4.5 at 1.260/270/280 depending on your chip

Yeah, most of my research said i should be able to stock at 4.00GHz but i faield IBT max 20 runs at 1.250V so my chip needs a little more than most it seems...

 

[raident30]

i dont wanna discourage you but it seems you got a "lemon" chip... 1.300 is still fine if you wanna push it to 4.4ghz i think that's the maximum on 1.3v. you need to add more if you wanna push to 4.5ghz... just watch your temps

 

[ManusDei]

i dont wanna discourage you but it seems you got a "lemon" chip... 1.300 is still fine if you wanna push it to 4.4ghz i think that's the maximum on 1.3v. you need to add more if you wanna push to 4.5ghz... just watch your temps

Agreed and no worries, cant always win. Im going to try and get my voltage down some. 1.25V for 4.00GHz failed IBT max 20 turns so i am going to shoot for 1.26V. If this is stable in IBT and Prime, does this voltage sound acceptable to you for my 4.00GHz OC?

 

[raident30]

that's always fine as long as you keep the temps below 85 in IBT

 

[ManusDei]

that's always fine as long as you keep the temps below 85 in IBT

That is def. not a problem. 1.26V failed IBT but i just passed 1.270V 20 pass maximum. Temps were max 54,60,57,56 so i am well below that. My case has good cooling/heatsink. 1.270V is an ok voltage to run 24/7 right?

 

[raident30]

yes that's fine... even at 1.3, i am seeing people on 4.5 with 1.37 which is kinda high but they still use that for 24/7... you'll be fine.. test that with prime95 blend minimum of 3hours, 6 would be ideal. if it passes then you have yourself a stable 24/7 OC..

 

[ManusDei]

yes that's fine... even at 1.3, i am seeing people on 4.5 with 1.37 which is kinda high but they still use that for 24/7... you'll be fine.. test that with prime95 blend minimum of 3hours, 6 would be ideal. if it passes then you have yourself a stable 24/7 OC..

good deal. I'm running Prime95 Large FFT's now and going to run Blend overnight. Thanks for all the help.

 

[raident30]

no problem man... happy overclocking!