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Active: 600 users

Overclocking i5 2500k, how high do I go?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
LoLAdriankat
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States4307 Posts
March 27 2012 03:03 GMT
#1
My dad came home with a Corsair H100 and he wants to overclock his i5 2500k <_<. Corsair H100 seems like overkill but it's his money I guess. I don't really know much about OCing and that's why I need help.

Specs
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/Gen3
CPU: Intel i5 2500k Sandy Bridge
GPU: EVGA GTX 560ti 448 Core
RAM: Kingston Hyperx 4x4GB DDR3 1600
SSD: Corsair Force 3 120 GB
PSU: Coolermaster GX 650w
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

Given all that, I don't know what to do other than modify a few values in the bios. I don't even know if 650w is enough. How high should I set the clock speed and what should I set the voltages to? I have absolutely no idea what to do with the voltages.

Can I just take the easy way out and enable Intel XMP and Intel Turbo mode? With XMP and Intel Turbo, the AI tweaker targets 4.2GHz.
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 27 2012 03:09 GMT
#2
Such a configuration consumes about 300w or less under load, overclocking isn't going to add anywhere near 300w more to make a 650w unit insufficient.

Overclocking Sandybridge is quite easy. Just increase multiplier to x number (eg. somewhere between 40 and 45 is a good place to start) and leave voltage on auto. Stress test to check stability and voltage.
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 03:19:01
March 27 2012 03:18 GMT
#3
Avoid the automatic overclocker like the plague. Those things are reknowned for doing some terrifying shit to voltages.

Go with skyR's advice instead.
PepperoniPiZZa
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Sierra Leone1660 Posts
March 27 2012 03:44 GMT
#4
I recommend you read this thread, it has loads of good&relevant information -> http://www.overclock.net/t/968053/official-the-sandy-stable-club-guides-voltages-temps-bios-templates-inc-spreadsheet
Quote?
plogamer
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
Canada3132 Posts
March 27 2012 03:46 GMT
#5
On March 27 2012 12:09 skyR wrote:
Such a configuration consumes about 300w or less under load, overclocking isn't going to add anywhere near 300w more to make a 650w unit insufficient.

Overclocking Sandybridge is quite easy. Just increase multiplier to x number (eg. somewhere between 40 and 45 is a good place to start) and leave voltage on auto. Stress test to check stability and voltage.


QFT

However, try to manually adjust voltage. Voltage has a big impact on temperatures I believe. You need more to keep it stable at higher speeds, but adds more temperatures. I don't know about auto settings nowadays, but back when I used to OC, it would lead to overheating quite easily.

Also, do the increases the small increments. Or alternatively, you can do it in slightly bigger chunks until you hit instability, and then slowly tuning settings down to make things to hit the sweet spot for your setup.
udgnim
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States8024 Posts
March 27 2012 04:20 GMT
#6
your voltages are very likely being determined by the motherboard atm

right down what those voltages and configure them manually to match what the voltages the motherboard chose

if you want to keep things simple, then you can just increase Vcore to 1.52 which I believe is Intel's max spec for i5s and then start increasing clocks until you start seeing instability from running Prime, IBT, and/or regular PC use then start decreasing clocks until you're confident you've found a stable clock speed

you won't get max overclocks doing this method, but you should not let the motherboard automatically determine voltages when overclocking and should not fiddle with voltages you do not understand does what
E-Sports is competitive video gaming with a spectator fan base. Do not take the word "Sports" literally.
DanceCommander
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States1808 Posts
March 27 2012 04:29 GMT
#7
On March 27 2012 12:46 plogamer wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2012 12:09 skyR wrote:
Such a configuration consumes about 300w or less under load, overclocking isn't going to add anywhere near 300w more to make a 650w unit insufficient.

Overclocking Sandybridge is quite easy. Just increase multiplier to x number (eg. somewhere between 40 and 45 is a good place to start) and leave voltage on auto. Stress test to check stability and voltage.


QFT

However, try to manually adjust voltage. Voltage has a big impact on temperatures I believe. You need more to keep it stable at higher speeds, but adds more temperatures. I don't know about auto settings nowadays, but back when I used to OC, it would lead to overheating quite easily.

Also, do the increases the small increments. Or alternatively, you can do it in slightly bigger chunks until you hit instability, and then slowly tuning settings down to make things to hit the sweet spot for your setup.

instead of QFT, why don't you say what you think is wrong with his post? I own a 2500k and that same mobo, hitting 4-4.5 ghz on stock voltage should be no problem at all...
DarKcS
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Australia1237 Posts
March 27 2012 04:38 GMT
#8
Leave everything alone, increase multiplier to say .. 3.8ghz. Test for stability, temperatures etc. Read all the guides. Work up to 4ghz, then 4.2..4.4...
Die tomorrow - Live today
LoLAdriankat
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States4307 Posts
March 27 2012 04:39 GMT
#9
Thanks for the help guys. Was a lot simpler than I thought it was. Got it playing Battlefield 3 on ultra at 4.4GHz and 1.368v at about an average of 45°C per core.
Wabbit
Profile Joined August 2010
United States1028 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 04:54:11
March 27 2012 04:51 GMT
#10
You'll want to research/learn about using VCore Offset instead of just Auto or Fixed. You can probaby get your load VCore to be much lower than that, while keeping idle/low load VCore pretty low as well (the advantage of using offset vs fixed).

Fixed VCore is only really needed to keep things stable at higher overclocks.

But anyway, I wouldn't bother overclocking higher as in BF3 and most games, the 560ti 448 is what's going to limit frame rates / higher settings. Overclock that ...
The answers to most of your Tech Support questions are in the OP. That's why you're not getting a reply. It's been answered before. Read the OP.
Filter
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Canada620 Posts
March 27 2012 05:01 GMT
#11
On March 27 2012 13:39 LoLAdriankat wrote:
Thanks for the help guys. Was a lot simpler than I thought it was. Got it playing Battlefield 3 on ultra at 4.4GHz and 1.368v at about an average of 45°C per core.


Not in under an hour you didn't.

Pay a lot of attention to your system if you're not going to run a longer term stress test. Don't get greedy and try to push it too hard or you can blow your parts.. ie. you play battlefield for a few hours and want to try to squeeze it just a little bit more. Pay attention to your temps and how your pc's behaving for the next little while.
Live hard, live free.
Molybdenum
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
United States358 Posts
March 27 2012 05:28 GMT
#12
On March 27 2012 14:01 Filter wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2012 13:39 LoLAdriankat wrote:
Thanks for the help guys. Was a lot simpler than I thought it was. Got it playing Battlefield 3 on ultra at 4.4GHz and 1.368v at about an average of 45°C per core.


Not in under an hour you didn't.


While he didn't fully test it, 1.368 V is pretty high for a 4.4 GHz overclock. My 2500k is at 4.4 and my voltage is 1.335, and while the silicon lottery is different for everyone, I'd consider my chip to be a poor OCer, so 1.36 V is way more than what is needed for 4.4 in the vast majority of cases.

You should start the voltage low, then bump it up if it's not stable, rather than start way high. This way, you won't be passing stability tests the while time trying to find the point where it isn't stable to go back up. It would take less time to start from the low end. Get Prime95, CPU-Z, and some temperature program, then run torture tests of FFT 1344 and 1792 (two separate tests) for 20 min each. Use most of your RAM. When you can pass both for 20 mins, it's likely you're stable. Longer tests are obviously better.
Rollin
Profile Joined March 2011
Australia1552 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 05:45:27
March 27 2012 05:40 GMT
#13
Mine is 1.24v at 4.4 gHz, 1.38 seems really high... If you start giving it a reasonable voltage for 4.4 (1.3 or below) be sure to do a 12 hour prime95 test to check for stability.

EDIT: Do what the above poster said, but use Intel burn test for short tests, and then when intel burn test for 20 mins doesn't cause bsods, try a 12 hour p95 session.
Throw off those chains of reason, and your prison disappears. | Check your posting frequency timeline: http://www.teamliquid.net/mytlnet/post_activity_img.php
LoLAdriankat
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States4307 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 05:53:32
March 27 2012 05:51 GMT
#14
Yeah, I left the voltage on auto as suggested and CPU-Z was giving me 1.368v. I'll drop it down next test.

After an hour of play, CPU temps pretty stable. Ofc, Prime95 and various other torture tests are the real tests and I'll get to those when I have time. Thanks again.
plogamer
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
Canada3132 Posts
March 27 2012 06:51 GMT
#15
On March 27 2012 13:29 DanceCommander wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2012 12:46 plogamer wrote:
On March 27 2012 12:09 skyR wrote:
Such a configuration consumes about 300w or less under load, overclocking isn't going to add anywhere near 300w more to make a 650w unit insufficient.

Overclocking Sandybridge is quite easy. Just increase multiplier to x number (eg. somewhere between 40 and 45 is a good place to start) and leave voltage on auto. Stress test to check stability and voltage.


QFT

However, try to manually adjust voltage. Voltage has a big impact on temperatures I believe. You need more to keep it stable at higher speeds, but adds more temperatures. I don't know about auto settings nowadays, but back when I used to OC, it would lead to overheating quite easily.

Also, do the increases the small increments. Or alternatively, you can do it in slightly bigger chunks until you hit instability, and then slowly tuning settings down to make things to hit the sweet spot for your setup.

instead of QFT, why don't you say what you think is wrong with his post? I own a 2500k and that same mobo, hitting 4-4.5 ghz on stock voltage should be no problem at all...


QFT was for the wattage, multiplier and stress test advice. A big enough chunk imo to warrent QFT.

Not every post on an internet forum has to be entirely about pointing out what we think is wrong. Except this one, this one is awesome.
Neurosis
Profile Joined October 2010
United States893 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 06:51:52
March 27 2012 06:51 GMT
#16
I wouldn't go above 1.3v personally. Just try to get as high of an OC as possible with 1.3v. Also, I highly recommend prime blending 24 hours as I've failed after 18 hours before..
Czarnodziej
Profile Joined January 2011
Poland624 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 12:50:27
March 27 2012 12:47 GMT
#17
The barrier of safe voltage on SB is 1,52V. There is a consensus that on high-end air cooling there is a safe value around 1,45V for 24/7.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?2161-ASUS-P8P67-Series-Overclocking-Guide-and-Information

Plenty of info, but do not treat it as be-all end-all type of guide.
LoLAdriankat
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States4307 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-27 21:22:02
March 27 2012 21:20 GMT
#18
This morning, I ran Prime95 FFT 1344 and 1792 tests using 90% of my memory for 20 minutes each with no problems. 4.4GHz with 1.264v. Temps were at a stable 40°C per core throughout the test. Is there anything wrong with my settings and the test that I should know about before I run a blend test?
Sablar
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Sweden880 Posts
March 27 2012 21:50 GMT
#19
Used to be that it could pass fairly long synthetic tests(~1h) and still fail in games like SC2, at least 2500k and P67 mobos. Not sure what caused that and if it is still a problem with your board though.
Rannasha
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Netherlands2398 Posts
March 27 2012 22:03 GMT
#20
On March 28 2012 06:20 LoLAdriankat wrote:
This morning, I ran Prime95 FFT 1344 and 1792 tests using 90% of my memory for 20 minutes each with no problems. 4.4GHz with 1.264v. Temps were at a stable 40°C per core throughout the test. Is there anything wrong with my settings and the test that I should know about before I run a blend test?


Prime95 should be run for something like 8-12 hours to get a good measure of stability. Tests like IntelBurnTest or LinX (same test, different interface) stress the CPU more and usually show errors more quickly, within an hour.
Such flammable little insects!
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