Hi all,

 

I just completed my FSX PC build. I'm really excited about it! I've got all my applications including FSX and my few add-ons loaded up. The last step I have is to overclock the CPU - from everything I've read and seen on YouTube, the higher the CPU speed, the better results you will get from the simulator.

 

I'm completely new to overclocking - this will be my first attempt at it and, to be honest, I'm a bit unsure of where to start. I've been reading as much as I can online, but I was hoping to get some advice and suggestions from this community. Are there certain things I should be doing, be careful, or be on the lookout for? From what I understand, temperatures and volts are key issues with overclocking.

 

Currently I have an Intel i7 4770k CPU running at 3.5 GHz and an ASRock Z87 Extreme6 motherboard. I'm actually going to update my profile with my full parts list as soon as I finish this post. I'd sincerely appreciate any help you could provide. I'm eager to finish this project this weekend and get flying!

Also, it appears that the i7 4770k comes with Turbo Boost technology. Is this something that would be recommended to use?

Hello Dave, I''m in the exact same boat as you!  Guess we will have to wait, hopefully someone can provide us with some direction.

I have read a significant amount of conflicting info. on the net, so I'm I'm essentially waiting (and hoping) that someone will generously

take the time and suggest specific values to put under each respective line in the BIOS.

 

Here's the default settings, I'm not sure what to tinker with at this point...

 

Host Clock value                                       100.00Mhz

CPU Base Clock Value                              auto

Processor Base Clock (Gear RAtio)           1.00x

cpu clock ratio                                             35

cpu frequency                                              3.50mhz

cpu VCore                                                    1.084v

System Memory Multiplier                             13.33

Memory Frequency (Mhz)                               1333Mhz

Processor Graphics clock                               1250

Neither of you have mentioned cooling. Quality CPU cooling is vital if you intend to overclock.

 

There is the easy way, the somewhat easy way, and the more involved way.

 

Easy way: Utilize your motherboard software automatic overclocking utility. [if it has one] This method is often derided by overclocking exponents, sometimes somewhat unfairly in my opinion. The reason, because sometimes such Windows based utilities provide more voltage than required. However, the nice thing about auto overclocking software, is that you can still enter the UEFI afterward and tweak some more. So essentially using the software as a starting point. The best of the auto overclocking software is the Asus 4 way optimization software in my view.

 

The somewhat easy way: Overclock from within the UEFI, but allowing many of the parameters to be set automatically by the motherboard. For example, adjust CPU frequency manually, experiment with CPU voltage to achieve a stable overclock. Memory set automatically by XMP.

 

The more involved way: Dive into the UEFI, and overclock as much as possible manually. Frequency, voltage and many other parameters set manually. This is the way overclocking enthusiasts generally work. Yes, offers the capability to achieve somewhat higher overclocks, but given that tweaking that extra few hundred megahertz out of a system equates to only small increases in frame rate, it's not really an economical use of your time. Unless you're an enthusiast who likes squeezing as much as possible out of your chips.

 

 

so I'm I'm essentially waiting (and hoping) that someone will generously

take the time and suggest specific values to put under each respective line in the BIOS.

 

 

 

All CPU's are different, depends on the silicone lottery. Some need higher voltage than others, some can handle higher memory frequency, some can't. Depends on your cooling, and a number of other factors. So yes, someone may be able to provide you with a basic low overclock template, but for medium to high overclocks you need to do some experimentation yourself.

 

 

It's quite clear that both of you have zero knowledge of overclocking. And Given that you don't seem to be aware of even where to start, that suggests to me that you haven't done any proper research at all.

 

Sorry but you will  have to expend some effort, do some research, and learn how to do so yourselves properly. you need to know at least the basics. Read the overclocking reviews on the internet for your CPU, your motherboard, there are many, watch Youtube videos etc. At least have a grasp of the basic settings. Otherwise individuals will be providing you with settings that you don't understand, you will be unable then to trouble shoot should the overclock fail.

I did a search and could not find a guide for your motherboard, but you can join OCN and post in the Intel CPU section, someone will help you out.  There is a lot of threads for the Extreme4, but nothing for the Extreme6.

http://www.overclock.net/f/5/intel-cpus

Martin-W - thanks for the info. It's not that I haven't done any research and am looking for hand-holding - it's just that there's so much out there I was simply hoping for a starting point. It's no question that there a lot of guides out there on overclocking the i7 4770k but they all aren't saying the same thing and some are specific to certain motherboards. A better question may have been is there one guide that would be recommended to start with? Perhaps starting with the automatic overclocking utility and working from there would be a good choice.

 

idahosurge - thanks for the link to the overclock site. That will probably be a better resource than here.

It's no question that there a lot of guides out there on overclocking the i7 4770k but they all aren't saying the same thing and some are specific to certain motherboards.

Yes, ideally you need a guide specific for your board. Different manufactures have somewhat different UEFI's and settings and even terminology. To be honest, ASRock boards aren't the most common choice. Probably why you are having a hard time finding a guide.

 

My advice is to keep it as simple as possible. Perhaps if you take a look at the Asus Z87 youtube videos, and adapt the advice to your board. Yes some of the settings will be different, but if you keep the overclock simple, there shouldn't be too many setting's to be concerned with.

Sorry to resurrect a thread marked as Solved, but I didn't want to start a new thread for just this one question.

 

I've been playing around with the CPU settings and reading a ton of different guides, articles and forums. After making some changes I run Intel's Burn Test for 10 passes on High. I've gotten my OC up to 4.2 GHz but when I test it using 10 passes of Intel Burn Test on High my temps jump between the low 60s C and can jump up to 87-90C (according to CPUID HWMonitor). Is this normal? I'm not really sure what to expect with these tests or if I should be running other tests? Is this too hot for 4.2ghz?

I'd sincerely appreciate any help or guidance at this point.

My current CPU settings are:
CPU Ratio (all cores): 42
CPU Cache: 35
Vcore Override Voltage: 1.2
Vcore Voltage additional offset: 0.010
CPU Cache: 1.2
CPU Cache Voltage offset: 0.010
Fixed CPU Input Voltage: 1.9

10 passes on high on IBT isn't a great idea... That program works the CPU very hard... Probably the hardest test. Most sites just recommend a pass on high.

 

If you're looking for overall stability I still use OCCT or prime95.

 

Temps at 90 are too high... Even after 10 passes (yikes) on IBT.

 

What cooler do you have? 1.2v is nowhere near the limit... Odd temps get so high. 80C should be your personal limit. I think Intel says 90. I'd have to check. I run about 65 in FSX and my cooler H60 rad needs to be cleaned out. On IBT high mine goes to around 69.

I don't know which guide you've been looking at but IBT isn't a good idea for Haswell. It's not validated for Haswell, and may not stress some parameters properly, some too much, and some not at all.

 

Fixed voltage, rather than off-set or Adaptive is preferred for initial overclocking, simply because synthetic stress tests have an additional voltage allocated to them that can push the CPU over the top.

 

I suggested earlier in this thread, that you look at the Asus videos for Z87, despite the fact that you don't have an Asus board. All of the above is mentioned in those videos. Plus other useful information.

 

Aida 64 is recommended for Haswell, as it's validated by Intel, and will stress the CPU properly.

 

 

As Ryan said, what CPU cooler do you have, your cooler is vital for efficient overclocking.