i5-2500k vs i7-2600k and DRAM compatibility

4hya said:

All my previous settings were set to auto. Maybe this case would be much differently.

That's your first step - get things off Auto :)

Auto loves to overvolt, particularly the vcore.


Have a read through this to familiarize yourself with the new terms:

Official ASUS P8P67 Series Overclocking Guide and Information - [H]ard|Forum

This guide is aimed at more of a max overclock, than an average one. But it will give you an idea of what NOT to overshoot.

Since no two CPU's are equal, use some of the settings a guide only.

And another:

P67 Sandy Bridge Overclocking Guide For Beginners

There are plenty of other guides out there as well.



A quick start checklist:

► Don't go straight for a high over clock, ie 4.8ghz-5.0ghz. Keep it basic like 4.2ghz-4.6ghz.

► Leave the TPU switch on the board alone.

► Overclock through the BIOS, don't bother with the ASUS OCing software.

► Don't be tempted to simply adjust the Multiplier and leave everything on Auto. It will work, but it'll pump more volts than are needed.

► Leave Speedstep/EIST, C1E etc enabled.

Sandy Bridge scales nicely with the power saving options Enabled. Unlike previous generations, it's actually recommended to leave these enabled instead of disabling when overclocking.

► Disable Turbo

► Disable CPU PLL Overdrive (only needed for 4.8ghz and above)

► Enter the vcore settings manually.

Even if you leave everything else on Auto, at the very least get this one off Auto.

During testing, use a manual, fixed vcore to find the volts you are aiming for for your target clock speed. Once you have that, switch to using the offset function. This will allow Speedstep/Power Saving features to function properly, lowering the voltage and clockspeed when idle.

► Enter the DRAM voltage manually (if you aren't using the RAMs X.M.P profile. Should be 1.5v)

► Leave the BCLK at 100.00, otherwise it affects the RAM speed.



Max Safe Limits:

► On air, the max vcore you want to see is 1.38v-1.4v, temps permitting.

Depending on your desired clock speed, you will need far less than that.

► During testing aim for less than 90c on the core temps. 90c is the absolute limit you'd want to see. 65c-85c is a more realistic temp when stress testing.


For stress testing, use a combination of IBT and Prime 95. IBT hammers the chip hard, so watch the temps with this one. It'll add 5-10c more than P95

Core Temp for temp monitoring and CPU-Z for voltage monitoring.

Use IBT for quick vcore testing. 10 runs on maximum is enough. Use P95's Blend Mode for the extended stability test for 8-12hrs.

You've got very good advice from smarteyeball, and he's got the same motherboard you are going to get.

I have Speedstep and C1E enabled on my OC, i5-750 and P55 board, works great.
On the newer CPU and board it will be very beneficial.

Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
It's like the SPD settings which are used when you set your RAM on 'Auto'.

Sorry to hear about the mobo, the p67 is a good board.

Enjoy your new system.

4hya said:

my parts arrived.. unfortunately. they delivered p8p67 deluxe. but then, I've decided to take it anyway. I'd be OCing on p8p67 deluxe which is also a powerhouse overclocker.

4hya said:

The only advantage of p8z68 over the p67 is the lucidlogix and ssd cache which I think I can live without.

The other major differences is that the P8p67 only supports PCI-E 2.0, whereas the z68 supports the newer PCI-E 3.0 standard.

However we are still a generation or two behind with Video Cards that will actually take advantage of the full bandwidth that PCI-E 3.0 supplies. At the moment, it's definitely not a deal breaker in regards to GPU's.

The other difference is that the P8p67 may not be able to take Ivy bridge CPUs unlike the gen 3 z68 deluxe can.

otherwise it's still a fantastic board for overclocking.

4hya said:

I thought oc'ing needs c1e, speedstep disabled?

Previously these pretty much had to be disabled because they impacted on stability while Overclocking.

With the improved SB architecture, it's no longer imperative to disable the power saving functions since SB chips OC quite nicely and are stable with them enabled.

You can still disable them of course, but you lose all the power saving features by doing so.

What do you mean by xmp profile?

An X.M.P profile is an "Extreme Memory Profile". Basically it sets the timings, frequency and DRAM voltage etc

A simple overview can be found here:

4hya said:

Regarding temps. Other sites says it's not good to see 75C on stress test

Some sites do, but it it also depends on the reviewers personal comfort zone. It's certainly preferable to see temps under that, but for short bursts it's fine.

Thermal throttling kicks in around 90c which is a safety feature designed to avoid damaging the chip, so you have that added safeguard.

Prolonged/everyday usage with 75c+ temps is not a good thing and will lead to premature degradation.

Although, 71c simply running the WEI is a little warm as the CPU isn't overly stressed.