i5 2500K core voltage?

[77273GU]

Hello,
In what range should the core voltage of an i5 2500K (no OC) be under load? I ask because last night I was playing a game and noticed it was at 1.3. Not sure if this is normal when I see others posting about their OC and a voltage under 1.4. When its not under load its 1.0 V.

Heres a pic of cpu-z playing a game.


Heres a pic of cpu-z running prime95 blend mode.


Heres some pics of the AI tweaker section of my bios. I changed PLL over voltage to disabled and AI overclock tuner to XMP. Everything else is at default.




Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have an i5-2500, not the K model. Not overclocked at all.

Cpuz shows my core voltage at 1.056 at idle and at major load using IntelBurnTest.

Not sure how that helps you. Oddly, Cpuz also mis-identifies my processor as a K model.

 

[essenbe]

I'm overclocked to 4.2. I idle at about 1.0, Prime blend uses the same voltage as your CPUz screenshot.

 

[77273GU]

Thanks for the replies.
I ran Intel Burn Test and got about the same voltage as I did with Prime95.


Its odd that the game voltage is higher than the the 2 stress tests. I was playing Tiger Woods Online with all settings at the highest. Have to try some other games and keep an eye on it.

My video card came with a Dirt 3 download from Steam so that will be the next test. Its been a while since I played PC games so I have to read up on and join steam.

 

[essenbe]

When I play Dirt3, my CPU rarely ever goes over 9% and Vcore is less than 1.2V. Just to give you an idea.

 

[essenbe]

Here is an article from bit-tec that is about overclocking a 2500K. But, even if you don't want to oC it is a good read as it explains all of the bios settings and what they do.

 

[77273GU]

I downloaded Steam and Dirt 3. Had to download Games for Windows Live also. Played the game and got the same voltage as before.

Then I tried a few things in bios. Heres what seamed to work: I changed AI Overclock Tuner from XMP to auto and set the ram voltage manually to 1.5 and the CPU voltage went down. Then ran Intel Burn Test and Prime95 and passed. Didn't run Prime95 for long. I checked the ram timings and they were at 11-11-11-28. They should be at 8-8-8-24. I manually set the correct timings in bios and the CPU voltage went back up to what it was previously. Does this make any sense?

Next I updated to the latest bios and no change to the CPU voltage.

After much googleing, reading and trying different settings I lowered the voltage through the CPU voltage offset. Overclocking Using Offset Mode for CPU Core Voltage I changed the offset mode from + to - (neg) and the offset voltage from auto to -.02. I Dont know if this is best way to lower the CPU voltage but? At idle the voltage is around .980 and in games 1.27 to 1.28. Passes Intel Burn Test and Prime95 with a voltage around 1.25.


What do you think?

 

[essenbe]

If it runs right and passes all tests, I think it is OK. Using offset mode to change CPU voltage is the correct way to do it. If you use manual instead of offset, the cpu will still idle at 1.6 but the cpu voltage will not go down. So, offset is the correct way. Like you, I don't understand how changing ram timings would increase the CPU voltage. But, I think it seems to be OK now. I have a different board than you but I could post my settings if you think it will help you. But different boards work differen, so I'm not sure it would help..

 

[77273GU]

Thanks essenbe, Ill take you up your offer, when you get a chance you can PM me your settings or post them, whatever you like. I took a quick look and Asrock does have a similar bios. I understand the boards will OC differently. As I read more, all those settings in bios are starting to make sense. I have to read it more than once but its sinking in.

 

[essenbe]

If you will take a look at the link in post#6, it will explain some of the settings in bios.

This is from bios. These are the ram settings.


These are the overclock settings. Remember I'm running at 4.2