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

[smarteyeball]

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.

 

[4hya]

Whooaw! That's very informative. Lot of things you've mentioned are new to me. One question. I thought oc'ing needs c1e, speedstep disabled? What do you mean by xmp profile?

 

[Dave76]

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'.

 

[4hya]

my parts arrived.. unfortunately. they delivered p8p67 deluxe. but then, I've decided to take it anyway. bye p8z68. T_T (ofcourse I have a refund). that's it. I'd be OCing on p8p67 deluxe which is also a powerhouse overclocker. I'd be reading smarteyeball's post later after I installed my new system..

 

[Dave76]

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

Enjoy your new system.

 

[4hya]

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

 

[smarteyeball]

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.

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.

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]

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

 

[4hya]

I've ran windows experience index and my temps rose up to 71C.

 

[smarteyeball]

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.

 

[4hya]

Oh. I've pumped my i5 to 4.5ghz. Temps @ idle is 48 highest. And when using Ps. Temps rose up to 57 to 62. In stress test. Highest temp reached is about 81. And 4.5 might be my comfort zone since it hasn't given me bsod's. I haven't finished p95 blend test. But after running it for about a minute. Everything seems to be fine. And I've been using the pc for about 6 hrs today with no bsod. One thing I've noticed with i5. The 4.5ghz speed is not displayed on computer properties and bios POST. Hence. The stock 3.30 is displayed. But in cpu-z. It displays 4.5. is there something wrong?

 

[smarteyeball]

Could you please post a screenshot of the PC is idle with both CPU-Z and Core Temp open after the machine has been on for 15-30 mins please? (to see the voltage being used at idle)

ie: idle



And preferably a sot while the PC is under load, like P95 running? (again to see what voltage your using)

ie: Load

And 4.5 might be my comfort zone since it hasn't given me bsod's.

That's more of a sign that your at a 'wall' (not enough vcore ar the RAM isn't ok)

The 4.5ghz speed is not displayed on computer properties and bios POST. Hence. The stock 3.30 is displayed. But in cpu-z. It displays 4.5. is there something wrong?

No, that's quite normal for the POST to display the stock chip speed and CPU-Z to display the 'actual' speed.

Your load temps are okay, but your idle temps are rather high. Having screenshotd of the PC at both idle and load states will give you/us a better idea if you have to re-seat and re-apply your paste.

 

[4hya]

I've disabled speedstep. So @ idle. I'm having the cpu @ OC state

 

[4hya]

I've clocked my chip 100Mhz higher. So it's now 4.6Ghz. Been playing BF3 and AC revelations @ 65C max for about 4hrs

 

[4hya]

my PC @ idle



@stress


as you can see.. both screenshots are at 4.6GHz. I've disabled speedstep.
I'm having lag issues when SpeedStep enabled

 

[smarteyeball]

as you can see.. both screenshots are at 4.6GHz. I've disabled speedstep.
I'm having lag issues when SpeedStep enabled

Thanks for those. Sorry for the late reply.

Temps are fine, as too is the voltage although you could probably lower it a few notches.


Could you elaborate on the 'lag' please? Speedstep shouldn't have any noticeable impact whilst moving it's states.

ie is it at the desktop, in games - basically what is happening when this lag occurs andd what impact it has?

 

[4hya]

that's the stable voltage I got. Any lower value than that i.e. 0.01V would make the pc unstable. i've reapplied thermal paste this morning (GMT+8). And the temps on stress test became 7C lower. Since the temps don't reach 80C anymore.

On the lag issue.
Not really noticeable for users. But for me. I can see it. Especially when opening PS CS6. Lag like for about 0.6ms? Can't really tell how long.

I've re enabled speedstep. But my pc won't go to 1600. Maybe my background tasks are responsible.
Tasks are
MSI afterburner
Coretemp
Desktop gadgets.( Like on the screenies )
HWinfo
Eset5 AV
Tuneup utilities.

Don't know if that causes the 'not going to 1600' issue.

I'll be trying linux tomorrow. See if it gives difference.

 

[4hya]

My power plan is the one responsible for not going to 1600. I've reset it to balanced and my cpu now goes to 1600.