Unusual Trouble with 4670K Overclocking

[cudgel87]

Experts of linus, please help me!

I am relatively new to overclocking, but I have read every post on general and Haswell-specific overclocking over the last 4 months that I could find. The instructions seem pretty straight forward in that I need to basically increase the multiplier while finding a suitable voltage to keep it stable. I wasn't able to find any posts with similar issues, so I decided to make this post to request help.

However, despite my best efforts, I have been unsuccessful in achieving my modest overclocking goal. The problem I am experiencing is that when I adjust even one parameter, (multipier, voltage, xmp, you name it) when I boot into windows, the black screen flashes right before the login page, and is then very slow and glitchy, sometimes resulting in my computer completely freezing up. This occurs even when increasing my multiplier from the default 36 to 38 with a generous vcore voltage of 1.25v.

So in my personal attempts to solve this problem, I have run memtest on all 4 of my memory sticks and also all together, but they seem to be fine. I have also followed Intel God's quick and dirty guide step by step after resetting my CMOS, which actually worked and I was able to run AIDA64 stable overnight, but when I restarted my computer, the problem returned. I have since tried resetting the CMOS again, but I am unable to overclock it just as before. I was able to run CPU-Z while in the very glitchy state while overclocked and witnessed the blck bouncing all around from single digits up to around 150. Not sure why, but this occurs at both auto and manual bclk settings in bios.

Everything works fine at the optimized default settings, but anything that I change makes everything very stuttery, glitchy, and slow. Please ask me questions and help me solve this problem. I really want to get more out of my 4670k than the stock settings.

System info:
GA-Z87X-OC
Intel i5-4670K
NZXT Kraken X60
Corsair Vengeance 16gb (4 x 4GB)
Gigabyte GTX 770 x 2
Corsair AX1200
Windows 8.1

[ProKoN]

have you installed any overclocking software from gigabyte?

[cudgel87]

I did install easytune, but I removed it. Do you think that somehow it wasn't completely removed?

[Vendetta]

Have you updated your motherboard BIOS?

[ProKoN]

uhm i have seen many issues with easy tune. I have experienced it first hand my self.

 

make sure it is uninstalled and clear the cmos.

 

are you on the F9 bios?

[cudgel87]

I just downloaded the F8 bios. It was the latest one I saw from @bios.

You were right about the easytune. I found it reappeared in my programs and features list. Uninstalled again. I should try again.

[ProKoN]

yes the @bios utility does not see the F9 bios yet.

update to F8 through windows

update to F9 through the bios (download from the website)

you have to install F8 before you can install F9. F8 actually updates the qflash at a low level.

after you successfully updated to F9. uninstall all gigabyte programs in windows including @bios

[cudgel87]

It looks like F8 is the latest one available for mine on gigabyte's website. I'll uninstall the rest of their software though. 

[ProKoN]

It looks like F8 is the latest one available for mine on gigabyte's website. I'll uninstall the rest of their software though. 

 yep your right. F8 it is

 

sorry I thought all the higher end boards received the F9 update

 

your F8 bios was released the same day F9 was released. The F8 version for your board most likely has all the updates F9 has

[Faa]

Memtest isnt a good memory test btw, it just scans for bad sectors but doesnt really test the stability. One of my dominator platinums was making errors in HCImemtest but passing memtest easily for hours.

[ProKoN]

Experts of linus, please help me!

 

one you have updated your bios and cleared cmos I would suggest for you to give my guide a spin.

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/41234-intel-haswell-4670k-4770k-overclocking-guide/

[cudgel87]

one you have updated your bios and cleared cmos I would suggest for you to give my guide a spin.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/41234-intel-haswell-4670k-4770k-overclocking-guide/

On it now. Thank you for helping me through this. I'll report with my results.

Memtest isnt a good memory test btw, it just scans for bad sectors but doesnt really test the stability. One of my dominator platinums was making errors in HCImemtest but passing memtest easily for hours.

I actually thought memory might have been the issue for a while so I went ahead and just bought upgrades because I was getting tired of the instability.

[ProKoN]

awesome bud

 

take your time and do things right.

 

nice gaming rig btw

[Faa]

I actually thought memory might have been the issue for a while so I went ahead and just bought upgrades because I was getting tired of the instability.

Have you tried a fresh install maybe? Like; Just unplug your current drives, grab a spare hdd orsomething and install windows on it and test the stability. If you still get instabilities, dig more into your hardware.

Also in which slot is your 2nd 770 installed? Hope your 1st 770 is in the 1st slot.

[cudgel87]

Have you tried a fresh install maybe? Like; Just unplug your current drives, grab a spare hdd orsomething and install windows on it and test the stability. If you still get instabilities, dig more into your hardware.

Also in which slot is your 2nd 770 installed? Hope your 1st 770 is in the 1st slot.

Well I'm currently watching ProKoN's guides before trying again, but I don't think I want to buy another Windows license to try that. My 770s are in the 1st and 3rd slots. Is that a problem? I thought I'd give them a little room to breath.

[Faa]

Well I'm currently watching ProKoN's guides before trying again, but I don't think I want to buy another Windows license to try that. My 770s are in the 1st and 3rd slots. Is that a problem? I thought I'd give them a little room to breath.

You don't really need a license or to activate it, windows iso's can be DL'ed free from microsofts website. It's just to rule a bad OS out. And no it's correct, thought for some reasons this board has support for 4way sli, apparently there are two x4 slots where SLI wouldnt work.

[ProKoN]

the literature for your board is kinda confusing. the board does support 2way sli and 4way cfx

 

quick thing to try is move the 2nd gfx card from the 3rd to the 2nd slot.

 

but before you do anything does the problem only occur when overclocking? or does this happen at stock settings? does removing the gigabyte software seem to help?

 

1. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
   * For optimum performance, if only one expansion card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
2.  
3. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
   * The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. It will operate at up to x8 mode when the PCIEX16 is populated.
4.  
5. 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x4 (PCIEX4_1, PCIEX4_2)
   * The PCIEX4_1 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 and PCIEX8 slots. When it is populated, the PCIEX16 slot will operate at up to x8 mode and the PCIEX8 slot will operate at up to x4 mode.
   * When installing a x8 or above card in the PCIEX4_1 slot, make sure to set PCIE Slot Configuration in BIOS Setup to x4. (Refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," "Peripherals," for more information.)
   (The PCIEX16, PCIEX8, and PCIEX4_1 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
6.  
7. 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
   (The PCIEX4_2 and PCIEX1_1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

[cudgel87]

the literature for your board is kinda confusing. the board does support 2way sli and 4way cfx

 

quick thing to try is move the 2nd gfx card from the 3rd to the 2nd slot.

 

but before you do anything does the problem only occur when overclocking? or does this happen at stock settings? does removing the gigabyte software seem to help?

 

• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)

  * For optimum performance, if only one expansion card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

•  
• 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)

  * The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. It will operate at up to x8 mode when the PCIEX16 is populated.

•  
• 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x4 (PCIEX4_1, PCIEX4_2)

  * The PCIEX4_1 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 and PCIEX8 slots. When it is populated, the PCIEX16 slot will operate at up to x8 mode and the PCIEX8 slot will operate at up to x4 mode.* When installing a x8 or above card in the PCIEX4_1 slot, make sure to set PCIE Slot Configuration in BIOS Setup to x4. (Refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," "Peripherals," for more information.)

  (The PCIEX16, PCIEX8, and PCIEX4_1 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)

•  
• 1 x PCI Express x1 slot

  (The PCIEX4_2 and PCIEX1_1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

The SLI seems to working fine and my problems only exist when overclocked. At stock settings, everything is as smooth as butter. I am currently stress testing the CPU with IETU with your recommended settings and has been running fine for the last 2 hours. However, when I first log in, it's slower to warm up than a stock settings. Does that make sense? I mean that from the time I'm logging into windows 8.1 to the time my startup programs load, everything is slow and stuttery. This does not occur at stock settings.

[ProKoN]

The SLI seems to working fine and my problems only exist when overclocked. At stock settings, everything is as smooth as butter. I am currently stress testing the CPU with IETU with your recommended settings and has been running fine for the last 2 hours. However, when I first log in, it's slower to warm up than a stock settings. Does that make sense? I mean that from the time I'm logging into windows 8.1 to the time my startup programs load, everything is slow and stuttery. This does not occur at stock settings.

is your bclk jumpy still?

[cudgel87]

is your bclk jumpy still?

Actually it did that for a few seconds when I first started the stress test as I was trying to use my browser at the same time. It's been steady since I've left it alone and I've been posting from my phone.

I have a suspicion that the bclk might have been acting up soon after startup, but I can't confirm this because I can't get my CPUZ up fast enough due to the lagginess.

The bclk is in Auto mode at the moment since in your guide, you said that if using IETU, I could leave it as default.

Actually it did that for a few seconds when I first started the stress test as I was trying to use my browser at the same time. It's been steady since I've left it alone and I've been posting from my phone.

And by bclk I mean the "bus speed" displayed on CPUZ.

[ProKoN]

how jumpy is it?

 

seems odd. but if its jumping around under load it can cause conflict with your nvidia display driver and result in the stutter you have described.

 

from the time you see the windows orb until you hit your desktop all cores are actually under a fair amount of load ,to boot the OS

 

I really dont think its your second gfx but you can try and remove it to see if the problem is still there but I doubt it since your smooth at stock settings.

 

did you clear your cmos ? u did update bios right?

 

yes bus speed in cpuz

[cudgel87]

how jumpy is it?

seems odd. but if its jumping around under load it can cause conflict with your nvidia display driver and result in the stutter you have described.

from the time you see the windows orb until you hit your desktop all cores are actually under a fair amount of load ,to boot the OS

I really dont think its your second gfx but you can try and remove it to see if the problem is still there but I doubt it since your smooth at stock settings.

did you clear your cmos ? u did update bios right?

yes bus speed in cpuz

I'm still in the stress test now, but I can try removing a GPU after it's done. I did update the BIOS and I've reset the CMOS a dozen times today lol. It must be something else since the CPU is still stable 3.5 hrs into the stress test.

how jumpy is it?

seems odd. but if its jumping around under load it can cause conflict with your nvidia display driver and result in the stutter you have described.

from the time you see the windows orb until you hit your desktop all cores are actually under a fair amount of load ,to boot the OS

I really dont think its your second gfx but you can try and remove it to see if the problem is still there but I doubt it since your smooth at stock settings.

did you clear your cmos ? u did update bios right?

yes bus speed in cpuz

As far as the level of jumpiness, it was worse before as it would usually result in freezing. It always begins with the blank screen flashing black an gray before the login screen, and when I click ok the screen to get to the login screen, it stutters and is very slow to start up. That's the best I can describe it. But like I said, it doesn't happen when it's running default.

[ProKoN]

are you on the latest nvidia drivers?  337.5 try a driver re-install ( perform clean install)

 

double check by removing the 2nd gfx card

 

its wierd it only happens when overclocked. maybe try 4.1ghz 4.2ghz 4.3 ghz etc and see if the issue still persists

 

1am here. report back tomorrow!

[cudgel87]

Perhaps it's just a program running from startup that's causing some sort of incompatibility.

are you on the latest nvidia drivers? 337.5 try a driver re-install ( perform clean install)

double check by removing the 2nd gfx card

its wierd it only happens when overclocked. maybe try 4.1ghz 4.2ghz 4.3 ghz etc and see if the issue still persists

1am here. report back tomorrow!

Thanks for the late night support. Not so late here in Hawaii. I'll look into the drivers. I think I'm using the latest beta drivers. Talk to you later.

[ProKoN]

Perhaps it's just a program running from startup that's causing some sort of incompatibility.

 

gfx driver would be my first guess

 

if your cpu and ram was that unstable at boot no way you would get 3.5 hours of stress testing.