Intel Haswell 4670k + 4770K Overclocking guide

[ProKoN]

Thought I could shed some insight based off of my experience overclocking the Intel 4770K. I will add literature as I go.

I have based the guide off a simple 4.4GHz Overclock. Your results will Vary

 

Intel Haswell Overclocking Database. This Database is Authored and maintained by @Dark_Wizzie. A highly regarded member of Overclock.net. Thank You

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjXDCk5eCp1gdEdENjlDYWl6ZnV4OVlNc0lMU1V3c1E&usp=sharing

 

 

 

Be sure to Submit your Highest Possible Cinebench Scores  here  This Database\Thread is Authored and maintained by @Jumper118. A highly regarded member of the LTT community  Thank You

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/62476-post-your-cinebench-r15-scores-and-new-r115-scores-now-included/

 

 

 

 

Once you have finalized your overclock and have a valid screenshot for 8hours or more of stress testing post your results here This Database\Thread is Authored and maintained by @MeltyMoon. A highly regarded member of the LTT community. Thank You

 

(protip - run cinebench r15 before you begin stress testing with any unnecessary applications closed)

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/17646-ltt-forums-cpu-overclocking-database/
 

 

 

 

Begin By updating your bios and downloading and installing the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-boards-software-extreme-tuning-utility.html


Guides will include

- System Overview

-Overclocking your cpu and finding stability

-finding ring bus stability at a 1:1 (or as close as possible)

- Getting the best performance out of your memory

-Enabling Haswell Power saving features.

System Overview

 

 

Part 1 : Overclocking your cpu, stress testing and finding stability

 

Part 2 : CPU Ring Bus Stability

 

 

Part 3 : Memory Stability

 

 

Part 4 : Enabling low power features

 

 

Any information I share is free, however if you would like to contribute to future projects \ guides or just show gratitude, Certainly not required..but. Thank You.

 

please support future content http://patreon.com/prokon

[ProKoN]

Finding Best CPU Frequency
  

   •Install the latest official bios

•Clear cmos

•Change cpu multiplier to 44

•Change cpu vcore voltage to 1.25V

•Change VCCIN voltage to 1.9V (processor input voltage PIV)

•Set your ram @ 1333MHz/ Set memory Voltage to 1.5V

•Boot and stress test with the IETU

 

 

Stability Testing

 

 

A Great way to judge stability and see how well your system is performing is to run cinebench and XTU Benchmark

 

http://http.maxon.net/pub/benchmarks/CINEBENCH_R15.zip

 

If you can run 5-6 passes back to back your typically fairly stable.

 

 

 

The following Tests require you to set your Vcore mode to manual! Failing to do so will most certainly result in overvolting \overheating and throttling. These tests may aid you in reducing time spent stability testing

 

XTU-Benchmark (good suggestion is to run this a few times to gauge stability)

 

Prime95-http://prime95.en.lo4d.com/download/mirror-hs2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    •Stress test for a minimum 8 hours
 

•Increase voltage if the system crashes Decrease if stable

•I don’t recommend more than 1.32V for 4.4GHz

•You may need anywhere from 1.2, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, 1.25, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29, 1.3, 1.31, 1.32V

•Do NOT EXCEED 1.5V For any typical Overclock

•Temps should Not Exceed 85c-90c Maximum

 

*Tip- If your having issues finding cpu stability at any cpu frequency Drop the ring ratio down to 3000MHz

 

Acceptable Cpu voltages

 

0V-1.3V For people concerned about volts\heat. up to 1.3V is playing it SAFE. be happy with your clocks at 1.3V. using an air cooler. I have found that up to 1.3V will offer the best performance ratio in terms of GHz\Watt

 

1.3V-1.44V Still safe without risking CPU degradation . Requires a good cooling solution ( top notch AIO cooler) NOT recommended for people using air cooling or people concerned with heat or volts applied

 

1.45V and Higher. For extreme Overclockers only. from my testing going over 1.45V to achieve higher clock speeds is pointless. the performance\Watt drops heavily and massive amounts of heat is generated.Not Recommended

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pushing Past 4.4GHz

 

My best Stable results so far

•4.6GHz @ 1.35V

•4500MHz ring bus @ 1.32V

•VCCIN 1.9V

 

 

•4.7GHz @ 1.41V

•4600MHz ring bus @ 1.41V

•VCCIN 2.0V

 

 

 

CPU Ring Bus Stability

 

•Our goal is to Increase the CPU ring bus to a 1:1 ratio example

•4.4GHz CPU frequency

•4.4GHz ( I prefer to refer to the ring bus in MHz so 4400MHz)

•Not all Cpu’s can achieve a 1:1 Ratio while overclocking

•Finding Ring Bus stability is Time Consuming

 

•Set your ring bus multiplier for a 1:1 ratio. We set it to 44 (4400MHz) to maintain a 1:1 Ratio with our 4.4GHz overclock

•Set your VCCIN to 1.9V

•Set your cpu ring voltage to whatever cpu vcore voltage you found stability with

•Example if you found stable cpu results @ 4.4GHz -1.28V

•Set your cpu ring voltage for 1.28V

 

 

•Boot and stress test

•You need a minimum of 8 hours stable before we can proceed

•If you are stable great!

•Begin reducing your VCCIN voltages until you become unstable, use the vccin voltage at the last stable setting. Default vccin is 1.75-1.78V on most boards.

•Begin reducing your cpu ring bus voltages until you become unstable, use the voltage at the last stable setting.

 

If you have not found stability

 

•Begin Increasing your VCCIN Voltage in .001 increments

•1.9. 1.901, 1.902, 1.903, 1.904, 1.905, 1.906, 1.907, 1.908, 1.909, 2.0,  2.01,  2.02, 2.03, etc

•In the real world 2.1V is maximum

•Do not exceed 2.1V-2.2V

If unsuccessful set your vccin voltage for 2.0V and begin to reduce the ring bus ratio until your stable       43,42,41

 

Example

 

•4.4GHz Cpu frequency

•4200MHz ring bus

 

 

 

 

•After you find the best possible ring bus frequency stable for 8 hours begin to reduce the voltages

•Begin reducing your VCCIN voltages until you become unstable, use the vccin voltage at the last stable setting. Default vccin is 1.75-1.78V on most boards.

•Begin reducing your cpu ring bus voltages until you become unstable, use the voltage at the last stable setting.

 

 

 

Maximum Recommended CPU Ring Bus Voltage - 1.4V

 

I have gone as high as 1.45V on the cpu ring bus voltage without any issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Best Validated Ring bus Results

 

•4.4GHz @ 1.23V   CPU

•4400MHz @ 1.22V Cpu Ring Bus

•VCCIN 1.9V

 

•4.6GHz @ 1.35V   CPU

•4500MHz @ 1.3V Cpu Ring Bus

•VCCIN 1.9V

 

 

•4.7GHz @ 1.41V

•4600MHz ring bus @ 1.41V

•VCCIN 2.0V

 

 

 

Finding Memory Stability

 

•Cpu Frequency is king. Obtain best CPU clocks first. Sacrifice Memory speed if you have to, not CPU speed

 

•XMP Profiles can be MISLEADING

 

•Little to no real world benefit from memory overclocking.

 

•In my opinion Tighter Timings are more beneficial than Higher Frequencies because lower frequencies typically require less voltage

 

•Xmp profiles change memory speed, timings, voltages

 

•Most Memory Manufactures will only officially support the Jdec standard NOT XMP profiles.

 

•XMP profiles are technically considered overclocking

 

 

•Set your memory frequency to “auto”

•Set your memory Dram timing configuration to “auto”

•Set your memory Dram Voltage to “auto”

•Load desired XMP Profile

•Boot and stress test with the IETU memory stress test. ( your temps may be slightly higher than the regular cpu stress test, that’s ok)

 

 

•The IETU is not the best memory stress tester since it will only utilize around 3-4 GB of memory. It is still effective, however if you choose to stress test your memory with another preferred stress testing program be sure to set your  cpu Vcore mode to “manual”

 

 

 

•Increase memory voltage manually

•Typically DDR3- 1600MHz requires 1.5V

•Typically DDR3- 1866MHz requires 1.65V

•Acceptable Voltage range for DDR3 is 1.3V-1.8V

 

•Maximum voltages for different kits. My suggestions are

If your kit calls for    -1.35V do not exceed 1.6V

                                    -1.50V do not exceed 1.7V

                                     -1.65V do not exceed 1.8V

 

•Increase voltage in .1V increments until stable for a minimum of 8 hours.  Eg-1.35V, 1.45V, 1.55V, 1.65V, 1.75V, 1.8V

 

•If stable drop the Dram voltage down .05V and check to see if it is stable for 8 hours.

 

•So what this means. If your ddr3 kit has a xmp profile of lets say 1600MHz @ 1.35V it may require as much as 1.5-1.6V to be stable. This is normal.

 

•My Kingston HyperX Beast 2x8GB DDR3-2400MHZ kit required 1.71V in order to be stable with the xmp 2400MHz profile loaded, the  stock xmp profile suggested 1.65V

 

 

 

•If no luck at stock timings and frequencies after trying Voltages from 1.5V-1.8V

•Manually input stock frequencies and timings and voltage

 

• Example- 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 1T 1.5V

 

•Begin increasing voltage again

 

•Try to scale back your memory frequencies

 

•Example- drop your memory down from 2133MHz to 1866MHz.

 

•Contact your memory technical support and load the values they suggest before considering your units defective

 

 

 

 

           

Haswell Low Power Modes

 

 

 

 

    •Make sure you are on the latest official Bios!

 

 

•Cpu ratio mode- Dynamic

 

 

•Enhanced Turbo- Enabled

 

 

•CPU core voltage mode- Adaptive

 

 

•CPU ring voltage mode- Adaptive

 

 

•Intel C-state – Enabled

 

 

•C1E Support- Enabled

 

 

•Package C-state limit - Auto

 

 

 

 

for windows users also make sure you set your minimum processor state to 5%

 

 

Windows7

 

->Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\Edit Plan Settings

 

-->Change Advanced Power settings

 

--->Processor Power Management

 

---->Minimmum Processor state

 

-on battery 5%

 

-plugged in 5%

 

 

 

If your not having any luck with my guide, an alternative guide can be found here.

 

http://www.overclock...with-statistics

 

 

 

 

[ProKoN]

A summary of my Overclocking journey

Before The Delid





After The Delid


Finally stable at 4.7GHz (had to delid to achieve this on air) stable for 12 hours.

4.7GHZ@1.41V max temp 89c average temp 78c

]

I finally found stability with the cache ratio. I am very Happy with this overclock.

I am stable for 10 hours at 4.7GHz with a 4500MHz ring bus frequency.

1.41V max temp 84c

PIV- 1.9V

CPU cache voltage- 1.3V

I dropped my memory down to 1333 for cpu stability testing. currently working on bringing the memory frequencies back up.






12 hours stable at 4.7GHz with mem chips at 2600MHz (relaxed timings)



very close to achieving stabilitity at 4.6GHz with a 4600MHz ring bus 1:1 ratio

ran for 9 hours, then crashed....very very close.



4770k

4.7GHz @ 1.41v

4500MHz ring bus

2400MHz Memory

Stable\Validated overclock

 

 

4.8GHz @ 1.48V

4500MHz ring bus

2400MHz Memory

overclock is NOT STABLE Nor is it Validated but good fun none the less! My highest scores yet

 

 

 

4670K no delid (yet)

 

1st stable run at 4.8GHz, 22 hours. Working on lowering voltages and then pushing for a stable 4.9GHz

 

 

Final 4670k 24\7 Overclock results 4.8GHz ( not AVX stable)

 

Bclk-100

Cpu multi-48

Cpu ring multi-45

PIV- 2.07V

CPU Vcore- 1.34V

CPU ring bus voltage-1.4V

Memory- 2400MHz cl 11  @ 1.71V

 

 

[WildTurtle]

4.8Ghz @ 0.976V? What kind of black magic is this.

[ProKoN]

4.8Ghz @ 0.976V? What kind of black magic is this.

Please disregard any voltage you see from CPUz

 

Glitch in the program, sorry

 

The IETU shows accurate Voltage's

 

4.8GHz i need 1.48V :(

 

and still No real stability found, only with the ring bus set at 800 mhz i was able to stress test overnight at 4.8GHz @ 1.48V :(

 

Thanks for pointing that out, i made an edit to ensure the best possible accuracy.

[iswedishleafs]

very informative

 

will try this sometime

[acwilson96]

 

Finding Best CPU Frequency

  

   •Install the latest official bios

•Clear cmos

•Change cpu multiplier to 44

•Change cpu vcore voltage to 1.25V

•Change VCCIN voltage to 1.9V (processor input voltage PIV)

•Set your ram @ 1333MHz/ Set memory Voltage to 1.5V

•Boot and stress test with the IETU

 

 

Just done this and windows 7 froze at login screen!

[ProKoN]

begin by increasing your vcore in .01 increments

 

if you hit 1.3V and no luck, drop your cpu RING multiplier down to 30, try again.

 

make sure you set your ram to 1333 @ 1.5V

[ProKoN]

Just done this and windows 7 froze at login screen!

also take the time and watch the videos i posted, they are dry, grab a cold one, but I included little bits of useful info in there

[AndréMelsom]

Didnt work for me, I'm just getting bluescreens every fifth minute or so.

1.27=instans bluscreen

1.28=1 minute inside Windows

1.29= 5 minutes in Windows

What should i do?

Can i increase to 1.3 or should i decrease to 4.3 GHz?

[Tonny]

Didnt work for me, I'm just getting bluescreens every fifth minute or so.

1.27=instans bluscreen

1.28=1 minute inside Windows

1.29= 5 minutes in Windows

What should i do?

Can i increase to 1.3 or should i decrease to 4.3 GHz?

incerease to 1.3

[Cryptonite]

Didnt work for me, I'm just getting bluescreens every fifth minute or so.

1.27=instans bluscreen

1.28=1 minute inside Windows

1.29= 5 minutes in Windows

What should i do?

Can i increase to 1.3 or should i decrease to 4.3 GHz?

here is your answer.

 

begin by increasing your vcore in .01 increments

 

if you hit 1.3V and no luck, drop your cpu RING multiplier down to 30, try again.

 

make sure you set your ram to 1333 @ 1.5V

[ProKoN]

Didnt work for me, I'm just getting bluescreens every fifth minute or so.

1.27=instans bluscreen

1.28=1 minute inside Windows

1.29= 5 minutes in Windows

What should i do?

Can i increase to 1.3 or should i decrease to 4.3 GHz?

what are your temps at 1.29V?

 

if you have have thermal headroom ( your below 85-90c max)

 

do as Tonny suggested and begin increasing voltage. you have a good cooler. 1.3, 1.31, 1.32 etc

 

 

once you run out of thermal headroom and you reach max temps do as Cryptonite suggested and drop the ring bus down and ENSURE your mem chips are @ 1333MHz 1.5V!

[ProKoN]

post a full screenshot with the ietu while stress testing so i know whats going on

 

see how i have the ietu configured to display voltages temps and all the proposed values, do the same.

 

[Cryptonite]

what are your temps at 1.29V?

 

if you have have thermal headroom ( your below 85-90c max)

 

do as Tonny suggested and begin increasing voltage. you have a good cooler. 1.3, 1.31, 1.32 etc

 

 

once you run out of thermal headroom and you reach max temps do as Cryptonite suggested and drop the ring bus down and ENSURE your mem chips are @ 1333MHz 1.5V!

I forgot to take his temperatures into account.

[AndréMelsom]

what are your temps at 1.29V?

 

if you have have thermal headroom ( your below 85-90c max)

 

do as Tonny suggested and begin increasing voltage. you have a good cooler. 1.3, 1.31, 1.32 etc

 

 

once you run out of thermal headroom and you reach max temps do as Cryptonite suggested and drop the ring bus down and ENSURE your mem chips are @ 1333MHz 1.5V!

Well i cant test my temp because i Get bluescreens too quickly, so i don't have time too test. Bit i have a 240mm aio luiquid cooler so i should not have very warm tempo

[Cryptonite]

Well i cant test my temp because i Get bluescreens too quickly, so i don't have time too test. Bit i have a 240mm aio luiquid cooler so i should not have very warm tempo

Then do what ProKoN said.

[ProKoN]

Didnt work for me, I'm just getting bluescreens every fifth minute or so.

1.29= 5 minutes in Windows

 

well it would seem you have 5 minutes of stability at 1.29V thats enough time to capture a screenshot and to get an idea of your temps.

[piplupgao]

I nominate you to be on the intel response squad

[ProKoN]

I nominate you to be on the intel response squad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zotLLNmduJI

[warmmilk]

I'm using your guide to OC my 4770k on my Asus Formula board. Asus likes to be all cool with their ROG line and make a billion sub menus and change the name of stuff slightly... It doesn't have anything specifically named VCCIN Voltage.

Instead they have "Initial CPU Input Voltage" in the main voltage menu (selected item in first pic. The description of the selected item is on the upper right side of the screen and it says VCCIN).

Then in the Digi+ Power Control submenu they have "VCCIN MOS Volt Control" (second pic).

Then in the Tweakers Paradise submenu they have "VCCIN Shadow Voltage" (third pic)

So when you say to set VCCIN to 1.9, which of those are you talking about?

Edit: you can see all the bios screens that have to do with over clocking here:

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33488-Maximus-VI-Series-UEFI-Guide-for-Overclocking&country=&status=

[ProKoN]

I'm using your guide to OC my 4770k on my Asus Formula board. Asus likes to be all cool with their ROG line and make a billion sub menus and change the name of stuff slightly... It doesn't have anything specifically named VCCIN Voltage.

Instead they have "Initial CPU Input Voltage" in the main voltage menu (selected item in first pic. The description of the selected item is on the upper right side of the screen and it says VCCIN).

Then in the Digi+ Power Control submenu they have "VCCIN MOS Volt Control" (second pic).

Then in the Tweakers Paradise submenu they have "VCCIN Shadow Voltage" (third pic)

So when you say to set VCCIN to 1.9, which of those are you talking about?

Edit: you can see all the bios screens that have to do with over clocking here:

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33488-Maximus-VI-Series-UEFI-Guide-for-Overclocking&country=&status=

 

 

In your asus uefi the Processor Input voltage is

 

 

Initial CPU Input Voltage - set this for 1.9V

 

 

 

Leave the other two items you mentioned set to auto.

[ProKoN]

the ietu will display your processor input voltage on the right hand side so you can confirm the value

 

 

[warmmilk]

Should I still use 1.9 if I'm aiming for a 4.2 OC? I haven't done 8 hours of stability testing yet, but I can do 4.2 at 1.7 volts for 10 mins. Should I still 1.9 for the 8 hour stability test?

[ProKoN]

honestly for most overclocks you can leave this set for auto , it is really going to be a factor when increasing the cpu ring bus as pushing past 3900MHz ring bus usually requires increasing this value

 

i do believe most manufactures set a default PIV between 1.72-1.788 Volts

 

if your still on part 1 of the guide and are not trying to find ring bus stability yet, you can leave it set for auto or set it for 1.9V, the choice is yours

 

when you get to part 2 thats when you need to bring the PIV voltage up in order to find the best ring bus stability. my lowest overclock was 4.4GHz and I had to raise the PIV to 1.9V in order to achieve ring bus stability at a 1:1 ratio, I never tried any lower frequency, so please post your results if your looking to overclock at 4.3GHz or lower.