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Just want to start off by saying...
If the mods deem this post as unwanted, feel free to lock and/or delete this.
or
If the mods deem this post as wanted, feel free to sticky, move, do what you want with this.
I am just providing links to information already available.
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Now with that out of the way:
I wanted to compile a list of overclocking guides that I've read and found helpful in the past and present. I've noticed a lot of people posting about getting help with overclocking. Hopefully this will help shed some light so that we don't all have a million posts on sort of the same topic but instead people can post here for help and we can all respond and stack answers in one easy spot. If you have other guides you think are good for other CPUs that aren't listed below, feel free to comment on this post and I'll add them. I don't have any guides on AMD CPUs since I don't use them.
DISCLAIMER: You're messing with the stock settings so if you break it, I'm not liable nor is the internet. Your mileage may vary depending chip to chip and how lucky you were in the silicon lottery. Good luck and have fun.
Guides:
Ivy Bridge Overclocking Guide (Asus Motherboards) by Swag @ OCN
This has all the basic and advanced information on overclocking using the Asus UEFI Bios, the screens used to be from a Maximus but now changed to the Sabertooth.
Additional screens for a 4.5 Stable Overclock by Totally Dubbed @ OCN can be found
here
.
Complete Overclocking Guide: Sandy Bridge & Ivy Bridge ASRock Edition by kennyparker1337 @ OCN
I personally haven't used this one but I assume it's just more details on the Bios from ASRock.
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Personally I use Prime95 to stress test the CPU/Memory, CPU-Z to verify my overclocks and voltages, Task Manager to check my available memory, and RealTemp to monitor my min/max temperatures. Some people use OCCT and what not. There are many programs out there that people are preferential to.
Overclocking-wise, I roughly follow this:
1 Start my multiplier at 42 (4.2 GHz) and my voltage at 1.200
2 Run Prime95 for 10 minutes on the custom setting and using 90% of my available memory; which I check via Task Manager.
3.1 If Prime95 is stable for those 10 minutes, no BSOD or worker errors I can either..
A. Increase my multiplier for a higher overclock.
B. Decrease my voltage for less heat and wear on the CPU
3.2 If Prime 95 is NOT stable for those 10 minutes, I get a BSOD or worker errors...
A. Increase my voltage by 1 bump ie on my Sabertooth it goes by 0.005 so from 1.200 to 1.205 then run
B. Decrease my multiplier by 1
4 If happy with the settings after 10 minutes of Stable Prime95, I'll re-run Prime95 on custom, 90% of available memories, and FFT set to 10, for 8-12 hours. I usually stop around 8 hours but you should do it for 12 so the entire cycle completes. If you are unhappy, then keep pushing the multiplier and voltage until you are in a happy medium with your overclock and the maximum temperature you're comfortable with getting near. I try to keep my max around 85c but definitely under 90c.
5 If overclock is stable for the 8-12 hours, then you should be completely stable, enjoy and spam your CPU-Z validation in your friends' face.
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Quick Legend for BSOD codes
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0x101 = increase vcore
0x124 = increase/decrease vcore
0x0A = unstable RAM/IMC
0x1E = increase vcore
0x3B = increase vcore
0x3D = increase vcore
0x50 = RAM timings/Frequency unstable
0x109 = Not enough or too Much memory voltage
0x116 = Low IOH (NB) voltage, GPU issue
0x7E = Corrupted OS file
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Firstly, how much RAM you should install depends a bit upon how much RAM your OS can handle. Windows 7 Home is limited to 16Gig, for example, and I believe Win 8 Home is too. So, even though your motherboard may support 32Gigs, your OS may not. Secondly, Unless you are running some very RAM intensive, professional apps, you won't likely need any more than 8Gigs, so 16Gigs would be more than enough overkill. :) Thirdly, there are a lot of various RAM speeds and manufacturers. Get whatever Name Brand RAM that suits your purpose (and/or colour scheme), and keep in mind that there is very little to be gained by going beyond DDR3-1866.
suvroadrage reacted to xeks in Overclocking Guides
