WIGs

I have refitted the G.Skill kit (I forgot to mark which stick was in which slot when I pulled them out, so I just slotted them in randomly). So far, given my limited testing (several hours of multicore Cinebench, many runs of AIDA64 SHA3), the system seems to run stable - even at slightly tuned settings (EXPO I with reduced VDDIO and RAM voltages to 1.35V, VSoC at 1.25 and CO -3 with few "better" cores at around -15). I have also figured out that Asus' PBO "Enhancement" mode only enhances my crash rate I guess that it applies an "aggressive" CO which my chip just can't handle I noticed, however, strange behavior of UCLK. When set on Auto it sometimes lands on 1500MHz instead of 3000MHz. I guess the UCLK mode is decided during pre-boot memory training, and sometimes the memory kit is deemed unstable at 1:1? I have fixed UCLK=MEMCLK in BIOS, however, I am not exactly sure how important it is to insist on that. I have done some benchmarking and I haven't seen much of a difference (although my benchmark scores have high variance between runs so it's hard to make conclusions). Do you think that, e.g., going down to UCLK=MEMCLK/2 would improve the stability and/or increases chances to get a better CO? I have one weird question (hopefully last one before I am back to testing). I guess that if the system would still be unstable, I can try slower timings, decreasing the negative CO offset etc. I had, however, one strange idea instead: Would it make sense to decrease BCLK instead? My understanding is that this should make both RAM and CPU run at proportionally lower frequencies, which could potentially allow even tight timings to be stable, and allow much more aggressive CO curve (since the CPU would run effectively at lower frequency for the given voltage). However, PBO could then possibly compensate for these performance losses. I know that BCLK overclocking is generally deemed problematic on Ryzen, however, does it apply even for underclocking? Thanks a lot, I really appreciate all your advice!

I am running the kits in A2+B2 (with A1+B1 empty). I haven't tried swapping the DIMM sticks between the slots - I will give it a shot. Thanks!

Hello, I upgraded my PC to a 7950X3D on ROG B650E-F with 2x32GB G.Skill 6000MT/s CL30-40-40-96@1.4V two weeks ago. The system had been running fine since then (including a minor CO undervolt and tightened RAM timings). Today, however, the computer suddenly restarted under load followed by DRAM Q-LED lighting up during boot (and staying lit). The only way around the issue was to flashback BIOS. Following that I only applied the EXPO profile and run HCI memtest which ran fine for ~60% (with no errors) until hitting the sudden restart again. There is no error shown, the computer just powers off instantaneously (and restarts to yellow QLED after ~3s), Windows Event Viewer just shows a power-loss event. The way this manifests seems to me like some protection kicking in, however, there didn't seem to be anything anomalous at the time (package power around 100W, 60C temps, "normal" voltages). I am not aware of changing anything prior to the first time the issue appeared. In fact, the only thing I changed since I last stress-tested the PC was the routing of the AIO tubing. I guess this might have altered the pressure on the socket somewhat, but I think that's unlikely to cause the issues? (The tubing has some slack to move around.) The AIO is Liquid Freezer II 360mm. I have swapped the memory for a different kit (2x32GB Kingston Fury Renegade 6000MT/s CL32-38-38-80@1.35V) and I am running AIDA stress test. After ~30 minutes it is still running fine, even with CO -5 and Buildzoid's timings. I have, however, changed back the routing of the AIO tubing for this test (to improve accessibility), if that could change anything. Could you please help me with troubleshooting this issue? Is it solely the memory that is wrong, or can anything else cause the issue? I still have a day or two left to identify the issue and possibly return the problematic part without having to go through the warranty process. Thanks a lot!

Thank you! I understand the benefits of having a kit with tighter timings (and even if the large L3 cache in X3D means you might have less cache misses, you will still have them). My question was more about whether it makes sense to try a RAM stick outside QVL (with reasonably good timing such as the G.Skill 6000MT/s CL30-40-40-96). I have actually just completed building and setting up the system with the Kingston kit and it's working fine (although I didn't do much testing and tweaking yet). The only downside is that the white kit doesn't look that well in my all-black setup But I think I can live with that if it is the safer and more performant option.

Perfect, thanks a lot. And do you think that it would make sense to "try" that CL30 kit (and return it if it doesn't work well), or just grab that CL32? I guess there won't be much of a performance difference, but the G.Skill's just look so much better Thanks a lot for all your help!

Actually, the Asus B650E-F seems to tick the boxes for me in terms of rear IO and fan header placement. And thanks a lot for your insights about optimizing the 7950X3D! I am wondering, what memory kit are you using please? The Asus QVL is quite short and it is populated mostly by slower memory kits (and it lacks, e.g., the G.Skill 6000MT/s CL30 "golden bullet"). Basically the "fastest" kit on QVL I can get is Kingston 6000MT/s with 32-38-38-80 timings (unfortunately for me in white) or Kingston 6000MT/s with 36-38-38-80. (Or shouldn't I worry too much about QVL and just try the G.Skill one?) Thanks!

Well, the pricing is a bit weird now here. 13900k costs the same as 14900k (and actually before the price hike, 14900k was actually the cheapest top-of-the-line CPU I could get). And 7950X costs the same as 7950X3D. I am leaning a bit towards 7950X3D due to its efficiency (I value quiet operation so I might end up power-limiting 14900k or 7950X anyway). I will be using the computer both for gaming and productivity. But I also like to tinker a bit, so actually the challenge of having asymmetric core design is something I would be glad to explore. 7950X is a bit boring in this regard. However, I am pretty sure I will regret this at times as I understand the thread affinity management is quite challenging and there will be issues. I have noticed that (at least here) there are very few B650E motherboards. Actually I believe that the only motherboards with B650E chipset I can easily get are Asus B650E-E and B650E-F (and with more effort an expensive B650E Aorus Master, and ASRock B650E PG Riptide - which however cost almost the same as their X670E counterparts). Are there any particular motherboards you would recommend, or are all of them more-or-less equal (chipset and IO aside)? Personally, I do not care about esthetics that much (although, I prefer a more subdued look) and I do not even need much IO. (If I discard Asus, ASRock X670E PG Lightning seems like quite a good value - apart those MSI Tomahawk's) Thank you!

I did my fair share of experimenting (especially thermally on my current setup), and I think I will end up with the top-mounted LF2 in the end. It is so cheap and praised, that it would be almost criminal not to try that one I am wondering, how stiff are the tubes on the LF2 please? (Also, the local retailer made an abrupt pricing change which makes me revisit my decision to go with 14900k. Instead, I might get 7950X3D which would be much easier to cool - and I guess that LF2 with it's offset mount could shine there.)

Hello, I have spent quite some time planning a 14900k build. Long enough to see the local retailer increase the price of 14900k by $60 while slashing the price of 7950X3D by $130. This kind of tips the balance back towards the AMD and makes me throw all my plans out of window. I am however quite lost in the AM5 platform. I know there were several issues like CPUs melting (hopefully fixed?), issues with memory compatibility and boot times. I am wondering, what is the safest bet motherboard (and possibly a memory kit alongside it) for the 7950X3D please? I believe that MSI Tomahawk lineup is generally good (and good value), but B650 Tomahawk in particular seems to have quite some issues. My understanding is that there is no need to go for X670E (although I would be happy to have some PCIe 5.0 for future proofing - although it's probably a long way till that starts to matter). I have been eyeing ASUS Strix B650E-F which would have more than enough PCIe 5.0 for me, and it seems to be priced quite reasonably (I can get it for roughly $40 more than B650 Tomahawk). Apart of being reluctant to pay over $450 for a motherboard, I am open to any suggestions. Thanks a lot!

I am wondering about one more thing. I would like to install the radiator in the "front"-mounted position (ideally in the radiator position in Thermaltake Core P3 TG Pro). My understanding is that in such a case the tubing should be at the bottom of the radiator. Wouldn't there be an issue with tubing length in such a case (especially with long radiators such as 360 or 420). For example, the Nucleus is supposed to have 40cm of tubing while the distance (vertical only!) between the CPU block and the bottom of the radiator would be around 30cm. Thanks! (Also, I am now considering even the LF2 - I have kind of accepted the looks, especially in view of its performance, price and how easy it would be for me to get one ;-))

I will definitely consider it (even if it makes me a bit nervous ;-))

Thanks a lot - I will definitely check that one! Thank you. I guess there is no change in the ILM between Z690 and Z790? I have always considered the contact frames as a measure for overclocking, but I guess it could work in my case too (better heat transfer = higher coolant temps = higher temperature delta on the radiator). I will consider that, although I am a bit about the installation process and potential warranty consequences. I know that it should be possible to reverse the installation with no visible signs, but still... I guess I will toss the coin between Silent Loop and Nucleus then (unless I manage to get over the visual of the LF2), or the Phanteks. Currently I am leaning slightly towards the Nucleus as the Black Friday 24% off deal makes it quite tempting. Thanks!

Hello, I have finally made my mind about the upgrade of my computer which will consist of i9 14900k MSI Z790 Tomahawk Max G.Skill Trident Z 2x48GB 6400MHz CL32 MSI RTX 4080 Suprim X I am however undecided about the cooler. My goal is to build a system that is silent in idle/low load, and barely audible under full load. I understand that in order to cool 14900k at (or over) its power limits, one needs powerful AIO running at high pump/fan RPMs - which won't be quiet. I am therefore willing to sacrifice a bit of performance and run the CPU at around 125-150W (which should lose me 5-10% according to TechPowerUp testing) most of the time. Also, I can tolerate higher CPU temperatures (90C?) even at that lowered TDP if that helps keeping the noise down. What AIO would you recommend for my objective please? I have tried going through reviews, but most of the times these focus on tests at 100% fan speeds, or noise-normalized testing at levels that I would consider already quite audible while running stock fans (which I can easily replace if that's the problem). I believe that one of the main factors to consider is the pump noise (as there is no way around it), however I am quite lost in the offerings. I have shortlisted some of the AIOs (but I definitely do not need to stick to this list): EKWB Nucleus CR360 Lux - This looks like one of the top performers (even in noise normalized testing). I am however worried that I have seen some reports of noisy pumps. Silent Loop 2 280mm - This seems like a good option, however, the pump is 9-12V and DC controlled, which means that it might be running unnecessarily fast especially at idle? Some Asetek (Kraken 280?) - I am familiar with the Kraken X63 which is quite quiet at low pump RPMs. Liquid Freezer 2 420mm - LF2 series seems to get pretty good reviews, but I really do not like the esthetics of the pump. Thanks a lot for your advice!

Yes, there are some 6000 cl40 kits (64GB) listed, even if I cannot get my hands on those here easily. Thanks! Thank you! So basically the best for me would be to get any reasonably fast kit for a good price, fix VSOC at a safe voltage of 1.25-1.30V, and manually set the values from the XMP/EXPO profile - and I should have pretty good odds of getting it working. And if not, I should get it working by lowering the memory frequency to 6000MT/s - which should still be fast enough to get a decent performance from the chip.

Thank you. This kit looks really great. It is not however on the list of supported RAM kits for the motherboard. Do I understand it correctly that I really shouldn't care about these lists too much? (i.e., with a bit of tweaking, I should be able to get the sticks working - even if that is not at the 6200 CL32 rated speed, but still much faster than 5600 CL40) Thanks!