Overclocking tutorial

[Krolic]

Does anyone know of a decent full tutorial on how to overclock the manual way (not using a software suite like from Asus). I know the idea behind it: increase multiplier, check for stability, increase voltage, ensure temperature not too high. But I am missing some of the fundamentals. I know videos from JayzTwoCents and GN do overclocking stuff but I couldn't find a decent down to basics video on exactly what they are doing. 

[Dedayog]

Gigabyte has a good OC guide for the 8700K at 5Ghz but it explains a lot of the settings regardless.  Good info.

 

https://overclocking.guide/gigabyte-z370-overclocking-coffee-lake/

[Krolic]

6 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Gigabyte has a good OC guide for the 8700K at 5Ghz but it explains a lot of the settings regardless.  Good info.

 

https://overclocking.guide/gigabyte-z370-overclocking-coffee-lake/

Awesome, thanks. I'll give it a look.

[Krolic]

Lets say I'm stress testing with AIDA64 for a 15-min interval. What should I be looking at in terms of CPU temperatures? Should I be looking at average or max temperatures? I was watching the video linked below (which is great for me since I am using a similar Asus mobo) but Linus did not say what temperatures matter, in the sense of spikes or average.

 

 

[Dedayog]

Average and max should be very close, when running AIDA64.  Mine stay at 84-86c on the 8700K.  It's a stress test that goes all out all the time, so temps shouldn't spike.

[Krolic]

9 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Average and max should be very close, when running AIDA64.  Mine stay at 84-86c on the 8700K.  It's a stress test that goes all out all the time, so temps shouldn't spike.

I guess you need to run it long enough for the temperatures to level out. How long do you usually run AIDA64 for? Also, how do you check for stability (disregarding blue screens and shutdowns, since those are obvious)?

[Dedayog]

Just now, Krolic said:

I guess you need to run it long enough for the temperatures to level out. How long do you usually run AIDA64 for? I

Shouldn't take more than a minute or two, it ramps it to 100% usage and stays there.  Temps shoot up like a rocket. 

 

 

 

[Krolic]

1 minute ago, jstudrawa said:

Shouldn't take more than a minute or two, it ramps it to 100% usage and stays there.  Temps shoot up like a rocket. 

 

 

 

For maximum temperatures, but not averages. Initially, average and maximum are not close. They get closer, but not initially. 

[Dedayog]

Just now, Krolic said:

For maximum temperatures, but not averages. Initially, average and maximum are not close. They get closer, but not initially. 

I see what you mean, but don't use the stated average temp, use the one your brain tells you is logical.

 

If you're at 86c for 15 minutes solid but were at 23c at the start, you can't use that average    Just use the average temp when it's rolling around after 1 minute.

[Krolic]

5 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Shouldn't take more than a minute or two, it ramps it to 100% usage and stays there.  Temps shoot up like a rocket. 

 

 

 

Fair enough. How do you determine stability? I think the voltage I am at is the highest it should be, based on maximum temperatures, but how do I determine if it is stable even without blue screens or shutdowns?

[Dedayog]

Just now, Krolic said:

Fair enough. How do you determine stability? I think the voltage I am at is the highest it should be, based on maximum temperatures, but how do I determine if it is stable even without blue screens or shutdowns?

Outside of anything obvious like screen tears or artifacts or odd owl-dog sounds from the speakers... if it doesn't crash, it's stable.  If it's stable yet it throttles, the graphs tell you that.   You should be fine for temps tho, you have a good cooler.

 

 

[Krolic]

36 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Outside of anything obvious like screen tears or artifacts or odd owl-dog sounds from the speakers... if it doesn't crash, it's stable.  If it's stable yet it throttles, the graphs tell you that.   You should be fine for temps tho, you have a good cooler.

 

 

I know it's a decent air cooler, but I do hate it... it's so huge that trying to do anything maintenance or wiring related is hell.

 

How long would you stress it with AIDA64 for to determine if its stable? I think I am at my limit for temps, may try 1.300 V and leave it there. I'm already hitting mid 80s. I really would get a better thermal paste and other stuff, but that's a lot of effort, time and money (in case I screw up).

[AngryBeaver]

55 minutes ago, Krolic said:

I guess you need to run it long enough for the temperatures to level out. How long do you usually run AIDA64 for? Also, how do you check for stability (disregarding blue screens and shutdowns, since those are obvious)?

Honestly I have found P95 to be the best for finding any issues with an overclock. If a worker fails then the OC isn't stable. Hell normally they will fail in the first 10-15 minutes in most cases, but if you want to make sure all is stable I would give it 4-6 hrs to run if not longer.

[Krolic]

Just now, AngryBeaver said:

Honestly I have found P95 to be the best for finding any issues with an overclock. If a worker fails then the OC isn't stable. Hell normally they will fail in the first 10-15 minutes in most cases, but if you want to make sure all is stable I would give it 4-6 hrs to run if not longer.

Fair enough, I figured 10-15 minutes. What type of test is the ideal one for Prime95? I know there are a few options. But isn't Prime95 overly aggressive?

[Dedayog]

4 minutes ago, Krolic said:

I know it's a decent air cooler, but I do hate it... it's so huge that trying to do anything maintenance or wiring related is hell.

 

How long would you stress it with AIDA64 for to determine if its stable? I think I am at my limit for temps, may try 1.300 V and leave it there. I'm already hitting mid 80s. I really would get a better thermal paste and other stuff, but that's a lot of effort, time and money (in case I screw up).

I run it for at least 30 minutes, usually around an hour.  Note that AIDA64 is a lot harder on your system than most games and other scenarios you'll be in.  I don't reach those temps in any game i play. 

[Krolic]

2 hours ago, jstudrawa said:

I run it for at least 30 minutes, usually around an hour.  Note that AIDA64 is a lot harder on your system than most games and other scenarios you'll be in.  I don't reach those temps in any game i play. 

I have been playing with it, and my Core 4 is always way hotter. At 1.300 V its maxing out at 87. Think 1.300V is too much? Currently at 1.300V and 4.8 Ghz on all cores.

[Krolic]

How would I go about using the Adaptive mode for the core voltage to be at 1.300V when under load, but stock otherwise?

[Krolic]

18 hours ago, jstudrawa said:

I run it for at least 30 minutes, usually around an hour.  Note that AIDA64 is a lot harder on your system than most games and other scenarios you'll be in.  I don't reach those temps in any game i play. 

I've tested AIDA64 for both 1.300V and 1.310V and they seem to be stable and have decent temperatures. I tried using adaptive settings for the core voltage but something seems off. When I try and play a game with it on adaptive it crashes. I have Core temp open and temps seem good and it's never under 100% load when in game. Is there something wrong with adaptive mode? I set the the one voltage to 1.248V (stock) and the offset to both 0.052V and 0.062V for 1.300V and 1.310V, respectively and neither are stable in game. Not entirely sure what the issue is there. Is there more difficulty getting adaptive mode working properly?