CPU vcore

[Mrfrenchtoast]

Hi everyone.

I've been playing around with my cpu and have been overclocking my cpu to 5 GHz.

I read that the vcore displayed on cpuz isn't always accurate so I also have hwmonitor on the side .

I set my vcore to constant at 1.260v at 5ghz . The "problem" is that it states 1.216 on hwmonitor and cpuz on load . But 1.232 when the PC is on idle ... 

And since I set it to 1.260v there is a huge difference, plus the fact that the voltage is higher when not on load . 

 

I then tried 1.250v not expecting to work cause it's really low for 5ghz  and it didn't boot to windows .

 

It's confusing. 

 

I know 1.260v is short for 5 GHz and I've had higher voltage before  but It seems to work on cinebench and in game ( I play ark survival evolved) 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jurrunio]

11 minutes ago, Mrfrenchtoast said:

I also have hwmonitor on the side .

I trust CPU-Z more than that, HWmonitor. HWinfo64 is the real deal, HWmonitor is kid's toy.

 

12 minutes ago, Mrfrenchtoast said:

I set my vcore to constant at 1.260v at 5ghz . The "problem" is that it states 1.216 on hwmonitor and cpuz on load . But 1.232 when the PC is on idle ... 

And since I set it to 1.260v there is a huge difference, plus the fact that the voltage is higher when not on load . 

That's Vdroop, voltage drop when current draw of the CPU increases. That's why there's loadline calibration to balance it out. You'll need more LLC here, after that you might be able to reduce voltage slightly.

[Spoonii]

Sounds like Intel Speed Step might also be a factor here too. This can reduce voltage when the CPU is at idle.

But agree with Vdroop and LLC, jack them levels up.

[Mrfrenchtoast]

I'm currently not on my PC . But I remember settings the vdrop thing on 1 Wich is constant,Horizontal line. It said it was more suitable for OC stability in the bios.

I'll post pictures and give the proper terms tomorrow when I'll be able to be on my PC. 

 

I have a ASRock mobo it says to have it on lvl 1for better OC.

 

Here is a screenshot of a graph I found

Edited September 11, 2019 by Mrfrenchtoast

[Spoonii]

Increasing LLC levels reduce Vdroop by adding additional voltage overshoot under load, this decreases efficiency and increases heat but also stability.

At least on Asus boards, can't speak for other board makers BIOS, but I believe it to be the same across the board.

[Mrfrenchtoast]

Ok, I'll give it a try . 

And look up the bios for the Intel speed step.

 

Another thing .

I use cinebench r20 and cpuz for benchmarking, it runs fine for me

. But I heard prime95 2.66 is the way to go. 

I only use my PC for gaming and looking at random stuff online , Is it necessary to run prime 95 for stability test.

itseems overkill

 

[Spoonii]

In all honesty, if the Vdroop is causing you concern but not causing you stability issues, you could get away with not running any benchmarks at all, but that is usually seen as heresy and punishable by exile to the console peasants camp.

 

Undervolting won't damage a cpu, just might damage your K/DA if you crash mid game.

 

Intel Speed step only lowers voltage and speed for when you don't need it with the aim to prolong the life of the CPU and the money in your wallet.

If these are not an immediate concern, then yes disable speed step and give it some more LLC levels in BIOS.

[Mrfrenchtoast]

Intel speed step was on but the voltage at idle was still higher then on burn tests.

 

What I don't get is why would I have v drop if my lvl is supposed to be constant. ?

 

I'm currently doing tests at 4.5ghz 1.150v

 

Runs well on prime 95 for 30min. 

[Spoonii]

Vdroop happens because the draw is not constant, the more load on the CPU the lower the voltage droops due to it being "consumed" by the CPU. This is normal.

LLC combats this by giving more voltage when and where deemed necessary more levels = more voltage + more heat.

 

But the take away is that if you are not experiencing any stability or performance issues, this voltage droop should be little cause for concern.

If anything you should always aim to use as little voltage as possible while remaining stable to lower your temps and preserve life span of the CPU.

If everything is stable and performing as expected then the CPU voltage is just an arbitrary number.

[Mrfrenchtoast]

Ok well thanks I just left the OC at 4.8 GHz. And didn't bother with the v drop and stuff ^^ I'll get into that when I have a better mobo in the future . Thanks for the answer

It's fine in games and that is all I need it for .