Should I Overclock?

[Maihym]

Would you guys recommend me overclocking my CPU? Is my cooler good enough to handle an overclock? Can I just overclock straight from my BIOS? Also, what are some useful tutorials for overclocking? I feel that overclocking my CPU will definetly increase my performance with gaming when it comes to frames, especially in Arma 3.

 

My Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($335.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($133.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($157.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($44.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card  ($449.95 @ B&H)
Case: Raidmax Vortex ATX Mid Tower Case  ($47.04 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit  ($129.95 @ B&H)
Monitor: Samsung T24C550ND 23.6" Monitor
Keyboard: Redragon Karura K502 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($24.99 @ Amazon)
Headphones: Logitech G930 7.1 Channel  Headset  ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Uping High Precision Programmable Wireless Gaming Mouse With 2000 DPI, Nano Receiver, 5 Programmable Button, 5 User Profiles - Black, M006 ($14.99)
Total: $1593.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-15 16:25 EDT-0400

[EPPHO]

Yeah you should and you can probably get like 4.3-4.4Ghz easy with that cooler.

[PRTI]

From what i heard people got 4.6 stable with a 212 evo

[Jack Dvorak]

Have at it and make sure your voltage is under 1.35v and run a stress test to find out temps. Stay under 80c

[tikker]

I think that cooler will be fine for a mild (or better) overclock. When I started with overclocking I watched videos and read guides for information. Maybe these can get you started:

 

 

[Crossbred]

It might be noisy, but if you want performance that's the price.

Bios is the only way to overclock for most people.

[Maihym]

46 minutes ago, Crossbred said:

It might be noisy, but if you want performance that's the price.

Bios is the only way to overclock for most people.

 

I honestly don't mind the noise, just as long as my parts are safe.

[Maihym]

1 hour ago, tikker said:

I think that cooler will be fine for a mild (or better) overclock. When I started with overclocking I watched videos and read guides for information. Maybe these can get you started:

 

 

Wow there's a lot of information in that video. I honestly got confused.

[wpra3]

The logic of overclocking

More core V = more heat

More heat = more cpu fan rpm = more noisy (more rpm also reduce fan life)

More core clock needs more core V

 

The rule of thumb is:

- Set core clock to 1.33V

- Set clock to 4.6 Ghz

- Boot to windows, run stress test for 5 mins

- Make sure temp ~80C

 

IF all OK

- Increase clock by 100 Mhz until unstable

 

Optional

- If temp still well below 80C, you can increase core volt to 1.35V.

 

IF NOT OK

1. Temp to high

- Set cpu fan speed higher

OR

- Reduce the core voltage

 

2. BSOD/Freeze

- Reduce the clock speed by 100Mhz decrement

[samiscool51]

yea like every one is saying

keep it inder 1.3V

try clocking it @ 4.3Ghz

also before you do your final clock if you are going to use it a lot do the test for 24hrs, best way to see if it is stable

my 5820K is clocked at 4.7Ghz and still running stable wit no problems

[tikker]

18 hours ago, Maihym said:

Wow there's a lot of information in that video. I honestly got confused.

Yeah it can be a bit overwhelming at first. I read/watched multiple guides, but eventually you should just try it. Just don't go too high on the voltage (anything under 1.3 should be fine) and keep a close eye on the temperatures.

[Maihym]

What is a good CPU stress test?

[incarnate]

2 hours ago, Maihym said:

What is a good CPU stress test?

I use occt, 2 hour run for the final validation. I've never had a crash " am oc that passed 2 hours of occt.

 

Also, be sure to test for more than 5 mins. It takes a long time for temps to stabilize.  Temps slowly creep up over hours. I personally run 15-20 min stress tests until I get to my final oc (either temp or voltage limit) then I run a two hour test to make sure it's rock solid stable

[Imakuni]

5 hours ago, Maihym said:

What is a good CPU stress test?

Prime95. Use the Small FTT for testing the core.

[Maihym]

On 8/16/2016 at 3:53 PM, Imakuni said:

Prime95. Use the Small FTT for testing the core.

I did that but as soon as I started it, PC meter said my cores were at like 90C. But as the usage went down, the heat went down, wtf.

[Imakuni]

1 minute ago, Maihym said:

I did that but as soon as I started it, PC meter said my cores were at like 90C. But as the usage went down, the heat went down, wtf.

Ofc. It's called thermal throttling. Your cooler couldn't handle the heat, so the CPU reduced the load to try and protect itself.

 

Anyhow, it means that your voltage is too high and/or your cooler is not good enough. Which I guess was to be expected; while I don't know which voltage you are running at, the Hyper 212 isn't exactly the most powerful cooler ever created either.

 

Knock the voltage down a bunch until you stop hitting crazy temps.

[Maihym]

1 hour ago, Imakuni said:

Ofc. It's called thermal throttling. Your cooler couldn't handle the heat, so the CPU reduced the load to try and protect itself.

 

Anyhow, it means that your voltage is too high and/or your cooler is not good enough. Which I guess was to be expected; while I don't know which voltage you are running at, the Hyper 212 isn't exactly the most powerful cooler ever created either.

 

Knock the voltage down a bunch until you stop hitting crazy temps.

Sorry I didn't explain it that well, when my computer ran the test, the temps immediately said they were at like 100C, but when I stopped the test and the usage went down, they went back to around 40C. I can record a video if you want.

[Imakuni]

Just now, Maihym said:

Sorry I didn't explain it that well, when my computer ran the test, the temps immediately said they were at like 100C, but when I stopped the test and the usage went down, they went back to around 40C. I can record a video if you want.

Same thing applies, though. Lower voltages and/or get a better cooler.