i5 3570k Overclock Issue...

Skeleknights · October 28, 2013

Motherboard;ASRock Extreme4 Z77; 2.90 Version

Video;EVGA 780

Processor;i5 3570K @ 3.4GHz, (Used to be @4.2GHz) CMHyper + cooling

Memory; G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

Powersupply; OCZ Fatal1ty 750W Semi-Modcular.

Now, I am requesting some serious help. I am going to try my best to explain. I had my i5 3570k at 4.2GHz at 1.2V when I first got my motherboard/CPU in April of 2013. It was stable of course. It was fine till I installed Windows 8.1 Pro from 8 Pro coming from 7 Home Premium. When I turned on the PC, it shuts off right after it was turned on, then it restarted itself, so I thought something was wrong and I am thinking there is. Now I went to check my BIOS to see if there's any change. Turns out that there was a change. My CPU ratio is reverted back to 38. I tried editing every settings like when I had it at 4.2GHz, here's the problem, it force reverted back to 38 after I typed in 42 then enter. I tried again and again, it still reverted back to 38 like its all max out. I was able to achieved 4.7GHz before... I don't know what happened to my PC all of sudden. I tried clearing CMOS and nothing... So any help would be greatly appreciated. I am dying to get it back to 4.2GHz because it helps with what I do on my PC, Photoshop, gaming increasing min to max frames per second on Battlefield 3, and more. If its Asrock that's preventing an overclock, then give me an suggestion to get a different motherboard and CPU so I don't have to deal with this hassle anymore. I'm looking at i7 4770k or maybe 3770k if its not worth an upgrade and all. Thank you for your time reading this. Hopefully we can resolve this issues base on what ever you can think of.

Henrybrooks · October 28, 2013

If I was you I wouldn't get a i7 since they are not really that great, the problem seems to be that the over clock is not stable try setting it to 4GHz and reboot.

Also if that does not work try installing some software which can over clock inside of windows just to see if you can temporarily over clock. I know that Asus has some software called AI Suite that can over clock which is good for troubleshooting but I'm not sure if that will work with a ASRock board

Skeleknights · October 28, 2013

If I was you I wouldn't get a i7 since they are not really that great, the problem seems to be that the over clock is not stable try setting it to 4GHz and reboot.

Also if that does not work try installing some software which can over clock inside of windows just to see if you can temporarily over clock. I know that Asus has some software called AI Suite that can over clock which is good for troubleshooting but I'm not sure if that will work with a ASRock board

I could overclock it to 4.0GHz if it lets me. As I said, "I tried to set it back to 4.2 then pressed enter, it just force it back to 38." Its like my CPU doesn't want to pass 38 ratio in BIOS, that's before I could even save the settings, yet it still reverted it back to 38 like it's all maxed out. I have tried the Intel Tuning software, any other software and still won't allow me to overclock. I'm trying to rule out the problems one by one, from anyone's opinions. Thanks for the idea though.

Henrybrooks · October 29, 2013

Oh I see, try using this or something similar to create a new partition and install windows 7 or windows 8 on it, then try the over clock or if you cannot even apply the over clock setting try flashing a different bios version

Sevilla · October 29, 2013

Sounds like a BIOS issue.

Flash it to the latest version or just wipe it completely by removing the coin battery for 10 mins. Seems that maybe there is a setting you're overlooking hung up.

Skeleknights · October 29, 2013

Oh I see, try using this or something similar to create a new partition and install windows 7 or windows 8 on it, then try the over clock or if you cannot even apply the over clock setting try flashing a different bios version

Sounds like a BIOS issue.

Flash it to the latest version or just wipe it completely by removing the coin battery for 10 mins. Seems that maybe there is a setting you're overlooking hung up.

I installed the latest BIOS from 2.80 to 2.90 and it did not work. The partition did not work as well HDD shouldn't affect OC's?

Henrybrooks · October 29, 2013

No the HDD should not affect the OC but the windows copy might since it started happening after you got windows 8. Can you at least apply the over clock or does it not post after you save the OC, or does it not even let you save it?