Help! I'm having a really hard time with my new rig

[DougFrippon]

Well I received my new parts yesterday and took the entire day assembling and installing windows.

OS : Windows 7 Pro 64bits
Case : Cooler Master HAF X
PSU : Corsair 1050w
CPU : Intel i7 Ivy core 3770k
MOBO : Asus Sabertooth Z77
Cooler : Noctua NH-D14
Memory : 4x4gigs of G.Skills Jigsaw of DD3-1600 F3-12800CL9
Video Card : 2x Gigabyte GTX-670 OC Edition
SDD : (Recycling my old Crucial C300 128gb)


I installed windows and a few programs, once the PC was stable I started trying some overclocking. Changing multiplicator from 35x to 49x right away (4.9ghz), with a 1.38v VCORE. Right away I can tell something is wrong, in the POST screen it still says my cpu is @3.5ghz. I go to the bios to check my temps haven't changed and the multi really is at 49x.So I get it in windows, but even tough my temps were below 40degrees I got a few blue screen so I toned it down to 48x with 1.35v and now it has never crashed.

CPU ID Shows my cpu Core Speed being at 4.8ghz. But under "Specification" it says :
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770k CPU @ 3.50ghz. Other applications such as 3D Mark 11 report my PC running at 3.5ghz aswell... what's going on? Is it O/C'ed or not?

Well after a couple messing around I shrug it off and give 3D Mark 11 a try. I get the worse score ever. I wonder, wth? A quick comparaison with a good score explained why. It says I'm running with TWO Cpu Cores instend of four?!!!!? Wow I went in the bios put a bunch of stuff back to Auto, removed the overclock, default VCORE.. still same thing each time I boot now my computer only has 2 cores.... !?!?!?! I've been googling/reading a lot of stuff, but 2cores on my IVY bridge nothing comes up for that.. Oh PC Wizard and taskmanager apparently show activity from 4 cores... this is f'ed up

On top of that my gigabyte 670s are suposed to be @ 980mhz core, and multiple programs report the core running at 751mhz.

Sight.. here is a screen I just took:
http://i.imgur.com/IQTKk.jpg

edit: I cleared CMOS booted with default setting and it still says 2 cores

 

[Puppies04]

Ok you went about this completly wrong, you just jumped straight into your bios and started charging around like a bull in a china shop changing numbers.

Firstly you most likely need to let your CPU/cooler contact "bed in" as it can take a few das of running to get optimal temps while the TIM settles. Also if you want to use "standard" voltage and let the chip adjust itself 4.9 just isn't going to happen.

Second, some programs don't recognise overclocks, it doesn't mean youir CPU isn't actually overclocked.

Third, your GPUs don't have a core clock of 980mhz, they have a boost clock of 980mhz which won't be reported unless you assre stressing them out and they have enough thermal headroom.

fourth, your PSU is all kinds of overkill but I guess it is too late to do anything about that.

So heres what you are going to do, unplug your machine from the wall, remove the CMOS battery from the mobo, hold the case power button for 30 seconds then put it all back together and boot windows. Download intel burn test and prime 95 and then report back here.

 

[DougFrippon]

Ok you went about this completly wrong, you just jumped straight into your bios and started charging around like a bull in a china shop changing numbers.

Firstly you most likely need to let your CPU/cooler contact "bed in" as it can take a few das of running to get optimal temps while the TIM settles. Also if you want to use "standard" voltage and let the chip adjust itself 4.9 just isn't going to happen.

Second, some programs don't recognise overclocks, it doesn't mean youir CPU isn't actually overclocked.

Third, your GPUs don't have a core clock of 980mhz, they have a boost clock of 980mhz which won't be reported unless you assre stressing them out and they have enough thermal headroom.

fourth, your PSU is all kinds of overkill but I guess it is too late to do anything about that.

So heres what you are going to do, unplug your machine from the wall, remove the CMOS battery from the mobo, hold the case power button for 30 seconds then put it all back together and boot windows. Download intel burn test and prime 95 and then report back here.

1. I used an overclock ratio/voltage I've seen online witha similar CPU. I thought I'd use the settings and keep in eye on my temp right just to see. After seeing my temps were still 30ish.. I kept them..

2. I understand some program dont recognize overclock but the POST Screen should.. no?

3. alright for the video card I guess..

4. who cares if it overkill it wasn't that much expensive and I'm futureproofing

I cleared my CMOS with the jumper with powercord disconnected I guess it's just the same. The battery is under the shield.. I can't imagine how hard it'd be reaching it..

So I booted with default settings and it' still showing 2 cores

 

[MentalIlness]

1. I used an overclock ratio/voltage I've seen online witha similar CPU. I thought I'd use the settings and keep in eye on my temp right just to see. After seeing my temps were still 30ish.. I kept them..

2. I understand some program dont recognize overclock but the POST Screen should.. no?

3. alright for the video card I guess..

4. who cares if it overkill it wasn't that much expensive and I'm futureproofing

I cleared my CMOS with the jumper with powercord disconnected I guess it's just the same. The battery is under the shield.. I can't imagine how hard it'd be reaching it..

So I booted with default settings and it' still showing 2 cores

 

[Puppies04]

So I booted with default settings and it' still showing 2 cores

Hit the windows start button, type msconfig in the search box and press enter, click the boot tab and "advanced options". How many processors does it show?

 

[Borealis7]

i would very much like to know the temps you're getting at various clocks around 4GHz with that cooler.

 

[Puppies04]

1. I used an overclock ratio/voltage I've seen online witha similar CPU. I thought I'd use the settings and keep in eye on my temp right just to see. After seeing my temps were still 30ish.. I kept them..

2. I understand some program dont recognize overclock but the POST Screen should.. no?

3. alright for the video card I guess..

4. who cares if it overkill it wasn't that much expensive and I'm futureproofing

I cleared my CMOS with the jumper with powercord disconnected I guess it's just the same. The battery is under the shield.. I can't imagine how hard it'd be reaching it..

So I booted with default settings and it' still showing 2 cores

1. If your tempos were 30ish then your CPU was idle, if your CPU was idle then this told you absolutly nothing about the stability of your overclock or what the max temps under load would be.

2. To put it bluntly no, my post screen still shows my 2500K as a 3.3ghz CPU even though it is overclocked.

3. Yep

4. Don't want to get into a long drawn out conversation about this but PC power requirements are going down not up, so you aren't really futureproofing anything unless you plan running Tri SLI, but anyway back on to topic.

5. What is still showing 2 cores, are you still talking about 3D mark 11? What did msconfig say?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Future proofing? That PSU will go bad in around 5years or so like any other

Saw results online? Doesn't matter. Silicon lottery, every chip is different

 

[Puppies04]

Future proofing? That PSU will go bad in around 5years or so like any other

Won't matter in 5 years, by then you won't even need a PSU nano hamsters will have been perfected you will just need to add a little nano hamster feed every week or 2.

 

[borisvodofsky]

No, the OP did overclocking just fine. I punching in 4.5ghz before I even installed windows. because I knew the basic range of volts that's going to be needed.

OP, you're not likely going to maintain 4.9 on the 3770, even though you have the best AIR cooler out there.

The Chip is really small, and the heat just doesn't transfer very well, sadly, since the chip is very capable.

 

[borisvodofsky]

Won't matter in 5 years, by then you won't even need a PSU nano hamsters will have been perfected you will just need to add a little nano hamster feed every week or 2.

OMG Nano-hamsters sound delicious. I'm thinking deep fry.

 

[DougFrippon]

Wow that's weird, I switched it back to default value : 1.

Rebooted.. and now I'm at 1 core.. but I can't change the option anymore!

http://i.imgur.com/SvleW.png

CPU-Z shows 1 core, and Real Temp only reports temp from one core

 

[Puppies04]

I read a tweak guide suggesting switching this from 1 to 4. I've always done that...

So it's @ 4

Looooool, now go back in there and turn it to 8.

 

[Puppies04]

P.s I love it when my hunches turn out to be right .

 

[DougFrippon]

Ok heres what I did..
Unchecked the box completly.. rebooted. Now the option is back from 1 to 8. And CPU-ID shows 4 cores

Now should I put 8 cores.. ? isn't the 3770k a 4cores cpu..?

edit: yea switched the option to 8 cores, and CPU-ID shows I have 4 cores.. I'm so confused

 

[Puppies04]

It is showing 8 because it sees each hyperthreaded core as 2 "processors" either leave it on 8 or leave the check box blank.

 

[rickon66]

It shows 8 cores because of hyperthreading, and expecting 4.9ghz is not realistic. Start at a low overclock and work your way up to a stable realistic overclock! Patience grasshopper or cricket or whatever.

 

[pantsaregood]

Unless you alter your motherboard's interpretation of your CPU's microcode, the CPU will always identify itself as "Inte Core i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50 GHz."

That 3.50 GHz that shows up in the CPU's identification isn't the clock speed it is actually running at, though.

Also, I strongly advise against overclocking before installing Windows. It also isn't wise to attempt to copy someone's overclocked settings in most cases. Seeing a single 3770K at 4.9 GHz and copying the settings is a lot different than seeing "most will do 4.3 GHz with a little extra voltage."

 

[ShintaiDK]

Ok you went about this completly wrong, you just jumped straight into your bios and started charging around like a bull in a china shop changing numbers.

Hah, watch the Mytrhbusters episode on that!

Else I agree, wth 4.9Ghz without any test. And then wonder why it doesnt work

Not to mention 4.9Ghz on air requires...a good tad of luck.

 

[DougFrippon]

Unless you alter your motherboard's interpretation of your CPU's microcode, the CPU will always identify itself as "Inte Core i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50 GHz."

That 3.50 GHz that shows up in the CPU's identification isn't the clock speed it is actually running at, though.

Also, I strongly advise against overclocking before installing Windows. It also isn't wise to attempt to copy someone's overclocked settings in most cases. Seeing a single 3770K at 4.9 GHz and copying the settings is a lot different than seeing "most will do 4.3 GHz with a little extra voltage."

I understand that..

But with my Bloomfield i7 930, when I was overclocking it, in the post screen it would show the right clock.. i7 930 @ 3.9ghz

Guess they changed that microcode...

 

[cmdrdredd]

It reads the type of CPU now I guess and the CPU reports "I am a 3.5Ghz i7 3770k LGA 1155". Then the Bios says "Ok, I need you at x46 Multiplier. Thanks!"

 

[Apologiliac]

4.9 is a little steep right out of the gate with that chip. Is that cooler going to be adequate because the temps start jumping alot higher at 4.5< . stability also varies greatly at about 4.5 and up

 

[borisvodofsky]

4.9 is a little steep right out of the gate with that chip. Is that cooler going to be adequate because the temps start jumping alot higher at 4.5< . stability also varies greatly at about 4.5 and up

No, that cooler is absolutely NOT adequate. Even with expensive water loops, IVY heats up, because the small die surface hinders thermal conduction.

4.9 is almost impossibru without delid.

 

[Denithor]

Scratches head. Pulls up lawn chair and gets popcorn. Ready for the show!

Anyway, yeah, 4.9GHz is really pushing it on Sandy Bridge cpus let alone Ivy models. That's really just not a practical overclock target. Especially with an air cooler.

As others mentioned - start with a much lower OC, test for stability and then work your way up slowly. You're going to have to find the point where the cooler won't keep up with the heat generated (which will spike up quickly once you start adding extra volts).

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Scratches head. Pulls up lawn chair and gets popcorn. Ready for the show!

Anyway, yeah, 4.9GHz is really pushing it on Sandy Bridge cpus let alone Ivy models. That's really just not a practical overclock target. Especially with an air cooler.

As others mentioned - start with a much lower OC, test for stability and then work your way up slowly. You're going to have to find the point where the cooler won't keep up with the heat generated (which will spike up quickly once you start adding extra volts).

Two :thumbsup:

Old habits die hard -- no less the good ones. " . . . work your way up slowly . . . "

My own single departure from the tedious routine: See what the mobo's "turbo-over-clocking" or "AI-over-clocking" would do by itself. The result became an "intermediate milestone" on which to improve as I "worked my way up slowly."