How do you overclock?

[thehotsung8701A]

I hope asking this question doesn't make me a noob. I have never overclock my computer in fear that it would damage my components or lower the component life cycle.

Well that was the old naive me anyway.

Back-on topic, here are some of the questions I have for you guys.

1. What parts of a PC can be overclock? Is it just the CPU and GPU? Why does my old motherboard say overclock on it, can you OC a motherboard?

2. How does one overclock exactly? What program do you guys use?

3. I'm not familiar with the clock speed or memory speed so what does it mean and how do you know what the maximum limit is for your GPU before you go overboard and destroy it? Like what would be a good OC clock or memory speed?

4. I never overclock so I don't really know these components. I don't understand what a water block, water cooler, liquid cooler, and radiator does? Are these a must for overclocking? What other components do I need for overclocking as well?

5. I have build my computer before but it was very long time ago. I have never actually install any of the cooling components above so there a lot to learn after a 7 years hiatus. I like to know these things and I plan on being in depth with my computer this time around and I like to tweak things to my liking.


Thank you all for your help!

 

[soccerballtux]

and the RAM.

usually you use the BIOS, incrementally increasing the voltage and the frequency, and then running stability test software. For AMD, I use a wonderful software tool call AMD MSR Tweaker that lets me control it from software. That way I can set the voltage to the maximum I want and slowly bump up the bus speed, running stress testing software like Prime95-TortureTest along the way, until it locks up.

and google for 'how do I overlcock"

basically you want to keep the temps and voltages within boundaries when you overclock. On AMD, my FX I try to keep below 70C, Intels can go a bit higher like 85C, but keeping the temps lower improves the MOSFET efficiency, so low is good

 

[MongGrel]

Read the Sticky, for starters.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2195063

 

[thehotsung8701A]

and the RAM.

usually you use the BIOS, incrementally increasing the voltage and the frequency, and then running stability test software. For AMD, I use a wonderful software tool call AMD MSR Tweaker that lets me control it from software. That way I can set the voltage to the maximum I want and slowly bump up the bus speed, running stress testing software like Prime95-TortureTest along the way, until it locks up.

and google for 'how do I overlcock"

basically you want to keep the temps and voltages within boundaries when you overclock. On AMD, my FX I try to keep below 70C, Intels can go a bit higher like 85C, but keeping the temps lower improves the MOSFET efficiency, so low is good

So it has to do with Bios then? I guess sooner or later I got to learn this Bios things. It just really complex and confusing with so many option and choices.

 

[MongGrel]

BIOS is the prefered way for people that have been doing it a long time.

Software is passe, and not stable usually.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

BIOS is the prefered way for people that have been doing it a long time.

Software is passe, and not stable usually.

I suppose I'm fine to see all the AI overclocking features built into the last few generations of motherboards. And I'm fine with the software tuning utilities, despite their pitfalls.


And -- I also suppose -- this is a good thing for new pledges to the Omega-Chi fraternity/sorority. Good -- for mild overclocks.

But tweaking the Advanced menus of the UEFI BIOS screens gets you a lot farther, avoids over-volting the processor, and gives you more control of the situation.

I forgot what processor the OP plans to use, but I thought he mentioned it in another tread of "Cases and Cooling."

 

[thehotsung8701A]

I suppose I'm fine to see all the AI overclocking features built into the last few generations of motherboards. And I'm fine with the software tuning utilities, despite their pitfalls.


And -- I also suppose -- this is a good thing for new pledges to the Omega-Chi fraternity/sorority. Good -- for mild overclocks.

But tweaking the Advanced menus of the UEFI BIOS screens gets you a lot farther, avoids over-volting the processor, and gives you more control of the situation.

I forgot what processor the OP plans to use, but I thought he mentioned it in another tread of "Cases and Cooling."

Been watching a lot of Youtube video about guide and what not. I'm a by the book guy so I want to know everything about my computers hardware and software.

As for processor, I don't believe I mention which one I'm getting. I'm not quite sure at this point since my build is not a typical build so it not cut and dry. I am building for multiple monitors support so I don't believe any i5 is going to cut it. I believe I have to go with the i7 but I'm not exactly sure which one yet.

I am watching and reading guide and overview of all components of a computer and right now I'm starting with motherboard since that the central nervous system of the computer. I also need to do more research on i5 and i7 core and also the new Skylake and what that all about. Also that you notice I made a case thread, even I still can't figure out exactly what I want. Meaning I found the right case for me but I doubt it the best in terms of feature that I really want. Even my old case got feature that the new case (Corsair 760T) does not have, which is a bummer.

AMD FURY X won't come out for a few more weeks so I have time to do as much research and gain as much knowledge as I can and even then I'll wait for CLC and more review before I buy a GPU.

 

[hawtdawg]

I push my CPU/GPU's to the edge of what is considered "safe" temp and voltage wise while maintaining 100% stability. I also try to get the lowest timings possible out of my RAM.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

I push my CPU/GPU's to the edge of what is considered "safe" temp and voltage wise while maintaining 100% stability. I also try to get the lowest timings possible out of my RAM.

How do you know what is consider the "safe" temperature and voltage?

 

[billbobaggins87]

your asking all the questions that OC guides give you on your hardware. Read a guide. its all there. especially the TEMPs and voltage recommendations. listed from manufacturer as well as what people have been experiencing.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

How do you know what is consider the "safe" temperature and voltage?

I'd need to go back to the Intel web-site to refresh my understanding, but it was once the case that Intel posted "specs" for two voltage ranges: The "safe" voltage range and the "operable" voltage range. It would only be the upper boundaries of these ranges that have much relevance for us, other than the possibility that certain extreme overclocking regimens may cause the idle voltage to dip too low and lead to crashes in idle or when returning to idle from load.

The operable range -- above "safe" -- was a range in which the processor would continue to operate, but slowly degrade. Once degradation had occurred, the processor would continue to operate normally at its stock settings, but further overclocking would be fruitless or more damaging.

The safe range had been printed on Intel retail boxes -- or the white-label on those boxes -- for earlier generations of processors. As far as I know, the last published "safe" spec was for the Nehalem 32nm processors.

So most of us who acquired 32nm Sandy Bridge cores after Nehalem would try to keep our drooped load voltage under ~1.38V. Some suggested it should be 1.35V.

With Ivy Bridge and Haswell, it would be a "good guess" based on the die shrink. Generally, people talk about ending their OC efforts once they were showing voltages between 1.30 and 1.32V. 1.29V may be as prudent as it is cautious.

Under all these conditions, the thermal problem emerges. Intel still publishes a thermal spec -- of sorts. It is the TCASE spec, which is probably ~ 73C for regular Haswell cores and ~68C for the Haswell E processors.

This means you could probably complete stress-testing with temperatures in the 90s Celsius, and over the long haul no thermal damage would occur to the CPU if it mostly operated within or close to the spec temperature. Of course the processors throttle at ~100C or so -- for their own safety.

Some will say I'm too cautious or misinformed about this, but you have to ask why Intel still publishes that thermal spec, but no longer indicates a "safe" voltage limit.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

your asking all the questions that OC guides give you on your hardware. Read a guide. its all there. especially the TEMPs and voltage recommendations. listed from manufacturer as well as what people have been experiencing.

I try to read guide when I can but I have ADD and so it much easier reading on forum versus reading on guide. I have a separate time slot when I read guides, usually early in the morning since that when my brain is at max capacity and functionality.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I try to read guide when I can but I have ADD and so it much easier reading on forum versus reading on guide. I have a separate time slot when I read guides, usually early in the morning since that when my brain is at max capacity and functionality.

Take your time. Take notes when you read in short bursts.

 

[soccerballtux]

I suppose I'm fine to see all the AI overclocking features built into the last few generations of motherboards. And I'm fine with the software tuning utilities, despite their pitfalls.


And -- I also suppose -- this is a good thing for new pledges to the Omega-Chi fraternity/sorority. Good -- for mild overclocks.

But tweaking the Advanced menus of the UEFI BIOS screens gets you a lot farther, avoids over-volting the processor, and gives you more control of the situation.

I forgot what processor the OP plans to use, but I thought he mentioned it in another tread of "Cases and Cooling."

those auto-overclocking options are goofy I don't touch those.

software overclocking AMD side is fine and stable.

 

[hawtdawg]

How do you know what is consider the "safe" temperature and voltage?

i mostly just go by general consensus. ie don't push above 1.35 on vcore or 90c in a stress test etc on Intel 22nm etc. That's why I put "safe" in quotes. Not very scientific really, but I'm willing to take the risk, CPU's aren't that expensive , not that i've ever fried one.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Take your time. Take notes when you read in short bursts.

That guide was awful. I manage to able to understand OC from Youtube. I think I know enough about overclocking now. At least I understand the basic and it much more simple than I thought.


Do you know of any guide that teach about all the different type of cooling method and fans? Or an overview of it? Can't seem to find one via Youtube.