MSI H81i and G3258 Overclock Madness (BSOD)

[silverbluee]

Built a Mini-ITX build with the following components:

• MSI H81I Mobo
• 8GB RAM
• Intel G3258
• ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 CPU Cooler
• EVGA 500B 500W PSU
• 1TB HDD

I got Windows 8.1 installed and running, and through the MSI BIOS I'm able to change the multiplier, but any change causes Windows to BSOD after BIOS. I can only set it to 40 (4.0 Ghz) and it won't BSOD for a while if I set voltage to auto. I've been trying to tweak the numbers but I can't find anything that works.
I'm fairly sure this mobo can overclock the CPU, as there's a post saying so here . Additionally, the Amazon reviews state successful overclocks.
Finally, I have the correct and updated BIOS version (10.5). I'm a little new to the overclocking game so some advice would be really appreciated! Thanks.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think that you are expecting far too much to start out with. The stock multi of a G3258 is 32. Try setting your BIOS vcore (not VRIN) to AUTO, set your CPU core multi to 32x, and work upwards from there.

My G3258 in a Gigabyte GA-H81M-DS2V, even with the vcore maxed at 1.2v, will only push the CPU core multi to 38 (3.8Ghz). Attempting 40x won't boot. At 39x, it will boot, but I get crashes.

 

[TheGoat Eater]

When overclocking patience is key... I have been overclocking for about a decade now and I have known that maddening feeling for sure. The best place to start for you is manually go from stock speed up by 200MHz at the start until you fail. If you do try 100MH, then 50MHz, etc... When you find a speed you can't get to with the current voltage slightly step up your voltage safely a small amount at a time and then try to make that speed stable. You want to make sure that you are not giving too much voltage to cause the chip to run too hot with the cooling it has so play it safe and go small step by step. It will take longer than jumping into it head first but you will end up knowing how your CPU operates at X and X voltage and be able to tune things easier again if needed. The time spent is worth the performance gained.