GA-P67A-UD4-B3: i5 2500k Overclocking Basics

[digitalforce]

I just upgraded from an old Q6600 Core 2 Quad overclocked build on a Gigabyte board.  I just upgraded to a GA-P67A-UD4-B3 board with an i5 2500k cpu, 8 gigs of Corsair XMS3 RAM and a Corsair AX850 Pro series PSU.  I am running on stock cooler until I can find a cheap, solid cooler.  I run my gaming PC in our basement which is very cool so my idle temps are around 28 c on stock cooler.

I am experienced with the old overclocking via FSB methods but Sandy Bridge is throwing me for a loop

1 - I upgraded to F3 bios.. is this the best for overclocking?

2 - I don't understand what my CPU is really running at because the stock is 3.3ghz but Windows says it is running at 3.6ghz..  is there a real Windows tool that shows what it is running out?

3 - What are some basic tips/settings for my board to overclock on air?

Thanks in advance!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and you have never had a system so easy to overclock. Just by increasing the multiplier you can make a huge difference. But best thing is to read this first:

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,4072.0.html

[digitalforce]

Hi and you have never had a system so easy to overclock. Just by increasing the multiplier you can make a huge difference. But best thing is to read this first:

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,4072.0.html

Thank you for your prompt reply!

After a 3 hour ordeal with a POST loop (Don't try to overclock with the default F2 BIOS), I am ready to dive in.  I will take a look at the guide.

Just curious though right off, is it best to disabled Intel Turbo Boost and run with a constant OC speed or just set the multiplier higher and let Intel do it's business?

[Dark Mantis]

Personally I prefer to have manual control of everything. There is nothing stopping you playing around with it though and see what works best for you.

[digitalforce]

The guide is absolutely fantastic so far -- I have much tweaking to do 

[Dark Mantis]

Hope you have much fun! 

[digitalforce]

Instead of creating a whole new thread, I just had a couple of questions further:

1 - Should you ALWAYS use BIOS to test overclocks or is EasyTune 6 even an option while in OS (Windows 7 64 bit)?

2 - What is the safe/recommended temps for a i5-2500k?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Some people swear by EasyTune but personally I like to use the BIOS and other programs. It is all a matter of what you feel most comfortable with.

According to the Intel website TJmax is 72.6 C but you can use 98 C for the core temp maximimum I think.

As long as you haven't disabled Thermal Throttling of the CPU you should be safe anyway.

[digitalforce]

Started with a Turbo Boost conservative overclocking guide and got to 4.3ghz Turbo on stock cooler.  Anything higher than that just locks up on POST or Windows...  On 4.3 turbo, Crysis Warhead is running A LOT smoother in some areas compared to my Q6600.

Not too shabby for starters..

Don't know if I should up the maximum wattage or CPU vcore.  I really like having the auto turbo boost instead of a full time high overclock.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that is the thing yopu have to decide for yourself how and how much you are going to push things. Persoanlly although I like playing and seein ghow far things will go I don't run OCed much as I find that at the moment there is nothing to reallly push the hardware to the limit.

[digitalforce]

VERY true... the only things that really push my machine anymore are parts of Crysis Warhead and some of Metro 2033 yet I think with a 4.3 turbo boost, I am only bottlenecked by single GPU (GTX 570)

Thinking about going GTX 570 SLI but.. do I really need to for games that I have already played to death?

I have my eyes on BRINK, Witcher 2, Fable III, Red Faction Armageddon to see if I should bite the bullet on SLI..

If not, Skyrim or Battlefield 3 in fall

[Dark Mantis]

I know just how you feel. I often think I would like a nice multi GPU setup but then think what the hell for a lot of money and heat etc  when I can do fine with what I have already.

[themul]

Hi,

    Have a look here on this step by step guide which uses the exact same board and cpu that you wish to overclock.

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/07/how-to-overclock-the-intel-core-i5-2500k/4