Safe overclock level?

[Aceman.au]

So I'm currently overclocking my 3930k to 4.6ghz. Temps @ idle are sitting around 40-50 degrees Celsius. The stock clock is 3.2ghz. Is such a large jump risky? Or will the PC shut down before damage is done?

I've been slowly moving the clock up. Starting @ 4.0, then 4.2, 4.4 and finally 4.6ghz. All stable except for a occasional crash with the error dxgmms1.sys (don't think it's related?)

VCORE for the CPU is aroud 0.900v to 1.1v in constant fluctuation. (topped @ 1.4v, no idea if this a bad thing)

If you need more info just say the word.

[DarkOCean]

Originally Posted by Aceman.au

So I'm currently overclocking my 3930k to 4.6ghz. Temps @ idle are sitting around 40-50 degrees Celsius. All stable except for a occasional crash with the error dxgmms1.sys.

how are the temps @ load its what matter.
the error its apparently related to direct x and gpus drivers.

[Aceman.au]

Yeah I was playing COD4 just then and the temps were around 55-60 C.

I did lock up however and have to shutdown the PC via power button. I've brought it back down to 4.4ghz.

[james888]

If temps are good, which 60c is, and you do not get cpu related bsod's I think you are golden.

[Aceman.au]

Yeah but I got a lock up. Which is a never a good sign. First time @ 4.6ghz, first lock up

[DarkOCean]

Originally Posted by Aceman.au

Yeah but I got a lock up. Which is a never a good sign. First time @ 4.6ghz, first lock up

probably it needs more vcore but watch the temps.

[Aceman.au]

Originally Posted by DarkOCean

probably it needs more vcore but watch the temps.

What sort of increase?

[tongey54]

Stress test it properly with IBT and Prime and see what your temps are then...

[HammerON]

What is your current vcore (CPU) set at in the BIOS?

[Aceman.au]

Originally Posted by HammerON

What is your current vcore (CPU) set at in the BIOS?

1.125 by memory

[buildzoid]

I pulled a 3960x to a semi stable 5Ghz on 1.495-1.525v but my 24/7 clock is 4.6 Ghz and for that anything between 1.3-1.45v should do it the 1.45 is the maximum reasonable voltage for the 32nm intels. For me 4.5 takes 1.35v 4.6 takes 1.365v 4.7Ghz takes 1.4v 4.8Ghz takes 1.425v and anything more takes over 1.5v. For some reason my CPU hates the 4.7 Ghz frequency as it always crashes even at the voltage I use for 4.8Ghz. Also if your Vcore in bios is set to auto then at 4.6Ghz it will be running over 1.3v and most likely way too high because of how the auto Vcore setting works. Lack of voltage causes a blue screen with: clock interrupt on secondary processor not received NOT a lock up so try manual voltages as your auto setting maybe giving you too much.

How to increase voltage safelyish(this is never 100% safe):
take voltage to 1.25v and start adding .025v till you manage to run 3 consecutive runs of cinebench without crashing once you do that start taking away by .005v until you can't pass the 3 cinebench runs now add .01v. that should be you minimum stable voltage now you can try a burn in test if you like, but I just run a bunch more cinebench runs in the background of internet surfing. BTW what mobo you using

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by buildzoid

I pulled a 3960x to a semi stable 5Ghz on 1.495-1.525v but my 24/7 clock is 4.6 Ghz and for that anything between 1.3-1.45v should do it the 1.45 is the maximum reasonable voltage for the 32nm intels. For me 4.5 takes 1.35v 4.6 takes 1.365v 4.7Ghz takes 1.4v 4.8Ghz takes 1.425v and anything more takes over 1.5v. For some reason my CPU hates the 4.7 Ghz frequency as it always crashes even at the voltage I use for 4.8Ghz. Also if your Vcore in bios is set to auto then at 4.6Ghz it will be running over 1.3v and most likely way too high because of how the auto Vcore setting works. Lack of voltage causes a blue screen with: clock interrupt on secondary processor not received NOT a lock up so try manual voltages as your auto setting maybe giving you too much.

How to increase voltage safelyish(this is never 100% safe):
take voltage to 1.25v and start adding .025v till you manage to run 3 consecutive runs of cinebench without crashing once you do that start taking away by .005v until you can't pass the 3 cinebench runs now add .01v. that should be you minimum stable voltage now you can try a burn in test if you like, but I just run a bunch more cinebench runs in the background of internet surfing. BTW what mobo you using

Good post.

I use 1.41 V for my 3960X @ 4.6 GHz.

[Aceman.au]

Ok I've got it up to 4.6GHZ on 1.445 core voltage, Fixed mode.

On CPU-ID Hardware monitor. AVCC and 3vCC are both 3.296v. Is this normal/related?

[johnspack]

Even using offset voltage.. you still need that much? Hmm, I'm a bit disappointed in sb-e.