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Before we OC: Make sure everything works

  • Start the system and enter BIOS
  • Press F5 to load optimized BIOS defaults
  • Hit F10 to save the BIOS and restart
  • Go back into Windows and open CPU-Z, you’ll find the CPU has clocked itself down to 1,600MHz when idle – this is normal.
default CPUZ
  • Run Prime95 and select the CPU intensive Small FFT test – the CPU should clock up to 3.8GHz, the maximum Turbo Boost frequency for this chip.

Time to Tweak: Hit the UEFI BIOS

Before starting, it’s important to note that there can be a great deal of variation between each i5-3570K CPU, so when it comes to both maximum attainable frequencies and the voltages required to reach them, your results may vary.  We’ve tested two samples here, one of which was very pliable about would achieve an OC without much effort at all, and the other which required a good deal more encouragement to reach the magic 4.5GHz. However, the good news is that almost all i5-3570K’s should be able to reach 4.5GHz with the Maximus V GENE.

  •  Start by setting the AI Overclock tuner to Manual
AI-tuner-to-manual
  • You may also wish to set this to XMP if you want the board to automatically configure your memory to its rated speed, but you can do this manually.
  • Ensure Ratio Synchronising control is Enabled
  • Set the 1-Core Ratio Limit to 45, the other three ratio limit values should change automatically.
multiplier-to-45
  • This is the multiplier (45). Be sure to leave the BCLK/PEG frequency at 100.0.
  • Adjust your Memory Frequency to match the frequency of your system RAM. By default this will be 1,333MHz, so set it to whatever specification your memory is rated to (Note that if you selected XMP, this will be automatically selected)
Memory
Be prepared for some trial and error due to variations between each CPU and the required voltage to reach 4.5GHz:
  • Scroll down to CPU Voltage and switch it to Manual Mode.
  • Set the required CPU voltage. Start high to reach your stable target frequency and then decrease it gradually. Remember more voltage = more heat, so you ideally want to find the lowest voltage at which your CPU can run 4.5GHz stably.
  • 1.25V is a good starting value that should be enough to get any i5-3570K to 4.5GHz, but this CPU was able to run stably at 1.21V. We’ll come back and adjust this down as needed later.
CPU-Voltage-setting
  • Adjusting the voltage up will automatically increase the CPU current capability to 140%, but you may also need to increase the Load Line Calibration setting. Some stubborn i5-3570K’s will require 1.25V and Extreme LLC to reach 4.5GHz.
  • To start, go into DIGI+ Power Control and set CPU Load-line Calibration to Extreme, but bear in mind that CPU temperatures will go up. (The CPU’s max temperature is 105°C, but ideally you want to keep it below 80C).
digi-power
DIGI+-screen

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