Overclocking Using Offset Mode for CPU Core Voltage

[Raja@ASUS]

Many of you have asked us how to use Offset Mode in BIOS to over or underclock a CPU, so we’ve put together a quick guide that should help users better understand how to use
the Offset Mode function.

We’ve tried to keep things as simple as possible, while providing enough information to help further understanding of this feature.

Intel programs each processor with a stock voltage using a binary code (known as VID). This binary code is utilized by the motherboard voltage regulator module to set the correct
voltage for the processor at stock operating frequency.

At stock, Intel’s power saving features such and SpeedStep, EIST and C-States are active. Under light loading conditions, SpeedStep reduces the CPU multiplier thus lowering the
operating frequency. EIST dynamically lowers the VID while various C-States sends parts of the processor into low power or off state to help save power consumption.

As we increase the processor’s operating frequency, we’re going to need to increase VCore in order to facilitate higher switching frequencies of the processor core.
The conventional method of doing this is simply to set voltage control to manual mode and type in the required voltage for stability at the selected operating frequency.
However, the side effect of using this method is that the applied voltage code (VID) remains static under all loading conditions so we end up increasing power consumption
and heat production under light loading conditions unnecessarily.

The workaround for this is to use Offset Mode in BIOS to set the processor’s operating voltage. In order to do this on the ROG boards we need to set CPU Voltage from
Manual Mode to Offset Mode:




http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3360/offsetmode.jpg


http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/7707/phasecont.jpg
Note that on the ROG boards; Phase Control needs to be set changed from Extreme to Standard, Optimized or Manual in order for Offset Mode to become available in the CPU Voltage menu.



http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/2249/llcp.jpg
We recommend that you set Load-line Calibration to 75% if using Offset Mode to control Vcore.




With these two functions set, we can move back to the previous screen and change the CPU Turbo multiplier to a higher value, so that the processor ramps
to a higher frequency when under sufficient load from software:



http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4138/multiy.jpg
BIOS displays the target CPU frequency on the same page.



As pointed out in earlier guides, most CPUs will scale to 4.5GHz with the right cooling. We’d recommend you start out lower than that to get a feel for
how well your processor scales with voltage. In our example we’ve selected a 43X multiplier, giving us a Turbo frequency circa 4.3GHz under load.

At this point we can reboot the system; the CPU voltage will be offset from stock voltage automatically – as you increase operating freqeuncy, the default voltage
will automatically increase. In order to find out what the new load voltage is, we can boot Windows and run a stress test, while keeping ROG CPU-Z open to get a rough
idea of how much voltage the processor is seeing under load or if you’re handy with a multimeter, the ROG boards have a measurement point situated near the DIMM
slots allowing for a more accurate reading.




http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3108/volt1.jpg
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4226/volt2h.jpg
AUTO default voltages for idle and full load conditions. These will vary from processor to processor.




BIOS may have applied more voltage than the CPU requires for stability at 4.3GHz, in which case we simply enter BIOS and use the
Offset Mode function to decrease VID appropriately:




http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/231/offsetsig.jpg




With the “-“, (negative) voltage range selected, the voltage you select will be subtracted from the load voltage we saw in the operating system.
For example if our full load voltage was 1.376V in the operating system, and we’d like it to be 1.32V instead, we simply set 0.05V as
the negative offset (1.37V-0.05V=1.32V).




http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8427/volt3.jpg




Bear in mind though that this will also offset your idle voltage by the same value. As an example, with the default voltage settings,
our 2500K processor’s idle voltage (at 16x CPU multiplier ratio) is 1.045V. If we subtract 0.05V from the full load voltage, the idle voltage
will be reduced by the same value:




http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/6531/volt4.jpg




So if we offset the voltage too far with the negative voltage scale, there will come a point where the idle voltage is no longer sufficient to sustain
the idle processor clock frequency.

If we wish to add voltage to the full load VID, we simply use the + offset and increase to increase the voltage level. The “+” offset scale isn’t as direct
as the” –“ scale when it comes to changing voltage, that’s because one of the features of SVID (serial VID) is that it allows the processor to request
voltage based upon operating frequency, current draw and thermal conditions- hence adding 0.05V to 1.376V results in a full load voltage of 1.40V.




http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8537/volt5.jpg




Similarly the idle voltage is increased by only 0.025V, too:



http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6963/volt6.jpg




That’s why we recommend getting a feel for how the offset range works with your processor, before pushing the system hard. Offset Mode may appear
to be an overly complex way to overclock initially, but once you get the hang of it the results are very worthwhile.

[xeromist]

This is really cool. I never knew this was available. We had someone asking a question like this just the other day here on the forums.

[Fr0stX]

Is this feature available on the Rampage III Extreme? I ws the guy who asked the question and I fear that the aswer will be "on every board except the Rampage III extreme"...

[ottoyu34]

Awesome guide, it should be all clear now

[JJFIVEOH]

Thank you this is VERY helpful! I've gone through so many combinations of settings and BIOS over the last couple of months looking for a stable (yet cool and efficient) 4.8-4.9 OC. I should have kept notes of what I have done so far. But I've tried several auto tunes using some default settings and then some manual and enabled settings and usually come across consistent mid to high 30 degree idle temps with about 120W of power consumption. Yesterday using 1303 I manually OC'ed to 4.9 using the guide on the third post of this thread. http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?2157-Maximus-IV-Extreme-Bios-Sandybridge-CPU-Overview-and-CPU-Overclocking-Guide

It's a great set up except it runs about 50 degrees at idle and uses about 165W of power. Not that it's a problem but I'd always like to try and get it so when at idle it stays efficient. I would have to assume once you get into the 4.8+ range the Vcore can't dip down too low because the BCLK and CPU ratio are too high and would cause it to lockup at idle (in essence the system would actually run better when it's being used). Which is probably why this thread mentions the offsetting is good to 4.5. I would also have to assume if I use some offsetting it might drop the temps and power consumption down some, but won't get into the 30's at 120W like with a 4.6 set up. I guess the only way to find out is to try. Anybody feel free to share their results if you've tried this. I try to add mine in case others are looking for the same ideas. I I think first I might try 1407 and 1409 with the exact same settings I'm using now to see if there is any difference and then try offsetting based on which BIOS works best. Thanks!

[Praz]

Offset voltage will work at higher overclocks. Depending on the system it may take some time finding the optimal settings though. Once you are stable under load at these higher clocks at-idle instability can become an issue. If that is the case there are a couple of different approaches that can be used. A slight increase of the offset voltage above what is needed for loaded stability may boost idle voltage enough to bring about stability at that end also. If not you can lower LLC one notch which will require a considerable increase of offset voltage to get back to your original loaded voltage value. This should also raise idle voltage to an acceptable level to maintain stability at idle. This will allow you to stay with your desired overclock while dropping to 1600MHz at around 1.00V - 1.10V at idle.

[JJFIVEOH]

I have since flashed to 1409 and put all my settings exactly the way they were with 1303 when idle temps were at 50 and power usage was 160W. Now they are back to mid to high 30's @ 120W just like they are at OEM default. Of course it's using 1.42V 100% of the time, for some reason the power usage increased with 1303. I was more concerned about the heat and efficiency but since it is now back to where it was previously, is there any reason besides CPU wear that I should consider messing with offsetting?

I ran a complete 3DMark test at max settings with 1920 x 1080 res and came through with flying colors. I understand 3DMark is for graphics, but it does put the CPU through a good workout.

Praz, thank you for all your help BTW.

[JJFIVEOH]

Quick question..... when it says this:



Note that on the ROG boards; Phase Control needs to be set changed from Extreme to Standard, Optimized or Manual in order for Offset Mode to become available in the CPU Voltage menu.

Which of the three is best for shooting for 4.8-5.0? Or does it not matter?

[Raja@ASUS]

Optimized or Manual should do it - I can't quite remember the options off the top of my head in the Manual sub-section, but one of the more aggressive options in there should suffice.

-Raja

[Praz]

Quick question..... when it says this:



Which of the three is best for shooting for 4.8-5.0? Or does it not matter?
These setting should be good to 5.0GHZ - 5.1GHz.


http://www.asusrog.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=887&d=1306761475

[JJFIVEOH]

These setting should be good to 5.0GHZ - 5.1GHz.




Optimized or Manual should do it - I can't quite remember the options off the top of my head in the Manual sub-section, but one of the more aggressive options in there should suffice.

-Raja

Thanks guys. I stuck with the optimized and as I mentioned already it is very stable at 1.38V now @ 4.8. I chose manual voltage instead of offset because I felt there is way too much range between min and max in the offset. Without offsetting anything +/- it did dip down to 1.1x range at idle but it did spike well into the 1.5x range (even saw a 1.61 once) which doesn't sit well with me. I wish there was a way to control the range as well. When I set a - offset I think it was too low because a couple of times I had problems booting.

Seeing is I have run several benchmark programs to check stability with 4.8 @ 1.38 and have yet to have a single problem, I don't see any benefit in the offset going above 1.4 much less close to 1.6. I can see this being beneficial for a lower OC though.

As for the 5.1 setup, thank you! That works just as well but I needed to jump to 1.45V for this to work. I am satisfied now knowing I can hit 5.1 and gotten more familiar with all the settings which is what I wanted in the first place. 4.8 is perfect for everyday multi-tasking over the stock 3.4.

One thing I have noticed is with my current setup at 4.8 I am using 112-117 watts at idle whereas I was using in the 120 range with all defaults. That's not what surprises me, what does surprise me is the default 4.6 OC uses 160 watts at idle yet an extreme auto tune that hits 4.6 only uses 120-130. Not sure which settings are changed from default to auto tune that would make auto tune run more efficient. Just something I noted in case anybody else is reading this. :cool:

[doze off.]

I have a question, I'm still so understanding more about the offset. But the explanation you say:

With the “-“, (negative) voltage range selected, the voltage you select will be subtracted from the load voltage we saw in the operating system.
For example if our full load voltage was 1.376V in the operating system, and we’d like it to be 1.32V instead, we simply set 0.05V as the negative offset (1.37V-0.05V=1.32V).

With this explanation I understood that: For example my 2600k requires 1.376v to be stabilized via LinX, if I use this mode and put offset -5 (as you described in your explanation), will be 1.326v, but with this voltage to be my system completely unstable. That's right?

[Raja@ASUS]

With this explanation I understood that: For example my 2600k requires 1.376v to be stabilized via LinX, if I use this mode and put offset -5 (as you described in your explanation), will be 1.326v, but with this voltage to be my system completely unstable. That's right?

You would have to set - Offset to 0.05V to get 1.326V from 1.376V.

If it is stable at 1.376V, why would you want to lower the VCore to 1.326V and make the CPU unstable?

-Raja

[doze off.]

You would have to set - Offset to 0.05V to get 1.326V from 1.376V.

If it is stable at 1.376V, why would you want to lower the VCore to 1.326V and make the CPU unstable?

-Raja
Because I'd like to understand what really makes the offset, because I see many people using and like to do here as well to test. But since I got 4.6GHz 1.376v stable or need to tamper with the offset mode then?
And in what situation I would have to move? Thanks for the reply!

[Raja@ASUS]

Because I'd like to understand what really makes the offset, because I see many people using and like to do here as well to test. But since I got 4.6GHz 1.376v stable or need to tamper with the offset mode then?
And in what situation I would have to move? Thanks for the reply!


You would only move to find lowest voltage the CPU is stable at - so run a stress test. Lower voltage by 0.01V, run the stress test again, etc. Find the minimum stable voltage and leave it there.

-Raja

[Night Gyr]

Hello.

Is this feature available on non-ROG boards?

Regards,
--Night Gyr

[Raja@ASUS]

All P67/Z68 boards AFAIK from P8P67 onwards.

-Raja

[Night Gyr]

Thank you.

Given that he OC method is the same for the ROG and non-ROG boards, I'd like to know, what are the advantages of the ROG boards' power subsystem? What are the essential differences between those power subsystems?

[Raja@ASUS]

Mainly comes down to higher total current capacity on the major rails and perhaps a slightly better transient response. Due to platform integration any "performance" disparity between board models is only noticeable when chasing benchmark scores at high overclocks or when running very high DRAM speeds with all DIMM slots populated.

-Raja

[Fr0stX]

I just ran into a weird issue.

For test purpose I run at:
4.0Ghz via Turbo multiplier
XMP memory profile at 1600mhz
HT on
Core controlable by OS
Vcore offset: Auto
LLC: 50%
Vcore in bios after reboot: 1.175v
CPU-z: 1.328v
Bios:1902

Am I missing something? 1.328v in CPU-z for this frequency seem way too high, not to mention that the bios and CPU-z have so different V-core value!

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[Raja@ASUS]

Set Offset to negative and offset down to where you want it to be.

-Raja

[Fr0stX]

Yeah I know I can lower the v-core using negative offset value but the thing Im questionning is why is CPU-z reporting a voltage almost 0.150v over what the bios had chosen and reported after using auto value in the offset field... Are you saying this is a normal behavior?

From testing, in manual mode, 1.165v is fine for 4.0Ghz. I know auto value will be over this so 1.175v seems fine to me. This is why I don't understant why once window is loaded I get en increase of 0.150v...

Also, offset cannot lower under -0.075v, beyond that, the system won't post. So lowest V-core I can get is 1.250v even if in manual it works at 1.165v.

[Raja@ASUS]

The CPU is not at max frequency when in UEFI, so yes this is normal (the VID is ramped with the multiplier/load). There are some tradeoffs to using Offset Mode, however, most CPU's will run 4.5GHz or so with the right cooling, so the voltage ramp generally fits.

Best for you to choose an operating point that gives you the peace of mind you are looking for.



Yeah I know I can lower the v-core using negative offset value but the thing Im questionning is why is CPU-z reporting a voltage almost 0.150v over what the bios had chosen and reported after using auto value in the offset field... Are you saying this is a normal behavior?

From testing, in manual mode, 1.65v is fine for 4.0Ghz. I know auto value will be over this so 1.175v seems fine to me. This is why I don't understant why once window is loaded I get en increase of 0.150v...

Also, offset cannot lower under -0.075v, beyond that, the system won't post. So lowest V-core I can get is 1.250v even if in manual it works at 1.165v.

[Fr0stX]

Thanks guys. I stuck with the optimized and as I mentioned already it is very stable at 1.38V now @ 4.8. I chose manual voltage instead of offset because I felt there is way too much range between min and max in the offset. Without offsetting anything +/- it did dip down to 1.1x range at idle but it did spike well into the 1.5x range (even saw a 1.61 once) which doesn't sit well with me. I wish there was a way to control the range as well. When I set a - offset I think it was too low because a couple of times I had problems booting.

Seeing is I have run several benchmark programs to check stability with 4.8 @ 1.38 and have yet to have a single problem, I don't see any benefit in the offset going above 1.4 much less close to 1.6. I can see this being beneficial for a lower OC though.

As for the 5.1 setup, thank you! That works just as well but I needed to jump to 1.45V for this to work. I am satisfied now knowing I can hit 5.1 and gotten more familiar with all the settings which is what I wanted in the first place. 4.8 is perfect for everyday multi-tasking over the stock 3.4.

One thing I have noticed is with my current setup at 4.8 I am using 112-117 watts at idle whereas I was using in the 120 range with all defaults. That's not what surprises me, what does surprise me is the default 4.6 OC uses 160 watts at idle yet an extreme auto tune that hits 4.6 only uses 120-130. Not sure which settings are changed from default to auto tune that would make auto tune run more efficient. Just something I noted in case anybody else is reading this. :cool:

Based on Raja answer, I can see the same here:

Offset auto
3.4 1.250v
4.0 1.328v
4.5 1.420v
4.8 1.530v

Using the offset mode - best stable value
3.4 1.250v - 0.165 = 1.088v
4.0 1.328v - 0.070 = 1.260v
4.5 1.420v - 0.060 = 1.360v
4.8 1.530v - 0.005 = 1.525v (not tested for stability for ovious reason...)

Manual stable voltage:
3.4 0.975v
4.0 1.165v
4.5 1.300v
4.8 1.375v

So my conclusion is:

For stock undervolting or for people with low OC and computer sitting at idle for long period, the offset option is worth it.

For higher overclock, the load voltage is too high to make this option worth it and in some case it is limit to be dangerous for long period (ex. 4.8 at 1.525v...)

[Audionut]

The CPU is not at max frequency when in UEFI, so yes this is normal (the VID is ramped with the multiplier/load).

It would be extremely handy if the bios could report VID at various frequencies.

[fsxguru]

Raja

I just tried using your write up for offset mode

My problem is that in my bios There is no way to choose Offset mode
Under CPU voltage I have manual but it's blackened
If I change Extreme OV to enable or disable still blackened manual under CPU voltage

Am I missing something

My system is
Maximus Gene-Z
i2500K
Latest 0403 bios - new board 3 days old

Thanks
Bo

[Praz]

Need to change the default Phase Control setting. From the first part of the guide:


Note that on the ROG boards; Phase Control needs to be set changed from Extreme to Standard, Optimized or Manual in order for Offset Mode to become available in the CPU Voltage menu.

[fsxguru]

thanks Praz
i missed that
will try and do

[Praz]

You're welcome. That should do the trick.

[stupidolive]

Hi,
I have an ASUS P8Z68-V LE board, I am having offset as AUTO right now and the Ratio is 43. I use a Corsair A70 heatsink/cpu cooler. I also got similar number to the one posted before that in idle, vcore is 1.048 and in prime95, it's at 1.328. I tried to offset to - 0.05 and it wont boot up, now i change to -0.02 and i got BSOD within 1 minute running Prime95. Is that weird? Right now i'm keeping at AUTO for OFFSET... and running prime95, the vcore is 1.328.
Should i set something else?
Also, there is ino dropdown menu in which I can set my CPU Voltage manual . Is that b/c i have the LE motherboard?
I also wonder, between temp reported in Asus AI software and realtemp, which one i should believe? Real temp is saying i have 57-64-64-61C while ASUS says 42C. I am confused! thank you

[Foka]

I have one i7 2600k + Maximus IV Extreme-Z

When i put the vcore in offset AUTO.. everything works great.. but my vcore goes
to 1.46 with processor working at 4.6.

I tried to put "-" 0.06... (cuz i conclued without errors in LinX with 1.395)... But i received BSOD in windows loading all time...

I did something wrong? :(

[rysiu]

Why i can't change TURBO Settings (x43) its unavailable for me on gray, i cant change it like in your tutorial.

And when i set offset like in your tutorial, i have monitored with HWMonitor, and minimum voltage was 0,22v !!?? Whats wrong, why it was so low? Normally in idle on 4,3ghz with offset is 0,94v and load 1,3v.

[glw165]

same here @ 5ghz offset auto was ramping to 1.62, so i offset - from 0.100 to 0.025 and none work as it idles too low on vcore

[spoonman007]

Had the same problem u guys had , wanted lower voltages when at idle so looked into offset Vcore - what a pain - I ended up using auto but had to set LLC back down to 0% as auto was overvolting to much aswell as undervolting to much and would cause BSOD but is now perfect at 5.0Ghz Vcore auto offset idle @ 1.6Ghz - 1.26v +/- / 5Ghz -1.504 +/- . And i adjusted everything else first all voltages high and low for days on end. So i try to help others as this is a pain in the butt - 0 degradation so far and for months had my 2600k at over 1.5Vcore - lucky i guess - with huge water cooling setup.

[spoonman007]

Sorry should have said - Had the same problem glw165 had and Foka too - but for everyone i would try changing LLC as this reflects highly in offset Vcore. rysiu i would try updating your bios sounds like an error / old bios.

HAF-X - full window mod, Maximus IV Extreme P67 , 2600k @ 5Ghz - Vcore auto offset - 0% LLC , Kingston HyperX 2000 @ 1866 8-8-8-18 , Antec TPQ 1200 , MSI GTX 580 Lightning XT 3GB , HP ZR30w 2560x1600 res. , 2 C300 128Gb SSD RAID 0 Boot/Games/apps. - 2 WD Velociraptors 300Gb RAID 0 Backup/Storage , Dvd/Cd burner/reader Asus 24b1st , 6 fan controller , dual bay resevoir with 2 655 pumps over 2000 watts heat disapation through 2 360 rads , and 9 fans total!

Soon to redo cooiing setup for more disapation with EK-Supreme blocks and 1 or 2 more rads all internal - HAF-X case is enormous, and the BEST!!! Pics will be up when cooling is redone.

[hrbngr]

Ok,

Does anyone understand how the Vcore Load-Line Calibration from the Maximus boards and the Load-line calibration from the Non-ROG boards--Z68Pro/Dlx compare? If the settings are the same, are the percentages the same as well?

Next, does anyone have a feel for the stable idle voltage ranges useable for offset changes?

Finally, I have seen various replies in this post for the voltage the mobo choose when running at various multipliers--does the motherboard use the manually entered multiplier and then increase voltage to the CPU until successful? If so, are there any ways to affect this value besides forcing a manual voltage amount?

I would like to be able to set a max load voltage--say 1.40v for example--then determine maximum stable multiplier, while still being able to drop to a stable idle voltage using the "-" Offset Mode Sign feature--if possible.

[JJFIVEOH]

Based on Raja answer, I can see the same here:

Offset auto
3.4 1.250v
4.0 1.328v
4.5 1.420v
4.8 1.530v

Using the offset mode - best stable value
3.4 1.250v - 0.165 = 1.088v
4.0 1.328v - 0.070 = 1.260v
4.5 1.420v - 0.060 = 1.360v
4.8 1.530v - 0.005 = 1.525v (not tested for stability for ovious reason...)

Manual stable voltage:
3.4 0.975v
4.0 1.165v
4.5 1.300v
4.8 1.375v

So my conclusion is:

For stock undervolting or for people with low OC and computer sitting at idle for long period, the offset option is worth it.

For higher overclock, the load voltage is too high to make this option worth it and in some case it is limit to be dangerous for long period (ex. 4.8 at 1.525v...)

Nice post. I agree, offsetting is nice for a mild OC, but 4.5 and above it seems to be difficult. I think I would rather stay at 1.38 constantly rather than take the 1.5+ spikes.

[JJFIVEOH]

Had the same problem u guys had , wanted lower voltages when at idle so looked into offset Vcore - what a pain - I ended up using auto but had to set LLC back down to 0% as auto was overvolting to much aswell as undervolting to much and would cause BSOD but is now perfect at 5.0Ghz Vcore auto offset idle @ 1.6Ghz - 1.26v +/- / 5Ghz -1.504 +/- . And i adjusted everything else first all voltages high and low for days on end. So i try to help others as this is a pain in the butt - 0 degradation so far and for months had my 2600k at over 1.5Vcore - lucky i guess - with huge water cooling setup.


I was kinda thinking about lowering LLC (even though it shows recommended levels for certain OC's)...... just might have to give this a shot.

[JJFIVEOH]

I did some testing and found my peak vcore to go from 1.55 under full load to 1.46 by reducing LLC from 75% to 0%. Idle vcore remained unchanged at around 1.16-1.17. I might be able to deal with that. I don't mind hitting 1.46 as it would only do it for a short time when using the comp. I sometimes leave it on for long periods when I do use it, it's usually not under much of a load. I'm just wondering if LLC adjusts anything else besides the range of vcore since it does recommend certain settings depending on the OC. I'm still having issues with the computer locking up on the Windows startup screen, hopefully this will help narrow it down because I've tried everything else.

[Celty]

I'm having good luck with Offset Mode, without getting errant spikes. I love not sending higher volts to the CPU at idle level activity. I started with a mild overclock, and gradually got to 4.8ghz, 4.9ghz, and 5ghz.

Here is a quick overview of what I have gotten.

3921

I describe the bios settings I use in detail here:

http://forum.overclock3d.net/index.php?/topic/39090-offset-mode-overclocking-starter-guide-and-thread/

Thanks to the posters here for the helpful information.

[JJFIVEOH]

That's an excellent write up. I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind me asking. Your settings are very similar to what I was trying before I settled on what I have now. I see your LLC set at 75%. When I ran 75% with a mild negative offset I couldn't even boot because the vcore was so low. If I set it at 25% to narrow the range of vcore it would boot perfectly fine, but then under load the max vcore was well into the 1.5 range. (This is all using the offset BTW so vcore was set automatically). If I left it at 75% with the mild offset vcore actually hit 1.6 under load. Way beyond the range I'm willing to risk. All my other settings were the same as yours so how did you manage to get 1.44 vcore @ 5.0 under load?

My current setting are mult at 48, 0% LLC with no + or - offset (all other settings are the same as yours). Under load I have a nice manageable 1.46 vcore and drops down to around 1.1 at idle. But I have never been able to run under 1.0 vcore without locking up. Going from 4.8 to 5.0 or 5.1 is not that big a step and I'm perfectly happy leaving it where it is, I just want to see if I can hit 5.0 or 5.1. I've learned an awful lot about OC'ing by messing with all these settings and I feel I've got a pretty good handle on it now. I'm just curious how you manage to keep a high enough minimum vcore to boot and also a low enough maximum vcore with those settings. Perhaps I could hit .9x vcore like you did at idle if I could get my comp to boot with those settings. I used prime95 to get these numbers so perhaps when you hit 1.46 under load you used a different benchmark. I've had more luck with 0% LLC because it keeps the offset range closer together, I've learned with 75% LLC the min and max range vcore is just way too broad to boot properly and also keep vcore in check under load.

[Celty]

Not sure if you are referring to my post, JJFIVEOH, but I think I gave all my settings in the link I provided. Let me know if you were asking me for a response.

[JJFIVEOH]

Not sure if you are referring to my post, JJFIVEOH, but I think I gave all my settings in the link I provided. Let me know if you were asking me for a response.

I was referring to your write-up. Should have quoted you, sorry. Forgot there were two write-ups on this thread. ;)

[Celty]

Ah OK, JJFIVEOH, well I did use prime95 to do my load testing. I don't know if you did your settings to match mine exactly or not, I'd be interested to know if you do if you are getting different results. Aside from the obvious possibility that it's just a difference in the individual CPU's, how different your other components may be from mine. I am using a Maximus IV Extreme-Z, bios version 0902. My temps are held in check by a water cooling loop. In fact I''l go ahead and do a full post here, just to make it easier to communicate on it.

[Celty]

For those interested in achieving high overclocks with Sandy Bridge 2500K or 2600K CPU's using Offset Mode to control your voltages, I thought I'd share some information and invite others to post their own experiences and results. Though the typical user of these forums is probably quite technically savvy and sophisticated (in other words - Computer Geeks), I'll start with a brief explanation of Offset Mode and why you might want to use it.

OFFSET MODE AND IT'S ADVANTAGE
Traditionally, when setting Vcore voltages, an overclocker set volts to a fixed value. No matter what load the computer was experiencing, the CPU was fed that voltage. Even if SpeedStep and Turbo modes down-clocked the CPU, the voltage stayed at that manual setting. This is not ideal obviously, since feeding higher voltages all the time - even when not needed - is unnecessarily wearing on your CPU, generates higher temperatures, and wastes energy. The alternative is using Offset Mode.

This allows your Vcore to scale on demand, so that when your computer is idle or lightly loaded such as web browsing, those nasty volts drop when the CPU steps down. For someone like me who runs the computer 24/7, this is like having your cake and eating it too. Maximum performance when actually needed and uber safe voltages and efficiency the rest of the time, all happening automatically.

OFFSET MODE DOWNSIDES
You often read that Offset Mode is fine for mild overclocks, but above 4.4ghz-4.5ghz it does not work. That is something that just is not true as you'll see. I have gotten to a 5.0ghz overclock using this method, at sane voltages. Just for fun I may see what it takes for 5.1ghz if the Vcore demands don't go above what I am willing to go to. There are three issues with Offset Mode. First, it's a bit more complex initially until you get the the hang of it, but nothing that bad. In fact it sort of puts the fun back in overclocking, as you go through what works for you. Second, people that attempt to use "Auto" for an Offset voltage setting tend to get unsatisfactory results. Either the voltage is too high on load, or too low for stability on idle. Last, to get a high overclock stable, you must change more than just the offset. I'll share what has actually worked for me.

SUGGESTED GENERAL APPROACH
Go slow and and start with mild overclocks to get the hang of things before you reach for more demanding overclocks. Take it in small steps, one multiplier increase at a time. A 4.2ghz or 4.4ghz overclock may be a good place to start if you are not experienced at this. Verify everything thoroughly with each change in voltage. I worked myself up to a stable overclock for a multiplier by decreasing or increasing .005 volts at a time. Then boot into Windows, open a good temperature and voltage checker, and see where you are. If the voltage is higher than expected, don't bother stability testing. Go back into bios and step it down. If the initial voltage readings look OK, and the temps are decent, I then use prime95 on blend to test for stability.

Personally, I find with my cooling, a dozen passes successfully run without temperatures climbing is sufficient, but that is up to you. I monitor voltages and temperatures throughout and stop Prime95 if anything is not looking good. More often, because I start out very conservatively on offset voltage, Prime95 or Windows itself crashes. Each time this happens, I bump up the volts by a single increment, and try again. This can take awhile, with a number of crashes, but it really will result in the best eventual outcome. Once Prime95 runs successfully and no other untoward events occur, you know you have hit the lowest stable voltage for that multiplier.

I save those settings in an overclock profile in bios at that point. Then whenever I want to change my overclock level, I just load that profile.

IMPORTANT CAUTIONS
Don't rely on software that reports a single CPU temperature. For instance, AI Suite II might tell you that your CPU temperature is 22.0C. OC3D Hardware Monitor or Real Temp will give you a far more accurate reading on each core, and the CPU package. This is usually 10.0C higher than my Asus software shows. Make sure you have sufficient cooling capacity. Don't let those temps soar.

Let your own CPU, motherboard, and cooling tell you what it is capable of – rather than assuming you can overclock to any pre-concieved level.

GETTING TO THE GOOD STUFF
OK, here we go with actually overclocking. I went through much trial and error, and you may have to as well, but I hope I can at least give you some direction. I'd suggest changing all the other settings BEFORE changing your multiplier and Vcore Offset. After that try your first overclock level. Here are what works for me as sort of a "base" Bios configuration, your mileage may of course vary. I begin by loading the optimized defaults with the F5 key, save and reboot. If this works with no problems I re-enter bios and configure as follows, and then reboot again to make sure everything is fine.

(The Bios settings and terminology are for an Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z, other motherboards will have different features and terms.)

Using the Advanced Mode in Bios (Bios Version 0902) - Extreme Tweaker Tab
Ai Overclock Tuner: Auto
BLCK/PCIE Frequency: 100.0
Turbo Ratio: All Cores Mode
Maximum Turbo Ratio: This will be set to your target Multiplier
Internal PLL Voltage: Auto
Xtreme Tweaking: Disabled
EPU Power Saving Mode: Disabled
Extreme OV: Disabled
CPU Voltage: Offset Mode
Offset Mode Sign: This will be positive or negative depending on your target.
CPU Manual Voltage: Value will depend on your target.
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.850

CPU Performance Settings (Sub-Menu)
CPU Ratio: Auto
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology: Enabled
Turbo Mode: Enabled
Maximum Power: Disabled
(All other sub-menu items on Auto)

Digi+ VRM (Sub-Menu)
VCore PWM mode: Extreme
Vcore MOS volt Control: Auto
Vcore Load-Line Calibration: 75%
Vcore Switching Freq: Manual
VRM Fixed Frequency Mode: 350
Vcore Phase Control: Manual Adjustment
Manual Adjustment: Fast
Vcore Over-Current Protection: 140%

THE FIRST OVERCLOCK
Once you have a stable "base configuration" (I save this as a profile), it's time to bump things up. From now on you can probably do all your overclocking by changing just three settings. The Maximum Turbo ratio is where you enter the CPU multiplier, say 43 for a 4.3ghz overclock. For the first overclock I'd suggest working "backwards" from how you'll subsequently do it. By this I mean try a mild overclock multiplier. Leave the CPU Manual Voltage on "Auto". Save and boot into Windows. Check your voltages and temps. Try a prime95 run and assuming it goes alright, it's time to tune a bit.

Your Vcore voltage is probably higher than it needs to be to sustain a stable overclock. Go back into bios and we'll try the first manual setting on volts. Set the Offset Mode Sign to a negative (-). This means the voltage offset you will enter will be subtracted from what the motherboard set automatically. Enter a CPU Manual Voltage value of .005, save and reboot. Check your voltage and it should be lower than the initial value using an Auto setting. Before proceeding wait for your processor to "step down" to 1600MHz. Then re-check the Vcore.

This time you are looking at the Vcore not to make sure it's not too high, but rather that it has not dropped too low. For me, it needs to stay around 0.975 or better. If all is well, try a prime95 run. If it's successful, re-enter bios and lower the voltage another step, to a -0.010, save and retest things. I keep going until either the down clocked 1600MHz Vcore is too low for stability, or on the Prime95, I get instability. Once I find that that level, I bump the volts back up to the last stable value, and we are there. I save that configuration with a name of the multiplier, and then whenever I want that level of overclock, I just need to load it.

GOING ONWARD AND UPWARD
From here it's a matter of increasing the multiplier by one, save and reboot, verify things and test. You may be lucky and not have to increase your voltage offset on mild multipliers, but if the first try is unstable, go back into bios. This time you will need to change the "Offset Mode Sign" to a positive (+), and bump up the Manual Voltage by 0.005, save and reboot, testing things again. Keep bumping it up ward one step at a time until you reach stability, or the temperatures or voltage levels tell you that for your system, that multiplier is too high. Again, I save every successful multiplier as a profile. How high can you go? That is entirely a matter of your particular system, and your own risk tolerance.

I'll share the data for my system at a optimized 3.8ghz, 4.8ghz, 4.9ghz, and 5ghz in an attachment. I would not just plug in these values. Every system is different, these are what I worked up to. I'm also attaching the 5ghz results from OC3D Hardware Monitor (apparently all the attachment space I have).

418941904191

41934192

CONCLUSION
I hope some of you who have not tried Offset Mode overclocking found this helpful. One thing I should note is that the results I show were obtained with full fans and pump speeds. In practice I have my pump and fans controlled by a user profile in Fan Xpert. This gives me very quiet general computing even at a 5Gghz overclock, and automatically bumps up the cooling to whatever level is needed by more demanding use. I'd love to see how others are doing with Offset Mode.

MY SYSTEM
Case: Corsair 650D
Motherboard: Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z
CPU: i7-2600K
Memory: 16 GB DDR3 @ 1600
Power Supply: Seasonic X650
Graphics Card: Still my old BFG GTX260
SSD: OCZ Vertex2 120GB
Hard Drive: F3 1TB
Sound Card: Asus Essence STX

Water Cooling – CPU only Single Custom Loop
Pump: MCP35X on PWM control
Reservoir: MCP35X-Res
CPU Block: XSPC Raystorm
Radiator #1: XSPC EX240 with 2 GT AP15's
Radiator #2: Phobya 200mm with 1 Silverstone AP181

[JJFIVEOH]

Here's what I have.......

Maximus IV Extreme
BIOS 1904
Corsair XMS 8GB 2X4GB
H50
i7-2600k
EVGA 470 GTX
256 GB Crucial M4 SSD
1.5 TB Caviar Black HDD
Corsair HX750 PSU

My setting were very similar to yours before reading this post with the exception of the LLC being at 0%. Using offset and keeping LLC at 75% made the computer unbootable; the range was just way to broad. Guess I'm just curious as to how yours stays in the 1.4x volt range with your settings as high as they are and yet is still bootable. If I offset mine so that the vcore high range was in the 1.4x range I would need a negative offset of about -.1 to -.12 which makes the minimum vcore too low even for idle. I'm not entirely familiar with the Z board, I was under the impression the only difference were the chipsets. Perhaps this has something to do with it. If you like I can get screenshots for comparison later on when I get to the computer.

[Celty]

Hmm I can't really say if there is much difference between the Extreme and Extreme-Z as far as offset capabilities, but I would think they would behave fairly similarly, though the bios is not exactly the same, etc. I'm curious if you are following the method I suggested on working your way up by trial and error on offset voltage from the last successful multiplier. I really did take it in baby steps each time. I did not start with a auto offset voltage other than the first mildest overclock. I started working upward from the voltage of the previous multiplier. Also if every bios setting I posted is the same exactly as yours before you start overclocking, we'd know we were talking apples to apples. I only fell under 1.0 Vcore on the milder overclocks (4.8 or below), but it did not give me any stability issues when I did.

[JJFIVEOH]

I've gone through all the steps of trial and error over the last 6-8 months on and off. Before I got back into messing with the offset just recently, I had settled on a manual setting of 1.38 volts and a steady 4.8 GHz. I'm just trying to figure out why my final outcome is so much different in the aspects I mentioned earlier (the ability to boot with a low vcore and your lower max vcore at load). Like I said in order for me to get to 1.4x volts I would need a significant negative offset as .000 offset takes me well into the 1.5x range. No big deal really. I'm not having any problems right now and it's working great @ 4.8. I'm just surprised that in order for me to get a stable 4.8 I need to have the LLC at 0% and not at 75% like is suggested. The lower the LLC the narrower the range is between min and max vcore.

[Celty]

The only thing that occurs to me is your particular CPU does not tolerate the lower voltage. I do know they vary widely in how much voltage they require on the high end to achieve a given multiplier with stability, so that might be the answer. It's also possible the Extreme-Z with a 0902 bios does generate different results than your board in terms of the voltages. Maybe Raja will chime in with some additional insights.

[AzO]

From what I understand so far up to this point is:

CPU Voltage -> Manual = static voltage

CPU Voltage -> Offset = variable voltage depending on load

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[JJFIVEOH]

Correct. The trick is figuring out the best offset and range from min to max vcore. Based on this thread it's pretty much a case by case basis depending on OC settings, hardware and usage.

[AzO]

Ok, I enabled down clocking by enabling C1E (default was 'Auto' and would not down clock in that setting) My OC (4.6GHz) seems stable so far after running prime95, 20 loops of IntelBurn Test, 20 loops of LinX.

However I feel that my voltage is a bit high on load (~1.375). Is that a normal load voltage for a 4.6GHz OC?

[Raja@ASUS]

Use a negative offset and reduce the load vcore if your CPU can handle a lower voltage. 1.375V is about average for most CPUs at that frequency.

[ugotd8]

Hi Raja / all, quick question...

Why does my VID occasionally read lower than other times after a boot ?

For example, I've got my offset mode all setup, at +.060 for 4.9Ghz with HT on my 2600K.

Most of the time, after a boot, realtemp shows my VID as 1.3661 and cpuZ shows my vcore at 1.424. That will pass prime95 no problem (I've ran it up to 9 hours once).

Occasionally, after a boot (power-on) my VID will read 1.356 and vcore will be obviously too low at 1.408-1.416. This will not work, and I get BSODs when this happens.

My understanding was that Intel had pre-programmed these VIDs into each 2600K and at they did not change. If it is possible for the VID to change, doesn't that make overclocking with the offset mode method unusable ?

I dont know if this is a BIOS issue (I'm on 2050) or an Intel issue. Most likely it's my not understanding how the Dynamic VID feature of the SB works.

If you could shed some light on this I'd appreciate it.

A couple of other particulars that may or may not matter...

Internal CPU PLL = AUTO
CPU PLL = 1.693
VCCSA = 0.90
VCCIO = 1.05

C3 & C6 = disabled

Speedstep is working well, my VCC is 1.072 @ 1.60Ghz as I write this. :-)

Thanks in advance.

[Raja@ASUS]

In overclocked configurations the VID may drift sometimes on power cycle, the VID requests are based on power consumption, not much can be done. I would however set CPU PLL back to 1.80V and not 1.69V. Unlike older architectures CPU PLL needs to be kept at least around stock otherwise you may need more Vcore to stabilize an overclock.

-Raja

[ugotd8]

In overclocked configurations the VID may drift sometimes on power cycle, the VID requests are based on power consumption, not much can be done. I would however set CPU PLL back to 1.80V and not 1.69V. Unlike older architectures CPU PLL needs to be kept at least around stock otherwise you may need more Vcore to stabilize an overclock.

-Raja

Excellent info, thank you Sir.

I will try resetting CMOS and re-building my OC keeping CPU PLL at 1.8.

Just for the sake of discussion, there are folks across the different forums claiming that lowering CPU PLL can help stabilize an OC. One such post goes so far as to say that adding vcore had no effect on solving BSOD 124's. Only lowering CPU PLL made this person's issue with 124s go away. Apparently the consensus there was that in order to pass multiple hours of P95 with a 2600K, one needed somewhere between 1.6 and 1.7 on CPU PLL.

[Raja@ASUS]

Excellent info, thank you Sir.

I will try resetting CMOS and re-building my OC keeping CPU PLL at 1.8.

Just for the sake of discussion, there are folks across the different forums claiming that lowering CPU PLL can help stabilize an OC. One such post goes so far as to say that adding vcore had no effect on solving BSOD 124's. Only lowering CPU PLL made this person's issue with 124s go away. Apparently the consensus there was that in order to pass multiple hours of P95 with a 2600K, one needed somewhere between 1.6 and 1.7 on CPU PLL.

My experience is different and I take most of my reasoning for the fact that we have to enable PLL OV to maximise OC headroom. It appears the 1.8VPLL rail is internally regulated, so the output is likely proportional to the input voltage or you are playing with the internal regulator's drop out margin. The tip is to play with VCCIO before fiddling with PLL as we know that VPLL over voltage is necessary for maximum processor overclocks.

If you want to lower Vcore, try tuning BCLK skew in UEFI (can save a couple of steps). 124 errors are generally VCCIO related in my experience, clock interupt issues are usually Vcore.

-Raja

[broncogr]

I think I have found a bug. I was using offset with a -0.005 to test my 4.8 overclocked 2700k. I foung some small instability after a couple of hours of prime95 I got a 124 BSOD. That overclock was getting me an idle vcore of 0.992 and load 1.344. So I left the offset to auto believing it will go to a bit higher load and idle vcore.
It went to 1.50 vcore as soon as windows was loading !!!! and 1.346 in bios!!!! and dont know what on idle.
SoI did a +0.005 and got fully stable at 1.352 -1.360 load 1.146 in bios and 1.008-1.010 idle.
Still I would like to use +or- 0.000 which would be like leaving it on Auto.
But on AUTO offset both + and - vcore goes just crazy!!!
Probably a bug with 0902
Any ideas?

PS: All this on an Maximus Extreme IV Z motherboard

[Fr0stX]

I think I have found a bug. I was using offset with a -0.005 to test my 4.8 overclocked 2700k. I foung some small instability after a couple of hours of prime95 I got a 124 BSOD. That overclock was getting me an idle vcore of 0.992 and load 1.344. So I left the offset to auto believing it will go to a bit higher load and idle vcore.
It went to 1.50 vcore as soon as windows was loading !!!! and 1.346 in bios!!!! and dont know what on idle.
SoI did a +0.005 and got fully stable at 1.352 -1.360 load 1.146 in bios and 1.008-1.010 idle.
Still I would like to use +or- 0.000 which would be like leaving it on Auto.
But on AUTO offset both + and - vcore goes just crazy!!!
Probably a bug with 0902
Any ideas?

PS: All this on an Maximus Extreme IV Z motherboard


From asus, this is not a bug. Read the whole thread and you will see that I reported this behavior and was answered that this is normal. I just gave up on using this offset mode for overclock over 4.5Ghz. I guess if you have a golden CPU it works better, but I don't have a golden one..

[jhuk]

I found it useless as it adds voltage to the voltage you want for giving OC!

Example you want 1.3v for XXXX MHZ and also want Idle voltage to work for 1600mhz (2600K) so you must change the Power VRM to any setting apart from default Extreme (kinda strange imo)!

You then use an offset (in my case minus) to get lower Idle voltage for 1600mhz and it works as it ends up hovering around 1.0v but it raises the normal VCore (dangerously high depending on your initial voltage) for some reason and taking of Auto and trying it that way meant I had to add some Turbo voltage but it also raised Idle voltage not just Turbo voltage!

Bit Irish to take something off with one setting and add more back on with another setting!

I am going to try Positive offset another day!

[broncogr]

From asus, this is not a bug. Read the whole thread and you will see that I reported this behavior and was answered that this is normal. I just gave up on using this offset mode for overclock over 4.5Ghz. I guess if you have a golden CPU it works better, but I don't have a golden one..

You havent understood my post
Once more offset auto gives for 4.8 load vcore 1.51
offset +0.005 gives 1.36 WHICH IS LESS than auto although +
That is what I mean bug

[broncogr]

Maybe Raja or someone else from ASUS can give me an answer in this?
Thanks

[Raja@ASUS]

Still I would like to use +or- 0.000 which would be like leaving it on Auto.
But on AUTO offset both + and - vcore goes just crazy!!!


PS: All this on an Maximus Extreme IV Z motherboard

You are making an assumption that AUTO = 0.00V. This is not the case. AUTO scales the applied offset with multiplier ratio, that's the difference you are seeing. Use the offset you need manually to be stable.

-Raja

[broncogr]

In other words there is no +0.000 setting if I understand correctly.
I am stable at 4.8GHZ +0.005 offset, at 1.352 -1.360 load 1.146 in bios and 1.008-1.010 idle.
I just wanted to see as I was marginably unstable at -0.005 if I could get a 0.000 setting.
Cheers

[Fr0stX]

You are making an assumption that AUTO = 0.00V. This is not the case. AUTO scales the applied offset with multiplier ratio, that's the difference you are seeing. Use the offset you need manually to be stable.

-Raja

Wow THIS is a very important info... I always assumes Auto was equal to +0.000V!! it explains a lot now... but since auto scales with multiplier, is auto offset using the same scale as auto manual?
Thanks, for the info, this will help me overclock better and it explain why my vcore on auto offset was increasing or lowering as I was playing with my multiplier.

Fr0stX

[jhuk]

I knew Auto scaled, it works well for the actual idle but raises the VCore above what you ideally wanted it to!

[JJFIVEOH]

I'd like to know how some people are getting mid 1.3V at load with auto offset @ 4.8 GHz with a +.05 offset. I'm getting 1.46V with no offset and that's with 0% LLC.

[Raja@ASUS]

I knew Auto scaled, it works well for the actual idle but raises the VCore above what you ideally wanted it to!

This is programmed by Intel, so there is nothing we can do about what happens to Auto VID when the CPU frequency is increased.

[broncogr]

I'd like to know how some people are getting mid 1.3V at load with auto offset @ 4.8 GHz with a +.05 offset. I'm getting 1.46V with no offset and that's with 0% LLC.

No offset means AUTO and that scales a lot more than +0.005.
Try 0.005 and see

[JJFIVEOH]

No offset means AUTO and that scales a lot more than +0.005.
Try 0.005 and see

Sorry, I didn't explain it right. I have been using auto because the idle Vcore wasn't high enough using manual offset. I did more trial and error and with .005 it still isn't high enough. I actually got it to boot using +.005 and idle is .95V and 1.4V under load. The only was I've gotten it to boot and idle without locking up is with a +.03 offset which leaves it at .984V and 1.424V (although I haven't tested this for long, I was able to boot, run P95 and post this with no issues). Those results are better than the 1.1x to 1.46 range I was getting with auto offset, it's still not the 1.36 you're getting. Although way back when I had Vcore set to complete manual I needed to have it at 1.38 under load to keep from locking up to get 4.8 GHz. I'm surprised yours can do it at 1.36.

I could probably bump my offset up to +.04 to play it safe. I rarely do anything that would push it to max load for long periods of time, I do like the lower Vcore when browsing, checking mail, etc. which I'm getting now (.984-1.15 as opposed to 1.14-1.3).

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is why/how I can narrow down my range so I don't have to get up to 1.42-1.43 under load and still be high enough at idle to boot. That's what confused me about your settings because @ 1.36 like you have it leaves idle VCore at well into .96 range on mine. Maybe this is the case with yours and you just happen to be able to boot that low. I know lowering the LLC narrows the range of min-max so I may try 50% and see where I can go with that by messing with offset. Of course after reading back through this thread I realize most of this might be irrelevant because I forgot you're working with a 2700K not a 2600K.

[Mrrad]

Hello, I just have a quick question . I've set up an oc using the offset mode. In windows 7 when the power options is set to high performance cpuid and other monitors show my overclock of 4.4 ghz and it doesn't ramp down to the idle frequency of 1600 . When its set to Balanced (recommended) mode then it goes down to 1600 with the corresponding voltage drop and ramps up under load.. So Is this the way its supposed to work with windows overriding the bios settings ? ......Thanks for any info on this Lenny,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ps : This is with the i5 2500k and Maximus IV GENE

[broncogr]

Yes it is. You have to have it on balanced for it to work

[Mrrad]

Thanks Broncogr for clearing that up for me............

[jdk]

Hello, I just have a quick question . I've set up an oc using the offset mode. In windows 7 when the power options is set to high performance cpuid and other monitors show my overclock of 4.4 ghz and it doesn't ramp down to the idle frequency of 1600 . When its set to Balanced (recommended) mode then it goes down to 1600 with the corresponding voltage drop and ramps up under load.. So Is this the way its supposed to work with windows overriding the bios settings ? ......Thanks for any info on this Lenny,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ps : This is with the i5 2500k and Maximus IV GENE



There are actually two different ways to make the CPU throttle down from what I've found:

1) The aforementioned balanced power setting in windows

2) You can also change the turbo ratio settings to "Unadjustable in OS" and set the ratio manually for each core, then the CPU will throttle down on its own.



I wonder which way is best though?

[XEV]

Hi guys!

using the offsetmode, i put in the vcore phase control, optimized, right? and the LLC not more 50%, but 75 ?
or stay on 50% ? @4200ghz 2600k

What changes between standard and optimized ?..always for offestmode

im rock solid in fixed with v. 1.224/1.232 in full (LINX) , iddle 1.276 and I would put the offset for a OC daily.

[Dimsum]

Glad I found this thread, been wanting to figure out how to keep speedstep enabled at higher clocks. I found the sweet spot for my 2700k at 4.6GHZ @ 1.3 vcore.

Thanks for all the help!

86458646

I was able to play with my settings and after quite a few bsod 124s I am able stable with 5 ghz using offset. By stable I mean I am gaming and doing all my daily tasks with no freezing or bsods.

I manually set cpu pll to 1.7, LLC 75% VRAM Frequency 350 and my offset is set to .095. If anyone needs a screenshot of my bios let me know.

8674

[RazorCat]

are U in XMP mode sir Dimsum? or Manual?

[RazorCat]

These setting should be good to 5.0GHZ - 5.1GHz.


http://www.asusrog.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=887&d=1306761475

Good Day sir.. what is your AI Overclock Tuner? XMP or Manual?

I want to try hit 4.5-4.6Ghz :)

Thanks..

[Dimsum]

are U in XMP mode sir Dimsum? or Manual?

I use XMP but Manual would be okay as well, just make sure you are checking your DRAM timings to make sure everything is set to your memory`s spec.

[RazorCat]

I use XMP but Manual would be okay as well, just make sure you are checking your DRAM timings to make sure everything is set to your memory`s spec.

offset setting positive or negative? did you set something there?

[Dimsum]

Here are my settings for 4.6 Good luck! Keep in mind the offset may be different for you as your CPU may require more or less voltage to boot. What I did was set it to auto, booted into windows checked vcore at max load and set my offset accordingly. When you set this it will effect your idle voltage so if you are under voltage your system will not boot into windows.

871787188719

[Dimsum]

@ Razorcat, here is my 5 ghz settings so you can compare the differences in DIGI VRM and offset.

[RazorCat]

i will try to apply your settings above sir Dimsum... Im using different RAM modules.. i'll update later.. temps here in the Philippines is hot.. so I might try OCing later this evening.. Thanks for the screenshots and HELP! :)

added REPUTATION to your POST!

[xfuz1on]

Hey everyone,
I recently just got a P8Z77-v Pro motherboard paired with an i5-3570k. I followed the instructions Raja provided to overclock my processor to 4.5 GHz. With offset on auto, my voltage under load would be around 1.35v. I figured this was a bit on the high side for my liking so I decided to follow this guide and set my offset to -0.15 to achieve a voltage of 1.2v under load with LLC set on medium. However, when I set ANY negative offset voltage, my computer will BSOD. What is causing this? In order for me to attain 1.2v, i must set my offset to +0.085 .... This sounds completely different than how Raja explains offset works. Does my motherboard contain some sort of offset bug? Any input and help is appreciated! Thank you.

[RazorCat]

Hey everyone,
I recently just got a P8Z77-v Pro motherboard paired with an i5-3570k. I followed the instructions Raja provided to overclock my processor to 4.5 GHz. With offset on auto, my voltage under load would be around 1.35v. I figured this was a bit on the high side for my liking so I decided to follow this guide and set my offset to -0.15 to achieve a voltage of 1.2v under load with LLC set on medium. However, when I set ANY negative offset voltage, my computer will BSOD. What is causing this? In order for me to attain 1.2v, i must set my offset to +0.085 .... This sounds completely different than how Raja explains offset works. Does my motherboard contain some sort of offset bug? Any input and help is appreciated! Thank you.

hello there xfuz1on.. of course with the negative offset (-0.15) it will go BSOD because there isn't enough voltage to power up your processor..
what are your voltage using +0.085 offset under load?

[xfuz1on]

Hey thanks for the reply and sorry for the delayed response. With a +0.085 offset under load, I am hitting approximately 1.2v or so. I have seen it fluctuate from 1.184-1.220, though.

EDIT: I also meant a -0.015 offset, not -0.15 sorry about that!

[Reborn8]

Great guide. Thanks for this.

[izajasz]

--Please delete, i missposted here isnted at RIVE thread.