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I will not be mistaken if I say that the processor of the fifth series, from Intel, is the most popular among users. There are several reasons for this. One of which is a relatively low cost, with good quality.

Of course, fives are not as fast as processors of higher series. But they are noticeably cheaper than the same sevens. In addition, the fifth model, marked “K”, has a small margin. If desired, and under suitable conditions, such a processor can be overclocked, that is, accelerated.

It should be understood that by overclocking the processor, we thereby overclock the RAM and speed up the entire computer. And this leads to faster wear of components. When overclocking the processor, the computer overheats and a significant increase in power consumption is observed.

In addition, no one will give you a 100% guarantee that everything will end well. The slightest mistake on your part can lead to damage. That is, the processor will burn out, the RAM and the cooler may fail.

So, before thinking about overclocking the processor, you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons of this action.

How to overclock an Intel Core i5 processor, step by step instructions

I warned you about all the possible risks. Before overclocking, you should also pay attention to some details.

First of all, you need to check whether the RAM and the computer can withstand the overclocking of the processor. Since they will also be affected by a rather large load. A frail system unit may not be able to cope with the increased load.

So, on a very weak computer, I would not recommend such experiments. Additional cooling will not interfere with your device. Consider this point before proceeding with the operation.

Do an analysis of the motherboard in advance. You need to find out the model of your clocker. I also recommend updating the BIOS to the latest version.

I think it would not be superfluous to test the processor for stability, at maximum loads. For example, using the S&M utility.

Now you can go directly to the instructions themselves.

CPU temperature

To overclock the processor, we need two programs. The first will monitor the temperature of the processor, and the second will increase the speed. First of all, download the temperature monitoring utility.

The most advanced in this direction is CoreTemp. But, you may have your own preferences. After installing the program, leave it open so that you can immediately see the slightest fluctuations in temperature.

What you see in the screenshot below, in the red stroke, is the zone that interests us. It is important to monitor the indicators and not to exceed 90 degrees in the Max section. Although this is already too much.

Overclocking

Now you can start downloading from the official site, the application - SetFSB. It will help us speed up the computer. On the same site, find information, or rather a list of boards supported by the program. Since this program is not compatible with all motherboards.

Make sure your motherboard is listed. Only then download the application. All files for download must be in the archive.

After opening which, you should double-click on the file that starts the installation - SetFSB.exe.

After installation, a small application window will open. Find your clocker model in the Clock Generator field.

As soon as the indicators suit you, then fix the result by clicking on Set FSB.

You don't need to restart your computer. The setting will only take effect while the computer is running. After turning it off or rebooting, everything will have to be configured again.

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In the first review of Sandy Bridge processors (Core i5-2400 and Core i7-2600), I several times drew the attention of readers to the fact that the study of new CPUs is incomplete without the participation of the “most overclocking” models with the K index.

At that time, Sandy Bridge had not yet been officially introduced, and there were only a few such processors in Russia, so it took a lot of work for the editors of the site to get a couple of CPUs for testing at once. There was no talk of choosing specific models at all. At the end of the review, I promised readers to get a copy with the index "K" soon. Due to circumstances and a large load of tests on new nVidia accelerators, this did not happen quickly.

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I'll try to fix it, albeit belatedly. To date, the "unlocked" Sandy Bridge has successfully settled in the system blocks of many visitors to the forum site, some data has already been accumulated on the overclocking potential of these CPUs.

So this note about overclocking does not pretend to be some kind of ultra-novelty and the author does not try to “discover America”. It is rather a follow-up material, where not only the data obtained during testing will be taken into account. There will be a number of personal considerations about the new processors and a head-to-head comparison of the Intel Core i5-2500 with a couple of very popular and actively overclocked models of the previous generation. I hope this will be helpful to readers who are thinking about moving to the new LGA1155 platform.

To begin with, some information about the architecture of the processor under study.

Architecture and position in the model range

Readers who are well aware of the position of Intel processors in the current generation model line (or just read my previous reviews of Sandy Bridge) can view this section "diagonally". Here I will repeat the already known information to explain the "general layout" and briefly tell you why the Intel Core i5-2500K processor under study is so interesting.

Read how to increase intel cpu frequency (overclocking). Step-by-step instruction. Your computer is running very fast. Incredibly fast, at least compared to the PC you had ten or twenty years ago. But still, it can run much faster. If this statement prompts you to learn how this can be done, then in this article you will find the information you need.

Content:

Overclocking

Overclocking is a set of actions to increase the frequency of the device, increase the voltage above the norm, which is certified by the device manufacturer in order to increase the speed of its operation. The maximum processor frequency level should be within the limits that maintain stable operation of the device at maximum performance.

pay special attention, that when overclocking the processor, heat generation increases significantly (that is, it heats up more), power consumption increases, and the device runs out of its resource faster, as it works at maximum loads.

We will overclock the processor from the company Intel, because this company is still the leader in the number of installations for desktop PCs. In the article we will talk about the overclocking process for one of the latest models from the family Core(K-series) that are unlocked for overclocking. But the general steps will be correct and can be applied to most desktops sold or built in the last few years. However, before you start, look for additional recommendations on the net for overclocking your particular processor model.

Step One: Check Your Configuration

Before starting, make sure your hardware can be overclocked. If you bought a ready-made PC or had a PC built for you, then you may not remember the exact configuration and all possible restrictions set by the manufacturer. Therefore, you should download a special program, for example, "CPU-Z" and use it to find out the exact model of your processor and motherboard (with all letters, numbers, version or release number). Then go to the official website of the manufacturer and find the full specification for the device.

Company Intel has developed and introduced to the market a whole variety of processors, but only series of processors are well suited for overclocking "K-" And "X-". And the series "K" in this sense, more likely to represent a certain variable than an actual product line, this letter in the name of the processor means that it "unlocked"(unlocked) and ready to be overclocked by the end user. Support for this feature is found in models "i7", "i5" And "i3", as well as in all new processors that have received additional power "X-series". Therefore, if you buy a processor from Intel, with the knowledge that you will try to overclock it, then you need "stone" versions "K" or "X". Complete list of processors "unlocked" and can be overclocked by the end user, as well as additional recommendations for overclocking, you can find on the official website of the company Intel. We will use for overclocking "Intel Core i7-2600K" for this guide.

Is it possible to overclock processors from Intel not from series "TO" And "X"? Naturally yes, but it's much more complicated, and you'll probably need a motherboard that will support additional specialized features. In addition, the company Intel trying in every possible way to ban overclocking "locked" processors - to the extent that they constantly release and update their software, specifically closing all previously discovered loopholes that allow overclocking "locked" equipment. This policy of the company causes a storm of discontent in the ranks of enthusiasts who test their hardware.

I should also mention a certain concept known among enthusiasts as "silicon lottery". The microarchitecture of modern processors is incredibly complex, as is the manufacturing process. Even if two processors are of the same model and theoretically should be completely identical, it is quite possible that they will overclock and perform differently. Don't get frustrated if your particular processor and overall configuration can't achieve the same overclocking performance as someone who posted their results online. That's why it's incredibly important to go through the long, arduous process on your own, and not just try to plug in someone else's settings - no two different processors will overclock the same way.

Now you need to make sure that your motherboard is suitable and has the necessary features to overclock your processor. Technically, absolutely any motherboard should provide the ability to overclock its processor, but some of them are designed specifically for such, "unlocked" processors and some not. If you choose which motherboard to buy, I can recommend any "game" motherboard or search the Internet for information on which board will meet all the necessary requirements for overclocking your particular processor model. They are of course more expensive than standard models, but they have access to upgrades. "UEFI/BIOS" and special manufacturer software designed to simplify overclocking. You can also often see reviews by overclockers, enthusiasts, who discuss the settings needed to overclock specific processor models on a specific motherboard and the resulting performance boost. Good solutions in this regard are top and gaming motherboards from ASUS, gigabyte, EVGA And "MSI".

This goes without saying, but I'll remind you anyway: you need a socketed motherboard that is compatible with your particular processor. For the latest unlocked Intel processors, this is either a socket LGA-1151(Series K), or "LGA-2066"(Series X).

Even if you are preparing to overclock your processor on an existing configuration that was not built with overclocking in mind, you will still want to use a new cooling system that is more powerful than stock. New systems work much more efficiently than those offered by the company Intel, they are equipped with larger fans and significantly expanded heatsinks. In fact, the processors of the series "TO" And "X", can be specially supplied without a cooling system, just for you to install more powerful cooling. The whole point is that the better and better the cooling, the less your processor will heat up, respectively, you can overclock it more and increase PC performance even more.

The performance of the latest cooling systems is mind-boggling, even if you don't go for the most premium option, water cooling. Even the air-cooled version can cost between $20 and $100, while the water-cooled version can go up to $500. But if the budget is limited, or you do not want to spend too much, then there are several more or less economical options. The cooler we will be using is "Cooler Master Hyper 612 V.2", which is priced under $35 and will be included in most full-size ATX cases. We could probably get better results with a more expensive and thoughtful model, but even this cooling will allow us to significantly increase our clock speeds without falling into unsafe temperature ranges.

If you choose a new cooler, there are two variables to consider besides price: compatibility and size. Both air cooling and water cooling must support the socket type on your motherboard. Air coolers also need a fair amount of physical space available inside your PC case, especially when standing upright. Water cooling doesn't need a lot of space around the CPU socket, but it does need space on the side of the case for the fans to cool the hot water coming from the CPU. Before making a purchase decision, you need to carefully check whether there is enough space in your case, or if there is room for installing water cooling. Also make sure that the cooling system is installed and connected correctly, the fans are spinning and water is not running anywhere. This must be done before you even consider overclocking your processor.

Step Two: Stress Test Your System

We assume that all settings related to your processor are set to default. If not, then it is advisable to boot your computer's UEFI (better known as BIOS) and reset all settings to default. Restart the computer, click DEL or the corresponding button that is indicated on your screen "POST"(on the screen with the logo of the manufacturer of the motherboard and check all major systems). Usually this "Delete", escape, F1 or "F12" depending on the manufacturer.

Somewhere in the settings "UEFI/BIOS" there should be an option to return all default values. On our test machine with a motherboard from ASUS, the option we need is in the menu "Save and Exit" and labeled as Load Optimized Defaults(Load optimized default settings). Select this option, press the key "Enter" and save your settings, then exit "UEFI/BIOS" and restart your PC.

There are a few more changes you may need to make before overclocking. On new processors from the company Intel to get more stable and predictable test results, you will need to disable the option "Intel Turbo Boost" for each of the nuclei. This is a built-in stable half-acceleration from Intel, which increases the processor clock speed under intensive workloads. This is a handy feature if you never use custom overclocking, but in this case it's better to turn it off because we hope to get more power increase than the function can provide. Turbo Boost. At the moment we will independently manage this process.

Depending on your processor, you can disable the option "C State" or other power-saving features that are designed to reduce the performance of the processor when its full power is not needed. However, you can enable them after overclocking and they will continue to work normally. Some reports on the Internet have indicated that the power saving features do not work after overclocking, but other reports say that they work fine.

Once all settings are reset to default and additional features are stifled, boot into your main operating system (we use Windows, but many of these programs should also work with Linux). Before you start overclocking, you need to conduct a standard stress test on your system, and the results will serve as a guide and starting point for comparing the increase in PC performance. To do this, you will need special software that runs super labor-intensive processes and loads the CPU and other devices at the maximum level of performance. Basically, it simulates the most intensive use of the computer to see if it will cause errors and crashes in the computer. That is, after conducting this test after overclocking, we can see how much faster the PC coped with the same tasks, and, accordingly, how much the performance of the entire system increased.

I'll be using the stress test utility because it's extremely easy to use, free, and available on three major desktop operating systems. Other popular alternatives include, Linx And "Intel Burn Test". Any of them can handle their functions, you can also use a combination of two or more utilities at your discretion. If you want to be completely sure about the stability of the system after overclocking the processor, then you really should use several utilities to be sure (I will use it as the main test program, and also additionally check the system with).

Whichever option you choose, download the software from the Internet, install it and run it. Let it run its initial test and then retest a few times to make sure your CPU can handle extended runs at 100% and doesn't exceed the allowed maximum temperature. You may even hear the fan on your CPU cooler kicking up to max speed to handle the increased load.

While the stress tests are running, it's time to download some other additional utilities that we'll be using in a bit: a CPU information utility to keep you up to date with your changing values, and a CPU temperature monitor to determine how hot the temperature is. at this point in time. For Windows OS we recommend "CPU-Z" And "Real Temp" respectively. Download them from the Internet and run, now you can track how your processor temperature rises under your stress test.

Temperature readings will be critical to the overclocking process. When running a stress test under the default settings on our processor "Intel i7-2600K" we saw that the temperature on the internal sensors ranged from 49 to 75 degrees Celsius. Your performance will differ from mine because you may be using a more or less efficient cooling system. Sounds hot, but nothing to worry about just yet. Processors are designed to operate at such high temperatures with the help of PC cooling systems. The maximum allowable temperature of our processor before it automatically reduces the voltage or shuts down (functions "Tmax" or "Tjunction") is 100 degrees Celsius. When overclocking, our goal will be to increase the performance of the processor to the point where its temperature is still at a fairly safe level, below 100 degrees Celsius, while the system will continue to work stably.

If you have completed several tests in a row, using the processor at 100%, and its temperature is in a safe range (up to 100 degrees), the system has remained stable, then it's time to start overclocking.

Step Three: Raise the CPU Clock Ratio

Now it's time to start overclocking. Restart your computer and sign in "UEFI (BIOS)". Find the category you need, it can be called as "Overclock Settings". Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, this category may be called CPU Booster or something else.

In this section, find the option "CPU Clock Ratio" (CPU Multiplier, CPU Clock Multiplier, "Multiplier Factor", "Adjust CPU Ratio"), also when you hover over this parameter, a tooltip will be shown on the right.

"CPU Clock Ratio" translated as processor multiplier. Currently, on motherboards, the frequency at which the processor operates is determined by multiplying the system bus frequency and a special parameter (actually this multiplier).

IN "UEFI (BIOS)" our motherboard, this parameter can be found on the tab "Advanced Frequency Settings" and further into "Advanced CPU Core Settings".

The clock frequency is determined by two parameters: the bus speed (100 MHz in our case) and the multiplier (34 in our case). Multiply these two values ​​together and you get the processor clock speed (3.4 GHz in our case).

To overclock the system, we will increase the multiplier, which in turn increases the clock speed. (Leave the bus speed at default).

I will set the parameter value "CPU Clock Ratio" by 35, just one step to increase the maximum frequency to 3.5 GHz. You may need to allow the system to make changes to "UEFI (BIOS)", to "UEFI (BIOS)" allowed to change the multiplier.

Once this is done, save your settings "UEFI (BIOS)" and exit and then reboot into the operating system. After that we run the program "CPU-Z" to check and make sure your changes are saved and the indicator CPU Multiplier has a value of 35, and a higher frequency.

Note: if you found lower values ​​for margins "Core Speed" and Multiplier, then you may need to run the stress test again to maximize the load on the processor and check the entered parameters, or perhaps the power saving function is still working.

Go back to step two and run the stress tests again. If your system remains stable at the new higher CPU frequency, you can repeat the third step and increase the multiplier even further. You can also just set the values ​​that are written in the reviews on the Internet for people with a similar PC configuration, but slow and steady changes are a safer and more accurate way to achieve the desired results.

At some point, you will reach a certain point at which the computer, during the stress test, will exit with an error. Or you will reach the maximum temperature of the processor, which it makes no sense to exceed (for example, 10-15 degrees less than the value for using the processor shutdown function).

If you experience a stress test failure, then skip to the next step, but if you have reached the maximum temperature, then skip directly to the fifth step.

Step Four: Repeat Until System Fails, Then Increase Voltage

If your stress test failed or caused your computer to crash, but the temperatures are still below the maximum values, then you can continue to overclock the processor by increasing the voltage. Increasing the voltage that the motherboard sends to the CPU via the power supply should allow for stabilization at higher speeds, although it will also raise its temperature significantly.

Restart the computer in "UEFI (BIOS)", find section "Advanced Voltage Settings" and beyond CPU Core Voltage Control. Again, the names and values ​​​​of these parameters will differ for you, it depends on the motherboard manufacturer and version. "UEFI (BIOS)", information about these parameters can be found in the manual for the motherboard or on the website of its developer.

Here we do almost the same steps, increase the voltage a little, then repeat steps two and three until your computer crashes, and then increase the voltage again. The recommended step is 0.05 volts, again extremely small steps take longer, but you will get much more reliable results.

During the execution process, constantly monitor the temperature indicators, I remind you that the more you increase the voltage, the more the processor temperature will increase. If your tests fail even at +2 volts, then you may simply not be able to increase the voltage and get the system stable. Remember about "silicon lottery"- it is possible that your particular processor will not behave exactly like others with the same model number.

Repeat steps three and four: increase the multiplier, do a stress test, if we fail, then increase the voltage. Eventually, you will reach a certain point where the processor temperature will approach the maximum values ​​​​that you are comfortable working with, or the stress tests will consistently fail and cause the computer to crash. When this happens, return the readings to the last good, stable overclock.

In my case, I could not raise the voltage at all - the highest stable overclock was 3.7 GHz.

Step Five: The Big Comprehensive Test

Now that you have reached the maximum overclocking point where your system is more or less stable, it's time to complete this process and conduct the most rigorous test. Its purpose is to check if your computer can run at this higher clock speed and maximum voltage for hours on end.

Re-enable the power saving features and set up the stress test program to run a continuous test for several hours in a row. The utility will do this automatically, other programs may require additional time settings. A few hours, at least, will be enough to reach the maximum processor temperature at maximum load. (Also, if you live in high temperature latitudes and don't have additional cooling installed in the room your PC is in, then keep in mind that the ambient temperature will also affect the maximum overclocking threshold during the summer.) If the PC exits with an error, or after the test, the processor temperature dangerously approaches the maximum allowed value, then the test has failed. You will need to reduce the multiplier, CPU voltage, and try again until the test passes.

Overclocking a processor is not difficult, but it requires certain knowledge and caution. A competent approach to this activity allows you to get a good performance boost, which is sometimes very lacking. In some cases, you can overclock the processor through the BIOS, but if this is not possible or you want to carry out manipulations directly from under Windows, then it is better to use special software.

One of the simple and versatile programs is SetFSB. It is good because it can be used to overclock the intel core 2 duo processor and similar older models, as well as various modern processors. The principle of operation of this program is simple - it increases the frequency of the system bus by acting on the PLL chip installed in the motherboard. Accordingly, all that is required of you is to know the brand of your board and check if it is included in the list of supported ones.

First you need to know the name of the motherboard. If you do not own such data, then use special software, for example, the CPU-Z program.

Once you've identified the brand of the board, head to . The design there, to put it mildly, is not the best, but all the necessary information is here. If the board is on the list of supported ones, then you can happily continue further.

Download Features

The latest versions of this program, unfortunately, are paid for the Russian-speaking population. You need to deposit approximately $6 to receive an activation code.

There is an alternative - download the old version of the program, we recommend version 2.2.129.95. You can do this, for example.

Installing the program and preparing for overclocking

The program works without installation. After starting, the following window will appear in front of you.

To start overclocking, you first need to know your clock generator (PLL). Unfortunately, it is not so easy to find out. Computer owners can disassemble the system unit and find the necessary information manually. The data looks like this:

PLL Chip Software Identification Methods

If you have a laptop or don't want to disassemble your PC, then there are two more ways to find out your PLL.

1. We go in and look for our laptop in the table.
2. The SetFSB program will help you determine the brand of the PLL chip itself.

Let's take a look at the second method. Switch to the " Diagnosis”, in the drop-down list “ clock generator» select « PLL diagnosis", then press the button" Get FSB».

We go down into the field " PLL Control Registers and see the table there. We are looking for column 07 (this is the Vendor ID) and look at the value of the first row:

If the value is xE - then PLL from Realtek, for example, RTM520-39D;
if the value is x1 - then PLL from IDT, for example, ICS952703BF;
if the value is x6 - then PLL from SILEGO, for example, SLG505YC56DT;
if the value is x8 - then PLL from Silicon Labs, for example, CY28341OC-3.

x is any number.

Sometimes exceptions are possible, for example, for chips from Silicon Labs - in this case, the Vendor ID will be located not in the seventh byte (07), but in the sixth (06).

Checking software overclocking protection

To find out if there is hardware protection against software overclocking, you can do this:

Look in the field PLL Control Registers» on column 09 and click on the value of the first row;
look in the field Bin” and find the sixth bit in this number. Please note that the bit count must start from one! Therefore, if the first bit is zero, then the sixth bit will be the seventh digit;
if the sixth bit is 1, then overclocking via SetFSB requires a hardware PLL mod (TME-mod);
if the sixth bit is 0, then no hardware mod is required.

Let's start overclocking

All work with the program will take place in the tab " control". In field " clock generator» select your chip and then click on « Get FSB».

At the bottom of the window, on the right, you will see the current processor frequency.

We remind you that overclocking is carried out by increasing the frequency of the system bus. This happens every time you move the central slider to the right. Leave all other shorts as is.

If you need to increase the range for adjustment, then check the box next to the parameter " Ultra».

It is best to increase the frequency carefully, 10-15 MHz at a time.

After the adjustment, press the "SetFSB" key.

If after that your PC freezes or turns off, then there are two reasons for this: 1) you specified the wrong PLL; 2) greatly increased the frequency. Well, if everything was done correctly, then the processor frequency will increase.

What to do after overclocking?

We need to find out how stable the computer is at the new frequency. This can be done, for example, in games or specialized test programs (Prime95 or others). Also keep an eye on the temperature to avoid possible overheating when the processor is under load. In parallel with the tests, run the temperature monitor program (CPU-Z, HWMonitor or others). Tests are best done in about 10-15 minutes. If everything is stable, then you can stay on the new frequency or continue to increase it by doing all the above steps on a new circle.

How to force the PC to start at a new frequency?

You should already be aware that the program works with the new frequency only until a reboot. Therefore, in order for the computer to always start with a new system bus frequency, it is necessary to put the program into autoload. This is a must if you want to use an overclocked computer on a permanent basis. However, in this case, we are not talking about simply adding a program to the Startup folder. There is a way to do this - creating a bat script.

Opens " Notebook”, where we will create the script. We write a line there, something like this:

C:\Desktop\SetFSB 2.2.129.95\setfsb.exe -w15 -s668 -cg

ATTENTION! DO NOT COPY THIS LINE! It should be different for you!

So let's parse it:

C:\Desktop\SetFSB 2.2.129.95\setfsb.exe is the path to the utility itself. You can distinguish between the location and version of the program!
-w15 - delay before starting the program (measured in seconds).
-s668 - overclocking setting. Your number will be different! To find out, look at the green field in the Control tab of the program. There will be two numbers separated by a slash. Take the first number.
-cg is the model of your PLL. This data may be different for you! You must enter your PLL model in square brackets as it is specified in SetFSB.

By the way, along with SetFSB itself you will find a text file setfsb.txt, where you can find other options and apply them if necessary.

After the string has been created, save the file as a .bat.

The last step is to add the baht to autoload by moving the shortcut to the "" folder or by editing the registry (you will find this method on the Internet).

Last year's processor microarchitecture update represented by Intel Skylake did not bring any surprises in terms of desktop solutions performance growth, and we got the usual 5-10% superiority over the previous generation. But when the overclocker models were announced, a very curious moment was noticed: they received not only an unlocked multiplier, but also the ability to change the frequency of the base clock generator without losing stability. This fact gave hope to enthusiasts for the revival of mass overclocking of processors, which were not initially targeted at overclockers. But the miracle did not happen, and Intel blocked this possibility in regular models. Fortunately, this limitation turned out to be only at the software level, and in mid-December the news feeds of technical resources were filled with messages about overclocking models of the Socket LGA1151 platform without the “K” index. This fact was repeatedly confirmed during our practical acquaintance with the new hardware platform, which you can see for yourself on the pages of our resource.

But at your request, we again decided to return to the very interesting topic of overclocking non-overclocking Intel Skylake processors, devoting a separate material to it. Let's try to summarize all the accumulated information and give practical recommendations for optimizing the system parameters. And the most important thing is to answer whether there is any practical value in all this, which is especially important, given the not very favorable economic situation in the country. All experiments will be carried out on an example model. This processor was kindly provided by our partner - online store PCshop.ua, where it can be buy for about $380.

A bit of history

What is overclocking or overclocking? This concept should be understood as a set of methods that allow computer components to operate at frequencies that are higher than factory ones. The main goal of overclocking is to get the maximum performance out of the available hardware. Now this occupation can be called trivial. Any user can freely buy a suitable motherboard, a processor with an unlocked multiplier and overclock it in a couple of clicks. There is no feeling of excitement and satisfaction from the work done. But it was not always so.

At the dawn of its inception, overclocking was carried out exclusively by well-trained techies, using a soldering iron, jumpers and other hardware modifications. In short, the whole optimization process comes down to increasing the processor clock frequency, which is the product of two parameters - the multiplier and the base frequency. And since in most cases it is impossible to change the multiplier, you have to operate with bus values. This became possible due to the fact that models of the same series differ only in frequency. That is, after manufacturing, a batch of processors passes a series of tests, according to the worst results of which it is marked. So we get some models with a clock frequency, for example, 300 MHz, and others - 700 MHz. But not all instances are so unsuccessful. For example, they can be deliberately slowed down due to the need to expand the assortment of the line, so if you have the necessary knowledge, this unfortunate injustice can be corrected. At the same time, we get the performance of the older model at a minimum cost. Isn't it wonderful?

In particular, we can recall 1998 and the popular Intel Celeron 300 and Intel Celeron 333 processors. With a recommended price of $150 and $192, respectively, they outperformed the $669 Intel Pentium II 450 in overclocking. Yes, in this case, the risk of damaging the equipment increases, but this was in the past and happened through poor cooling, imperfect protection methods and the inability of the user himself to stop there in time. Now progress has reached such a level that you are unlikely to be able to "burn" the processor.

The release of the first generation of Intel Core processors for Socket LGA775 in 2006 can be considered a truly golden era of overclocking. Acceleration itself has become much more convenient. To do this, it was enough to configure the necessary parameters in the BIOS of the motherboard or simply use special utilities for the OS. Enthusiasts' favorites were the younger models Intel Pentium E5xxx and Intel Core 2 Duo E7xxx, which in capable hands bypassed their more expensive counterparts Intel Core 2 Duo E8xxx or even Intel Core 2 Quad. By the way, even now some Intel Core 2 Quad models and their Intel Xeon server counterparts work in user system units. Due to the presence of four physical cores and good overclocking potential, they allow you to build an entry-level gaming system (by modern standards).

In the same period, overclocking becomes a truly mass phenomenon, and not just a way to save money. It even turns into a sports discipline thanks to the popular HWBOT resource. The essence of the competition is simple - to get the maximum result in benchmarks (3DMark, PCMark, Cinebench, Super PI, and so on) and fix it using the validation process. It uses top-end components and extreme cooling methods (phase change systems, liquid nitrogen and dry ice). This state of affairs was also facilitated by the hardware manufacturers themselves, who began to actively produce products specifically designed for overclocking. But this expanse did not last very long. Realizing that overclocking is becoming very popular, Intel decided to make money on it.

The latest easily overclockable processors (via the bus) are models for Socket LGA1156 (Intel Nehalem microarchitecture), which were released back in 2009. Subsequent solutions lost this capability (starting with the Intel Sandy Bridge microarchitecture for Socket LGA1155), as the processor clock reference (BCLK) became hardwired to all CPU nodes (processor cores, last-level cache, integrated graphics core, ring bus, controller memory, PCI Express and DMI buses). Therefore, even its slight change (above 104-107 MHz) led to unstable operation of the system.

For enthusiasts, the manufacturer has prepared two overclocker models: and. The processors received unlocked multipliers, through which the clock frequency is formed. But the price of these solutions has also increased in comparison with conventional versions. That is, if you want to overclock - pay more. The pass to the world of overclocking has become available only to wealthy users and has lost its original meaning.

Yes, you can remember the available dual-core (Socket LGA1150, Intel Haswell microarchitecture) with an unlocked multiplier, but this is an isolated case.

However, with the release of the sixth generation of Intel Core, the situation has changed, and now it is possible to overclock non-K-series processors, although this is not actively welcomed by the CPU manufacturer. More on this in the next section of our article.

Overclocking of Intel Skylake processors without index "K" in theory

In Intel Skylake processors, engineers have separated the PCI Express bus and chipset into a separate domain, the frequency of which remains fixed, regardless of BCLK changes.

The base frequency remained strictly connected only with the internal nodes of the CPU: processor cores, last-level cache, integrated graphics core, ring bus and memory controller. Fortunately, the latter work fine at higher frequencies. That is, in the new platform, it is possible to overclock not only by manipulating the multiplier, but also by increasing the BCLK.

This was confirmed at the first acquaintance with overclocker models. But for some reason, Intel blocked overclocking in conventional processors, and even minor changes to the base bus were not successful. The technology was named "BCLK Governor". But, as already mentioned above, the limitation is not of a hardware nature, and it is “treated” at the software level. To do this, it is enough to update the microcode of the motherboard.

The results were not long in coming. Overclocker under the nickname "Dhenzjhen" overclocked the Intel Core i3-6320 processor with a locked multiplier from the nominal 3.9 GHz to 4.955 GHz. To do this, he used a SuperMicro C7H170-M motherboard with a special BIOS version. Soon, other manufacturers released updated BIOS versions, but only for motherboards based on the flagship chipset. Solutions for , and remained deprived, although, apparently, there should be no obstacles to this. Most likely, the manufacturers decided to spur sales of only more expensive models, which is a pity. It is noteworthy that only ASRock has posted special versions of the microcode on its official website. Other vendors - ASUS, BIOSTAR, GIGABYTE, EVGA and MSI - distribute them through overclocking forums, fearing a negative reaction from Intel. As it turns out, there were reasons for this. And soon the company was unwilling to allow overclocking of conventional Intel Skylake processors. Despite this, you can still easily find the necessary BIOS versions on the network, which continue to appear with fixes and additions. So there is complete order.

But not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. And when overclocking non-overclocker processors via the bus, a number of nuances and limitations arise:

• Energy-saving technologies stop working, and the processor always operates at maximum frequency at the maximum supply voltage. Intel Turbo Boost Technology also becomes inactive.
• Temperature monitoring of processor cores starts to give incorrect data.
• The graphics core integrated into the processor is disabled.
• The speed of execution of AVX/AVX2 instructions decreases several times.

However, do not be prematurely upset. Experienced overclockers already recommend disabling all additional technologies: Intel Turbo Boost, Intel Enhanced SpeedStep and energy-saving C-states, since any fluctuations in the multiplier and voltage can adversely affect system stability during overclocking. Temperature monitoring can be done using the CPU Package sensor, for example, using the HWiNFO utility. Disabling the onboard video will not upset anyone, since most overclockers have a discrete graphics card.

The only really unpleasant moment is the drop in the execution speed of AVX/AVX2 instructions. And this is very strange, considering that overclocker models are free from this drawback and overclock perfectly on the bus. But in fact, they are no different from the usual ones, except for an unlocked multiplier and a slightly higher frequency. It can be assumed that this is again a software limitation. AVX/AVX2 are mainly used in application programs such as video encoding, 3D modeling and some graphics editors. Most everyday programs, including games, hardly use AVX instructions. GRID Autosport and DiRT Showdown can be considered an exception, but as practice shows, there is nothing critical in this. Suffice it to recall the processor, which is generally devoid of support for vector instructions, but this does not prevent its owners from playing modern games.

Preparing for overclocking by BCLK

As you can already understand from the above, absolutely all processors of the Intel Skylake generation are suitable for overclocking via the bus: from Intel Celeron to Intel Core i7. But the younger models of each line are of the greatest practical interest, since at the minimum price, overclocking makes it easy for them to overtake and even bypass the more expensive older brothers in terms of performance. You can verify this for yourself in the reviews and . For clarity, here is a list of the most interesting models for overclocking in the form of a summary table:

Model name	Number of cores / threads	Base / dynamic frequency, MHz	Factor

But in addition to a suitable processor, you will need a motherboard based on the Intel Z170 chipset. In our case, there will be as many as three of them:, and ASUS Z170-P. Why is this done? Let's try using their example to find out whether we can get decent overclocking on affordable boards, or whether specialized solutions are still needed for this. Yes, and we will overclock not the easiest processor - Intel Core i7-6700. If the boards cope with it, then with some Intel Core i3 and even more so. Before starting experiments, you need to find the necessary BIOS for your motherboard and flash it. To do this, we looked at HWBOT in the appropriate section of the forum.

Now you can go directly to the preparatory settings.

• First, go to the UEFI BIOS and in the "Advanced\CPU Configuration" section, set the "Boot Performance Mode" option to "Turbo Performance", and in the "CPU Power Management Configuration" subsection, turn off "Intel Turbo Boost", "Intel Enhanced SpeedStep" and energy-saving C-states by selecting the value "Disabled".
• Next, go to the "Extreme Tweaker" or "Ai Tweaker" section (depending on the manufacturer of the motherboard, the names may be different) and set the "Ai Overclock Tuner" option to the "Manual" mode. In this case, we will have full access to change all parameters at our own discretion.
• Next, we fix the maximum multiplier of all processor cores in the "1-Core Ratio Limit" item.
• So that RAM does not become a limitation during overclocking, using the “DRAM Frequency” item, we set its frequency to a few points lower than the nominal value, since when the bus changes, its frequency will also increase.

You can take a look at all the motherboard BIOS settings in the video below:

ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER BIOS setup for overclocking Intel Core i7-6700

ASUS Z170-P D3 BIOS setup for overclocking Intel Core i7-6700

ASUS Z170-P BIOS setup for overclocking Intel Core i7-6700

Now you can proceed directly to the very overclocking of the Intel Skylake non-K processor. The process itself is quite simple and comes down to increasing the bus frequency (BCLK Frequency) and gradually increasing the voltage supplied to the processor (CPU Core Voltage Override).

How to choose the right frequency? Recall that the processor frequency is calculated by the formula:

CPU Freq = CPU Ratio × CPU Cores Base Freq

Let's say we want our Intel Core i7-6700 with "x34" multiplier to run at 4400 MHz. To do this, we divide 4400 / 34 and get BCLK equal to 129 MHz. The same rule applies to other processors. For convenience, here is the BCLK value for reaching typical frequencies of 4500 - 4700 MHz for the previously considered processors:

Model name	BCLK frequency, MHz	Factor	Clock frequency, MHz
Intel Pentium G4400
Intel Core i3-6100
Intel Core i3-6300
Intel Core i5-6400
Intel Core i7-6700

In this case, you need to monitor the temperature and check the stability of the system after overclocking.

Let's take a closer look at the allowable voltage and temperature values. Experienced overclockers consider the threshold of 1.4-1.45 V safe for everyday use. But, given the not the best thermal interface under the heat-distributing cover of the processor, we would recommend values ​​closer to 1.4 V. If you plan to overclock the RAM, then you need to turn attention to three more important parameters:

• CPU VCCIO Voltage (VCCIO) - voltage on the memory controller built into the processor. It is recommended not to exceed 1.10 V.
• CPU System Agent Voltage (VCCSA) - voltage on the system agent and other controllers built into the processor. It is recommended not to exceed 1.20 V.
• DRAM Voltage (Vdram) - supply voltage on RAM modules. Values ​​up to 1.4 V can be considered conditionally safe.

For a more detailed acquaintance with the possibilities of each option, we suggest visiting ours.

Now for the temperature. If Intel specifies T CASE =71°C, this means that the maximum temperature allowed in the processor's integrated heat spreader (IHS), which can only be measured by an external sensor, reaches 71°C. The mechanism for skipping cycles (throttling) turns on when it reaches 100 ° C according to the internal sensors of the cores. Therefore, roughly speaking, the T CASE indicator at the level of 71°C can be considered equivalent to 100°C of the internal sensors of the nuclei.

Overclocking and testing

The following list of equipment was used for the experiments:

CPU	Intel Core i7-6700 (Socket LGA1151, 4.0GHz, L3 8MB)
motherboards	ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER (Intel Z170, Socket LGA1151, DDR4, ATX) ASUS Z170-P (Intel Z170, Socket LGA1151, DDR4, ATX) ASUS Z170-P D3 (Intel Z170, Socket LGA1151, DDR3, ATX)
RAM	2 x 8 GB DDR4-2400 HyperX Fury HX424C15FBK2/16 2 x 8 GB DDR3L-1600 HyperX Fury HX316LC10FBK2/16
video card	ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Matrix Platinum (4 GB GDDR5)
HDD	Seagate Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD v4 (ST6000NM0024), 6TB, SATA 6Gb/s
Power Supply	Seasonic X-560 Gold (SS-560KM Active PFC)
	Philips Brilliance 240P4QPYNS
Video capture device	AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable
Operating system	Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit

The test processor Intel Core i7-6700 has a "batch code" L542B978 - 96000, which carries information about the place, date and batch of manufacture. In our case, it was produced in week 42, 2015 (between October 12 and 18) in Malaysia with lot number 96000.

Overclocking was carried out on ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER, ASUS Z170-P D3 and ASUS Z170-P motherboards in three modes:

• No voltage rise.
• Intermediate overclocking with a slight increase in voltage for stable operation at a frequency of 4400 MHz.
• Maximum stable acceleration.

The voltage of 1.095 volts in the BIOS (according to monitoring data, 1.104 V) is taken as nominal, since the boards independently set it at maximum load in fully automatic mode. We tested stability by running a benchmark and a 15 minute stress test in RealBench 2.41. This time is enough to determine the stability. In this case, the heating was one of the highest, which in real conditions of use is unlikely to be achieved. By the way, classic stress tests like Linpack or Prime95 are not suitable for this role, since they actively use AVX instructions, which slow down when overclocking non-overclocking processors and cannot recreate the maximum load. Monitoring was carried out by the HWiNFO and CPU-Z utilities.

The first to go into battle was the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER gaming board with excellent overclocking capabilities. At voltage 1 , 104 V and manually raising the reference frequency to 121 MHz, the speed of the Intel Core i7-6700 was brought to 4113.86 MHz, which is an increase of 21% relative to the nominal value.

At the same time, the power consumption of the system increased slightly: from 51 W in idle (all energy-saving technologies are activated) and 223 W under stress load to 61 W and 230 W, respectively. The maximum temperature under stress did not rise above 51˚C.

On ASUS Z170-P D3 it was possible to achieve 4107.23 MHz with the same 1 , 104 V and a BCLK value of 121 MHz.

Power consumption has increased from 48W and 223W to 62W and 230W, respectively. The maximum temperature did not rise above 53˚C.

ASUS Z170-P submitted to a slightly lower processor frequency, namely 4060.70 MHz at a voltage of 1 , 104 V and a BCLK value of 119.5 MHz.

In this mode of operation, power consumption increased from 48 W and 225 W to 59 W and 230 W, respectively. The temperature did not rise above 52˚C.

To speed up the Intel Core i7-6700 to 4400 MHz on ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER, it was necessary to raise the base frequency to 129.5 MHz, and the voltage to 1.215 V, although, judging by the readings of the utilities, it sometimes reached 1.232 V. The increase in frequency was 29 .4% relative to the nominal value.

Power consumption figures were 64 watts idle and 240 watts under load - still quite modest figures. The temperature is kept in the range of 60-64 ˚C.

For stable operation of the Intel Core i7-6700 at 4400 MHz on the ASUS Z170-P D3, it was necessary to set a slightly higher voltage - 1.230 V (according to monitoring data - up to 1.248 V).

Power consumption was at 63W and 249W respectively, and temperatures were at 70˚C.

On ASUS Z170-P for 4400 MHz, it was necessary to raise the voltage to 1.215 V (according to monitoring data, up to 1.232 V).

At the same time, power consumption was 63 W and 265 W in idle and load, respectively. The maximum temperature did not rise above 63˚C.

Let's move on to the most interesting part - maximum overclocking.

On ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER, we managed to achieve a frequency of 4708.22 MHz with an increase in BCLK to 138.5 MHz. As a result, we received a 38% increase in nominal frequency. At the same time, the voltage was increased to 1.415 V (1.472 V according to monitoring data), and to compensate for its drawdowns, the “Load Line Calibration” (LLC) parameter was set to “LEVEL -6” in the BIOS settings.

At the same time, the processor's power consumption increased to 74 W and 322 W in idle and load, respectively, and it warmed up under stress load to 98˚C.

The maximum stable frequency on the ASUS Z170-P D3 was 4523 MHz when the reference frequency was raised to 133 MHz. The increase was 33% relative to the nominal value. To do this, I had to raise the supply voltage to 1.415 V (1.408 V according to monitoring data) and set the “LLC” value to “LEVEL -5”.

In this mode, power consumption increased to 71 W and 310 W, respectively. Under stress load, the temperature did not exceed 85˚C.

On the ASUS Z170-P, we forced the processor to work stably at 4691 MHz with BCLK 138 MHz. In this case, it was necessary to raise the voltage to 1.415 V, and set “LLC” to “LEVEL -6”.

In this mode, the power consumption was 73 W and 325 W, respectively, and the temperature at the peak of the load reached 96˚C.

For a visual assessment of the obtained overclocking results, we suggest taking a look at the summary table:

	ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER
	Overclocking Intel Core i7-6700
Processor frequency, MHz
BCLK frequency, MHz
CPU voltage, V
Energy consumption of the entire system idle / load, W
Maximum temperature, ˚C

Analyzing the results of overclocking the Intel Core i7-6700, we can safely state that all the tested motherboards coped with the task. True, someone is better, and someone is a little worse. If you want to get uncompromising overclocking, then the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER level solution may well give it. In this case, it's all thanks to the enhanced 10-phase digital power subsystem, which perfectly copes with its direct duties under any type of load and at the highest voltages, without a hint of drawdown. The board clearly has a large margin of safety for extreme overclocking. However, economical users may well recommend such solutions as ASUS Z170-P or ASUS Z170-P D3. For example, these boards also have a 7-phase digital power system, good cooling and wide customization options. That is, they have everything you need to get a decent overclock. The main thing is to take care of a good cooling system. But it is also worth understanding that overclocking is a lottery. It is not a fact that your processor will be able to repeat the achieved performance. Fortunately, all Intel Skylake models that have been in our laboratory have conquered the 4.6 GHz mark. So, on the other hand, you may have better luck than we do.

In conclusion, we offer a look at the results of RealBench v.2.41 at the maximum frequency of the Intel Core i7-6700

The places were distributed according to the received maximum processor frequency: ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER, ASUS Z170-P and ASUS Z170-P D3. On average, the increase in productivity was about 24% relative to the nominal value.

power usage

The overclocking of the Intel Core i7-6700 pleased us, but let's evaluate how much its power consumption has increased after such optimizations. To do this, we will use the results obtained on the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER motherboard.

Looking at the graph, you can see that while the voltage on the processor remains unchanged, the increase in power consumption is linear with increasing frequency. But as soon as we significantly raise the voltage on the processor, a sharp jump in consumption is observed. As a result, the power consumption of the Intel Core i7-6700 at maximum overclocking increased by 100 W compared to the nominal value. That's the price you pay for increased productivity. This should be taken into account when conducting experiments and take care of a quality power supply.

Analysis of the practical benefits of overclocking

Let's imagine that you want to build a mid-range computer. What is better to choose? The processor is simpler and the components for overclocking or immediately the processor is more powerful, and the components are cheaper. Let's try to figure it out.

CPU	Intel Core i3-6100 tray - $127 (UAH 3175)	Intel Core i5-6400 BOX - $199 (UAH 4986)
Motherboard
	DeepcoolGAMMAXX 300 - $23 (584 UAH)
Power Supply
total amount	$349 (UAH 8712)	$345 (UAH 8612)

As you can see, the assemblies turned out to be almost the same in price. But thanks to overclocking to 4.5 - 4.7 GHz, the Intel Core i3-6100 outperforms the Intel Core i5-6400 by 3-5%, depending on the type of load. In fairness, it should be noted that 3-5% includes not only gaming applications, but also specialized ones (rendering, mathematical calculations, coding, and so on). But if you take a computer exclusively for games, then an overclocked Intel Core i3-6100 can produce an FPS comparable to a configuration on an Intel Core i5-6600 running at nominal. In addition, no one bothers you to save money on the power supply and motherboard. In the first case, everything depends on the appetites of your video card, and in the second - on the necessary functionality and loyalty to one or another manufacturer. In this case, the profit can be much more significant.

What is the situation in the higher price range? Let's take a look at such an assembly.

CPU	Intel Core i5-6400 tray - $192 (UAH 4785)	Intel Core i5-6600 BOX - $239 (5969 UAH)
Motherboard	ASUS Z170-P - $141 (UAH 3518)	MSI B150M MORTAR - $96 (UAH 2400)
	ZALMAN CNPS10X Performa - $34 (UAH 855)
Power Supply	Aerocool KCAS-600 - $58 (1455 UAH)	Aerocool KCAS-500 - $50 (1257 UAH)
total amount	$425 (UAH 10609)	$ 385 (UAH 9610)

As a result, we get a 10% more expensive and 5% slower build on the Intel Core i5-6400 compared to the Intel Core i5-6600. But if you overclock the Intel Core i5-6400, then it already outperforms its older brother by 10-15% and even approaches the much more expensive Intel Core i7-6700 ($369 or UAH 9207). This can be seen in the testing example. In this case, overclocking is fully justified, especially if you initially looked to the side. The price difference between them is $71 (UAH 1772). And the money saved can be transferred to a more productive video card or sent to other needs.

Let's say a few words about the Intel Core i7-6700. The difference between it and the Intel Core i7-6700K is about $31 (UAH 778), but both of them overclock perfectly. It is unlikely that you will be able to achieve special savings, but as always, the choice is yours.

conclusions

Summing up the material, we have two news for you: good and bad. Let's start with the bad. If you work with specialized programs, such as video encoding, 3D modeling, and the like, that use AVX / AVX2 instructions, then overclocking non-overclocking Intel Skylake processors is contraindicated for you. This is because in this case, the speed of execution of these same instructions decreases and, as a result, a drop in overall performance is observed. If you still need to get more performance, and you plan to overclock the processor, then the choice remains only between Intel Corei5 - 6600K and Intel Core i7-6700K.

Now the good news. In all other cases, overclocking is not only possible, but also necessary - especially in gaming assemblies. The same Intel Core i3-6100 in overclocking can produce comparable performance with full-fledged 4-cores operating at nominal. And the younger Intel Core i5-6400 not only bypasses the older brothers in the line, but can even come close to the Intel Core i7-6700. At the same time, for decent overclocking (most Intel Skylake processors easily reach the 4.5-4.6 GHz line), it is not necessary to buy an expensive top-end motherboard, but you can get by with affordable models. The main thing is to take care of good cooling and a high-quality power supply.

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