Overclocking i5-3570k 3.40GHz

[dankellys]

Im looking at overclocking my Intel i5-3570K currently running at the stock speed of 3.40GHz. It currently only has the stock cooler.

Firstly, what would a safe speed be to overclock this chip too.
Secondly, will I need a new cooler?

I have ran a stress test as it is, with prime95, and it is sitting around 89c (idle's around 39c).

Also, is EasyTune6 a good way to overclock, or should I do it manually?

[dacads]

A new cooler would be strongly recommended as we can see the stock cooler is barely capable at the moment.

I would recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler, as I have one myself and it is quite well regarded in general.

Best way to overclock would be through the manually through the BIOS, read a few guides beforehand so you know what you're doing

[dankellys]

A new cooler would be strongly recommended as we can see the stock cooler is barely capable at the moment.

I would recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler, as I have one myself and it is quite well regarded in general.

Best way to overclock would be through the manually through the BIOS, read a few guides beforehand so you know what you're doing

Thanks for the advice, kind of glad you recommended a new cooler (love an excuse to buy some new kit ).

Overclocked an old quad-core processor a few years ago, so have a basic understanding, and have already come across a few good guides online to follow, just thought EasyTune6 looked like a simpe option.

[Biscuit]

Nothing really wrong with using EasyTune for some basic over clocking stuff but i would recommend going into bios and doing the basics first. I have struggled to get it working with my Z77 board though. There is another much more basic tool called tweak launcher (i think) that i have been using.

Over clocking the 3570K is really easy, with very little more than a slight voltage bump and changing the turbo multiplier you should be able to get it to 4.4ish pretty easily. I have managed to get mine stable at 4.7 but going any higher results in unacceptable temperatures.

Couple of the basic things i would recomend are; setting the BCLCK to 100 instead of leaving it at auto and, assuming you have this setting available to you, It might also be worth setting the load line calibration in the 3D power settings to high or turbo. This will prevent you from having a masive vdroop (vcore dropping under load).

My system is to put the settings in, go into windows and run 5 goes with intel burn test on extreme. Keep an eye on temps, they shouldnt go over much over 80c. Remember, intel burn test will put your computer through more stress than any other software will ever put on it, but it is good for testing stability quickly. Under anything other than IBT i wouldnt let your temps hit 70c really.
If you get that stable, either add another multiplier using easytune or tweak launcher if you havent matched your target, or if you are happy with those results then drop the vcore a little bit. I would recommend doing any voltage changes in BIOS, im sure software would be ok but i just feel safer doing it in BIOS. Once you have changed voltage/muti, re-run the tests!

If you nee to try and pull the temps back a little bit, you can reduce some of the other CPU based voltages a little bit. Should save you a few degrees an keep you stable but it still needs to be tested!

Once you have reached a point where you are happy you should run prime 95 on a blend test for 12 hours. This doesnt heat up CPU as much as IBT but it stilll stresses it a lot and will give you a good piece of mind that your PC will be as close as possible to 100% stable.

If you have profiles in your bios... use them! I have 4 settings going.
1. Stock
2. Fully tested overclock
3. Half tested/previous experiement
4. Current experiment

DVID is another useful feature, this drops the voltage when the CPU has no load. I havent got into playing with it too much yet, but i do know you have to have the vCore set to Normal which is done by pressing N in the bios option.

Just like to add, im not expert in this. I have got my info from various guides and a bit of practice. If anyone wants to correct me or add to what im saying, please do.

[dankellys]

Thanks for the advice, all makes sense. Going to get my self a new cooler, then will give this a shot.

Everyone in agreement that the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler is the one to go for?

[Biscuit]

Yeah nothing wrong with that, should be able to handle the kind of heat your CPU will be kicking out.

All coolers are limited with IvB by the fact that the heat doesn't transfer from the chip to the heat spreader on top very well. Its fine up until a point then the thermal material bonding the chip to the heat spreader just doesn't seem to be up to the job and the temps sky rocket.