Overclocking OC help for Sandy Bridge i5 2500k

Hi There,

I'm having issues keeping a stable overclock on my 2500K recently, for months it held nicely at 4.5 GHZ on mostly auto settings with an occasional BSOD.

But now it locks up frequently on 4.5GHZ even with a voltage of 1.355v, for some reason the settings I've been using for ages have throw the toys out the pram so to speak.

It just seems unstable now..

For the time being i've got it running at 4GHz, but i've experienced a lock up not to long ago.

Can anyone advise on this?

Additional Info -
CPU - Intel i5 2500K
Cooler - Corsair H80
Mobo - Asus p8z68-v
RAM - Corsair Vengance 8GB (2x4GB sticks) clocked at 1600MHz

 

Auto voltages are never a good idea.

Have you disabled all power settings such as EIST, C1E etc.?

 

Yep, they've been disabled.

 

First thing I do in similar situations is run MemTest86+

 

EIST is actually a good idea with SB, C states is not.

As far as your system goes I would also Memtest first but also check the BSOD codes thrown up by Windows these will give you an idea of what voltage to tune. IMC may need volts also and CPU can possibly come down.

 

Right, I've ran Memtest and that came back fine with no errors.

And the BSOD codes i've been getting range from either 101 or 124.

 

The last time I got a 124 I needed to up either the IMC or the vcore but I can't remember which. I think it was vcore. However

 

101 in the mix the is Vcore for sure!! Add some and see how that goes. Another option is to raise LLC to give higher mare stable core volts under load.

 

What setting would you suggest at 4.5 GHZ set at 1.360v?

 

This is high already for 4.5 on 2500K Try 1.375 and so on up in small steps. If you cant get it stable back off to 4.4 and retest.

 

I meant the LLC setting because I think that's on auto at the moment, I was just thinking the freezing might be caused by that setting as it's constantly bouncing between 2 different voltages when turbo mode kicks in?

Also another thing i've noticed is that when it freezes, the sound will still play like nothings happened, but the picture would have locked up.

 

Right, I've solved the BSOD problems but windows keeps locking up...

Windows freezes for a couple of moments and the mouse cursor goes all funny,

I've ran Prime95 tests for several hours and got the PC sitting stable at 4.4GHz at 1.360v

I've ran memtest on both memory modules seperatly and it comes back with no errors.

I'm losing the will sightly with this, any further suggestions?