Is it possible to overclock the i5 7600? Intel® Clear Video Technology

Packaging, delivery and appearance

The new product came to us for testing without packaging or delivery kit. Therefore, let us turn to the official press materials to familiarize ourselves with it. At first glance, it uses the same bright processor design Intel series Skylake, however there are still some differences.

Firstly, the designation “7th Generation” was added on the front side, which does not require translation. Secondly, in boxes with processors with a locked multiplier there is a proprietary cooler, and the viewing window is located on top panel. In models with an unlocked multiplier, the word “Unlocked” has been added to the front, and the viewing window has been moved to the rear. Also, quite logically, their kit does not include a cooling system.

And finally in the CPU series Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7, the “For a great VR experience” logo appeared, which will allow inexperienced users to quickly navigate the choice.

Intel Core i5-6600K

The appearance of Intel Kaby Lake series processors is quite logically no different from their predecessors, since they are designed for the same socket (Socket LGA1151). Accordingly, owners of cooling systems should not have any problems installing a cooler on new CPUs.

Traditionally, on the heat distribution cover of the Intel Core i5-7600K you can find its name, markings, base clock frequency and other designations. WITH reverse side located contact pads for Socket LGA1151 connector.

Technical characteristics analysis

In load mode, the clock frequency of the new product rises to 4 GHz at a voltage of 1.136 V. In turn, the model in a similar mode operated at a speed of 3.6 GHz at a voltage of 1.193 V.

Under certain loads, you can achieve the maximum declared frequency of 4.2 GHz at a voltage of 0.768 V. For its predecessor, it was 3.9 GHz at a voltage of 1.304 V.

After deactivating dynamic overclocking technology (Intel Turbo Boost 2.0), the load frequency of the Intel Core i5-7600K does not exceed 3.8 GHz at a voltage of 1.072 V. But the Intel Core i5-6600K can only boast a speed of 3.5 GHz at a voltage of 1.194 V.

And finally, in power-saving mode, both processors can reduce the frequency to 800 MHz. But if the representative of Intel Kaby Lake requires 0.688 V for this, then Intel Skylake requires 0.846 V.

In general, we can state a decrease in operating voltages while simultaneously increasing the frequency and maintaining the thermal package. These are clear results of optimizations in design and production technology.

Left: Intel Core i5-7600K, right: Intel Core i5-6600K

Absolutely nothing has changed in the cache memory organization. We still have the following structure:

• 32 KB of L1 cache per core with 8 associative channels is allocated for instructions and the same amount for data;
• 256 KB L2 cache per core with 8 associativity channels;
• 6 MB shared L3 cache with 12 associative channels.

And here is the built-in controller RAM has been improved and is now guaranteed to support DDR4 modules running at 2400 MHz instead of 2133 MHz. Support for DDR3L-1600 MHz memory has not gone away either.

Now a few words about the integrated graphics adapter Intel HD Graphics 630, built on the Intel Gen9.5 microarchitecture. In its presentation, Intel did not indicate the number of execution units, but the AIDA64 program suggests that there are 24 of them, just like its predecessor. Base frequency is not indicated, and the dynamic one is also at the level of 1150 MHz.

The maximum temperature for the Intel Core i5-7600K was not officially designated at the time of writing this review, so we will focus on the Tjmax parameter of the AIDA64 program, which is 100°C.

When simultaneously loading processor and graphics cores the clock frequency of the former was slightly higher than 3.8 GHz, and the latter - 1150 MHz. CPU power consumption reached 60 W. In turn, the temperature of the processor cores did not exceed 55°C, and the iGPU - 49°C.

Testing

During testing we used Processor Test Stand No. 2

We will traditionally start analyzing the results with the efficiency of Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technology, the deactivation of which reduces the maximum possible clock frequency from 4.2 to 3.8 GHz. Disabling it reduces the performance of the Intel Core i5-7600K by an average of 3.3% in synthetic tests and by 1% in games.

We would like to thank Intel for providing the processor for testing.

Therefore, this time we will limit ourselves to comparing the main character, Core i5-7600K, only with a similar representative Skylake generation, Core i5-6600K. However, so that Intel processors would not be so boring in the final charts, we added to their company the older AMD chip - FX-9590, which, oddly enough, is comparable to the Core i5-7600K in cost.

Ultimately full list involved in test systems components received the following form:

• Processors:
  • Intel Core i7-7700K (Kaby Lake, 4 cores + HT, 4.2-4.5 GHz, 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i5-7600K (Kaby Lake, 4 cores, 3.8-4.2 GHz, 6 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-6700K (Skylake, 4 cores + HT, 4.0-4.2 GHz, 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i5-6600K (Skylake, 4 cores, 3.5-3.9 GHz, 6 MB L3);
  • AMD FX-9590 (Vishera, 8 cores, 4.7-5.0 GHz, 8 MB L3).
  • CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U14S.
  • Motherboards:
    • ASUS Maximus IX Hero (LGA1151, Intel Z270);
    • ASUS 970 PRO Gaming/Aura (Socket AM3+, AMD 970 + SB950).
    • Memory:
    • • 2 × 8 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM, 15-15-15-35 (Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK16GX4M2A2666C16R).
      • 2 × 8 GB DDR3-2133 SDRAM, 9-11-11-31 (G.Skill F3-2133C9D-16GTX).
      • Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (8 GB/256-bit GDDR5X, 1607-1733/10000 MHz).
      • Disk subsystem: Kingston HyperX Savage 480 GB (SHSS37A/480G).
      • Power supply: Corsair RM850i ​​(80 Plus Gold, 850 W).

Models Core processors The i5s from the list above were tested not only when operating in nominal mode, but also at their stable and suitable overclocking for long-term use, which is achievable with the cooling we use:

• Core i5-7600K overclocked to 4.5 GHz with a voltage of 1.325 V;
• Core i5-7600K overclocked to 4.8 GHz with a voltage of 1.4 V and reset to 3.8 GHz when executing AVX instructions;
• Core i5-6600K overclocked to 4.5 GHz with a voltage of 1.325 V.

Testing was performed in the operating room Microsoft system Windows 10 Enterprise Build 14393 using the following driver set:

• Intel Chipset Driver 10.1.1.38;
• Intel Management Engine Interface Driver 11.6.0.1030;
• NVIDIA GeForce 376.33 Driver.

Description of the tools used to measure computing performance:

Comprehensive benchmarks:

• BAPCo SYSmark 2014 SE - testing in Office Productivity scenarios ( office work: text preparation, spreadsheet processing, working with by email and visiting Internet sites), Media Creation(work on multimedia content - creating a commercial using pre-filmed digital images and video), Data/Financial Analysis (processing an archive of financial data, their statistical analysis and forecasting investments based on a certain model) and Responsiveness (analysis of the system’s responsiveness when launching applications, opening files, working with an Internet browser with a large number open tabs, multitasking, copying files, batch operations with photos, encrypting and archiving files and installing programs).
• Futuremark 3DMark Professional Edition 2.2.3509 - testing in the Time Spy 1.0 scene.

Applications:

• Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 - processing performance testing graphic images. The average execution time of a test script is measured, which is a creative reworking of the Retouch Artists Photoshop Speed ​​Test, which involves typical processing of four 24-megapixel images taken with a digital camera.
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.8 - performance testing with batch processing a series of images in RAW format. The test scenario includes post-processing and export to JPEG with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and maximum quality two hundred 12-megapixel RAW images taken digitally Nikon camera D300.
• Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017 - performance testing for non-linear video editing. The time for rendering a Blu-Ray project containing HDV 1080p25 video with various effects applied is measured.
• Autodesk 3ds max 2017 - speed testing final rendering. Measures the time it takes to render at 1920 x 1080 resolution using the renderer mental ray standard Hummer stage.
• Blender 2.78a - testing the final rendering speed in one of the popular free packages for creating 3D graphics. The duration of building the final model from Blender Cycles Benchmark rev4 is measured.
• WinRAR 5.40 - archiving speed testing. The time spent by the archiver to compress a directory with various files with a total volume of 1.7 GB is measured. The maximum degree of compression is used.
• x264 r2744 - testing the speed of video transcoding into H.264/AVC format. To evaluate performance, we use an original 1080p@50FPS AVC video file with a bitrate of about 30 Mbps.
• x265 2.2+17 8bpp - testing the speed of video transcoding into the promising H.265/HEVC format. To evaluate performance, the same video file is used as in the x264 encoder transcoding speed test.

Games:

• Ashes of Singularity. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Quality Profile = High, MSAA = 2x.
• Civilization VI. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, MSAA = 4x, Performance Impact = Ultra, Memory Impact = Ultra.
• Grand Theft Auto V. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX Version = DirectX 11, FXAA = Off, MSAA = x4, NVIDIA TXAA = Off, Population Density = Maximum, Population Variety = Maximum, Distance Scaling = Maximum, Texture Quality = Very High, Shader Quality = Very High, Shadow Quality = Very High, Reflection Quality = Ultra, Reflection MSAA = x4, Water Quality = Very High, Particles Quality = Very High, Grass Quality = Ultra, Soft Shadow = Softest, Post FX = Ultra, In-Game Depth Of Field Effects = On, Anisotropic Filtering = x16, Ambient Occlusion = High, Tessellation = Very High, Long Shadows = On, High Resolution Shadows = On, High Detail Streaming While Flying = On, Extended Distance Scaling = Maximum, Extended Shadows Distance = Maximum.
• Hitman™. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 12, Super Sampling = 1.0, Level of Detail = Ultra, Anti-Aliasing = FXAA, Texture Quality = High, Texture Filter = Anisotropic 16x, SSAO = On, Shadow Maps = Ultra, Shadow Resolution = High.
• Rise of the Tomb Raider. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Preset = Very High.
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Resolution 1920 × 1080, Graphics Preset = High, Postprocessing Preset = High.
• Total War: WARHAMMER. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Quality = Ultra.

If you have already read the review of the older processor of the Kaby Lake generation, then today we are unlikely to be able to tell you anything new. Reviewed in this review The Core i5-7600K is the same typical quad-core representative of the Kaby Lake family, only of a lower class, which is mainly expressed in the absence of Hyper-Threading technology in it. And this means that the new product under consideration is an “improved” Core i5-6600K with a clock frequency increased by approximately 300 MHz. Exclusively due to this, the Core i5-7600K is faster. True, this is not a simple legal overclocking. The basis for frequency growth has been provided by changes in technological process, therefore, the heat dissipation and power consumption of Kaby Lake are by no means higher than those of its predecessors.

All this makes the Core i5-7600K a very attractive alternative to the Core i7-7700K in cases where the processor requires four full cores and relatively good performance, but there is a desire to save money or, when creating a system, to transfer part of the budget from the CPU to, for example, a video card. The Core i5-7600K is $97 cheaper than the older representative in the Kaby Lake family, but even in the most resource-intensive tasks it is capable of delivering about 75-80 percent of the performance of the Core i7-7700K. This is quite enough for comfortable work in most common applications, and for unlocking the potential of flagship graphic cards V modern games, which makes the Core i5-7600K a worthy choice for a gaming build.

In addition, the Core i5-7600K can be an interesting object for overclocking experiments. It has a full set of unlocked multipliers and overclocks at least as well as the Core i5-6600K. However, it is not possible to achieve the level of performance of the Core i7-7700K with the Core i5-7600K even through overclocking. Unfortunately, the relative overclocking potential of Kaby Lake is not that great, and something not entirely clear is going on with overclocking the Core i5-7600K. There is an opinion that semiconductor crystals with the best frequency characteristics go first of all to the Core i7-7700K, and so far our experience allows us to confirm rather than refute this hypothesis.

02.02.2017 22:52

This guide will help you configure UEFI BIOS settings to achieve stable 5 GHz on unlocked seventh generation Kaby Lake processors (Intel Core i7-7700K, Intel Core i5-7600K and ).

Some practical statistics:

• approximately 20% of 7th generation CPUs run reliably at 5 GHz in all applications, including Handbrake/AVX;
• 80% of Kaby Lake samples are capable of operating at 5 GHz, however, in programs using the AVX command system, the frequency must be reduced to a stable 4800 MHz (this happens in automatic format with the AVX offset parameter active in the BIOS);
• selected Kaby Lake samples can work with four memory modules at DDR4-4133 (at motherboards ROG Maximus IX) and with a paired kit at DDR4-4266 frequency (tested on the Maximus IX Apex board).

What voltage is normal for 5 GHz?

This is perhaps one of the most important questions that enthusiasts ask when overclocking a CPU. After all, it is this parameter that has a key impact on the stability and final result of overclocking.

First, let's look at the level of power consumption of the Intel Core i7-7700K in different modes works:

• nominally the processor consumes about 45 W (in the ROG Realbench application);
• at a frequency of 5 GHz and with the ROG Realbench test running, we get 93 W;
• 5 GHz and Prime95 - 131 W.

For stable operation of the CPU at 5 GHz in the Prime95 test (and therefore in most commonly used applications), a voltage of 1.35 V is required (Vcore parameter in the BIOS). It is not recommended to exceed this value in order to avoid degradation processor and overheating.

For stable operation of the CPU at 5 GHz in the Prime95 test, a voltage of 1.35 V is required.

It should be noted that the processors of the Kaby Lake family are extremely energy efficient. For comparison, a stable Skylake at 5 GHz in similar applications, for example, Prime95 consumes about 200 W.

To cool the overclocked device during stress tests, you will need a powerful coolant; this can be either a cooling system or a high-performance supercooler.

Verified options:

• A CBO with a three-section radiator (water temperature in the system is 18 degrees) cools a processor overclocked to 5 GHz at a voltage of 1.28 V to 63 degrees;
• SVO with a two-section radiator at 1.32 V demonstrates 72 degrees;
• cooler at 5 GHz and 1.32 V - 78 degrees.

For constant use of Kaby Lake at 5 GHz, air cooling is not enough, but do not forget about the possibility of load optimization. The CPU will operate at full capacity only in the most necessary cases (more on this below).

Overclocking RAM

Selected Kaby Lake samples can work with four memory modules at DDR4-4133.

We remind you that Kaby Lake processors work perfectly with RAM at DDR-4133 frequency (tested on a family of motherboards ASUS boards ROG Maximus). The DDR4-4266 indicator is available on the ASUS Maximus IX Apex and ASUS Strix Z270I Gaming models (it's all about two DIMM connectors that are optimized for such frequencies).

But for everyday use you should not use RAM with a frequency higher than DDR4-3600; conquering 4 GHz memory marks is left to enthusiasts, for home or gaming system What's more important is the overall stability of the PC.

The main thing is not to forget about the need to install paired kits of RAM (that is, factory kits consisting of two or four modules) into the DIMM slots. Self-selected individual options may simply not start at the settings, timings, etc. you require.

AVX offset parameter

This option helps stabilize the CPU on high frequencies, reducing the operating frequency when processing operations with AVX code.

If you fix the processor multiplier at 50 units, BCLK at 100 MHz, and the AVX offset parameter at 0, the resulting frequency of 5000 MHz will be constant. But in this case, the system may turn out to be unstable. And the reason for such behavior will take a very long time to identify.

That is why experienced enthusiasts advise using the AVX offset option, setting its value to 2. This means that at a constant 5 GHz, the system will automatically reduce the multiplier to 48 points (which corresponds to 4800 MHz) at the moment when AVX application activity is noticed.

5 GHz without AVX load
4.8 GHz with active AVX application

This approach has a beneficial effect not only on the stability of the PC, but also on proper power consumption, and therefore the heat dissipation of the CPU.

For everyday use, you should not use RAM with a frequency higher than DDR4-3600.

The functionality of motherboards does not yet allow the operating voltage of the processor to be divided in this way. But there is hope that in future generations this opportunity will definitely be realized.

Overclocking technique, monitoring and checking the system for stability

No matter how trivial it may sound, before any overclocking process it is worth testing the PC in normal mode. Run several benchmarks, monitor the current temperature and fix identified bugs (if any are noticed).

If everything is in perfect order, feel free to increase the processor multiplier and voltage (in BIOS settings It is recommended to use Adaptive voltage mode instead of Manual or Offset mode for the Vcore parameter).

Next, we look for a stable frequency and minimum voltage at which the system behaves stably (passing POST, starting the OS, operability of service applications, stress tests, etc.). At the same time, do not forget to record operating temperature CPU, it should not exceed 80 degrees even in the hottest conditions.

As a rule, kits with DDR4-4000+ frequencies do not require a voltage higher than 1.25 V for the System Agent parameter.

After overclocking the CPU, we move on to the RAM. Most preferred option is to activate the XMP parameter (if the modules and motherboard support this profile). Otherwise, you will have to find the maximum operating frequency and timings yourself.

It is possible that if a stable RAM value is identified, adjustments to the Vcore, System Agent (VCCSA) and VCCIO parameters will be required; we will talk about this below.

Preferred stress tests:

• ROG Realbench uses a combination of Handbrake, Luxmark and Winrar applications; the benchmark is good for checking RAM, 2-8 hours of running is enough;
• HCI Memtest helps identify RAM and CPU cache errors;
• AIDA64 is a classic software tool any enthusiast; The built-in stress test is able to check the strength of the processor-memory connection (2-8 hours of running is enough).

Practice overclocking and settings in UEFI BIOS

So, let's move on to the practical part, namely, setting parameters in the BIOS and overclocking itself. We will need the Extreme Tweaker tab on ASUS motherboards.

We adjust the following options:

• in the case of using SVO, set the Vcore value to 1.30 V, multiplier to 49; for air cooling - 1.25 V and 48, respectively;
• set the Ai Overclock Tuner parameter to Manual mode;
• CPU Core Ratio to Sync All Cores;
• for CPU/Cache Voltage (CPU Vcore) select Adaptive Mode;
• for Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage, set the value to 1.30 V (when using CBO) or 1.25 V for level coolers.

For CPU/Cache Voltage (CPU Vcore) select Adaptive Mode
For Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage set the value to 1.30 V

Go to the Internal CPU Power Management submenu:

• IA DC Load Line is fixed at 0.01
• IA AC Load Line at 0.01

Internal CPU Power Management

We save the settings and reboot the system, try to go through POST and log into the OS. If the system is stable, we increase the multiplier to 49-50 points, and to the current voltage, if necessary, throw it up+0.02 V. But we try not to exceed critical mark of 1.35 V.

After this, we check the system for strength in Prime95 and monitor the CPU temperature (it should not be higher than 80 degrees).

For RAM in UEFI, select XMP mode. When searching for a stable memory frequency, it may be necessary to adjust the CPU VCCIO and CPU System Agent options in accordance with the following recommendations:

• for DDR4-2133 – DDR4-2800 frequencies, the voltage of the CPU VCCIO and CPU System Agent should be in the range of 1.05-1.15 V;
• for DDR4-2800 – DDR4-3600 CPU VCCIO can be increased to 1.10-1.25 V, and CPU System Agent - 1.10-1.30 V;
• DDR4-3600 - DDR4-4266: 1.15-1.30 V and 1.20-1.35 V respectively.

XMP profile selection
CPU voltage VCCIO

However, depending on the processor and memory used, these figures may vary. As a rule, kits with a frequency of DDR4-4000+ do not require a voltage higher than 1.25 V for the System Agent parameter.

We run stress tests again with the applied parameters. Don’t forget about the AVX Core Ratio Negative Offset option, which is recommended to be fixed at a value of 2 points (if clock frequency CPU 4900 MHz, AVX applications will run at 4700 MHz).

AVX Core Ratio Negative Offset parameter

Conclusion

These tips will help you achieve the desired result in overclocking. Intel processors Kaby Lake up to 5 GHz and above; potential stones impressive.

The main thing is not to neglect high-quality cooling and long-term stress tests.

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Test samples

Processor markings have not undergone any changes compared to previous generations of Intel CPUs.

The most important two lines in it are “FPO” and “ATPO”: when combined (using the example of our sample - L639F920-02525) they form serial number. The FPO line itself is simultaneously called a “batch code” and it is by this that they are guided, selecting a processor in the absence of access to test stand. In addition, the batch code contains actual information about when and where this instance was manufactured:

• The first character indicates the place of production: 0 = San Jose, Costa Rica; 1 = Cavite, Philippines; 3 = Costa Rica; 6 = Chandler, Arizona; 7 = Philippines; 8 = Leixlip, Ireland; 9 = Penang, Malaysia; L = Malaysia; Q = Malaysia; R = Manila, Philippines; X = Vietnam; Y = Leixlip, Ireland;
• The second symbol is the year of production (in our case, 2016);
• The third and fourth characters are the week of production (in our case, the 39th week or the period from September 26 to October 2);
• From the fifth to the eighth character - the batch identifier (in our case - F920);
• ATPO is the actual serial number of the processor in the batch (in our case, 02525).

The eight samples tested are from two different batches - two from G920 and six from G802. The difference in production dates between them is two weeks:

• L639F920-00237;
• L639F920-02525;
• L641G802-00524;
• L641G802-00766;
• L641G802-00937;
• L641G802-01475;
• L641G802-02100;
• L641G802-03320.

Test stand

To test the new Intel Kaby Lake CPUs, the following configuration was assembled:

• Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme6 (BIOS B7.20; copy from this review);
• Processor: eight copies of Intel Core i5-7600K Kaby Lake 3800-4200 MHz;
• Cooling system: Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E with one Thermalright TY-143 fan (maximum speed);
• Thermal interface: Arctic Cooling MX-2 ( review);
• RAM: 2 x 4 GB Samsung DDR4-2133 (15-15-15-36; 1.20 V; M378A5143EB1-CPBD0; not tested separately);
• Video card: XFX Radeon RX 480 GTR TripleX 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 480 8 GB (GPU 1338 MHz, MEM 2000 MHz; not tested separately);
• Power supply: Corsair HX750W 750 Watt (not tested separately; slightly modified in terms of element base);
• System storage: Samsung 950 Pro 512 GB (Samsung UBX + 3D V-NAND Toggle MLC Samsung, 1B0QBXX7);
• Housing: open stand.

Software:

• Operating system: Windows 10 x64 Home with all current updates from Windows Update(assembly version - 14393.693).
• CPU-Z 1.78.1 x64;
• OCCT 4.4.2;
• LinX 0.7.0;
• HWMonitor 1.30;
• Blender 2.7x Cycles (BMW);
• 3DMark.