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GIGABYTE Z97X OC Guide
While this guide focuses heavily on the Z97X-SOC and Z97X-SOC Force, the same principles can be applied to any GIGABYTE Z97 motherboard. All the results done by me in this guide are done on a closed loop AIO watercooler with above ambient temperature. There is a separate section from top overclockers such as Dinos22, and those are mostly done on LN2.
Disclaimer: Overclocking can cause damage to your hardware components if done in correctly, this guide is there to help those who wish to do so knowing something might happen, you and only you are responsible if you damage your hardware.
The figure above shows all the changes of the Z97X-SOC Force compared to the Z87X-OC, the Z97X-SOC is basically the same except it only has 4 phases of IR3553 and it has the same Intel 217v NIC that the Z87X-OC had.
The Intel Z97 platform has many different devices which can be overclocked and are interlinked; to complete a system wide overclock you should tackle each device in the following order(for the sake of organizing this guide, BCLK will be covered last):
This video will explain GIGABYTE's SOC series OC features and show how to use the UEFI to overclock:
GIGABYTE Z97X-SOC and Z97X-SOC Force features:
OC DIMM Switch: Allows the user to disable individual channels of memory, this is useful for memory diagnostics, especially when it is difficult to remove DIMMs because of the cooling apparatus installed.
OC PCIe Switch: Allows the user to disable individual PCI-E slots, this is useful for PCIe diagnostics, especially when it is difficult to remove PCIe cards because of the cooling apparatus installed.
OC Ignition: Provides power to DIMMs, PCIe and peripheral devices even when system is off. This feature is a GIGABYTE exclusive and provides many hidden benefits to users. First of all you can test not only the PSU to make sure it properly works, but also any voltage modifications on your graphics cards, water cooling systems, case mods and fans. Anything that requires the board or PSU to provide it power can be engaged. It is especially useful during cold bug situations when you need a fan to run 24/7 to keep condensation at bay. It also can be used to provide continuous power to PCIe/PCI based RAM cards that lose memory when they are powered off (so you won?t lose memory).
OC Tag: Allows user to set specific BIOS profile which is engaged when OC Tag is engaged, this is useful because you can save your OC profile for benching to TAG, and use TAG instead of inputting your settings. This makes it easy to remove the settings if you need to troubleshoot and even easier to re-apply them when needed.
OC Turbo: Easy one touch auto-OC feature from GIGABYTE (~4.2ghz OC depending on CPU SKU).
OC BCLK/Multiplier +/- buttons: Real-time overclocking of BCLK and multiplier
OC Gear: Reduces BCLK +/- button steps from 1mhz to ~0.1mhz
OC Trigger Switch: When engaged can reduce system uncore and CPU ratio to 8x on the fly, this is useful for maximum validations for CPU speed. An example of getting to 7 GHz; you boot in at 6.5 GHz, then increase the multiplier by 1x with OC Touch, but your system becomes unstable quickly. Instead of waiting for instability, you can instead engage the trigger switch (CPU now at 8x), increase the multiplier with OC Touch, and then re-engage high multiplier(dis-engage TRG switch), and you will get to your top multiplier, save a validation, and then engage trigger switch again and complete the procedure again.
Dual BIOS Switch: Select between main and backup BIOS, you can flash one with an official build and the other with an OC BIOS.
Single BIOS Mode switch: Disables dual BIOS when enabled to allow faster boot-up and OC recovery, since the main and backup are both checked on boot up, disabling dual BIOS will disable this checking and link between the BIOS ROMs.
GIGABYTE Settings Lock: Will restore previously known good values to CMOS settings, this can be used in lieu of clear CMOS.
DTB: Direct to BIOS button allows users to bypass pressing delete to enter the UEFI setup, it can save time.
GIGABYTE Memory Safe: Will engage fail-safe memory settings in case you think your memory settings are causing issues.
CBAT Switch: Is a hardcore CMOS reset which will reset the CMOS as if the battery and all power were removed from the motherboard. If you have trouble clearing the CMOS you can hit this button, but beware you will probably have to unplug the 24-pin and plug it back in to be able to start the system, that is how intense the CBAT button is. It?s best to use the clear CMOS button first.
OC Connect: Two internal USB 2.0 ports provide easy access for USB devices for overclockers.
HDD LED: Lets user know when the HDD/SSD is being written too, this can help with benchmarks such as SuperPI where it is beneficial to know when the disk is being written too.
OC Dual BIOS: Dual 128Mbit BIOS ROMs designed so that you are in total control over BIOS mechanisms in case of flash failure or OC failure.
Voltages:
Note1: Voltages 3,5, and 7 are offsets and can be changed only if the manual voltage control is set to ?normal?
Note2: Voltages for iGPU overclocking aren?t covered in this guide.
Advanced Power Settings:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration (1): This is the LLC for the VIN and has many levels, but Extreme is recommended for most OC scenarios:
CPU VRIN Protection(2): Overvoltage protection for the VRIN, set to highest amount of overvolt, or just leave auto.
DDR VRIN Protection(3): Overvoltage protection for the VRIN, set to highest amount of overvolt, or just leave auto.
CPU VRIN Current Protection(4): This is overcurrent protection for the VRIN, set Extreme (which means least protection and highest current).
DDR Current Protection(5): This is overcurrent protection for the DDR, set Extreme(which means least protection and highest current).
Over temperature protection for CPU VRIN and DDR(6,7): Not currently available right now.
CPU and DDR Switch Rate(8,9): This is the switching frequency of the CPU VRIN and DDR VRMs, this setting has minimal effect on performance or power delivery, that is because you can only change it between 300-400KHz, which is very minimal (to protect from user damage). Lower will produce cooler running VRMs, higher will produce higher performance VRMs, just leave auto.
PWM Phase Control (10): This controls the balance of temperature and current in the VRM, Extreme performance will give you the best performance, and that is what you want when overclocking.
CPU Overclocking:
CPU Frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier *CPU Multiplier
Performance Upgrade(1): Auto CPU and Memory OC Presets
CPU Base Clock(2): BCLK setting, set manual for more options
Host/PCIe Clock Frequency(3): Actual BCLK
Gear Ratio(4): The BCLK Multiplier
Spread Spectrum Control(5): lower percentage is a lower amount of spread spectrum which is known to cause instability, leave this on auto unless you want lower EMI(worse stability) in that case increase it.
Processor Graphics Clock(6): Controls the clock of the iGPU in the CPU.
CPU Upgrade(7): CPU auto overclock presets
CPU Clock Ratio(8): The CPU multiplier
XMP(9): Will enable or disable memory XMP overclock
Note: If you decide to go with a memory frequency higher than 2933MHz, first find out your target BCLK and attain stability with a low CPU multiplier, then start increasing your CPU multiplier.
Steps for CPU OC:
#1 Calculate what frequency you want (this step matters if you use higher BCLK than 100MHz), then set the following advanced CPU features to disable: C1, C3, C6/C7, EIST. Leave turbo and turbo settings on auto.
#2 Set Multiplier and test for stability, if the system is unstable or refuses to boot, then increase voltages. Try 42x as a starting point, and go up one multiplier from there, a good starting point for the VRIN is 2.0v to 2.2v (higher can provide more stability but higher temperature), a good starting point for VCore is 1.15v-1.25v (higher can provide more stability but higher temperature). Increase Ring Voltage as a last resort when you cannot increase the VCore or VIN anymore because of high temperatures but you need a bit more stability, the Ring Voltage is mainly used to stabilize the uncore, however it can aid CPU overclocking.
#3 Most important voltages for CPU OC (in order): VCore(higher), VIN(higher), Ring Voltage(higher). You should note that the VCore and other voltages will increase automatically with CPU multiplier unless you manually set them or set them to ?normal?. You can also start from your VID as a base voltage (this will be the grayed out voltage near VCore setting around 1v when you load optimized defaults and restart), lower VID possibly means higher clocking CPU.
#4 Determine if you want the CPU frequency to drop and/or if you want the CPU VCore to drop when the system is idle. If you want the voltage to drop then enable C3. If you want the frequency to drop then enable EIST. If you want both to drop then enable both.
K OC(1): Unlocks multipliers on some multiplier locked CPUs
CPU PLL Selection/PLL filer level(2,3): selection of the CPU?s internal clock generator and its filter level. (leave Auto, however LC PLL can provide better results for higher BCLK)
Uncore Ratio(4): Uncore multiplier
Turbo Boost Technology(5-12): Intel?s Turbo boost technology, leave most Turbo mode settings on auto, these will max out current and power automatically on auto.
Number of Cores(13): You can disable CPU cores to reduce the heat and increase clocks, the CPU randomly shuts down cores if you select this option.
Hyper Threading(14): Disabling this will reduce CPU temperature but might impact multi-threaded performance, if you are running benchmarks like SuperPI or going for max clocks then disable, otherwise leave enabled.
C1E, C6/C7 and CPU Thermal Monitor(15,17,18): Disable in most cases
C3 and EIST(16,19): C3 state will drop CPU voltage when there is less load, EIST will drop CPU multiplier in the same case, enable or disable both depending on whether you want voltage and/or frequency to drop during idle.
Example of 4.5GHz OC with XMP and drop in CPU voltage and multiplier at idle (If you don?t see a setting below then assume it is ?Auto?):
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 45x
XMP: Enable
Uncore Ratio: 40x or 43x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Enable
EIST: Disable
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.2v
VCore: 1.275v
Ring Voltage: 1.1v
Example for Max CPU Frequency:
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 45x (Then use OC Touch or GTL to increase to top frequency)
XMP: Disable
Uncore Ratio: 8x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Disable
EIST: Disable
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.3v to 3v on LN2
VCore: 1.4v to 2v on LN2
Ring Voltage: 1.1v to 1.5v on LN2
Memory Overclocking:
Memory frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier * DRAM Multiplier
A more advanced memory overclocking section with recommendations from top overclockers with the Z97X-SOC Force is provided later in this guide.
XMP(1): Enable for XMP profile for your memory, XMP settings are override by any changes done to memory. If you select XMP and then select a multiplier for the memory, then you will lose XMP timings. To properly engage XMP just enable XMP and do not touch any other memory settings, except DRAM voltage (which has no effect like DRAM multiplier setting).
Memory Overclocking Profiles(2): Shown Below.
Memory Multiplier(3): Selects memory speed
Memory Enhancement(4): Chose between performance, stability, and balanced. Leave auto most of the time, this setting doesn?t have a big impact.
Memory Timing Mode(5): Select to change both channels at once or individually, you need to change individually if you change RTLs/IOLs for super advanced memory OC. That means if you choose advanced manual you need to set your timings twice, once for each channel.
Memory Boot Mode(6): Select whether to train memory on boot up, this can be useful because some types of memory like to be trained on every boot, and some do not, so this allows you to choose.
Channel and Rank Interleaving(7,8): Do not bother messing with these.
The following memory OC profiles are available:
Memory OC Steps:
#1 If you want the memory frequency to reach speeds higher than 2933MHz, you will need to figure out your target memory frequency and BCLK. So use the equation Memory frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier * DRAM Multiplier to determine the BCLK you need. It is recommended to use the 1.25x divider with memory first and if really needed use 1.66x.
#2 If using XMP settings only enable XMP, if you want to manually OC the memory to speeds or timings different than XMP, then disable XMP.
#3 Set memory multiplier as well as timings you desire, if you set a timing such as RTl or IOL then you will need to use advanced manual mode and set each channel individually (copy all timings to both channels). Many times the board is pretty good at picking timings, for a 3440MHz clock with ADATA2800C12 memory, all that needs to be set is Cas Latency to 13, the board sets all the other timings accordingly.
#4 If you encounter issues with memory training (advanced memory OC), then you can disable fast boot under memory boot options, which will force the board to retrain the memory every time.
#5 Memory voltages: DDR Voltage, DDR VTT, System Agent(IMC), VCCIO Analog(IMC), VCCIO Digital (IMC). IMC voltages will differ for every IMC and memory IC type. In general you want to leave DDR VTT on auto, however if needed you can set it to whatever you like(around ? DDR Voltage). System Agent and VCCIO Analog and Digital will vary depending on the system. Usually you can raise all 3 together, like to +0.25, and then if you get issues, take one down at a time back to normal value. Be aware the motherboard will auto increase some of these voltages(when the voltage is set to ?Auto?) depending on memory frequency, to stop this you can set it to ?Normal?, however do not do this just because.
Memory OC Tips:
All available memory timings:
Quick Memory OC to 3400mhz using the following changes to UEFI settings (If a setting isn?t listed then assume it is Auto):
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 8x
CPU Base Clock: Manual
Host/PCIe Clock Frequency: 103.5
Gear Ratio: 1.25
XMP: Disable
Uncore Ratio: 8x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Disable
EIST: Disable
Memory:
Memory Multiplier: 26.66
Memory Timing Mode: Manual
Memory Boot Mode: Disable Fast Boot
Cas Latency: 13
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU VRIN Protection: Auto or 400mv
DDR VRIN Protection: Auto or 400mv
CPU VRIN Current Protection: Extreme
DDR Current Protection: Extreme
CPU and DDR Switch Rate: Auto
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.0v
VCore: 1.25v
Ring Voltage: Auto
System Agent: +0.3
CPU IO Analog: +0.15
CPU IO Digital: +0.15
PCH Voltage: Auto
PCH IO Voltage: 1.05v
DRAM Voltage: 1.85v
While this guide focuses heavily on the Z97X-SOC and Z97X-SOC Force, the same principles can be applied to any GIGABYTE Z97 motherboard. All the results done by me in this guide are done on a closed loop AIO watercooler with above ambient temperature. There is a separate section from top overclockers such as Dinos22, and those are mostly done on LN2.
Disclaimer: Overclocking can cause damage to your hardware components if done in correctly, this guide is there to help those who wish to do so knowing something might happen, you and only you are responsible if you damage your hardware.
The figure above shows all the changes of the Z97X-SOC Force compared to the Z87X-OC, the Z97X-SOC is basically the same except it only has 4 phases of IR3553 and it has the same Intel 217v NIC that the Z87X-OC had.
The Intel Z97 platform has many different devices which can be overclocked and are interlinked; to complete a system wide overclock you should tackle each device in the following order(for the sake of organizing this guide, BCLK will be covered last):
- BCLK(Optional)
- CPU
- Memory
- Uncore
This video will explain GIGABYTE's SOC series OC features and show how to use the UEFI to overclock:
GIGABYTE Z97X-SOC and Z97X-SOC Force features:
OC DIMM Switch: Allows the user to disable individual channels of memory, this is useful for memory diagnostics, especially when it is difficult to remove DIMMs because of the cooling apparatus installed.
OC PCIe Switch: Allows the user to disable individual PCI-E slots, this is useful for PCIe diagnostics, especially when it is difficult to remove PCIe cards because of the cooling apparatus installed.
OC Ignition: Provides power to DIMMs, PCIe and peripheral devices even when system is off. This feature is a GIGABYTE exclusive and provides many hidden benefits to users. First of all you can test not only the PSU to make sure it properly works, but also any voltage modifications on your graphics cards, water cooling systems, case mods and fans. Anything that requires the board or PSU to provide it power can be engaged. It is especially useful during cold bug situations when you need a fan to run 24/7 to keep condensation at bay. It also can be used to provide continuous power to PCIe/PCI based RAM cards that lose memory when they are powered off (so you won?t lose memory).
OC Tag: Allows user to set specific BIOS profile which is engaged when OC Tag is engaged, this is useful because you can save your OC profile for benching to TAG, and use TAG instead of inputting your settings. This makes it easy to remove the settings if you need to troubleshoot and even easier to re-apply them when needed.
OC Turbo: Easy one touch auto-OC feature from GIGABYTE (~4.2ghz OC depending on CPU SKU).
OC BCLK/Multiplier +/- buttons: Real-time overclocking of BCLK and multiplier
OC Gear: Reduces BCLK +/- button steps from 1mhz to ~0.1mhz
OC Trigger Switch: When engaged can reduce system uncore and CPU ratio to 8x on the fly, this is useful for maximum validations for CPU speed. An example of getting to 7 GHz; you boot in at 6.5 GHz, then increase the multiplier by 1x with OC Touch, but your system becomes unstable quickly. Instead of waiting for instability, you can instead engage the trigger switch (CPU now at 8x), increase the multiplier with OC Touch, and then re-engage high multiplier(dis-engage TRG switch), and you will get to your top multiplier, save a validation, and then engage trigger switch again and complete the procedure again.
Dual BIOS Switch: Select between main and backup BIOS, you can flash one with an official build and the other with an OC BIOS.
Single BIOS Mode switch: Disables dual BIOS when enabled to allow faster boot-up and OC recovery, since the main and backup are both checked on boot up, disabling dual BIOS will disable this checking and link between the BIOS ROMs.
GIGABYTE Settings Lock: Will restore previously known good values to CMOS settings, this can be used in lieu of clear CMOS.
DTB: Direct to BIOS button allows users to bypass pressing delete to enter the UEFI setup, it can save time.
GIGABYTE Memory Safe: Will engage fail-safe memory settings in case you think your memory settings are causing issues.
CBAT Switch: Is a hardcore CMOS reset which will reset the CMOS as if the battery and all power were removed from the motherboard. If you have trouble clearing the CMOS you can hit this button, but beware you will probably have to unplug the 24-pin and plug it back in to be able to start the system, that is how intense the CBAT button is. It?s best to use the clear CMOS button first.
OC Connect: Two internal USB 2.0 ports provide easy access for USB devices for overclockers.
HDD LED: Lets user know when the HDD/SSD is being written too, this can help with benchmarks such as SuperPI where it is beneficial to know when the disk is being written too.
OC Dual BIOS: Dual 128Mbit BIOS ROMs designed so that you are in total control over BIOS mechanisms in case of flash failure or OC failure.
Voltages:
Note1: Voltages 3,5, and 7 are offsets and can be changed only if the manual voltage control is set to ?normal?
Note2: Voltages for iGPU overclocking aren?t covered in this guide.
Advanced Power Settings:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration (1): This is the LLC for the VIN and has many levels, but Extreme is recommended for most OC scenarios:
CPU VRIN Protection(2): Overvoltage protection for the VRIN, set to highest amount of overvolt, or just leave auto.
DDR VRIN Protection(3): Overvoltage protection for the VRIN, set to highest amount of overvolt, or just leave auto.
CPU VRIN Current Protection(4): This is overcurrent protection for the VRIN, set Extreme (which means least protection and highest current).
DDR Current Protection(5): This is overcurrent protection for the DDR, set Extreme(which means least protection and highest current).
Over temperature protection for CPU VRIN and DDR(6,7): Not currently available right now.
CPU and DDR Switch Rate(8,9): This is the switching frequency of the CPU VRIN and DDR VRMs, this setting has minimal effect on performance or power delivery, that is because you can only change it between 300-400KHz, which is very minimal (to protect from user damage). Lower will produce cooler running VRMs, higher will produce higher performance VRMs, just leave auto.
PWM Phase Control (10): This controls the balance of temperature and current in the VRM, Extreme performance will give you the best performance, and that is what you want when overclocking.
CPU Overclocking:
CPU Frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier *CPU Multiplier
Performance Upgrade(1): Auto CPU and Memory OC Presets
CPU Base Clock(2): BCLK setting, set manual for more options
Host/PCIe Clock Frequency(3): Actual BCLK
Gear Ratio(4): The BCLK Multiplier
Spread Spectrum Control(5): lower percentage is a lower amount of spread spectrum which is known to cause instability, leave this on auto unless you want lower EMI(worse stability) in that case increase it.
Processor Graphics Clock(6): Controls the clock of the iGPU in the CPU.
CPU Upgrade(7): CPU auto overclock presets
CPU Clock Ratio(8): The CPU multiplier
XMP(9): Will enable or disable memory XMP overclock
Note: If you decide to go with a memory frequency higher than 2933MHz, first find out your target BCLK and attain stability with a low CPU multiplier, then start increasing your CPU multiplier.
Steps for CPU OC:
#1 Calculate what frequency you want (this step matters if you use higher BCLK than 100MHz), then set the following advanced CPU features to disable: C1, C3, C6/C7, EIST. Leave turbo and turbo settings on auto.
#2 Set Multiplier and test for stability, if the system is unstable or refuses to boot, then increase voltages. Try 42x as a starting point, and go up one multiplier from there, a good starting point for the VRIN is 2.0v to 2.2v (higher can provide more stability but higher temperature), a good starting point for VCore is 1.15v-1.25v (higher can provide more stability but higher temperature). Increase Ring Voltage as a last resort when you cannot increase the VCore or VIN anymore because of high temperatures but you need a bit more stability, the Ring Voltage is mainly used to stabilize the uncore, however it can aid CPU overclocking.
#3 Most important voltages for CPU OC (in order): VCore(higher), VIN(higher), Ring Voltage(higher). You should note that the VCore and other voltages will increase automatically with CPU multiplier unless you manually set them or set them to ?normal?. You can also start from your VID as a base voltage (this will be the grayed out voltage near VCore setting around 1v when you load optimized defaults and restart), lower VID possibly means higher clocking CPU.
#4 Determine if you want the CPU frequency to drop and/or if you want the CPU VCore to drop when the system is idle. If you want the voltage to drop then enable C3. If you want the frequency to drop then enable EIST. If you want both to drop then enable both.
K OC(1): Unlocks multipliers on some multiplier locked CPUs
CPU PLL Selection/PLL filer level(2,3): selection of the CPU?s internal clock generator and its filter level. (leave Auto, however LC PLL can provide better results for higher BCLK)
Uncore Ratio(4): Uncore multiplier
Turbo Boost Technology(5-12): Intel?s Turbo boost technology, leave most Turbo mode settings on auto, these will max out current and power automatically on auto.
Number of Cores(13): You can disable CPU cores to reduce the heat and increase clocks, the CPU randomly shuts down cores if you select this option.
Hyper Threading(14): Disabling this will reduce CPU temperature but might impact multi-threaded performance, if you are running benchmarks like SuperPI or going for max clocks then disable, otherwise leave enabled.
C1E, C6/C7 and CPU Thermal Monitor(15,17,18): Disable in most cases
C3 and EIST(16,19): C3 state will drop CPU voltage when there is less load, EIST will drop CPU multiplier in the same case, enable or disable both depending on whether you want voltage and/or frequency to drop during idle.
Example of 4.5GHz OC with XMP and drop in CPU voltage and multiplier at idle (If you don?t see a setting below then assume it is ?Auto?):
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 45x
XMP: Enable
Uncore Ratio: 40x or 43x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Enable
EIST: Disable
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.2v
VCore: 1.275v
Ring Voltage: 1.1v
Example for Max CPU Frequency:
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 45x (Then use OC Touch or GTL to increase to top frequency)
XMP: Disable
Uncore Ratio: 8x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Disable
EIST: Disable
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.3v to 3v on LN2
VCore: 1.4v to 2v on LN2
Ring Voltage: 1.1v to 1.5v on LN2
Memory Overclocking:
Memory frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier * DRAM Multiplier
A more advanced memory overclocking section with recommendations from top overclockers with the Z97X-SOC Force is provided later in this guide.
XMP(1): Enable for XMP profile for your memory, XMP settings are override by any changes done to memory. If you select XMP and then select a multiplier for the memory, then you will lose XMP timings. To properly engage XMP just enable XMP and do not touch any other memory settings, except DRAM voltage (which has no effect like DRAM multiplier setting).
Memory Overclocking Profiles(2): Shown Below.
Memory Multiplier(3): Selects memory speed
Memory Enhancement(4): Chose between performance, stability, and balanced. Leave auto most of the time, this setting doesn?t have a big impact.
Memory Timing Mode(5): Select to change both channels at once or individually, you need to change individually if you change RTLs/IOLs for super advanced memory OC. That means if you choose advanced manual you need to set your timings twice, once for each channel.
Memory Boot Mode(6): Select whether to train memory on boot up, this can be useful because some types of memory like to be trained on every boot, and some do not, so this allows you to choose.
Channel and Rank Interleaving(7,8): Do not bother messing with these.
The following memory OC profiles are available:
Memory OC Steps:
#1 If you want the memory frequency to reach speeds higher than 2933MHz, you will need to figure out your target memory frequency and BCLK. So use the equation Memory frequency = BCLK * BCLK Multiplier * DRAM Multiplier to determine the BCLK you need. It is recommended to use the 1.25x divider with memory first and if really needed use 1.66x.
#2 If using XMP settings only enable XMP, if you want to manually OC the memory to speeds or timings different than XMP, then disable XMP.
#3 Set memory multiplier as well as timings you desire, if you set a timing such as RTl or IOL then you will need to use advanced manual mode and set each channel individually (copy all timings to both channels). Many times the board is pretty good at picking timings, for a 3440MHz clock with ADATA2800C12 memory, all that needs to be set is Cas Latency to 13, the board sets all the other timings accordingly.
#4 If you encounter issues with memory training (advanced memory OC), then you can disable fast boot under memory boot options, which will force the board to retrain the memory every time.
#5 Memory voltages: DDR Voltage, DDR VTT, System Agent(IMC), VCCIO Analog(IMC), VCCIO Digital (IMC). IMC voltages will differ for every IMC and memory IC type. In general you want to leave DDR VTT on auto, however if needed you can set it to whatever you like(around ? DDR Voltage). System Agent and VCCIO Analog and Digital will vary depending on the system. Usually you can raise all 3 together, like to +0.25, and then if you get issues, take one down at a time back to normal value. Be aware the motherboard will auto increase some of these voltages(when the voltage is set to ?Auto?) depending on memory frequency, to stop this you can set it to ?Normal?, however do not do this just because.
Memory OC Tips:
- Some dividers work better than others depending on the BCLK multiplier and modules and BIOS version. Sometimes 26x and 28x will work better than 26.66x, other times 26.66x might work better. Do try them all, just because 26.66x doesn?t work doesn?t mean 28x won?t work.
- There is a DRAM Sync option in GTL which allows you to tune the DDR VTT (DDR Termination voltage) separately from the DRAM voltage.
- Some memory might not like higher voltages, especially some of the IMC voltages like the VCCIOA and or VCCIOD.
- Memory training is also important, some memory might be able to be trained at higher frequencies and some not, you can control whether or not training takes place through the memory boot option.
- When OCing memory and BCLK very high, the board will train the BCLK first and then the memory, let the board cycle through, it might take a while to get the training right.
All available memory timings:
Quick Memory OC to 3400mhz using the following changes to UEFI settings (If a setting isn?t listed then assume it is Auto):
Frequency:
CPU Clock Ratio: 8x
CPU Base Clock: Manual
Host/PCIe Clock Frequency: 103.5
Gear Ratio: 1.25
XMP: Disable
Uncore Ratio: 8x
C1E: Disable
C6/C7: Disable
CPU Thermal Monitor: Disable
C3: Disable
EIST: Disable
Memory:
Memory Multiplier: 26.66
Memory Timing Mode: Manual
Memory Boot Mode: Disable Fast Boot
Cas Latency: 13
Voltage:
CPU VRIN Loadline Calibration: Extreme
CPU VRIN Protection: Auto or 400mv
DDR VRIN Protection: Auto or 400mv
CPU VRIN Current Protection: Extreme
DDR Current Protection: Extreme
CPU and DDR Switch Rate: Auto
CPU Phase Control: Extreme Performance
VRIN Override: 2.0v
VCore: 1.25v
Ring Voltage: Auto
System Agent: +0.3
CPU IO Analog: +0.15
CPU IO Digital: +0.15
PCH Voltage: Auto
PCH IO Voltage: 1.05v
DRAM Voltage: 1.85v
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