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CPU Overclocking Results: 3DMark Fire Strike Benchmark


Pagan-Tempest

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Does overclocking your CPU increase gaming performance? This is a commonly asked question, and I set out to solve this for myself in a semi-scientific manner. First, my system specs:

 

ASUS ROG Crosshair V Formula-Z MOBO

AMD FX-8350 Vishera @ 5.0GHz

Corsair H100i CPU Cooler

EVGA GTX 780 SC w/ ACX Cooler

G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 RAM (1866)

Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD

Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD

EVGA Supernova P2 1000W [Preparing for SLI.]

Rosewill Thor V2 Case

 

Posted Image

 

5.0GHz Proof:

 

Posted Image

 

So, what happened when I pumped up the clock from 4.6GHz to 5.0GHz? (Remember, the stock core clock of the FX-8350 is 4.0GHz.)

 

Here are the results:

 

4.6GHz:

 

Graphics Test 1: 50.4 fps

Graphics Test 2: 41.0 fps

Physics Test:   28.4 fps

Combined Test:   15.9 fps

Fire Strike Score: 8475

 

4.8GHz:

 

Graphics Test 1: 50.5 fps (+0.1 fps)

Graphics Test 2: 41.1 fps (+0.1 fps)

Physics Test:   29.9 fps (+1.5 fps)

Combined Test:   16.8 fps (+0.9 fps)

Fire Strike Score: 8658  (+183)

 

5.0GHz:

 

Graphics Test 1: 50.6 fps (+0.1 fps) (+0.2 fps)

Graphics Test 2: 41.2 fps (+0.1 fps) (+0.2 fps)

Physics Test:   30.9 fps (+1.0 fps) (+2.5 fps)

Combined Test:   17.5 fps (+0.7 fps) (+1.6 fps)

Fire Strike Score: 8764   (+106)   (+289)

 

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As you can see, there was a negligible effect on frames per second in graphics testing by simply overclocking the CPU. There were, however, significant effects on frames per second in the physics and combined tests, respectively. 

 

If one extrapolates the average increases in frames per second per 100MHz clock increase in the physics test (0.625 fps per 100MHz) and the combined test (0.4 fps per 100MHz), one can see that there is a remarkable benefit to overclocking a CPU for physics processing:

Extrapolated results for 4.0GHz:

 

Physics Test:   24.6 fps (-6.3 fps)

Combined Test:  13.5 fps (-4.0 fps)

 

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As I was using an AMD chip, I can't say for certain whether or not these effects will be similar for our friends using Intel chips. I hypothesize that the results would be more dramatic for Intel users given that Fire Strike does not utilize all eight cores (to my knowledge), and Intel's chips are more powerful core for core than AMD's chips.

 

Anyway, I hope this helps someone besides me! :D

 

Regards,

 

Alexander "Pagan" Temple

 

P.S. The purpose of this experiment was to simply find out what would happen as I increased the clock of my CPU. I wasn't having any issues prior to this experiment; I was just curious (as I am pretty much all of the time)! 

 

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More info on the overclocking: (Taken from post #9.)

 

When I'm running at 5.0GHz, I can only run Prime95 for about four minutes before I approach the max core temp of 62 deg C as it's pushing well over 250 Watts which need to be dissipated since I have to seriously up the voltage to keep it stable. At 4.9GHz, I reach a max temp of 55 deg C whilst running Prime 95, and the voltage required to keep it stable at that level is well within the safe range. (Which is why I regularly run my computer at 4.9GHz.) 

 

(The stock voltage for the FX-8350 is ~1.41 Volts. For every 100MHz I overclocked, I had to go up about 0.01 Volts for stabilization. At 4.9GHz, I require ~1.49 Volts to keep it stable. However, at 5.0GHz, I had to push it all the way up to ~1.54 Volts to keep it stable which is 5x more power than every other 100MHz jump. It also required a whole bunch of tweaking that I didn't need to do previously. Not to mention that the manufacturer's recommended limit is 1.55 Volts, and anything over 1.50 Volts puts you in the red, so to speak.)

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I run my i7 2700K at 5GHz, it was never stock but I can definately say the overclocking your CPU can improve performance in games. The problem is that the game must be CPU intensive such as Star Craft, any MMO really or something like Skyrim. Sometimes you can amaze yourself with how much of an improvement going from 3.4 GHz to 5GHz will make in a game that relies heavily on the CPU.

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Sure it helps, not that much anyway... you can try to play with your GPU aswell, might give you better yield.

 

Oh, I know, but this was specifically with regard to CPU function. (And, you cannot have two independent variables in the same experiment.)

 

My GTX 780 is never at more than 70% load whilst playing nearly all of the games I play, so I haven't had a reason to overclock it. Not to mention that it is factory overclocked from EVGA, so there isn't a whole lot of room left to do so.

 

I run my i7 2700K at 5GHz, it was never stock but I can definately say the overclocking your CPU can improve performance in games. The problem is that the game must be CPU intensive such as Star Craft, any MMO really or something like Skyrim. Sometimes you can amaze yourself with how much of an improvement going from 3.4 GHz to 5GHz will make in a game that relies heavily on the CPU.

 

I agree. I've seen a great deal of improvement in Planetside 2 by overclocking my CPU as PS2 is ridiculously CPU intensive. It barely even utilizes my 780.

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I have my i5-2500k OC'd to 4.9 (Best stable Mhz for my rig). I ran it stock and noticed a HUGE problem with even large games TBS games like Civ V. With Skyrim I saw a major drop in performance as well (especially given the mods I have installed).

 

Anyhoo, interesting stuff to read from AMD. I haven't used AMD since...2005? Haha.

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The problem is that the game must be CPU intensive such as Star Craft, any MMO really or something like Skyrim. 

 

Yep, I second that. I upped my 4670k from 3.4 to 4.6

In most games it makes exactly ZERO difference. Total War on the other hand has heavy CPU utilization so there it actually gave some FPS gain.

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I also did some testing in September, overclocking CPU and GPU

 

This where my results with unigine valley benchmark:

 

All settings stock, old driver: Score 1680, Avg FPS 40.1

Diver update to 320.49: Score 1747 Avg FPS 41.7

GPU Overclocked - stable, (Core from From 980Mhz Base/1059MHz Boost to 1100/1179 and Memory from 6008 to 7490, Power Target 112%) Score: 2010 Avg FPS 48

Final Test CPU from 3.6 to 4 Ghz and XMP profile active: Score 2068 Avg FPS 49.4

 

A score of 2200 and Avg FPS >50 seems to be possible with a bit more tuning, im sure the CPU can handle 4.2 to 4.4 Ghz and the GPU can also do a bit more.

 

The Gigabyte Windforce 3x cooler on the GTX 670 is great, not much noise and good temps. The Noctua CPU cooler also works nice with the overclocked i5, only about 56°C with prime95 running. 

 

It took me about 3 hours to figure out the stable settings (and tested the settings with Crysis 3 for a few more hours) but with more time and testing it could be better. 

But i am happy with the results, +20% more FPS for free is nice :)

For the GPU i put the settings back to stock, i dont need the extra performance until the Dogfighting Module is released.

 

 

My Rig: 

i5 3570k, 16GB Ram,

Gigabyte GTX 670 Windforce 3x

120GB Samsung SSD, 2TB HDD,

Mainboard MSI Z77 GD55,

CPU Cooler Noctua NH-C14 - 2x 120 mm Fan

Case Coolermaster HAF 922 3x 200mm+120mm Fan @ Scythe Fan Controller

BeQuiet 650W PSU

 

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I also did some testing in September, overclocking CPU and GPU

 

This where my results with unigine valley benchmark:

 

All settings stock, old driver: Score 1680, Avg FPS 40.1

Diver update to 320.49: Score 1747 Avg FPS 41.7

GPU Overclocked - stable, (Core from From 980Mhz Base/1059MHz Boost to 1100/1179 and Memory from 6008 to 7490, Power Target 112%) Score: 2010 Avg FPS 48

Final Test CPU from 3.6 to 4 Ghz and XMP profile active: Score 2068 Avg FPS 49.4

 

A score of 2200 and Avg FPS >50 seems to be possible with a bit more tuning, im sure the CPU can handle 4.2 to 4.4 Ghz and the GPU can also do a bit more.

 

The Gigabyte Windforce 3x cooler on the GTX 670 is great, not much noise and good temps. The Noctua CPU cooler also works nice with the overclocked i5, only about 56°C with prime95 running. 

 

It took me about 3 hours to figure out the stable settings (and tested the settings with Crysis 3 for a few more hours) but with more time and testing it could be better. 

But i am happy with the results, +20% more FPS for free is nice :)

For the GPU i put the settings back to stock, i dont need the extra performance until the Dogfighting Module is released.

 

 

Yeah, you can definitely get a bit more out of that CPU. I'm not sure if you'll be able to continue air cooling if you do, however.

 

When I'm running at 5.0GHz, I can only run Prime95 for about four minutes before I approach the max core temp of 62 deg C as it's pushing well over 250 Watts which need to be dissipated since I have to seriously up the voltage to keep it stable. At 4.9GHz, I reach a max temp of 55 deg C whilst running Prime 95, and the voltage required to keep it stable at that level is well within the safe range. (Which is why I regularly run my computer at 4.9GHz.) 

 

(The stock voltage for the FX-8350 is ~1.41 Volts. For every 100MHz I overclocked, I had to go up about 0.01 Volts for stabilization. At 4.9GHz, I require ~1.49 Volts to keep it stable. However, at 5.0GHz, I had to push it all the way up to ~1.54 Volts to keep it stable which is 5x more power than every other 100MHz jump. It also required a whole bunch of tweaking that I didn't need to do previously. Not to mention that the manufacturer's recommended limit is 1.55 Volts, and anything over 1.50 Volts puts you in the red, so to speak.)

 

Anyhow, thanks for posting your testing! =)

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Yeah, you can definitely get a bit more out of that CPU. I'm not sure if you'll be able to continue air cooling if you do, however.

 

I will try it, the i5 3570k should be able to run at 75-80°C without being damaged (TjMAX 105°C)

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@Pagan

 

My CPU overclocking results:

 

Driver: Nvidia 332.21
 
Standard CPU 3.4 Ghz:
 
3DMark:
3DMark Score 5963.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 6854.0
Physics Score 7197.0
Combined Score 2672.0
Graphics Test 1 33.3 fps
Graphics Test 2 27.0 fps
Physics Test 22.8 fps
Combined Test 12.4 fps
 
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0
 
FPS: 41.9
Score: 1754
Min FPS:23.7
Max FPS:80.0
 
CPU @ 4Ghz
 
3Dmark:
3DMark Score 6032.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 6910.0
Physics Score 7565.0
Combined Score 2673.0
Graphics Test 1 33.3 fps
Graphics Test 2 27.4 fps
Physics Test 24.0 fps
Combined Test 12.4 fps
 
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0
 
FPS: 42.2
Score: 1765
Min FPS:24.6
Max FPS:80.5
 
 
CPU @ 4.2 GHz
 
3Dmark:
3DMark Score 6052.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 6888.0
Physics Score 7917.0
Combined Score 2674.0
Graphics Test 1 33.3 fps
Graphics Test 2 27.2 fps
Physics Test 25.1 fps
Combined Test 12.4 fps
 
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0
 
FPS: 42.2
Score: 1767
Min FPS:24.3
Max FPS:79.7
 
CPU @ 4.4 GHz
 
3Dmark:
3DMark Score 6081.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 6891.0
Physics Score 8261.0
Combined Score 2671.0
Graphics Test 1 33.2 fps
Graphics Test 2 27.3 fps
Physics Test 26.2 fps
Combined Test 12.4 fps
 
Unigine Valley Benchmark 1.0
 
FPS: 42.4
Score: 1774
Min FPS:24.5
Max FPS:80.3
 
 
I dont see any reason to go higher than 4.4 GHz because of the results so far.
Maybe later i will do some more tests and try to get to 4.6 or 4.7 Ghz and also optimize the GPU.
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New test, CPU & GPU overclocked.

CPU @ 4 GHz and GPU Core +120MHz Memory +1400MHz

No reason to OC the i5 higher than 4 GHz, i will stay with that setting.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/1536429

 

I like the results so far, got almost the same score as @Dragon-Knight, but my hardware is one generation older. (i5 3570k vs 4670k, GTX 670 vs 770)

 

CPU @ 4Ghz GPU Standard
 
3Dmark:
3DMark Score 6032.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 6910.0
Physics Score 7565.0
Combined Score 2673.0
Graphics Test 1 33.3 fps
Graphics Test 2 27.4 fps
Physics Test 24.0 fps
Combined Test 12.4 fps
CPU @ 4Ghz GPU @ Core +120MHz Memory +1400MHz
 
3DMark Score 6720.0 3DMarks
Graphics Score 7790.0
Physics Score 7580.0
Combined Score 3055.0
Graphics Test 1 37.6 fps
Graphics Test 2 30.8 fps
Physics Test 24.1 fps
Combined Test 14.2 fps
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Ah! I forgot to post my GPU + CPU overclock results!

Without further ado:

 

FX-8350 @ 5.0GHz | GPU @ Factory Settings

 

Graphics Test 1: 50.6 fps

Graphics Test 2: 41.2 fps

Physics Test:   30.9 fps

Combined Test:   17.5 fps

Fire Strike Score: 8764    

 

CPU @ 5.0GHz | GPU Core Clock +70MHz / Memory Clock +10MHz

 

3DMark Score: 8866.0 3DMarks
Graphics Test 1: 52.1 fps
Graphics Test 2: 42.7 fps
Physics Test:   29.9 fps
Combined Test: 17.0 fps
 
 
3DMark Score: 9003.0 3DMarks
Graphics Test 1: 53.2 fps
Graphics Test 2: 43.4 fps
Physics Test:   30.8 fps
Combined Test:   17.0 fps
 
_____________________
 
I haven't had much time to play around with the GPU overclock as school just started, but I'll be tweaking it soon enough! Nice scores, by the way, Hawk!
 
 
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