Overclocking question

[LC34]

At the moment I am getting fps in the 40-60 range, sometimes higher so this is by no means a cry for help, just a relatively curiosity question.

 

Would overclocking my i7 4790K (and/or) my gtx 970 make any noticeable difference in anything I see?

 

My Specs are below, I also have a coolermaster fan on my cpu so its not a stock fan if anyone is wondering. I know the bottleneck for my system is probably my 8 gb of RAM at the moment, will probably upgrade that to 16 soon, so just curious what I could, should, or want to do with overclocking.

 

Just an fyi, Ive never done it before but by watching youtube videos I think I could do it slow and keep an eye on my temps and such.

[BitMaster]

You need to make sure that your cooling is adequate for the increased heat that will torture your CPU !

 

There are many many reviews on overclocker websites that teach you how to oc a 4790k.

 

 

The foremost thing you should change is your RAM. Upgrade to 16 or 24GB. Add or replace 16GB and things get better, as well as a SSD if you dont have one yet.

 

YOur CPU is the strongest part in your chain right now, RAM the least and your GPU is somewhat in the middle...as a rough guideline where to start tuning..= RAM

[=DECOY=]

definitely increase your ram to 16gb. and I would upgrade the 970 first

 

overclocking the cpu will not give you a massive boost unless the gpu and ram are improved.

[LC34]

Yeah I assumed the ram was where to start. My cpu fan is a coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus, also yes I am running on an SSD.

 

I made the incredibly dumb mistake of checking vsync in the settings tab so that is why I was only getting up to 60fps. After doing nothing, unchecking the vsync and up to the 140ish mark. whoops :)

[dburne]

You should be able to achieve 4.4 GHz with that 4790K by just enabling Turbo.

But it is already at default 4 GHz which is pretty decent already.

 

Just keep an eye on core temps, but sounds like you got a decent enough cooler.

[toutenglisse]

Hi LC34,

If you use a 60Hz monitor all fps above 60 are not important as your screen won't display any of them (it's just your 970 that will render the max it can and it will be shown by fps counter but not any will be displayed by screen over 60). In this case vsync on will give you the smoothest experience (plus without tearing).

To help keeping fps closest possible to 60 - vsync on - an overclock of the 970 will be usefull (the overclock of cpu to but less impact I think). If it's a custom model with good fans you can easily go +10% gpu frequency and +400Mhz for vram with afterburner.

[LC34]

So I will be upgrading ram, however, I would like to still utilize the two 8gb sticks I have. I know that mixing ram is a crap shoot to say the least, so what do I need to do to try and lessen the odds of non-matching ram?

 

I have: 2 sticks of Ballistix Tactical Tracer DDR3-1866 (PC3-14400)

 

Was thinking this here: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA98C5R71716

 

Only thing that worries me is my sticks I have now are (PC3-14400) where these at newegg are (PC3-14900) otherwise they are the same. what is the difference? The more I look online the more I am confused as I think it may be a typo on my product box with my current ram. From what I have read DDR means Double Data Rate. So DDR is 2x 1866 = 3732 . DDR2 is then 2x3732=7464 and that times 2 is then just over 14900. So how could I have 14400?

[BitMaster]

So I will be upgrading ram, however, I would like to still utilize the two 8gb sticks I have. I know that mixing ram is a crap shoot to say the least, so what do I need to do to try and lessen the odds of non-matching ram?

 

I have: 2 sticks of Ballistix Tactical Tracer DDR3-1866 (PC3-14400)

 

Was thinking this here: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA98C5R71716

 

Only thing that worries me is my sticks I have now are (PC3-14400) where these at newegg are (PC3-14900) otherwise they are the same. what is the difference? The more I look online the more I am confused as I think it may be a typo on my product box with my current ram. From what I have read DDR means Double Data Rate. So DDR is 2x 1866 = 3732 . DDR2 is then 2x3732=7464 and that times 2 is then just over 14900. So how could I have 14400?

 

 

Ehhh, not quite right:

 

You mix up MHz and MB/sec. Your 1866MHz RAM can pump 14400 MB/sec per channel.

 

The MHz printed on the label is "already" the multiplied value for DDRx. So a 1866 DDR3 is a 622MHz base clock for DDR3 ( 3 x 622 = 1866 ).

 

A module with DDR4-3200 = 4 x 800MHz base clock.

 

Just buy the same speed that you have. either labeled 1866MHz or PC-14400, both values represent the same specs. Best is, as said elsewhere and everywhere, to get the exact same model again.

 

 

BTW, you say "the two 8GB sticks" ...well... are those 8GB modules or 4 GB modules ????

 

Download "Taiphoon.exe" RAM Module Reader/Programmer. It will tell you precisely what you have. Aida64 or CPUZ may also state the info.

[LC34]

I'm sorry yes I have two sticks of 4gb. So as of right now I have 8gb ram. Sorry, brain wasn't clicking on all circuits there.

[Django]

If OCing I think you'd be better off with getting a 2133MHz DDR3 kit (2x8 or 2x16) if you have the £££ to spare, otherwise aim for 24GB as others have suggested.