may use the default timings of 1618-18-35-2T at 1.35V but be advised
that you’ll not be maximizing the
performance at all.
As always, actual overclocking
will depend on the CPU sample, and
your distance may vary. We used
two different i3-6300 samples; one
was capable of speeds as high as
4.7GHz while the other one was
hardly stable at 4.3GHz. There’s no
guarantee you’ll get any specific
clock speed, but whatever it is you
get, it's a lot more than you would
otherwise have.
THINGS TO KNOW
As you can see from the graphs, the
performance gains to be had from
this overclocking are massive. Just
increasing the memory clock speed
yields sizeable gains in itself, and
when paired with the CPU
overclocking results in further
gains to the system performance.
Be mindful however that while
the graphs show memory speeds
north of 3000MHz, the truth is that
some hardware will not function
correctly with such high memory
speeds. We found this to be the case
with several PCI-Express based
storage cards which at memory
frequencies above ~2,700MHz would
stop functioning. This was not the
case with a regular SATA and M.2
drive but it does indicate that there
may be some hidden caveats to
16 The OverClocker Issue 38 | 2016
overclocking these CPUs in addition
to the well documented ones.
Depending on the final CPU
frequency though, performance can
go up tremendously and in many
instances may turn borderline
playable frame rates to well above
the comfortable range. Of course
there are situations where you
will prefer to have a real high
frequency multi core CPU (especially
where multi-tasking is concerned),
but as far as budget gaming and
overclocking is concerned you’re
unlikely to find better value than
what is offered with these relatively
affordable Core i3 CPUs.
We can only hope that an officially
overclockable Core i3 SKU becomes
available in future, but until then
this remains one of the only ways in
which you can have some fun within
a reasonable budget. Applicable to
both gamers and overclockers, this
may be one of the most important
developments in overclocking in
years.
ANALYSIS OF CAVEATS
If you’re not already aware of it,
there are some things you need to
look out for when attempting this
overclocking. Some are not as
obvious as you may imagine so be
sure to compare the pros and cons
for this before embarking on your
overclocking.
• You will not be able to use any of
the C-state power saving features
that you normally can, so your
instant resume from sleep etc.
may not be available
• Your system or more specifically
your CPU and all related power
planes are operating at full
load constantly (frequency and
voltage).
• Some graphics cards have their
PCI-Express links at PCIE 3.0 x16
This means that power
consumption for the entire
system is increased (at least in
comparison to its normal
operating conditions). You will
also notice that your idle GPU
temperature may be higher than
normal. Don’t be surprised to see
idle temperatures in the 50’C+
range.
• Some PCI-Express based storage
solutions will not operate should
you choose to use memory
frequencies above 2,666MHz.
• CPU package temperature
will be higher than normal
and do not be surprised to see
CPU load temperatures as
high as 75’C even with an AIO
liquid cooler. Obviously this is
dependent on operating voltage
and CPU sample quality, but be
prepared for higher than normal
temperatures.
• You will lose the ability to use