Oh lords of asus overclocking, please help me! (poor benchmark results)

[lewinr]

Hi all

I don’t have a lot of experience with OC, this is the second time I am doing it and I am pulling out my hair trying to understand why my result is not good.

Previously I had an ASUS Prime z270 motherboard with an i7-7700k overclocked to 4.9ghz, and I got a realbench score of around 110k.

Now I’ve upgraded to a Maximus X Hero (Wifi) board with an i7-9700k overclocked to 5.0ghz and my realbench scores are around 90k, which is around the same as stock settings.

The 7700k ran hot (around 90 degrees max during realbench stress test), and the 9700k now has a EKWB custom waterblock that cools the VRMs and MOSFETs also, and runs cooler (about 83 degress max during realbench stress test).

All other hardware (RAM, GTX1080, SSDs, 600 watt Power Supply, case and custom water cooling loop) are the same. Even the windows installation is the same.

The 7700k used XMP settings, with the 9700k I’ve manually overclocked the RAM. (G.Skill TridentZ F4-3200C16D-16GTZR DDR-3200 CL16-18-18-18 1.35v Hynix CJR 3600)

All is working stable, I am able to pass 8 hours of realbench stress testing. Using Realbench v2.56.

Windows is set for “Ultimate Performance” power plan when running the realbench stress test and benchmark.

HWINFO shows the processors are running 5ghz and does not show any thermal throttle happening. But the CPU shows 100% utilization only during the “encoding” part of the benchmark… for the rest of the benchmark the CPU has around 40% to 60% utilization. That makes me think that the CPU is waiting for something (like maybe RAM) but since the RAM is the same (and is performing even 10% better due to manual overclock vs XMP) I don’t think that can be the bottleneck.

So why is my realbench result worse than my i7-7700k on the Z270 MB? And virtually the same between running at stock and with 5ghz overclock? Here’s the results of my last run:

Image Editing: 69238
Time: 76.9513

Encoding: 116977
Time: 45.5472

OpenCL: 75686
KSamples/sec: 13981

Heavy Multitasking: 129633
Time: 58.8739

System Score: 97883
(this is actually better than usual, I’m not sure why)

I’m not focused on the benchmark just to get a cool score, but to validate that my overclock is working as expected.
Please please help me understand what I’m doing wrong!! I’m killing my productivity by spending all my time on this…

Below are all my BIOS settings.

I appreciate any help/advice I can get!
Ron


Highlights:

CPU Settings:

Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
BCLK Frequency [100.0000]
ASUS MultiCore Enhancement [Disabled]
SVID Behavior [Best-Case Scenario]
AVX Instruction Core Ratio Negative Offset [Auto]
CPU Core Ratio [Sync All Cores]
1-Core Ratio Limit [50]
BCLK Frequency : DRAM Frequency Ratio [Auto]
Xtreme Tweaking [Disabled]
TPU [Keep Current Settings]
CPU SVID Support [Enabled]
CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max. [255.75]
Ring Down Bin [Auto]
Min. CPU Cache Ratio [Auto]
Max CPU Cache Ratio [46]
BCLK Aware Adaptive Voltage [Auto]
CPU Core/Cache Voltage [Adaptive Mode]
- Offset Mode Sign [-]
- Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage [1.350]
- Offset Voltage [0.001]

Power Management Settings:

CPU Load-line Calibration [Level 5]
CPU Current Capability [140%]
CPU VRM Switching Frequency [Manual]
Fixed CPU VRM Switching Frequency(KHz) [500]
CPU Power Duty Control [Extreme]
CPU Power Phase Control [Extreme]
CPU VRM Thermal Control [Disabled]
DRAM Current Capability [100%]
DRAM Switching Frequency [Manual]
Fixed DRAM Switching Frequency(KHz) [500]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm) [Auto]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
Long Duration Package Power Limit [4095]
Package Power Time Window [127]
Short Duration Package Power Limit [4095]
IA AC Load Line [0.01]
IA DC Load Line [0.01]

RAM Settings:

DRAM Frequency [DDR4-3600MHz]
DRAM Odd Ratio Mode [Enabled]
DRAM Voltage [1.3950]
CPU VCCIO Voltage [1.15000]
CPU System Agent Voltage [1.15000]
Maximus Tweak [Mode 1]
DRAM CAS# Latency [16]
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [19]
DRAM RAS# ACT Time [36]
DRAM Command Rate [2N]
DRAM REF Cycle Time [500]
DRAM Refresh Interval [50000]

Full BIOS Settings Dump (minus a bunch of not relevant SATA settings)

[2020/08/17 00:08:42]
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
BCLK Frequency [100.0000]
ASUS MultiCore Enhancement [Disabled]
SVID Behavior [Best-Case Scenario]
AVX Instruction Core Ratio Negative Offset [Auto]
CPU Core Ratio [Sync All Cores]
1-Core Ratio Limit [50]
BCLK Frequency : DRAM Frequency Ratio [Auto]
DRAM Odd Ratio Mode [Enabled]
DRAM Frequency [DDR4-3600MHz]
Xtreme Tweaking [Disabled]
TPU [Keep Current Settings]
CPU SVID Support [Enabled]
CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max. [255.75]
Ring Down Bin [Auto]
Min. CPU Cache Ratio [Auto]
Max CPU Cache Ratio [46]
BCLK Aware Adaptive Voltage [Auto]
CPU Core/Cache Voltage [Adaptive Mode]
- Offset Mode Sign [-]
- Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage [1.350]
- Offset Voltage [0.001]
DRAM Voltage [1.3950]
CPU VCCIO Voltage [1.15000]
CPU System Agent Voltage [1.15000]
PLL Termination Voltage [Auto]
PCH Core Voltage [Auto]
CPU Standby Voltage [Auto]
DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA [Auto]
DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHB [Auto]
Realtime Memory Timing [Disabled]
FCLK Frequency for Early Power On [Auto]
Initial BCLK Frequency [Auto]
BCLK Amplitude [Auto]
BCLK Slew Rate [Auto]
BCLK Spread Spectrum [Auto]
BCLK Frequency Slew Rate [Auto]
DRAM VTT Voltage [Auto]
VPPDDR Voltage [Auto]
DMI Voltage [Auto]
Core PLL Voltage [Auto]
Internal PLL Voltage [Auto]
GT PLL Voltage [Auto]
Ring PLL Voltage [Auto]
System Agent PLL Voltage [Auto]
Memory Controller PLL Voltage [Auto]
PLL Bandwidth [Auto]
Eventual DRAM Voltage [Auto]
Eventual CPU Standby Voltage [Auto]
Eventual PLL Termination Voltage [Auto]
Eventual DMI Voltage [Auto]
Maximus Tweak [Mode 1]
DRAM CAS# Latency [16]
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [19]
DRAM RAS# ACT Time [36]
DRAM Command Rate [2N]
DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay L [Auto]
DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay S [Auto]
DRAM REF Cycle Time [500]
DRAM Refresh Interval [50000]
DRAM WRITE Recovery Time [Auto]
DRAM READ to PRE Time [Auto]
DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time [Auto]
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay [Auto]
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay L [Auto]
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay S [Auto]
DRAM CKE Minimum Pulse Width [Auto]
DRAM Write Latency [Auto]
tRDRD_sg [Auto]
tRDRD_dg [Auto]
tRDWR_sg [Auto]
tRDWR_dg [Auto]
tWRWR_sg [Auto]
tWRWR_dg [Auto]
tWRRD_sg [Auto]
tWRRD_dg [Auto]
tRDRD_dr [Auto]
tRDRD_dd [Auto]
tRDWR_dr [Auto]
tRDWR_dd [Auto]
tWRWR_dr [Auto]
tWRWR_dd [Auto]
tWRRD_dr [Auto]
tWRRD_dd [Auto]
TWRPRE [Auto]
TRDPRE [Auto]
tREFIX9 [Auto]
OREF_RI [Auto]
MRC Fast Boot [Auto]
DRAM CLK Period [Auto]
Memory Scrambler [Enabled]
Channel A DIMM Control [Enable both DIMMs]
Channel B DIMM Control [Enable both DIMMs]
MCH Full Check [Auto]
Training Profile [Auto]
DLLBwEn [Auto]
DRAM SPD Write [Disabled]
XTU Setting [Auto]
DRAM RTL INIT value [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHA DIMM0 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHA DIMM0 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHA DIMM1 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHA DIMM1 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHB DIMM0 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHB DIMM0 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHB DIMM1 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM RTL (CHB DIMM1 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHA DIMM0 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHA DIMM0 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHA DIMM1 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHA DIMM1 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHB DIMM0 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHB DIMM0 Rank1) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHB DIMM1 Rank0) [Auto]
DRAM IOL (CHB DIMM1 Rank1) [Auto]
CHA IO_Latency_offset [Auto]
CHB IO_Latency_offset [Auto]
CHA RFR delay [Auto]
CHB RFR delay [Auto]
ODT RTT WR (CHA) [Auto]
ODT RTT PARK (CHA) [Auto]
ODT RTT NOM (CHA) [Auto]
ODT RTT WR (CHB) [Auto]
ODT RTT PARK (CHB) [Auto]
ODT RTT NOM (CHB) [Auto]
ODT_READ_DURATION [Auto]
ODT_READ_DELAY [Auto]
ODT_WRITE_DURATION [Auto]
ODT_WRITE_DELAY [Auto]
Data Rising Slope [Auto]
Data Rising Slope Offset [Auto]
Cmd Rising Slope [Auto]
Cmd Rising Slope Offset [Auto]
Ctl Rising Slope [Auto]
Ctl Rising Slope Offset [Auto]
Clk Rising Slope [Auto]
Clk Rising Slope Offset [Auto]
Data Falling Slope [Auto]
Data Falling Slope Offset [Auto]
Cmd Falling Slope [Auto]
Cmd Falling Slope Offset [Auto]
Ctl Falling Slope [Auto]
Ctl Falling Slope Offset [Auto]
Clk Falling Slope [Auto]
Clk Falling Slope Offset [Auto]
CPU Load-line Calibration [Level 5]
CPU Current Capability [140%]
CPU VRM Switching Frequency [Manual]
Fixed CPU VRM Switching Frequency(KHz) [500]
CPU Power Duty Control [Extreme]
CPU Power Phase Control [Extreme]
CPU VRM Thermal Control [Disabled]
DRAM Current Capability [100%]
DRAM Switching Frequency [Manual]
Fixed DRAM Switching Frequency(KHz) [500]
CPU Core/Cache Boot Voltage [Auto]
DMI Boot Voltage [Auto]
Core PLL Boot Voltage [Auto]
CPU System Agent Boot Voltage [Auto]
CPU VCCIO Boot Voltage [Auto]
PLL Termination Boot voltage [Auto]
CPU Standby Boot Voltage [Auto]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm) [Auto]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
Long Duration Package Power Limit [4095]
Package Power Time Window [127]
Short Duration Package Power Limit [4095]
IA AC Load Line [0.01]
IA DC Load Line [0.01]
TVB Voltage Optimizations [Auto]
Thermal Monitor [Enabled]
Maximum CPU Core Temperature [Auto]
Active Processor Cores [All]
Intel Virtualization Technology [Disabled]
Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]
Boot performance mode [Auto]
SW Guard Extensions (SGX) [Software Controlled]
Tcc Offset Time Window [Auto]
Execute Disable Bit [Disabled]
SMM Code Access Check [Enabled]
SMM Use Delay Indication [Enabled]
SMM Use Block Indication [Enabled]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm) [Auto]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
CPU C-states [Auto]
CFG Lock [Disabled]
Intel(R) Speed Shift Technology [Enabled]
Number of P states [0]
Acoustic Noise Mitigation [Disabled]
Disable Fast PKG C State Ramp for IA Domain [FALSE]
Slow Slew Rate for IA Domain [Fast/2]
Disable Fast PKG C State Ramp for GT Domain [FALSE]
Slow Slew Rate for GT Domain [Fast/2]
Disable Fast PKG C State Ramp for SA Domain [FALSE]
Slow Slew Rate for SA Domain [Fast/2]
Configurable TDP Boot Mode [Nominal]
Configurable TDP Lock [Disabled]
CTDP BIOS control [Disabled]
Power Limit 1 [0]
Power Limit 2 [0]
Power Limit 1 Time Window [0]
ConfigTDP Turbo Activation Ratio [0]
Overclocking Lock [Disabled]
PCI Express Native Power Management [Disabled]
PCH DMI ASPM [Disabled]
ASPM [Disabled]
DMI Link ASPM Control [Disabled]
PEG - ASPM [Disabled]
PTID Support [Enabled]
PECI Access Method [Direct I/O]
PCI Express Native Power Management [Disabled]
BDAT ACPI Table Support [Disabled]
Wake system from S5 [Disabled]
ACPI Debug [Disabled]
Low Power S0 Idle Capability [Disabled]
Lpit Recidency Counter [SLP S0]
PCI Delay Optimization [Disabled]
ZpODD Support [Disabled]
Type C Support [Enabled]
PEP CPU [Enabled]
PEP Graphics [Enabled]
PEP ISP [Disabled]
PEP SATA Controller [Enabled]
PEP RAID VOL0 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT0 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT1 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT2 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT3 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT4 [Disabled]
PEP SATA PORT5 [Disabled]
PEP SATA NVM1 [Disabled]
PEP SATA NVM2 [Disabled]
PEP SATA NVM3 [Disabled]
PEP UART [Enabled]
PEP I2C0 [Enabled]
PEP I2C1 [Enabled]
PEP I2C2 [Enabled]
PEP I2C3 [Enabled]
PEP I2C4 [Enabled]
PEP I2C5 [Enabled]
PEP SPI [Enabled]
PEP XHCI [Enabled]
PEP Audio [Enabled]
PEP EMMC [Enabled]
PEP SDXC [Enabled]
VT-d [Disabled]
Primary Display [PEG]
iGPU Multi-Monitor [Disabled]
DMI Max Link Speed [Auto]
PCIEX16/X8_1 Link Speed [Gen3]
PCIEX8_2 Link Speed [Gen3]
PCIe Spread Spectrum Clocking [Auto]
IOAPIC 24-119 Entries [Enabled]
PCIe Speed [Auto]
SerialIO timing parameters [Disabled]
TPM Device Selection [dTPM]
PTP aware OS [PTP Aware]
Me FW Image Re-Flash [Disabled]
Local FW Update [Enabled]
HECI Timeouts [Enabled]
Force ME DID Init Status [Disabled]
CPU Replaced Polling Disable [Disabled]
ME DID Message [Enabled]
HECI Retry Disable [Disabled]
HECI Message check Disable [Disabled]
MBP HOB Skip [Disabled]
HECI2 Interface Communication [Disabled]
KT Device [Enabled]
IDER Device [Enabled]
End Of Post Message [Send in DXE]
D0I3 Setting for HECI Disable [Disabled]
Select Camera [Ivcam]
Delay needed for Ivcam power on [0]
Delay needed for Ivcam power off [0]
Rotation [0]
DFU support [Disabled]
Wake support [Disabled]
Core PLL Voltage Offset [0]
GT PLL Voltage Offset [0]
Ring PLL Voltage Offset [0]
System Agent PLL Voltage Offset [0]
Memory Controller PLL Voltage Offset [0]
ASF support [Enabled]
USB Provisioning of AMT [Disabled]
Activate Remote Assistance Process [Disabled]
CIRA Timeout [0]
PET Progress [Enabled]
WatchDog [Disabled]
OS Timer [0]
BIOS Timer [0]
Secure Erase mode [Simulated]
Force Secure Erase [Disabled]
MEBx hotkey Pressed [Disabled]
MEBx Selection Screen [Disabled]
Hide Unconfigure ME Confirmation Prompt [Disabled]
MEBx OEM Debug Menu Enable [Disabled]
Unconfigure ME [Disabled]
Non-UI Mode Resolution [Auto]
UI Mode Resolution [Auto]
Graphics Mode Resolution [Auto]
Security Device Support [Enable]
Security Device Support [Enable]
Pending operation [None]
Platform Hierarchy [Enabled]
Storage Hierarchy [Enabled]
Endorsement Hierarchy [Enabled]
TPM2.0 UEFI Spec Version [TCG_2]
Physical Presence Spec Version [1.3]
Onboard LED [Enabled]
Q-Code LED Function [POST Code Only]
ErP Ready [Disabled]
Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off]
Power On By PCI-E/PCI [Disabled]
Power On By RTC [Disabled]
HD Audio Controller [Disabled]
PCIEX4_3 Bandwidth [X2 Mode]
M.2_1 Configuration: [Auto][SATA mode][PCIE mode] [Auto]
M.2_2 Configuration [X4]
Asmedia Back USB 3.1 Controller [Enabled]
Asmedia Front USB 3.1 Controller [Enabled]
USB Type C Power Switch [Auto]
When system is in working state [On]
When system is in sleep, hibernate or soft off states [On]
Bluetooth Controller [Enabled]
Wi-Fi Controller [Disabled]
Intel LAN Controller [Enabled]
Intel LAN PXE Option ROM [Disabled]
Detect Non-Compliance Device [Disabled]
Primary PEG [Auto]
Primary PCIE [Auto]
Network Stack [Disabled]
Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
USB Keyboard and Mouse Simulator [Disabled]
General UDisk 5.00 [Auto]
U31G2_EC2 [Enabled]
U31G2_EA1 [Enabled]
U31G1_1 [Enabled]
U31G1_2 [Enabled]
U31G1_3 [Enabled]
U31G1_4 [Enabled]
U31G1_5 [Enabled]
U31G1_6 [Enabled]
USB_7 [Enabled]
USB_8 [Enabled]
USB_9 [Enabled]
USB_10 [Enabled]
USB_11 [Enabled]
USB_12 [Enabled]
CPU Temperature [Monitor]
MotherBoard Temperature [Monitor]
PCH Temperature [Monitor]
T_Sensor Temperature [Monitor]
EXT_Sensor1 Temperature [Monitor]
EXT_Sensor2 Temperature [Monitor]
EXT_Sensor3 Temperature [Monitor]
Water In T Sensor [Monitor]
Water Out T Sensor [Monitor]
CPU Fan Speed [Ignore]
Chassis Fan 1 Speed [Monitor]
Chassis Fan 2 Speed [Monitor]
Chassis Fan 3 Speed [Monitor]
AIO PUMP Speed [Monitor]
HAMP Fan Speed [Monitor]
CPU Optional Fan Speed [Monitor]
W_PUMP+ Speed [Monitor]
Extension Fan 1 Speed [Monitor]
Extension Fan 2 Speed [Monitor]
Extension Fan 3 Speed [Monitor]
Flow Rate [Monitor]
CPU Core Voltage [Monitor]
3.3V Voltage [Monitor]
5V Voltage [Monitor]
12V Voltage [Monitor]
CPU Q-Fan Control [DC Mode]
CPU Fan Step Up [0 sec]
CPU Fan Step Down [0 sec]
CPU Fan Speed Lower Limit [200 RPM]
CPU Fan Profile [Standard]
AIO_PUMP/W_PUMP+ Control [Disabled]
Chassis Fan 1 Q-Fan Control [Disabled]
Chassis Fan 2 Q-Fan Control [Disabled]
Chassis Fan 3 Q-Fan Control [Disabled]
HAMP Fan Control [Disabled]
Extension Fan 1 Q-Fan Control [DC Mode]
Extension Fan 1 Q-Fan Source [CPU]
Extension Fan 1 Speed Low Limit [200 RPM]
Extension Fan 1 Profile [Standard]
Extension Fan 2 Q-Fan Control [DC Mode]
Extension Fan 2 Q-Fan Source [CPU]
Extension Fan 2 Speed Low Limit [200 RPM]
Extension Fan 2 Profile [Standard]
Extension Fan 3 Q-Fan Control [DC Mode]
Extension Fan 3 Q-Fan Source [CPU]
Extension Fan 3 Speed Low Limit [200 RPM]
Extension Fan 3 Profile [Standard]
Fast Boot [Enabled]
Next Boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot]
Above 4G Decoding [Disabled]
Boot Logo Display [Auto]
POST Delay Time [3 sec]
Boot up NumLock State [Enabled]
Wait For 'F1' If Error [Enabled]
Option ROM Messages [Enabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]
Setup Mode [Advanced Mode]
Boot Sector (MBR/GPT) Recovery Policy [Local User Control]
Next Boot Recovery Action [Skip]
Launch CSM [Enabled]
Boot Device Control [UEFI and Legacy OPROM]
Boot from Network Devices [Legacy only]
Boot from Storage Devices [Legacy only]
Boot from PCI-E/PCI Expansion Devices [Legacy only]
OS Type [Other OS]
Setup Animator [Disabled]
Load from Profile [6]
Profile Name [RAM OC]
Save to Profile [7]
Bus Interface [PCIEX16/X8_1]

[lewinr]

Anybody?
Would love to get some help.
Hopefully I didnt scare everybody with too many details.

[pianobench]

That score looks really low ~90,000 for a 5.0GHz.

I just started now benching my 10700k @ 5.0GHz on the asus realbench and received a score around 146,000. Maybe it is hyperthreading focused? i7 7700k is 4c/8t i7 9700k is 8c/8t?

I will disable HT and get back to you with results.

In the meantime maybe try to reset your i7 9700k ram settings back to XMP I and try the test again? What does that give you?

[lewinr]

hey pianobench, thank you for stepping up 🙂

In fact I solved the problem already. Somebody (on another forum) advised me to try reinstalling windows, and in the back of my mind I knew that it could be an issue but was trying to avoid that. But I realized that i had a spare HDD lying around so I just installed a fresh copy of windows there and replaced my HDD and my results instantly improved to 145k!

So I knew it was a software problem, and I put my old drive back and set about trying to solve it. Turns out the problem was caused by three ASUS services that were running and were related to AI Suite and FanXpert which I had long ago uninstalled, and they left behind these services... :mad:

lesson learned: when things get very strange with the overclock, try a fresh copy of windows to see if that helps. you dont need to reinstall, just use a spare drive or even a USB stick. It'll help narrow the problem to hardware or software/OS.

Now I'm facing a new problem that my RAM fails MEMTest even at stock settings (CPU and RAM stock settings). I'm using G.skill RAM that I was sure was on the QVL when I bought it but now I dont see it on the QVL on the ASUS website although G.skill still shows it on their site as suitable for exactly this motherboard. I just ordered some other RAM and then I'll decide what to do with this RAM.

[denbugg]

IDK but i got this old rig to do 5.2 but the voltage was way the **** off so pretty sure the test is rigged and or the asus ai is fooling us. BY the way I asked them why they do not support a buyer of their top of the line $600.00 Mother board? They told me sry, we no longer support that model. HUMM realy so i guess ill wait untill some ONE has a cheeper VER2.0 and buy that at half the cost. THANKS ASUS, supper job in supporting top tier buyers.

[pianobench]

That is a really weird way to solve that problem? I wonder if it hurt performance for you else where. We might never find out now.