The Intel Skylake i7-6700K Overclocking Performance Mini-Test to 4.8 GHz
by Ian Cutress on August 28, 2015 2:30 PM ESTGaming Benchmarks: Integrated Graphics Overclocked
Given the disappointing results on the Intel HD 530 graphics when the processor was overclocked, the tables were turned and we designed a matrix of both CPU and IGP overclocks to test in our graphics suite. So for this we still take the i7-6700K at 4.2 GHz to 4.8 GHz, but then also adjust the integrated graphics from 'Auto' to 1250, 1300, 1350 and 1400 MHz as per the automatic overclock options found on the ASRock Z170 Extreme7+.
Technically Auto should default to 1150 MHz in line with what Intel has published as the maximum speed, however the results on the previous page show that this is more of a see-saw operation when it come to power distribution of the processor. With any luck, actually setting the integrated graphics frequency should maintain that frequency throughout the benchmarks. With the CPU overclocks as well, we can see how it scales with added CPU frequency.
Results for these benchmarks will be provided in matrix form, both as absolute numbers and as a percentage compared to the 4.2 GHz CPU + Auto IGP reference value. Test settings are the same as the previous set of data for IGP.
Absolute numbers
Percentage Deviation from 4.2 GHz / Auto
Conclusions on Overclocking the IGP
It becomes pretty clear that by fixing the frequency of the integrated graphics, there is for the most part no longer the detrimental effect when you overclock the processor, or at least the reduction in performance to the same degree (which falls within standard error). On three of the games, fixing the integrated graphics to 1250 Mhz nets ~10% boost in performance, which for titles like Attila extends to 23% at 1400 MHz. By contrast, GTA V shows only a small gain, indicating that we are perhaps limited in other ways.
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MrSpadge - Thursday, September 3, 2015 - link
If HB exposes errors which the other programs do not find, it is a stress test. Just a different one. It's not about the highest power draw & temperature, but about a code path which apparently takes a bit longer to complete than others and hence can't be pushed to such high frequencies.Dr_Orgo - Sunday, August 30, 2015 - link
The conditionally stable overclocking results were pretty interesting. When I overclocked my GTX 970, I primarily used Unigine Heaven to stress test. Got to 1500 MHz stable with voltage maxed in Precision X. Used it in a number of games with zero crashing even with sustained 100% usage, seemed completely stable. Running the unit preloader (loads all units/annimations) in Starcraft 2 would make the game crash every time. Dropping the overclock to 1460 MHz made it stable. I'm not sure what specifically makes that unit preloader less overclock friendly.LemmingOverlord - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
I think the premise behind the Discrete Graphics tests are incorrect. If you max out the settings you are capping the performance of the system by the graphics card. If you lower the settings just a bit, you'll definitely see how the CPU influences overall game performance. I know this is a mini-test, but these discrete tests prove absolutely nothing on how the overclock impacted the game performance.Either lower the detail on these tests, or test with a game that is non-GPU Intensive. Civ V is an excellent benchmark for CPU tests, because it really is CPU-intensive...
dimonakid - Sunday, September 6, 2015 - link
In the past couple of months, we see alot of BSOD and freez and what not from media encoding softwares.Some of our friends mentioned (while they were testing), that this maybea a global XMP issue.
Same resaults regarding handbrake were showing on z77 z68.
Just to comment
SeanJ76 - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
Not impressed, my 4690k does 4.8ghz with a $29 Hyper Evo....InstinctXIV - Friday, November 20, 2015 - link
I would love to see your 4690K do this http://imgur.com/U6ZZ1Ll (It is my PC)gravy1958 - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
I have a 6700k with an asus maximus ranger viii MB and an hours gaming produces regular clock_watchdog_timeout errors if I use the overclocking... and frequent boot fails with the random overclocking failed press F1 to enter setup 8^(gravy1958 - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
should add it is set at 4.6Ghz and all advice points to the voltage being too low.jonainpdx - Thursday, May 5, 2016 - link
It's pretty obvious that overclocking a new, state of the art CPU is nothing more than a waste of money for a gamer.