I5-6400: Overclocking. Intel Core i5-6400 Processor Overview

In this material, the technique of increasing the performance of the younger 4-core model of the LGA1151 platform - "Kor i5-6400" - will be gradually introduced. Overclocking This semiconductor crystal by changing the CPU frequency multiplier is impossible. But there is an alternative method, which will be described later.

Prehistory

Up to a certain point, Intel Corporation provided the opportunity to increase the clock speeds of its semiconductor solutions to computer enthusiasts, and this made it possible to achieve a significant increase in performance in practice. The last such generation of central processors are solutions based on LGA1156. With the release of the next LGA1155 platform, it was possible to increase the clock speed only by changing the CPU frequency multiplier in the CPU models with the "K" index. All other semiconductor crystals of this family were deprived of this possibility. In case of their use it was possible only on some models of motherboards to increase the frequency of the bus by 2-3 MHz and to obtain due to this a slight increase in speed. A similar situation persisted for the next three generations of processors, and only with the release of LGA1151 there have been some changes in this direction. The architecture of the CPU has been redesigned, and after that the frequency of the clock generator does not directly affect such components of the PC as the PCI-Express bus and a discrete graphics card. As a result, without changing the CPU multiplier, you can change the frequency of the clock generator (that is, the system bus) and thereby increase the performance of the computer system. This is how the overclocking of the i5-6400 bus is carried out today.

Characteristics of the chip

First, let's look at the technical specifications of the Core i5-6400. The list of its parameters includes the following:

• The release date is the 3rd quarter of 2015.

• The process technology is 14 nm.

• Number of cores and program streams for processing code and data - 4.

• The range of clock frequencies is 2.7-3.3 GHz.

• Cache level 3 - 6 MB.

• The maximum amount of addressable RAM is 64 GB.

• The number of active RAM channels is 2.

• Integrated graphics accelerator - HD Graphics model 530 with a range of operating frequencies 350-950 MHz.

• Thermal package - 65 W.

• The maximum temperature is 71 ^o C.

As can be seen from the designation of this CPU, there is no "K" in its labeling. Accordingly, it is impossible to disperse it by the usual increase in the multiplier. Therefore, there is only one way to solve this problem: increasing the frequency of the clock and increasing the speed of "Kor i5-6400" due to this. Overclocking in this case is really justified: initially the processor has significantly understated frequencies, and their increase will lead to a large increase in performance against the background of other similar models with higher frequencies.

Acceleration Features

Now we note some drawbacks, which are related to the increase in the level of performance of the processor solution Core i5-6400. Unlike the situation where the CPU multiplier with the "K" index simply increases, in this case a number of possible problems arise. They include the following:

• The motherboard for overclocking i5-6400 should be stitched with a special version of BIOS. Formally, it was developed by the manufacturer of this computer component, but all possible problems that can arise after this, entirely fall on the shoulders of the PC owner, and the manufacturer in this case does not bear any responsibility.

• After the overclocking of the semiconductor crystal, an integrated graphics solution can not function. In most cases, such system blocks include a discrete graphics card, and there are no problems. If in the process of using only the built-in solution, then overclocking is impossible.

• Reduced performance of AVX & AVX2. Fortunately, they are not so often found in the code. But when this happens, the performance of such a computing system will greatly decrease (it will be lower even for the regular mode of operation).

• After such an increase in speed, it is not possible to control the temperature of the silicon crystal of the CPU. Most sensors turn off or distort the reading. The only sensor that continues to function in this mode is the thermal converter of the CPU package, and this is quite enough in this situation.

• To overclock it is necessary to disable all energy-saving modes and technology "Turbobust". Their activation in the mode of increasing the speed leads to unstable operation of the PC.

In fact, the above list does not contain any significant problems, and most overlocks do not even notice them.

system configuration

Now about the requirements to complete the PC for this overclocking:

• There must be a special BIOS version for the motherboard with the overclocking option.

• Improved power supply with a power of 700 watts or more.

• Modules of RAM with a working frequency of 3200 MHz.

• Advanced cooling system for CPU and system unit.

Preparation of equipment

Overclocking of the processor i5-6400 on the motherboard with the usual BIOS is impossible. Options that would allow you to change the frequency of the clock generator, by default there. In order for it to appear, it is necessary to find special firmware on the thematic resources in the global web and download it. Then it must be installed in the basic input / output system. After that, restart the PC and check for this option. Only after that you can try to overclock the PC.

Technique of increasing productivity

Now directly about the algorithm for overclocking "Kor i5-6400". Overclocking This silicon solution is carried out as follows:

• We download a special firmware for the BIOS of the motherboard, in which there is the possibility of changing the frequency of the clock generator. On most overlocking forums there is such information. Then install it on your motherboard.

• Reboot the computer system and go to the BIOS. Here we turn off the option "Turbobust", all technologies related to energy efficiency, and an integrated graphics solution. Save the changes and restart the PC.

• We check the stability of the system unit using the AIDA 64 utility.

• Reboot the computer and go to the BIOS. Here we reduce the frequency of operation of the RAM at a minimum (as many as the BIOS parameters of the motherboard allow), we increase the frequency of the clock generator with the minimum possible step. We keep these parameters. Restart the system unit.

• We again test the stability of the PC using previously specified software. We continue to perform the last two stages as long as the system is functioning stably. When a simple increase in frequency is not enough for stable operation, use the voltage on the CPU. In practice, the frequency can reach 4.5-4.8GHz, and the voltage - 1.4-1.425V, depending on the quality of the semiconductor chip of the CPU, which is the basis of the PC. When these values are reached, further overclocking becomes impractical: the computer system then stops working stably.

Verification of performance after increasing performance

After increasing the performance, it is necessary to check the stability of the functioning of the computer system based on the Intel Core I5-6400. Overclocking, as noted earlier, negatively affects the execution of AVX & AVX2 instructions. Therefore, the test software should not include programs based on such instructions. The most optimal choice for checking the stability of the computer system is in this case AIDA 64. This utility practically does not use the problematic program code. Yes, and there are versions in which such instructions are not used.

results

The increase in performance allows to achieve phenomenal results from "Kor i5-6400". Overclocking This chip allows you to obtain a level of performance comparable to the flagship products of this manufacturer. The difference in price is really impressive. The only exception in this regard is the software with instructions AVX & AVX2. But they are not so often found, and this is unlikely to become a deterrent for most computer enthusiasts. The overclocking of such a decision is indeed justified. But it is important to understand: all this is done at your own peril and risk.