AMD Ryzen 7 2700X review - Overclocking The Ryzen 7 2700X processor

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 04/19/2018 02:00 PM [

] 196 comment(s)

Overclocking a Ryzen 7 2700X processor

You've been able to read all the tweaked/overclocked results throughout our benchmark suite/session. On this page, I want to disclose what we did in order to overclock as we did.

You guys know it, when you're gonna tweak, always invest in good hardware. And that includes a proper MOBO/PSU/Memory and cooling), the cheaper motherboards often are not well tuned for enthusiast overclocking with less power phases. Please. never underestimate a good power supply and sure, proper processor cooling. Overclocking with a more core processor (doesn't matter if that is Intel or AMD) is more difficult than you expect it to be. You could apply a fixed voltage.

I have opted to test the processor on two motherboards, one from ASUS and one from MSI (both X470). AMD and the motherboard manufacturers made sure that tweaking is easy.

What you need to do:

Enable and start at 4200 MHz (42 Multiplier)
Apply 1.40V to the CPU (or simply leave it at auto)
Enable XMP on your memory kit (3200 MHz CL14)

Ryzen likes fast memory, so with this dual-channel (single rank) setup we really can recommend higher frequency memory like the 3200 MHz kits used. G.Skill will also release a Ryzen optimized 3400 MHz kit, only you can decide whether or not that is worth the extra dough, you'll be fine with 3200 MHz in out opinion.

A small tip

I mentioned voltage tweaking, the reality is that leaving the motherboard at default and altering just the CPU multiplier is sufficient as well. We reached 4400 MHz on ALL cores this way, on both motherboards. A reason why you should tweak CPU voltage, however, is that you can define the lowest needed voltage for your target frequency. Less voltage equals less heat and power consumption, your choice of course.

Above an example of the Ryzen 7 2700X at 4400 MHz @ all cores. This is based on the 'auto' voltage option. By manually tweaking that, 1.45v would probably suffice. We used EK liquid cooling here, 4400 MHz ran fine in the ~70 Degrees C range overclocked.

In closing, I want to mention that I expect most Ryzen Series 2000 CPUs to be able to hit 4.2 up-to 4.4 GHz with proper cooling. I expect most processors to hit 4.2~4.3 GHz stable, and some parts can reach 4.4 GHz. It's a bit of a luck of the draw combined with component and cooling selection really.

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