Intel Core i5-12400 and Core i5-12600 non-K Alder Lake processors pushed up to 5.2GHz via BCLK overclocking for up to 33% faster performance
YouTuber Der8auer successfully overclocked two non-K-series Intel Alder Lake processors, the Core i5-12400 and Core i5-12600. Overclocking has been made possible on ASUS’ high-end Z690 cards.
Der8auer overclocks two Alder Lake non-K Intel processors up to 5.2 GHz for a 33% performance boost in the Cinebench benchmark
When overclocking a modern CPU, users need to consider many factors such as the specific motherboard, the hybrid configuration of the CPU, or consider that the CPU will consume more power during the process. Intel simplified the process for users by manually changing the bus speed (BCLK) settings.
This process increases the CPU frequency to the targeted level needed. Intel’s Alder Lake processors no longer connect the target frequency to other computing components, such as the PCIe interface. In practice, relating to PCIe would cause problems and would never be recommended in the process. Intel also recently launched its non-K Alder Lake line which has no overclocking support, but there are a few workarounds for this, as demonstrated by Der8auer.
Der8auer learned that bus speed overclocking capability was available on the ASUS ROG Maximus APEX motherboard tested on his YouTube channel. He also found that it is valid for all ASUS Z690 motherboards, as long as a non-K processor is available.
After researching compatible Alder Lake motherboards, he studied B660 motherboards and found that none of them featured BCLK overclocking when using a non-K CPU. Der8auer has confirmed that the Z690 APEX and HERO motherboards, with the 0811 BIOS onboard, are capable of the same BCLK overclocking compatibility, but the ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I does not have the capability.
Intel Core i5-12600 and Core i5-12400 on 5 GHz OC with BCLK tuning (Image credits: Der8auer):
Der8auer believes that the option to overclock Intel Alder Lake non-K processors is only available for premium Z690 motherboards that use an external clock generator. This feature is available on specific motherboard models, such as the ASRock Aqua, ASUS ROG Maximus, and other high-priced series. At the same time, ASRock also offers BFB, a feature that should not be confused with BCLK OC as it only increases the base frequency power limit to allow for higher base clocks.
A list of Alder Lake Non-K BCLK OC compatible motherboards from ASUS. (Image credits: Der8auer)
The YouTuber explains that users will need to access their bios to locate the BCLK OC feature and unlock the feature. For the ASUS model, the user will identify it by going to Extreme Tweaker and then finding Tweaker’s Paradise settings. After enabling the XMP II profile, users will need to change the bus clock to 130 MHz or as close to that frequency as possible. This process increases DDR5 memory and cache frequencies, and users will need to decrease both frequencies to overclock the processor manually. Der8auer recommends that the maximum XMP speed and cache ratio be reduced to 33 from the initial 40.
ASUS motherboards with higher-end clock generations allow BCLK overclocking on Intel non-K Alder Lake processors. (Image credits: Der8auer)
Since the voltage levels must increase, the cache and core voltage levels will also need to increase between 1.35 and 1.37 volts. It is stated that the settings are all sample dependent and that all results will vary with configuration, especially with CPU binning. Der8auer’s test proved that the power consumption level reached the maximum of 138W while the cores reached a temperature of 96°C or 204.8°F while running on a stock Intel Laminar CPU cooler .
Intel Non-K Alder Lake processors reach over 90°C with a stock Intel Laminar cooler when overclocked. (Image credits: Der8auer)
The YouTuber also said that using an Intel Core i5-12600 processor could not achieve the same or similar BCLK frequencies as the i5-12400. The i5-12600 would be slower than the i5-12400. The concept is interesting since both processors share parallel silicon cores (6 cores) and the i5-12600 processor is a top bay chipset.
In the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, both processors show increased performance. The i5-12400 could reach 33% higher levels, while the i5-12600 would hold near stock levels of 16%.
Intel Core i5-12600 and Core i5-12400 Non-K BLCK OC performance (Image credits: Der8auer):
Using a wide variety of games to test overclocking performance, the Intel non-K processor ranks as the best gaming processor or ranks in the mid-range compared to other processors. It mainly depends on whether the game uses a hybrid core architecture or whether the CPU has a large amount of cores.
It is not known if other motherboards apart from those tested allow the BCLK overclocking function. Functionality may be limited to high-end motherboards using external clock generations. This shows great performance potential from the Intel Alder Lake Non-K line of processors. They already offer outstanding performance out of the box, but with overclocking they may prove to be worthy mainstream chips, but Intel is unlikely to want motherboard manufacturers to allow support. broader scope of BCLK overclocking as they want this feature to be limited only to their high-end K-series line, unlike AMD which offers overclocking support on all of their Ryzen chips.
News Source: Videocardz
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