For this guide I used the following:

• Intel Core i7 3770K
• EVGA Z77 FTW
• 8GB 1866MHZ DDR3 (9-10-9-27)
• EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler

 
Before we go into overclocking, lets cover a few tips:

• The EVGA Z77 FTW has an onboard DisplayPort video out connector and can also support Lucid Virtu MVP. If you wish to not use the integrated graphics or Lucid Virtu MVP software you can disable it by going into BIOS>Chipset>System Agent Configuration>Graphics Configuration>Internal Graphics=Disable.
• Make sure to populate the 2 red DIMM slots furthest from the CPU first, these are considered the primary.
• For Multi-GPU setups, it is required that you use one of the 6PIN PCI-E power connectors. We provide 2 options for good cable management. A right angled 6PIN at the bottom left hand corner of the board, or the one directly in the center. It is only required to use one of these. For single card setups, this is not necessary.
• There are 2 8PIN CPU power connectors. Only one is required, but for extreme setups using both allows up to 300W of CPU power.
• For those of you who do not care for the multiple red LED's on the board, there is a hidden way to disable them... just flip this jumper to the alternate location... and boom! All LED's off. No more sunglasses required when viewing your PC. Keep in mind however, the DEBUG LED will still function. (Fun fact: This feature's internal codename was "Nightmare Mode")
• There is a feature in the BIOS called "OC Mode". Note that this will disable all onboard controllers! So it is designed strictly for the pure overclocking user.
• There is a feature called "EVGA Performance Tweak". This is enabled by default. This function improves performance in several CPU bound applications. (Most notably, 3DMark 2001)

 
Ok, now that we got that out of the way, it is time to overclock!!!

1. Firstly, go into the BIOS by pressing the Delete key when the system is posting. (If this is the first boot, or you just cleared the CMOS, you will need to press F1) Head over to the Save/Exit section and select Restore Defaults, next select Yes. This will ensure we are starting with a fresh BIOS setup:

2. Next, head over to the Overclocking tab. Here we will make a few adjustments:

• CPU Multiplier Control to Manual - This is required to tweak the CPU Multiplier. 
•  CPU Multiplier Setting set to 46 - This is our CPU frequency. Since the default BClock is 100MHz; 100x46=4.6GHz. This is our starting point, but keep in mind all CPU's vary in overclock capability.
• VDroop set to Without Disabled - This will help keep our CPU voltage stable and reduce sagging under load. If after testing you find that VDroop disabled is overcompensating, you can try one of the 3 other options to try to keep the voltage solid.
• Internal PLL Voltage Override set to Enable - Can improve stability at higher CPU multipliers.
• CPU VCore Control set to 1.25V (AKA 1250) - In this guide we are going to start at 1.25V, this may vary depending on your CPU. This is also only our starting point.
• DIMM Voltage set to Manufacturer Spec - Set your DIMM voltage to manufacturer recommended spec.

 

 
3. Now we will configure some of our CPU settings, the options in this portion are completely optional. If you don't mind your CPU downclocking when idle, which can save on power, skip this section. For this guide we are configuring our CPU to run at full performance at all times.
 
From the Overclocking tab, navigate to CPU Configuration:

• C1E set to Disable - This is a powersaving feature

Next navigate to CPU Power Management Configuration:

• CPU C3, C6, and C7 Report also set to Disable
• DO NOT DISABLE TURBO MODE! This essentially allows your CPU to OC at all.

 
 
 
4. Next up, memory settings! Make sure to configure this per your memory specifications, or use the XMP function to use the built in SPD settings (if applicable)
 
 
 
5. Now it is time to Boot into Windows! Select Save Changes and Exit, and your system will boot. Make sure to keep a close eye on your CPU temperatures. TIP: You can look at the debug LED on the motherboard to see your CPU temperature:
 
 
 
6. Now that we are in Windows, we will run a CPU Stress test. Ex: wPrime or Prime95. We can check our CPU frequency by using the latest version of the EVGA E-LEET Utility. www.evga.com/eleet
 
 
 
7. If it completes with no failures, we can reboot, go back into the BIOS, and increase the CPU multiplier 1x at a time. If the test crashes. you may need to increase voltage in .025V increments. IMPORTANT NOTE: Very important to keep an eye on your temps, try to stay around 1.3V if possible! Above this the CPU heats up pretty quickly on air.
 
8. Once we find an acceptable CPU frequency, we can use the EVGA ELEET utility to save a validation, and upload it for the world to see!
 

 

Wow, 5GHz on air! Great work there 

very nice  hey you should post up the temps you were getting with those settings :) 

This guide would be helpful. IF the dang motherboard was released, and in my rig!!

Sajin

Is the debug led accurate for CPU temps?

Yes, well on my x58 and Z68 boards, it was pretty close. Usually within 2c.

Sajin

EliteGeek91

Sajin

Is the debug led accurate for CPU temps?

Yes, well on my x58 and Z68 boards, it was pretty close. Usually within 2c.

Mine always seemed to be off.

You know that temp isn't core temp right? It's the temp between the pins and chip I believe.

Like a BOSS Jacob!! 5GHz with an Ivy... wow... speechless.
 
I shall refer to this guide when I get my board! I'm putting my 3770K under water so I should be able to achieve 5GHz as well!! OMFG CAN'T WAITTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xD

Sajin

EliteGeek91

Sajin

EliteGeek91

Sajin

Is the debug led accurate for CPU temps?

Yes, well on my x58 and Z68 boards, it was pretty close. Usually within 2c.

Mine always seemed to be off.

You know that temp isn't core temp right? It's the temp between the pins and chip I believe.

I didn't know that, what should I trust when overclocking the cpu the debug led or software program core temp? I've always used core temp.

CPU-z is what you really wanna look at. That's the main temp. The debug temps are little cooler usually, and not so important as the actual core temps.

What about offset vcore?
Still not included? :(
Sorry EVGA - all competitors be able to handle powersaving-features on overclocked settings, have a lot of vdroop levels (LLC)  and .. they have the offset vcore (ASUS, ASROCK, GIGABYTE). 
I don't like 4.6 in idle, i don't like 1.6 GHz in idle with 1.26v. I like 1.6 GHz in idle with 0,9v and 4.6 GHz with 1.26v.   
You've still the beautiest boards, but the BIOS is not that what I expect from EVGA. Since the P55 chip you make the same mistakes.. :(
 
EDIT: the temp-LED is always correct ... on my EVGA boards.. there is no problem..

yes, because of the plx chip.

Pretty lucky draw on that 3770k 4.8 at 1.3Vcore puts it in top 10% that can do 4.8 to 5.0. If you go to sell I want it.... Please
 
I'm glad to see the display port and a lot of other very nice enthusiast class features at a decent price point too, however I must agree I would like to see the offset mode implemented in the UEFI bios. For that matter I'd like to see the ability to take screenshots from within bios and a little more bling on those bios pages too.
 
Will the board do x16-x16 in a dual SLI config?  On other boards I've seen with plx chip you have to go to tri sli to get x16-x16-x8 and you get x8-x8 in dual SLI no matter the slots used.

 
I don't know about you guys, but right now, I can't seem to overclock my board!

Delirious



I don't know about you guys, but right now, I can't seem to overclock my board!

 
What problems are you running into Delirious?

Johnny_Utah

Delirious



I don't know about you guys, but right now, I can't seem to overclock my board!

What problems are you running into Delirious?

No EVGA Z77 FTW to mess with.

Yes.