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Hey there fellow forumites,
So I recently upgraded to a custom rig that, although I use it most the time for my work unrelated to music (I work remotely), I specced it out with all these extra goodies specifically with BiaB in mind (OK, I confess I also added a nice graphics card so my son could game on it now and again).
After a fair amount of research, I decided to go with a custom rig I had a local dealer assemble for me. I had determined that with respect to the CPU, I wanted the i5-9600k. The CPU, paired 16 GBs of DDR4 RAM, a smallish SSD and a large HDD, has utterly changed by experience with BiaB/RB for the better with respect to RT generation times and overall smooth operations.
From what I've read in these forums over the years, and keeping in mind that I am not very computer literate compared to a lot of you folks, there is a serious curve of diminishing returns with respect to BiaB and one's PC hardware. That said, I like running lots of VST(i)s/plugins now and again, and am also aware that the "k" in 9600k has something to do with overclocking. (Tbh, the overclocking thing was not a substantial factor in choosing the CPU...it was the number of cores, threads, and the fact that it runs at 3.7 Ghz).
However, as a guy whose mother always told him to eat his peas, I hate to see something go to waste. And if there is some untapped capacity that my CPU was designed for, I want to avail myself of it if it can enhance my user experience and workflow. So does the "K" mean the chip is already overclocked, or that it is safe to do so? If the latter, will I get much out of overclocking it for my particular uses? What would be the best way to go about it?
I've seen posts on various forums about the dangers of overclocking and how it can melt your CPU, and as I mentioned, as someone who uses his PC for my regular dayjob 75 to 90 percent of the time, (which involves lots of word docs, excel spreadsheets and the like) I don't want to assume the slightest risk of ruining my brand new PC for whatever marginal advantages, if any, I could get from overclocking my CPU.
Any advice, insights, or incites would be greatly appreciated!
TIA :-)
DB09
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Overclocking tends to be used by gamers to squeeze that extra little bit of graphics power out of the card to increase video speed in games. I've dabbled in this in the past and there's a fine point at which you increase this and it crashes the PC. I tend not to do overclock because of this tendency to crash. I do have a high end PC with an expensive video card so I can game and also do video rendering. If you have a nice video card, just let it run normally, not sure if overclocking would do anything at all for audio. .....one man's opinion of course! 
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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No.
I value stability over speed.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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............ So does the "K" mean the chip is already overclocked, or that it is safe to do so?
It means it is capable of overclocking. If the latter, will I get much out of overclocking it for my particular uses? Doubtful. I've not noticed any difference on my rig. Then again, haven't tried with a mess of vst's. Your son's games might benefit. What would be the best way to go about it? You would set the parameters in the BIOS. Instructions should have come with the motherboard (if self-assembled) or with the computer. Tons of instruction on the web. Here's a random example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVdwyxsqGA0Looks like that's a Gigabyte mobo. My ASUS has a simpler (UEFI) interface. I would suggest reading up on overclocking before attempting it, because, as you mention, some of the parameterization is potentially damaging if misused. Good luck. -Ron
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I do overclock my rig a bit as you can see from my sig. As mentioned above, the key is stability and controlled temperatures. Stability can be proven through long stress testing and temperature control results from using heat tubes for air cooling or water or nitrogen liquid cooling. With that said, will you see significant improvements in BIAB generation times...marginally...I do notice some with a slightly less than 10% overclock. Since you have a K series processor and if you'd like to play with this a bit, take a look at a special app from Intel called ETU, Extreme Tuning Utility. If you do overclock, be sure to run extended stress tests after you tweak the processor and cache ratios. Run the stress test for hours! If you gone too far, your system will shut down during an extended stress test or during a defrag or during a full virus scan...all of which place huge loads on the system. More than likely this will result from temps getting to high. If this happens back off on the processor and cache ratios. Only use the basic tuning section, do not go into the advanced tuning section or you risk serious issues. Here is a link to that app --->>> https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24075/Intel-Extreme-Tuning-Utility-Intel-XTU-Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2025, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Thanks for all the advice, guys!
I think that I'll go with the age-old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage for now. :-)
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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You can overclock a little, some more or a lot. While the plus side is the system runs faster than normal there are several negative side effects. Overclocking puts an additional strain on every system component, especially the power supply. The more you overclock the more heat is generated. The extra heat must be removed from the system or the system can overheat.
I would not overclock without consulting with your system builder. Does your system have the reserves needed to support overclocking? If so then by how much, a little, some or a lot? How about later on when you've added more system components or once the system has accumulated some dust bunnies?
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I concur with the O/P's final decision. Don't over-clock. Stability is far more important.
If the CPU designer thought the processor should run faster, they would have already done that when it was manufactured.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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It looks like you've got some pretty concrete answers already but I would advise against adjusting that stuff - unless you are a hardcore gamer it really isn't necessary.
Cheers,
Deryk
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It looks like you've got some pretty concrete answers already but I would advise against adjusting that stuff - unless you are a hardcore gamer it really isn't necessary. Thanks Derek, Although my 14 year old son is really into gaming, and he loves to use my new PC, I could personally care less about it, so I'm gonna take everyone's advice here and leave things as they are.
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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I use the same philosophy..... if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.
Talk about leaving unused potential on the table, or in the box as it were..... I'm running a chip capable of quad core operation in 64 bit mode....with an old ( not supported anymore) 32 bit XP Pro operating system. That's leaving a ton of unexploited potential unused.
Why, you might ask?
Well, I also built a custom machine and decided to load that OS because it was know for it's stability. Without any of the junk stuff in it, it is and has been and should continue to be a solid platform from which to work. It's also not connected to the internet and therefore doesn't pick up anything malicious and no unwanted update attempts that screw up and reset settings carefully selected to run clean.
Just my observation and opinion.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 06/10/19 02:16 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Ok, a little more on this.
When they test chips, they rate them and sell them at speeds known to work without overheating. Individual CPUs vary. You might be lucky and get one that can be sped up by 20%. Others will crash if you are stressing them at all.
In my opinion, it’s not worth messing with. Spend the time cleaning dust out of your case and off the fans. Your CPU will thank you.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Agreed. I'm overdue to take my PC outside and take the leaf blower to it. Found this works a lot better than putting on tiny attachments to the shop vac.
Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Steve, I do that, too. One tip: secure the fan blades from over-revving. That can damage a fan.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Agreed. I'm overdue to take my PC outside and take the leaf blower to it. Found this works a lot better than putting on tiny attachments to the shop vac. Yep... but don't use the garden hose or the power washer.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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