BSOD & Simple Overclocking Guide

Here is my BSOD & Simple Overclocking Guide.

This guide will help you with:
- Using OCCT
- Troubleshooting every BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)
- CPU overclocking
- GPU overclocking
- RAM overclocking
- Entire PC overclocking

Enjoy!

OCCT

• What is OCCT?
  
  • A program in the Shop App in the "Tools and Software" section
    
  • Stress tests CPU, RAM, and GPU
    
  • Useful to solve any BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)
    
  • Ensures that a PC is completely stable
  
  
• OCCT monitors:
  
  • CPU Temperature
    
  • CPU Throttling - CPU downclocking due to insufficient cooling, which results in low 3D Mark scores and unhappy customers
    
    • Intel CPUs throttle at 100.5*C.
      
    • Most AMD CPUs throttle at 95.5*C, but some 3000-series and 5000-series non-Threadrippers throttle at 100.5*C.
  • GPU Temperatures
    
  • Power Draw - Wattage required by power supply.
    
    • Required wattage when not overclocking: CPU Watts + GPU(s) Watts + 30 Watts.
      
    • When overclocking, the system will require more wattage.
  
  
• How to use OCCT:
  
  • Select “Infinite” to run without stopping.
    
  • Click “ON” to start the test
    
  • If it runs to maximum Power Draw, without any BSOD and without CPU throttling, then it is a stable system.
    
  • If you get a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), then the system is not stable, and will need to be diagnosed. The rest of this guide will help you with that.
    
  • If the CPU is throttling, then the system will not perform correctly, and will need to be diagnosed.

Stock Settings for a Stable PC

• In BIOS, use “Factory Reset” to reset the CPU/RAM values to factory values that should be stable.
  
  
  
• In GPU Tuner, use “Reset to Default” to reset the GPU values to factory values that should be stable.
  
• Note: If you have 2 GPUs that aren't the exact same model, you might have to use GPU Tuner to set Core Voltage to maximum to be stable, since one GPU is being clocked higher than its factory clock.
  

Blue Screens of Death (BSODs)

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT

• CPU Cooling failure
  
• Check: Thermal Paste, Heatsink, Water Cooling setup

The system encountered an uncorrectable hardware error

• Power supply failure - Insufficient wattage
  
• Install a more powerful power supply, or use components that require less power.

A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within the allocated time interval

• CPU Overclock failure - Insufficient voltage for requested CPU clock.
  
• Increase CPU voltage or decrease CPU clock.

Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.

• GPU Overclock failure - Insufficient voltage for requested GPU clock.
  
• Increase GPU voltage or decrease GPU clock sliders.
  
• Note: If you have 2 GPUs that aren't the exact same model, you might have to use GPU Tuner to set Core Voltage to maximum to be stable, since one GPU is being clocked higher than its factory clock.
  
• Tip: If you need a higher GPU Core Clock for a customer request, you can sometimes decrease GPU Memory Clock to get a higher GPU Core Clock.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: uDisplay.drv

• GPU Overclock failure - Thermal limit exceeded
  
• Increase GPU/case cooling or decrease GPU clock sliders.
  
• Tip: If you need a higher GPU Core Clock for a customer request, you can sometimes decrease GPU Memory Clock to get a higher GPU Core Clock.

PRN_LIST_CORRUPT

• RAM Overclock failure - Insufficient voltage for requested RAM clock.
  
• Increase RAM voltage or decrease RAM clock.

CPU Overclocking

• Goal:
  
  • Find the highest CPU Speed that will run OCCT without getting CPU Throttling.
  
  
• Required Parts:
  
  • AMD:
    
    • Motherboard: Any “real” motherboard (that isn't DFL or Mortoni)
      
    • CPU: Any AMD CPU
  • Intel:
    
    • Motherboard: Chipset must have “Z” or “X”.
      
    • CPU: Model must have “K” or “X”.
  
  
• Concepts:
  
  • CPU Throttling (shown in OCCT)
    
    • CPU downclocking due to insufficient cooling, which results in low 3D Mark scores and unhappy customers
      
    • AMD CPUs: Thermal throttle at 95.5 *C (Note: Some like 3950X appear to use 100.5 *C)
      
    • Intel CPUs: Thermal throttle at 100.5 *C
  • Changing CPU Speed in BIOS:
    
    • Ratio affects CPU Speed only, and is recommended for simple overclocking.
      
    • Base Clock affects RAM Speed also, and is only necessary when fine tuning an advanced overclock that includes RAM.
  • Changing CPU Voltage in BIOS:
    
    • More CPU Voltage is required to keep the CPU stable while overclocking it.
      
    • PCBS BIOS warns about CPU voltages over 1.5 v.
      
    • You can always use 1.7 v safely for CPU overclocking.
      
    • If you increase CPU Voltage too much, you will break the CPU!
  
  
• Overclocking Steps:
  
  • In BIOS, save a change to the CPU Speed and CPU Voltage, that you want to test.
    
  • Test in OCCT:
    
    • Is it stable (no BSOD), within thermal limits (no CPU Throttling)? Good. You may have additional headroom to try a higher CPU Speed.
      
    • BSOD: Increase CPU Voltage or decrease CPU Speed.
      
    • CPU Throttling: Increase CPU/case cooling or decrease CPU Speed.

GPU Overclocking

• Goal:
  
  • Find the highest GPU Speed that will run OCCT without getting a BSOD.
  
  
• Required Parts:
  
  • Any GPU can be overclocked
    
  • GPU Tuner will be used to control the overclock
  
  
• Concepts:
  
  • GPU Tuner allows you to set the following on your GPUs:
    
    • Core Voltage % - Safe to change to maximum, since this is just a % offset value that is already determined to be stable by the GPU vBIOS
      
    • Core Clock MHz - Offset used to change GPU core speed, and is recommended for simple overclocking
      
    • Memory Clock MHz - Offset used to change GPU memory speed, and is only necessary for advanced overclocking
  • GPU Tuner controls:
    
    • Use the sliders to roughly change the values.
      
    • You can fine-tune up or down by a single value, by clicking on the “-“ or “+” buttons.
      
    • Be sure to hit “Apply” to apply any changes.
      
    • You can use “Reset to Default”, to reset the GPUs back to their default settings.
  • You cannot break a GPU by overclocking it.
    
  • GPUs have a thermal limit of 95.5 *C, so that is your target.
  
  
• Overclocking Steps:
  
  • Run OCCT Infinite and watch GPU Temperatures.
    
  • In GPU Tuner, increase Core Voltage % to the highest value.
    
  • In GPU Tuner, increase Core Clock MHz, and hit Apply.
    
  • Test in OCCT:
    
    • Is it stable (no BSOD)? Good. You may have additional headroom to try a higher GPU Speed.
      
    • BSOD when GPU reaches a certain temperature: Increase GPU/case cooling or decrease GPU Speed.
  • Tip: If you need a higher GPU Core Clock for a customer request, you can sometimes decrease GPU Memory Clock to get a higher GPU Core Clock.

RAM Overclocking

• Goal:
  
  • Find the highest RAM Speed that will run OCCT without getting a BSOD.
  
  
• Required Parts:
  
  • Any RAM can be overclocked.
  
  
• Concepts:
  
  • XMP (Extreme Memory Profile):
    
    • Automatically overclocks RAM Speed.
      
    • Recommended for simple overclocking.
      
    • Requires Base Clock to be set to its default value.
  • Changing RAM Speed in BIOS:
    
    • Use this to change the RAM Speed, in incremental steps that are defined by the motherboard.
  • Changing RAM Voltage in BIOS:
    
    • More RAM Voltage is required to keep the RAM stable while overclocking it.
      
    • PCBS BIOS warns about RAM voltages over 1.65 v.
      
    • 1.8 v is safe for RAM overclocking, for nearly every RAM.
      
    • If you increase RAM Voltage too much, you will break the RAM!
  
  
• Overclocking Steps:
  
  • In BIOS, save a change to the RAM Speed and RAM Voltage, that you want to test.
    
  • Test in OCCT:
    
    • Is it stable (no BSOD)? Good. You may have additional headroom to try a higher RAM Speed.
      
    • BSOD: Increase RAM voltage or decrease RAM Speed.

Entire PC Overclocking

• Goals:
  
  • Overclock the entire PC (CPU, GPU, RAM), for high 3D Mark scores and PC Bay values.
    
  • Get all 3 components at their temperature/voltage limits at the same time.
  
  
• Concepts:
  
  • Use safe voltages so there is no risk to breaking a part.
    
  • GPU overclocking is the easiest to slightly change, so save fine tuning it for last.
    
  • As you test, take notes on which CPU/RAM speeds worked and which did not.
  
  
• Overclocking Steps:
  
  • Setup:
    
    • Preset BIOS voltages to safe values: 1.7 v for the CPU, 1.8 v for the RAM.
      
    • Overclock the GPU to be close to its final overclock. Aim for 90 *C, since this will allow us a cushion to overclock the CPU.
  • Hunting CPU/RAM Speeds:
    
    • Try new CPU/RAM speeds, taking notes for each result. Test new speeds for both parts, at the same time.
      
    • If OCCT is stable, mark the values as "OK" and record the CPU Temperature.
      
    • If you got a BSOD, determine which part caused it, then record the Speed as "Bad" for that part.
      
    • Find the highest stable CPU Speed: ~0.5 *C less than the CPU Throttling temperature.
      
    • Find the highest stable RAM Speed: ~100-200 MHz less than a speed that would BSOD.
      
    • Once you know highest stable speeds for CPU/RAM, find combinations that maximize speeds for both simulatenously.
  • Finish:
    
    • Overclock the GPU, so it is the best speed that is still stable.
      
    • All 3 components are now overclocked to their limits.
      
    • Note: There is a bug where CPU temperature doesn't account for changes in GPU Overclock temperatures until the PC is restarted.
      
    • So, restart the PC to workaround the bug, and then run OCCT one more time.
      
    • Benchmark it using 3D Mark, and enjoy that Resale Value!
  
  
• Example Notes:
  
  CPU
  5076 good 80
  5085 good 80
  5192 good 90.4
  5203 good 91.4
  5246 good 95.6
  5289 PERFECT 99.8
  5324 bad
  
  RAM
  4463 good
  4670 good
  4876 good
  5000 good
  5042 bad
  5083 bad

Reference Guides

• BSOD Guide (OC Update) by Maqui
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1402962803
  
  
• A Basic Guide to Overclocking in PC Building Simulator by BigDave
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1513505217
  
  
• Turbo's Guide to Binning and Overclocking by Turbo
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1553822757
  
  
• Parts & Unlock Levels by PUC_Snakeman
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1798336403
  
  
• GPU Overclock Summary by PUC_Snakeman
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1776785087

[BSODBIOS]

Big thanks for this guide! You really helped me in my walkthrough.

[Fry Supreme Consumer]

I know this post is ancient by now but holy shit thank you :D

[AyeItsKatie]

Yes and No the safe values are on a per-CPU basis now 1.7 volts will fry some CPUs but the concept is still the same and from my experimenting, 1.8 volts seems to still be the highest safe value for RAM.

[Tiram3su]

Is this still true in pcbs 2?

[PUC_Snakeman]

@Gridlink: If you share a link to your .binary save file, I can tell you how to solve the job. Private Message me.

[Gridlink]

I don't get what I'm doing wrong. Everytime I get an overclocking reuest I overclock a CPU to the requested frequency. It's throtteling, so I need to increase the cooling. But I'm not allowed to spend more than 30§ on stuff and can't replace the CPU fan (its shown as the owners CPU). When I spend the budget on maximum airflow its still throtteling. HELP.

[PUC_Snakeman]

The game introduces concepts gradually over the course of the career. Hang in there, and find a way to enjoy it!

[Deki Larwan]

I just fuck1ng wasted my money that i got from JField email and i read the guide and this is so unfair that i cant get a GPU Tuner for unlocking level 13 but im level 10.

[PUC_Snakeman]

Did you look up the exact message that the BSOD tells you, in the "Blue Screens of Death (BSODs)" section of this guide? That will tell you the problem. If you need more help, we'd need more details, and the question would like best be answered in the game's Discord channel.

[bouldercity86]

Thank you for the great format you created.
Although you probably included any eventuality regarding BSOD, I came across a simple case where the PC has a ram stick to change "Team Group 8GB 3000MhZ white led" and $150 budget.

Cost of the new stick $105

The weirdness is that the computer goes on BSOD immediately when it start running the OCCT.

I have put some fans to improve the cooling for few dollars extra but nothing changed.

I wonder if is it bugged...?