# i9-9900K Overclocking Guide | Z390 BIOS Targets | FPS Chaser Canonical: https://fpschaser.com/i9-9900k-overclocking-guide-z390/ > Set the guide's i9-9900K targets on a Z390 board: 5.0GHz all-core, ring 47, static Vcore, LLC Turbo, C-States off, XMP on. 18 settings, four board brands. ## BIOS Optimization Guide Gigabyte Z390 / i9-9900K & Multi-Board Reference Interactive Specs Active: Hover any dotted term (e.g. LLC , Vdroop , PTM7950 ) for instant definitions & tips. [Full Hardware Glossary →](https://fpschaser.com/best-gaming-pc-build-i9-9900k/#hardware-glossary) This is where the magic happens. We are targeting a synchronized 5.0GHz All-Core overclock with a 1:1 Cache ratio if silicon allows. Quick Parameter Search & Cross-Reference ### BIOS Setting & Motherboard Filter Instantly search by setting keyword, acronym, or motherboard manufacturer (Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI, ASRock) to locate exact BIOS paths. Showing 18 of 18 settings Filter / Highlight Motherboard Brand: Critical Frequency & Clocks #### CPU Clock Ratio (All-Core Multiplier) Locks all 8 physical CPU cores to run at an unchanging 5.0GHz, bypassing dynamic single-core turbo stepping. Optimal Config: 50 (5.0GHz All-Core Synchronized) **Competitive Impact:** Eliminates core frequency ramp-up latency when rendering unexpected enemy utility or heavy gunfights. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Frequency Settings > CPU Clock Ratio -> 50 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker (Ai Tweaker) > CPU Core Ratio -> Sync All Cores -> 50 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > CPU Ratio Mode -> Fixed / All Core -> 50 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > CPU Configuration > CPU Ratio -> All Core -> 50 Critical Frequency & Clocks #### Ring Ratio / CPU Cache Ratio (Uncore) Controls the ring bus frequency interconnecting CPU cores, L3 cache, and system agent memory controller. Optimal Config: 47 (or 48–50 if silicon permits) **Competitive Impact:** Crucial for 1% low FPS in esports engines. Stock is 4.3GHz; boosting to 4.7GHz+ reduces L3 cache hit latency by ~4ns. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Frequency Settings > Advanced CPU Core Settings > Ring Ratio -> 47 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > Min. CPU Cache Ratio: 47 / Max. CPU Cache Ratio: 47 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Ring Ratio -> 47 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > CPU Configuration > CPU Cache Ratio -> 47 High Frequency & Clocks #### AVX Instruction Offset Prevents the CPU from downclocking to 4.7GHz or 4.8GHz whenever games trigger AVX instructions (e.g., CS2, modern EAC/BattlEye titles). Optimal Config: 0 (Zero Offset / No Downclocking) **Competitive Impact:** Avoids jarring 200–300MHz downclock dips during matches which induce noticeable frame-time jitter. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Frequency Settings > Advanced CPU Core Settings > AVX Offset -> 0 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > AVX Instruction Core Ratio Negative Offset -> 0 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > AVX Ratio Offset -> 0 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > CPU Configuration > AVX2 Ratio Offset -> 0 Recommended Frequency & Clocks #### BCLK Spread Spectrum Spread spectrum slightly modulates base clock (e.g., 99.8MHz) to pass FCC EMI radiation tests, sacrificing clock precision. Optimal Config: Disabled **Competitive Impact:** Ensures exact 100.00MHz base clock tick, preventing synthetic timer drift and micro-jitter in high-polling input devices. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Frequency Settings > BCLK Spread Spectrum -> Disabled ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > Tweaker's Paradise > BCLK Spread Spectrum -> Disabled MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Advanced CPU Configuration > CPU BCLK Spread Spectrum -> Disabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > Voltage Configuration > CPU Spread Spectrum -> Disabled Critical Voltage & LLC #### CPU Load-Line Calibration (LLC) Compensates for natural voltage droop (Vdroop) under heavy load without creating dangerous high-voltage transient overshoot spikes. Optimal Config: Turbo (Gigabyte) / Level 6 (ASUS) / Mode 3 (MSI) / Level 2 (ASRock) **Competitive Impact:** Provides a flat, rock-solid voltage delivery during heavy frame bursts, stopping game crashes and silicon degradation. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Voltage Settings > CPU Vcore Loadline Calibration -> Turbo ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > DIGI+ VRM > CPU Load-line Calibration -> Level 6 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > DigitALL Power > CPU Loadline Calibration Control -> Mode 3 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > Voltage Configuration > CPU Vcore Loadline Calibration -> Level 2 Critical Voltage & LLC #### CPU Vcore (Core Voltage Mode & Voltage) Sets static, predictable core voltage for synchronized 5.0GHz operation. Test lowest stable voltage using Cinebench R23. Optimal Config: 1.285V – 1.320V (Override / Static Mode) **Competitive Impact:** Replaces erratic voltage stepping with a constant voltage floor, eliminating voltage sag stutter during gunfights. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Voltage Settings > CPU Core Voltage Control > CPU Vcore -> 1.320V ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > CPU Core/Cache Voltage -> Manual Mode -> 1.320V MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Voltage Setting > CPU Core Voltage Mode -> Override Mode -> 1.320V ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > Voltage Configuration > CPU Core/Cache Voltage -> Fixed Mode -> 1.320V High Voltage & LLC #### VCCIO & System Agent Voltage (VCCSA / SoC) Powers the integrated memory controller (IMC). Motherboard auto settings often dangerously overvolt these to 1.35V+ on high XMP. Optimal Config: VCCIO: 1.200V / VCCSA: 1.250V (Safe 24/7 Limits) **Competitive Impact:** Stabilizes tight Samsung B-Die secondary timings (4000 CL16 / 4400 CL19) without thermal degradation to the CPU die. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Voltage Settings > Chipset Voltage Control > CPU VCCIO -> 1.200V / CPU VCCSA -> 1.250V ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > CPU VCCIO Voltage -> 1.200V / CPU System Agent Voltage -> 1.250V MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Voltage Setting > CPU VCCIO Voltage -> 1.200V / CPU SA Voltage -> 1.250V ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > Voltage Configuration > VCCIO Voltage -> 1.200V / VCCSA Voltage -> 1.250V High Voltage & LLC #### DRAM Voltage (VDD / VDIMM) Supplies electrical potential to the memory modules. Samsung B-Die thrives on 1.45V–1.50V when backed by direct airflow. Optimal Config: 1.450V – 1.500V (For Samsung B-Die DDR4) **Competitive Impact:** Allows tRFC to tighten from 560 down to 280 and tCL to 16, directly slashing memory latency down to 36ns. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Voltage Settings > DRAM Voltage Control > DRAM Voltage (CH A/B) -> 1.450V ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > DRAM Voltage -> 1.450V MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Voltage Setting > DRAM Voltage -> 1.450V ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > Voltage Configuration > DRAM Voltage -> 1.450V Critical Power Management & C-States #### CPU C-States (C1E, C3, C6/C7, C8) Stops the processor from putting idle execution cores into low-power sleep states when player is standing still. Optimal Config: Disabled **Competitive Impact:** Completely eliminates the 50–120μs core wake-up penalty when an enemy suddenly peeks around a corner. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced CPU Core Settings > C-States Control -> Disabled ASUS ROG / TUF Advanced > CPU Configuration > CPU - Power Management > CPU C-states -> Disabled MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > CPU Features > Intel C-State -> Disabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) Advanced > CPU Configuration > CPU C States Support -> Disabled Critical Power Management & C-States #### Intel SpeedShift & Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) Disables hardware-controlled P-state frequency hopping, forcing Windows and CPU hardware into locked maximum clocks. Optimal Config: Disabled **Competitive Impact:** Ensures instantaneous compute throughput with zero P-state modulation or clock-ramping latency. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced CPU Core Settings > Intel Speed Shift Technology -> Disabled / EIST -> Disabled ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > CPU Power Management > Intel SpeedStep / SpeedShift -> Disabled MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > CPU Features > Intel Speed Shift Technology -> Disabled / Enhanced Intel SpeedStep (EIST) -> Disabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) Advanced > CPU Configuration > Intel SpeedStep / Intel Speed Shift -> Disabled High Power Management & C-States #### Long & Short Duration Package Power Limits (PL1 & PL2) Removes the artificial 95W/125W TDP power throttle clamps that force Intel CPUs to downclock after 28–56 seconds of load. Optimal Config: 4095W (Maxed Out) / Unlimited Current (255.75A) **Competitive Impact:** Guarantees uninterrupted 5.0GHz all-core clocks through long competitive matches without TDP throttling. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced CPU Core Settings > Package Power Limit1/2 (Watts) -> 4095 / Core Current Limit (Amps) -> 255 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > Internal CPU Power Management > Long/Short Duration Package Power Limit -> 4095 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Advanced CPU Configuration > Long/Short Duration Power Limit (W) -> 4096 / CPU Current Limit (A) -> 256 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > CPU Configuration > Long/Short Duration Power Limit -> 4095 Critical Memory Sub-Timings #### Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P. / EXPO) Applies verified factory high-frequency profiles for memory clock and primary timings (e.g. 4000MHz CL16-16-16). Optimal Config: Enabled (Profile 1) **Competitive Impact:** Bypasses JEDEC default 2133MHz/2400MHz failsafe speeds, boosting baseline memory throughput by up to 80%. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Frequency Settings > Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) -> Profile 1 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > Ai Overclock Tuner -> XMP I (or XMP II) MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) -> Enabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > DRAM Configuration > Load XMP Setting -> XMP 2.0 Profile 1 Critical Memory Sub-Timings #### tRFC (Refresh Cycle Time) The number of clock cycles required to refresh a single row of DRAM memory cells. Samsung B-Die handles sub-300 tRFC easily. Optimal Config: 280 – 320 (Stock JEDEC/XMP is 560+) **Competitive Impact:** Single highest impact sub-timing. Slashes DRAM access delay, yielding a direct +15% to +25% jump in 1% low FPS. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Memory Settings > Standard Timing Control > tRFC -> 280 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > DRAM Timing Control > Secondary Timings > DRAM tRFC -> 280 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Advanced DRAM Configuration > Secondary Timing > tRFC -> 280 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > DRAM Configuration > Secondary Timings > tRFC -> 280 Critical Memory Sub-Timings #### tFAW (Four Activate Window) Defines the time window in which four consecutive row activates can be issued across different memory banks. Optimal Config: 16 (Equal to 4 × tRRD_S) **Competitive Impact:** Prevents internal memory bank stalls during rapid scene transitions and intense particle effects. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Memory Settings > Standard Timing Control > tFAW -> 16 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > DRAM Timing Control > DRAM tFAW -> 16 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Advanced DRAM Configuration > tFAW -> 16 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > DRAM Configuration > tFAW -> 16 High Memory Sub-Timings #### tREFI (Refresh Interval) Maximizes the interval between mandatory memory cell recharge operations, allowing longer periods of continuous read/write cycles. Optimal Config: 65535 (Maximum Allowed) **Competitive Impact:** Reduces memory bus interruption frequency, keeping frame times perfectly flat. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Advanced Memory Settings > Advanced Timing Control > tREFI -> 65535 ASUS ROG / TUF Extreme Tweaker > DRAM Timing Control > DRAM tREFI -> 65535 MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > Advanced DRAM Configuration > tREFI -> 65535 ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) OC Tweaker > DRAM Configuration > tREFI -> 65535 Critical PCIe & Subsystems #### Above 4G Decoding & Resizable BAR (ReBAR / SAM) Allows the CPU direct access to the entire GPU VRAM buffer over PCIe instead of legacy 256MB apertures. Optimal Config: Above 4G: Enabled / Resizable BAR: Enabled (Auto) **Competitive Impact:** Eliminates PCIe bus transmission bottlenecks when loading weapon textures and game assets in CS2, Apex, and Warzone. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Settings > IO Ports > Above 4G Decoding -> Enabled / Re-Size BAR Support -> Auto ASUS ROG / TUF Advanced > PCI Subsystem Settings > Above 4G Decoding -> Enabled / Re-Size BAR Support -> Enabled MSI (MAG / MEG) Settings > Advanced > PCIe / PCI Sub-system Settings > Above 4G Memory / Re-Size BAR Support -> Enabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) Advanced > Chipset Configuration > Above 4G Decoding -> Enabled / C.A.M. (Clever Access Memory) -> Enabled High PCIe & Subsystems #### Internal Graphics (iGPU Multi-Monitor) Completely powers down the integrated Intel UHD 630 GPU die on the processor package. Optimal Config: Disabled **Competitive Impact:** Reclaims ~8W–12W of socket thermal power, reduces system agent bus contention, and avoids duplicate display driver DPC interrupts. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS Settings > IO Ports > Internal Graphics -> Disabled ASUS ROG / TUF Advanced > System Agent (SA) Configuration > Graphics Configuration > Primary Display -> PCIE MSI (MAG / MEG) Settings > Advanced > Integrated Graphics Configuration > Initiate Graphic Adapter -> PEG ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) Advanced > Chipset Configuration > Primary Graphics Adapter -> PCIe High PCIe & Subsystems #### Intel Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) Hardware I/O virtualization unit. Can introduce minor interrupt routing translation delays on PCIe buses. Optimal Config: Disabled (Unless requiring enterprise VM passthrough) **Competitive Impact:** Slightly improves peripheral and GPU DMA interrupt latency for raw competitive responsiveness. Exact Motherboard Navigation Paths: Gigabyte / AORUS M.I.T > Advanced Frequency Settings > Advanced CPU Core Settings > VT-d -> Disabled ASUS ROG / TUF Advanced > System Agent (SA) Configuration > VT-d -> Disabled MSI (MAG / MEG) OC > CPU Features > Intel VT-d Tech -> Disabled ASRock (Taichi / Steel Legend) Advanced > CPU Configuration > Intel Virtualization Technology / VT-d -> Disabled ### M.I.T / Frequency Settings CPU Clock Ratio 50 Ring Ratio 47 (Aim for 50) XMP Profile Profile 1 VT-d Disabled Internal Graphics Disabled ### Advanced Voltage Settings CPU Vcore LLC Turbo CPU Vcore 1.320V (Tune stability) VCCIO 1.200V System Agent (VCCSA) 1.250V ### CPU Core & Power Limits Intel SpeedShift Disabled C-States Control Disabled Package Power Limit MAX (4095W) AVX Offset 0 (No AVX Downclock ) ### Advanced Memory Sub-Timings ( Samsung B-Die ) [OPEN CALCULATOR](https://fpschaser.com/ram-timing-memory-latency-calculator/) Standard XMP sets safe, loose secondary timings . By manually locking these values in BIOS, memory latency drops from ~50ns to sub-36ns, transforming 1% low frame stability. tCL ( CAS Latency ) 16 tRFC (Refresh Cycle) 280 (Stock is 560+) tRCD / tRP 16 / 16 tFAW (Four Activate) 16 (4 × tRRD_S) tRAS 32 tRRD_S / tRRD_L 4 / 4 Command Rate (CR) 2T (or 1T with gear-down) tREFI (Refresh Interval) 65535 (Maximum) #### Why LLC "Turbo" on Gigabyte Z390? CPUs naturally experience voltage droop ( Vdroop ) under heavy load. If you set 1.32V without LLC , voltage can sag to 1.25V during a burst, crashing the game. Setting LLC to "Extreme" can cause transient voltage overshoot spikes past 1.40V which degrades silicon. **Turbo** provides the exact flat voltage curve needed for 24/7 competitive stability. #### Verification & Stability Testing Boot into Windows. Run **Cinebench R23** for 30 minutes to verify CPU thermal stability. If it crashes, increase Vcore by 0.01V. If temperatures exceed 90°C, ensure thermal paste or PTM7950 is seated properly. For memory stability, run **TestMem5 (TM5)** with the **Anta777 Extreme** profile for 3 full cycles. If no errors occur within 90 minutes, your sub-timings are 100% rock-solid. Real-Time Telemetry Sandbox ## System Stress Test Simulation Simulate dynamic CPU & GPU utilization, thermal dissipation, and clock stability curves under high computational stress. SYSTEM IDLE Time: 00:00 Load Preset: Switch load target on-the-fly **Combined System Burn (OCCT Extreme):** Simultaneous 100% CPU and GPU load. Tests power supply 12V rail ripple and chassis exhaust airflow. CPU Line GPU Line CPU Utilization (%) GPU Utilization (%) Buffer: 15 samples CPU Utilization Live Ring Bus 8% Avg: 8% | Peak: 8% Temp: **37°C** Clock: **1.4GHz** GPU Utilization Compute Engine 5% Avg: 5% | Peak: 5% Temp: **34°C** Clock: **210MHz** Total System Power 12V Rail 78W Simulated wall draw (CPU + GPU + VRM losses). Estimated PSU headroom: 672W Silicon Integrity WHEA / ECC 0 WHEA Errors Vcore LLC & memory parity checks passing with zero thread dropouts. Thermal Throttling: NONE (NORMAL) BIOS Tuning Intel & AMD ## BIOS & Overclocking FAQs Answers to essential questions on Vcore voltages, Load Line Calibration, Ring ratios, and safe 24/7 stability. Ctrl+F When a CPU transitions from an idle state to a 100% heavy load, current increases exponentially. Due to Ohm's Law and VRM impedance, voltage naturally drops (Vdroop). Load Line Calibration (LLC) counteracts this by injecting additional voltage under load. However, setting LLC to maximum (e.g. Level 7/8 on ASUS or Turbo/Extreme on Gigabyte) causes voltage overshoot—microsecond voltage spikes that can exceed 1.45V+ during load transitions. A flat or slightly drooping line (e.g., Level 5/6 on ASUS, Turbo on Gigabyte) gives optimal transient stability without degrading the CPU silicon. Key Takeaway: Aim for a medium-high LLC level with slight Vdroop rather than aggressive overshoot to prevent silicon degradation. [View Z390 Overclocking Sheet](https://fpschaser.com/i9-9900k-overclocking-guide-z390/) Need more details on this optimization layer? [Master Zero-Latency Checklist](https://fpschaser.com/fps-optimization-checklist/) [Proceed to Phase 3: Windows 11 Optimization](https://fpschaser.com/windows-11-fps-boost-guide/)