7i7 7700K搭配MSI Z270 OC
7i7 7700K搭配MSI Z270 OC
Hello everyone, after a year and a half of upgrading my CPU and motherboard, I’m evaluating the results. I own an i7 7700k and an MSI Z270. When I run OCCT with the default settings, temperatures stay normal—around 30°C idle and up to 70°C during load. Based on this, I think my cooler is sufficient for further optimization. I recently installed a Noctua NH-U12S and applied thermal paste from Thermal Grizzly specifically for OC. After reviewing many videos and posts, I learned the i7 7700 is considered a "hot chip." So I began the OC process at 4.8GHz and 1.2V. During this stage, OCCT reported errors and temperatures spiked to 90°C within a minute. Eventually, I tested voltages from 1.2 to 1.35V until no errors appeared in OCCT. Here’s the link for reference: https://gyazo.com/4372fc39d86c5fda1ae4e8e153ca678b.
My first questions: Was this a good OC attempt, or did something go wrong? Second, in RealTempGT I reached LOG on all cores, which suggests thermal throttling. Given that I’m seeing around 88°C during load (as shown in the video), is this an acceptable temperature for a 4.8GHz setup? I have decent airflow with four fans, including my Noctua unit. Thanks for your insights!
It's concerning that OCCT isn't tracking your peak CPU temps accurately. The LOG entry in RealTemp shows all four cores hit the 100°C threshold for thermal throttling. Throttling data is kept separately on the CPU. Running at 4.8 GHz is quite high for a 7700K and may require improved cooling or a slight reduction in overclocking. Otherwise, expect errors and overheating when under heavy load.
Thanks for your questions. I understand you're just starting out. Yes, it's common to find temperatures higher than ideal with XMP enabled alone. The default settings might be too aggressive for your system. Regarding the speeds shown on RealTempGT and CPU Z, they could reflect overclocked frequencies or different measurement modes. For a stable 4.2 GHz base speed, a good cooler is essential—check reviews for models that support 4.8–5.0 GHz safely.
It really depends on the cooler you use for your chip. A delid would help if your cooler isn’t powerful enough. I own an i7 7700k and an MSI Z270 SLI board without one, which is similar to what you’re running. With my Noctua NH-D15 cooler, I could only reach stable 4.6GHz at 1.25V while temps were near 80°C under full load using Prime95 and IBT. I attempted higher voltages to hit 4.8GHz but couldn’t get it steady. It’s definitely a challenging chip.
Intel default speed is 4.5 GHz with one core running. Activating XMP can cause some boards to boost all cores, giving you 4.5 GHz regardless of how many are active. If you intend to use OCCT continuously, expect stable performance around 4.6 or 4.7 GHz. Extra 100 or 200 MHz isn't really necessary.
Thanks for the feedback. I got stable at 4.6 and 1.25v with consistent temperatures. Stabilizing at 4.8 GHz is proving tricky, so I’ll keep at 4.6 for now. Appreciate the clarification!