Adjusting performance beyond specifications for Skylake 6700k / Overclocking / Cooling
Adjusting performance beyond specifications for Skylake 6700k / Overclocking / Cooling
I'm still figuring out the limits for pushing my i7 6700k, especially with the Corsair H100i v2 cooler. At the moment, my main reason for overclocking was that games kept capping at low frame rates, which seemed strange after some troubleshooting. After adjusting drivers and removing certain software, I thought it might be a CPU bottleneck or poor game optimization. Eventually, I decided to try it anyway. I followed some tutorials, checked the core temperature, and enabled cooling protection. The CPU reached about 4.6 GHz, but after a short while in Shadow of Mordor it hit 80 degrees and shut off automatically. So, overall it's a bit uncertain—how high can I safely get it without damaging it?
The height varies by chip. The 80C remains safe. You don't need Corsair H100i or AIO; a comparable air cooler like NH-D15 is more affordable and doesn't risk leaks.
The height varies by chip. The 80C remains safe. You don't need Corsair H100i or AIO; a comparable air cooler like NH-D15 is more affordable and doesn't risk leaks.
Verify in the Corsair link that your pump speed is configured for performance mode to maintain liquid flow. This is why I dislike the "i" Corsair AIOs—they make the process difficult. I rely on the H105 model personally, and it has delivered strong results in numerous builds. The 100i v2 should perform similarly, though I've noticed it sometimes doesn't pump adequately, requiring manual adjustments to pump speeds via Corsair Link.
I've set up around 30 Corsair Hxx AIO closed loops without any concerns about leaks.
BigBoom shared a helpful guide. Consider matching your CPU clock speed to his 4.7 at the same voltage, or set your voltage to approximately 1.29V for 4.6 (and confirm stability). This often improves temperatures. Many times it's the voltage that causes overheating.