Adjusting voltage and boosting speed on an i7-8700K chipset.
Adjusting voltage and boosting speed on an i7-8700K chipset.
I was aiming for a 4.7ghz but my older CPU struggled with that. The default voltage ended up at 1.41V, causing overheating and freezing if it hit 100°C. I adjusted the voltage carefully, reaching 1.1V with stable performance during stress tests like Cinebench and Linpack. Now I’m at 85°C/185°F. Should I keep undervolting or try overclocking? I mainly use it for gaming and occasional video work.
8700K wasn’t a top performer, yet it could still be boosted without losing stability. Skylake-X was the biggest issue I remember from recent times. If it runs smoothly, complications shouldn’t arise. Which CPU cooler are you using?
I don’t recall it occurring on any consumer CPUs from that time. The main problems with the 7700K were requiring a new chipset and motherboard, and lacking backward compatibility with Skylake. Skyake-X was the biggest culprit since they didn’t solder the IHS, and the thermal interface between the IHS and CPU die wasn’t optimal. Delidding became essential for serious overclocking on X299.
it was skylake when they used cheap thermlpased chips after it dropped around 20-30°C, possibly the 6700k. i’m 100% on that. but skylake-x was also common until x299 replacements became fast, and some direct die cooling solutions were popular too. debower really pushed those ideas.
Just adjust the settings and check the performance under stress. Observe the highest stable frequency at 1.2v. Alternatively, consider selling the CPU and motherboard and purchasing a used Ryzen 5600+ B3/450 setup that will outperform the 8700K. It’s more efficient and handles higher loads better. Some might still be willing to pay around $100 for an 8700K, especially if you upgrade the voltage slightly. Higher voltages increase heat sensitivity; too much heat causes voltage instability. Once you exceed 1.4v, especially on newer chips, stability drops quickly. Theoretically, 1.3v could last through 100°C cycles before issues appear, and 1.4v might only last 80°C with minor effects. But these are assumptions—real testing is needed. Also, performance depends on the platform. For a better option here, look for a CPU that can run at 4.7-4.8 all-core speeds and beat the 8700K in efficiency, as newer designs will likely outperform it.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm aiming for a modest improvement without major hassle, targeting around 4.7 GHz across all cores—something typical for turbo boost. I’ll likely switch to a newer CPU when the 14th generation arrives and pick the model that offers the best gaming performance, whether it's Ryzen or Intel.