core i5 4670k experiences throttling at 4.2GHz with a core voltage of 1.15Vcore
core i5 4670k experiences throttling at 4.2GHz with a core voltage of 1.15Vcore
Last evening I tried to push the overclock on my Core i5 4670K, thinking it was stable at 4.2 GHz and aiming for 4.4Ghz or even 4.5Ghz. While running Prime95, I saw temperatures rise to 95-100°C and the frequency drop from 4.3Ghz in seconds, then settling back down to around 3.9 - 4.0 GHz. When reverting to the original 4.2Ghz setup, performance remained similar. I set the voltage to adaptive mode at 1.15V, which the ASRock overclocking app indicated would rise to about 1.18V. Changing to override mode didn’t seem to help much. I’m aware some overclockers on this board use around 1.25V, but that felt risky given how hot things were already.
Typically, gaming temps are around 70°C and my PC runs 8-10°C above ambient when idle. Is my cooler not doing enough? Could there be a better solution without replacing it? Or what specifications would work better? It seems space could be an issue if I go higher.
Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9500
Case: APEX PCV-588 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (5 fans)
Mobo: ASRock Z87 PRO4
Reapplying thermal compound (MX-4) had little effect, possibly lowering idle temps by about 1°C, but I’m considering a swap for fun.
Based on what I understand, the cooler design might be a bit outdated. It could be due to old thermal paste under the IHS, but that's up to you if you decide to try it. If you're aiming for a high-quality all-rounder, the Cryo H7 is the best option. They have official guidance on how to build a model if it fits, and it typically costs around 50$. A more affordable alternative is the Hyperx 212 Evo.
Based on what I understand, the cooler design might be a bit outdated. It could be due to old thermal paste under the IHS, but that's up to you if you decide to try it. If you're aiming for a high-quality all-rounder, the Cryo H7 is the best option. They have official guidance on how to build a model if it fits, and it typically costs around 50$. A more affordable alternative is the Hyperx 212 Evo.
From what I understand, the cooler design might be outdated. It's possible that old thermal paste under the IHS could achieve this, but that depends on your preferences if you're willing to try. If you're aiming for a high-quality all-rounder, the Cryo H7 is the best option. They have instructions on their forum about making a model if it fits, usually around 50$. A more budget-friendly choice would be the Hyperx 212 evo. I plan to take some measurements, but if I can't find a 120mm tower cooler that fits, how would it compare to a closed-loop cooler with a 120mm radiator?
I purchased the Cryorig h7 for $35. It performs better now, and Prime95 shows my PC can maintain 4.3GHz for about 20 seconds before throttling, whereas it would only last around 2 seconds previously. It's still a bit frustrating to notice a cooler rated for 140W struggling while the power monitor indicates around 100W usage. The airflow from the cooler isn't very warm either.
I'm planning to replace it. I suspect Intel's thermal interface material may have degraded over the past five years. I found a cheap Chinese delidding tool that might help, and liquid metal TIM could be useful too—especially if my Mx-4 is aging. Spending $50 seems reasonable if it helps postpone an upgrade until Intel reaches 10nm or fixes hardware security issues. If DDR4 prices drop, that would make the investment even more sensible.
In the worst scenario, I was ready to upgrade everything before trying this.
I haven't tried AIDA64 before.
Yesterday I did a delid and used conductonaut – it was quite challenging to work with. I ended up applying too much the first time, and it wasn’t easy to remove. Otherwise, it wasn’t too difficult. If I hadn’t used liquid metal, the process would have taken under 10 minutes.
But wow, it really made a big difference. The old thermal compound was frustrating to remove because it had turned into a solid paste, similar to a pencil eraser – which is quite unpleasant. I had to scrape it off completely.
I went from throttling at 100C within seconds on prime95 small fft to maintaining a steady state temperature in the 80-85C range without throttling at 4.3GHz. The idle temperatures dropped slightly, but that level wasn’t too far from what I was aiming for.
Given how bad the thermal paste had become, I believe my main issue was still the processor itself. I think anyone with a Haswell chip should seriously think about doing a delid as part of regular maintenance, even if they use standard thermal paste.