Great to be here, new to OC, need some tips!
Great to be here, new to OC, need some tips!
I just upgraded my CPU to an i7 8700k and understand that with this Intel model you can enable "turbo mode" which unlocks its full 4.7 GHz performance. I'm using an ASRock Z370 Killer Mobo with a Hyper 212 Evo cooler on top, and I'm wondering if adjusting the BIOS settings is as simple as turning it on, allowing my current cooler to support the CPU even when overclocked?
Best advice... Avoid becoming overly greedy.
Your ability to achieve good performance on an i7-8700K hinges largely on the luck of obtaining a suitable chip.
As of 3/22/2018, the percentage of I7-8700K chips that can handle an aggressive vcore around 1.4 with delidded cooling is as follows:
- 99% at 5.0
- 88% at 5.1
- 54% at 5.2
- 22% at 5.3
Remember the warning about delidding.
Removing the delid can improve heat dissipation, but it may require a $40 process you likely don’t possess.
Overclocking is straightforward—just increase the all-core multiplier in the BIOS and proceed slowly, stress testing regularly.
Keep track of your vcore (using cpu-z) and temperature (via HWMONITOR or similar).
The safe upper limit for overclocking is determined by the voltage you and the chip can safely handle, which usually caps around 1.4 volts.
Always aim for a stress test up to 85°C.
Turbo Mode is usually active on most modern processors and motherboards. When you install the CPU and leave the BIOS settings unchanged, your processor will automatically increase its performance to 4.7 under suitable conditions, such as launching a game. This process involves more steps now, but it’s not necessary at this stage. The 212 air cooler works well even for light overclocking, which here means going beyond the default 4.7 boost. Turbo boost mode functions similarly, but it is managed automatically by both the processor and the motherboard. To exceed 4.7, you would need to adjust settings in the BIOS and perform manual overclocking.
I prefer being careful and checking baseline performance or temperatures before beginning any overclocking. Execute Prime95 for several hours alongside Open Hardware Monitor to understand the maximum temperatures your CPU reaches. If the temperatures are within limits and the system remains stable after some time, then enable turbo mode in BIOS and repeat the test.
Best advice... Avoid becoming overly greedy.
Your ability to achieve good performance on an i7-8700K hinges largely on the luck of obtaining a suitable chip.
As of 3/22/2018, the percentage of I7-8700K chips that can handle an aggressive vcore near 1.4 with delidded 4.9 is approximately 99%, 88%, 54% and 22% respectively.
Remember the warning about "delidded" chips.
Removing the delid package, a $40 process enhances heat dissipation beyond what you likely possess.
Overclocking is straightforward—just increase the all-core multiplier in the BIOS.
Proceed slowly, then stress test.
Keep an eye on your vcore (using cpu-z) and temperature (via HWMONITOR or similar).
The safe upper bound for overclocking is around 1.4 volts.
Monitor closely; if you hit 100°C, reduce the effort.
8700K is already quite demanding at its stock state.
How much do you truly require?
Best advice... avoid getting too greedy.
Your ability to achieve good performance on an i7-8700K hinges largely on your luck in securing a quality chip.
As of 3/22/2018, the percentage of chips that can handle an aggressive vcore near 1.4 with delidded 4.9 is approximately 99%, 88% at 5.0, and 54% at 5.1, followed by 22% for 5.2.
Be aware of the "delidded" warning above.
Removing the delidding process improves heat dissipation, but it may not match your current chip's capabilities.
Overclocking is straightforward—just increase the all-core multiplier in the BIOS and proceed slowly, stress testing regularly.
Keep an eye on your vcore (using CPU-Z) and temperature (via HWMONITOR or similar).
The safe upper limit for overclocking is around 1.4 volts.
Aim for a stress test up to 85°C; don’t stress too much, as the processor will slow down if it senses danger—typically around 100°C.
Find your personal threshold and reduce the intensity. The stock 8700K is already quite powerful.
How much do you truly require?
It seems some may overlook the fact that the 8700 "turbo boost" to 4.7W actually constitutes overclocking. I believe the person thought they needed to push the CPU beyond its limits to reach 4.7, which is essentially the stock turbo boost for this model.