i7-6700K requires assistance for optimal overclocking.
i7-6700K requires assistance for optimal overclocking.
I need your assistance. I'm pushing my CPU to its limits with an i7-6700K running at 4.0. After stress testing a 4.5 overclock using Prime95, the hottest core reached about 78°C. Now it seems to stay between 50-60°C most of the time. I'm looking for the ideal overclock setting. Should I try 4.6 and see how it performs? What do you recommend?
Initially, try using OCCT for more typical commands. The system will stop testing if you hit 85°C. The processor may shut down or slow down if it approaches around 100°C. Keep an eye on the vcore value. You can monitor cpu-z during testing. Avoid exceeding 1.4v; the maximum overclock achievable at 1.40v depends largely on luck in selecting a suitable chip. As of May 2016, the percentage of users who successfully overclock at a reasonable 1.40v Vcore ranges from 4.5% to 100%. The 14nm skylake model stays cool without needing special cooling solutions. Unless your case has poor heat dissipation, you’ll run out of safe vcore before reaching thermal limits. A standard tower cooler such as a $30 cryorig H7 with a 120mm fan will...
If the test continues and your temperature drops, I’d say you can keep going. Running at 50-60C under prime95 seems acceptable. Most users keep testing until the system fails during P95, not because the CPU gets hot. If temperatures reach 80-90C, there’s a risk of damaging the chip, but it would likely throttle by then. So even if it stays stable at those high temps, I wouldn’t call it a solid overclock.
Initially, use OCCT for testing.
It employs more standard commands.
The system will terminate if you hit 85°C.
The processor will reduce performance or shut down if it approaches around 100°C.
Focus on monitoring the vcore value.
You can observe cpu-z during testing.
Avoid exceeding 1.4v; the maximum achievable overclock depends largely on luck in selecting a suitable chip.
As of May 2016,
The percentage of users who can successfully overclock at a reasonable 1.40v Vcore varies:
I7-6700K – 4.9%
4.8 – 17%
4.7 – 59%
4.6 – 93%
4.5 – 100%
Using a 14nm skylake chip runs efficiently without needing special cooling.
If your case lacks adequate cooling, you’ll quickly hit safe vcore limits.
A basic tower cooler such as a $30 cryorig H7 with a 120mm fan should suffice.
Higher overclocks are possible if you keep RAM voltage at the stock 1.2v, which may push speeds to around 2400.
Finally, apply adaptive voltage and speedstep after testing; this will reduce multiplier and vcore when the CPU is idle.
I managed to reach 4.6, but I also attempted 4.7. The temperatures began to approach around 80C and the vcore exceeded 1.4v. 4.6 worked perfectly, so I’m sticking with it.