i7 8700k 4.77ghz plus h100i v2 under high temperatures?
i7 8700k 4.77ghz plus h100i v2 under high temperatures?
I have my i7 8700k configured at 4.77ghz OC with a H100i v2 water cooler and Noctua NF-12 fans. My VCore is set to 1.3. During full load in Prime95 at 95% CPU, the temperature reaches 90°C. This seems quite high given the investment I've made. Should I consider upgrading to a H150i instead?
Wolfriderscrew,
On behalf of Tom's Moderator Team, welcome to the community! If you're curious about the basis of the core temperature scale, please refer to our Guide. By the way, you didn't specify ambient temperature, which can vary greatly. To avoid incorrect assumptions, it's important to clearly state the ambient temperature upfront. Core temperatures change depending on the surrounding environment. Since users come from all over, is it 10°C or 40°C in your area? The standard room temperature is typically 22°C or 72°F.
terry4536,
Respectfully, as you didn't mention any differences in thermal or workload between Prime95 VERSION 26.6 and later...
The i7 -8700K tends to get warm, but the Prime 95 isn't a typical scenario. It's more of a challenge and at 90°C it's still manageable, though not ideal. It didn't experience any issues.
What temperatures do you see in your games while under load? That's what matters most, not just the stress test.
If your game temps stay below 70°C, everything should be okay.
The i7 -8700K tends to get warm, but the Prime 95 isn't a typical real-world scenario. It acts more like a stress test; at 90°C it's not terrible and it doesn’t throttle, though it didn’t crash. What matters most is your temperatures while playing under load. If yours stay below 70°C, you’re good. My gaming temps are around 55-65°C, which usually occurs during 20-40% load. They spike above 70°C during loading screens. For instance, in Rocket League at 19% load with 60°C cores, it’s manageable. Where would you find a better test program? Your idle temps are about 35°C.
Wolfriderscrew shared their experience with the i7 -8700K, noting it tends to overheat but not severely at 90°C and without throttling or crashes. They asked about temperatures during gameplay under load, emphasizing that this is more important than stress tests. They mentioned their gaming temps are around 55-65°C, which occurs at 20-40% load, spiking above 70°C during loading screens. For example, in Rocket League with 19% load and 60°C cores, the situation was manageable. They advised using real-world demanding games for stress testing and warned that Prime 95 is too aggressive for cooling tests and could harm components.
MERGED QUESTION Question from wolfriderscrew: "i7 8700k 4.8ghz within limits?" wolfriderscrew: I have a i7 8700k 4.8ghz with a h100i v2 with noctua nf 12 fans. The voltage is set to 1.23 in bios. Are these safe temps? I am running aida64 and it has been running for about 18minutes in that picture. Is there any more headroom for me to overclock further? really need some advice because this is my first time doing this! Picture: https://gyazo.com/ec5020596c14e6f9a595c4a928d065ec Kind Regards volkgren: Yes those are acceptable temps. You have some room to go higher if you want. Refer to the Intel Temperature Guide by @CompuTronix for more info. "Here's the nominal operating range for Core temperature: Core temperatures above 85°C are not recommended. Core temperatures below 80°C are ideal. Core temperatures increase and decrease with Ambient temperature." wolfriderscrew: volkgren: Yes those are acceptable temps. You have some room to go higher if you want. Refer to the Intel Temperature Guide by @CompuTronix for more info. "Here's the nominal operating range for Core temperature: Core temperatures above 85°C are not recommended. Core temperatures below 80°C are ideal. Core temperatures increase and decrease with Ambient temperature." Hmm okay! And is that graph based on avarage temps or just maximum peaks during for example aida64? i have rougly 10 degrees to spare as of right now to an avarage of 80 degrees celcius. My maximum peak on a core was 86. But the avarage on all cores are 70 degrees at 4.8ghz 1.325 voltage. That might depend on who you ask. Typically you don't want to see any temps above 85C, 86C max temp would be okay though if you ask me. Some people tend to go higher just to see how the chip will do, but don't let temps stay above 85C for very long constantly running benchmarks and stress tests. Once you're done playing with your overclocks, be sure to set it to where it won't go above 85C while in normal use, below 80C is preferable.
wolfriderscrew, On behalf of Tom's Moderator Team, welcome aboard! If you'd like to know what the above Core temperature scale is based on, then read our Guide. Incidentally, you didn't mention ambient temperature, which can be a huge variable. Just so we don't proceed on false assumptions, ambient temperature should always be stated right up front. Core temperatures increase and decrease with ambient temperature. Since users write to us from all corners of the planet, is it 10°C or 40°C where you live? Standard or "normal" room temperature is 22°C or 72°F. terry4536, Respectfully, as you made no mention of the thermal or workload differences between Prime95 VERSION 26.6 and later versions, then perhaps you're not yet aware that the workload issue with Prime95 is strictly version specific, which is well known. See the ***Note*** below. Contrary to your blanket statement concerning Prime95, version 26.6 Small FFT's is the best test to validate thermal performance. This has been meticulously researched, tested and proven. Not all loads are created equal. “Stress” tests can be characterized into two categories; stability tests which are fluctuating workloads, and thermal tests which are steady workloads. Intel tests their processors at a steady 100% TDP workload to validate Thermal Specifications. Prime95 version 26.6 Small FFT's is ideal for CPU thermal testing, because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures, which allows accurate measurements of Core temperatures, and typically runs Core i variants with Hyperthreading and Core 2 processors within +/- a few % of TDP. A steady 100% workload is key for thermal testing so the CPU, cooler, socket, motherboard and voltage regulators can thermally stabilize. No other utility more closely replicates Intel's test conditions than P95 v26.6 Small FFT's. Utilities that don't overload or underload your processor will give you a valid thermal baseline. Here’s a comparison of utilities grouped as thermal and stability tests according to % of TDP, averaged across six processor Generations at stock settings rounded to the nearest 5%: Higher TDP tests produce higher Core temperatures. All tests will show 100% CPU Utilization in Windows Task Manager, which indicates processor resource activity, not % TDP workload. Although actual Power dissipation (Watts) varies with Core Speed, Core voltage and workload, Prime95 v26.6 Small FFT’s always provides a steady 100% workload, whether you’re running stock or overlocked. ***Note*** 2nd through 8th Generation i3, i5 and i7 CPU's have AVX (Advanced Vector Extension) Instruction Sets. Prime95 versions later than 26.6 run AVX code on the CPU's Floating Point Unit (FPU) which causes unrealistic temperatures up to 20°C higher due to an excessively high TDP workload, as shown above. Other high TDP utilities have similar results. AVX can be disabled in Prime95 versions later than 26.6 by inserting "CpuSupportsAVX=0" into the "local.txt" file in Prime95's folder. However, since Core temperatures will be the same as 26.6, it's easier to just use 26.6. AVX doesn't affect Core i 1st Generation, Core 2, Pentium or Celeron processors since they don't have AVX Instruction Sets. If you’re overclocked and run AVX apps such as for rendering or transcoding, you may need to reduce Vcore and Core speed or upgrade your cooler and case fans so Core temperatures don’t reach 85°C. Many 6th, 7th and 8th Generation motherboards address the AVX problem by providing offset adjustments in BIOS. An offset of -2 (200 MHz) is usually sufficient. wolfriderscrew, There's no mention of WHICH of the 15 possible tests involving the CPU was used in AIDA64; any will give different thermal results: (1) CPU (2) FPU (3) Cache (4) RAM (5) CPU, FPU (6) CPU, Cache (7) CPU, RAM (8) FPU, Cache (9) FPU, RAM (10) Cache, RAM (11) CPU, FPU, Cache (12) CPU, FPU, RAM (13) CPU, Cache, RAM (14) FPU, Cache, RAM (15) CPU, FPU, Cache, RAM That's a lot of variables. Guys, This is a complex topic that's poorly understood by the vast majority of users, so when discussing environmental, hardware and software variables and test methods, it's crucial to be very specific. The only way to make sense of the topic is to reduce it to the lowest common denominator by minimizing or eliminating as many variables as possible. This allows apples-to-apples comparisons where results are always consistent and repeatable. For everyone's benefit, volkgren was thoughtful enough to provide a link to our Guide, which among many other items, explains how to correctly perform a thermal test to establish a valid baseline. It's a Sticky near the top of our CPU's Forum, but here it is again: Intel Temperature Guide - Keep in mind there's an overwhelming amount of misinformation everywhere on the Internet concerning this topic, so if you'd like to get yourselves up to speed, then just read our Guide. wolfriderscrew, Once again, welcome aboard! CT
CompuTronix: wolfriderscrew, On behalf of Tom's Moderator Team, welcome aboard! If you'd like to know what the above Core temperature scale is based on, then read our Guide. Incidentally, you didn't mention ambient temperature, which can be a huge variable. Just so we don't proceed on false assumptions, ambient temperature should always be stated right up front. Core temperatures increase and decrease with ambient temperature. Since users write to us from all corners of the planet, is it 10°C or 40°C where you live? Standard or "normal" room temperature is 22°C or 72°F. terry4536, Respectfully, as you made no mention of the thermal or workload differences between Prime95 VERSION 26.6 and later versions, then perhaps you're not yet aware that the workload issue with Prime95 is strictly version specific, which is well known. See the ***Note*** below. Contrary to your blanket statement concerning Prime95, version 26.6 Small FFT's is the best test to validate thermal performance. This has been meticulously researched, tested and proven. Not all loads are created equal. “Stress” tests can be characterized into two categories; stability tests which are fluctuating workloads, and thermal tests which are steady workloads. Intel tests their processors at a steady 100% TDP workload to validate Thermal Specifications. Prime95 version 26.6 Small FFT's is ideal for CPU thermal testing, because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures, which allows accurate measurements of Core temperatures, and typically runs Core i variants with Hyperthreading and Core 2 processors within +/- a few % of TDP. A steady 100% workload is key for thermal testing so the CPU, cooler, socket, motherboard and voltage regulators can thermally stabilize. No other utility more closely replicates Intel's test conditions than P95 v26.6 Small FFT's. Utilities that don't overload or underload your processor will give you a valid thermal baseline. Here’s a comparison of utilities grouped as thermal and stability tests according to % of TDP, averaged across six processor Generations at stock settings rounded to the nearest 5%: Higher TDP tests produce higher Core temperatures. All tests will show 100% CPU Utilization in Windows Task Manager, which indicates processor resource activity, not % TDP workload. Although actual Power dissipation (Watts) varies with Core Speed, Core voltage and workload, Prime95 v26.6 Small FFT’s always provides a steady 100% workload, whether you’re running stock or overlocked. ***Note*** 2nd through 8th Generation i3, i5 and i7 CPU's have AVX (Advanced Vector Extension) Instruction Sets. Prime95 versions later than 26.6 run AVX code on the CPU's Floating Point Unit (FPU) which causes unrealistic temperatures up to 20°C higher due to an excessively high TDP workload, as shown above. Other high TDP utilities have similar results. AVX can be disabled in Prime95 versions later than 26.6 by inserting "CpuSupportsAVX=0" into the "local.txt" file in Prime95's folder. However, since Core temperatures will be the same as 26.6, it's easier to just use 26.6. AVX doesn't affect Core i 1st Generation, Core 2, Pentium or Celeron processors since they don't have AVX Instruction Sets. If you’re overclocked and run AVX apps such as for rendering or transcoding, you may need to reduce Vcore and Core speed or upgrade your cooler and case fans so Core temperatures don’t reach 85°C. Many 6th, 7th and 8th Generation motherboards address the AVX problem by providing offset adjustments in BIOS. An offset of -2 (200 MHz) is usually sufficient. wolfriderscrew, There's no mention of WHICH of the 15 possible tests involving the CPU was used in AIDA64; any will give different thermal results: (1) CPU (2) FPU (3) Cache (4) RAM (5) CPU, FPU (6) CPU, Cache (7) CPU, RAM (8) FPU, Cache (9) FPU, RAM (10) Cache, RAM (11) CPU, FPU, Cache (12) CPU, FPU, RAM (13) CPU, Cache, RAM (14) FPU, Cache, RAM (15) CPU, FPU, Cache, RAM That's a lot of variables. Guys, This is a complex topic that's poorly understood by the vast majority of users, so when discussing environmental, hardware and software variables and test methods, it's crucial to be very specific. The only way to make sense of the topic is to reduce it to the lowest common denominator by minimizing or eliminating as many variables as possible. This allows apples-to-apples comparisons where results are always consistent and repeatable. For everyone's benefit, volkgren was thoughtful enough to provide a link to our Guide, which among many other items, explains how to correctly perform a thermal test to establish a valid baseline. It's a Sticky near the top of our CPU's Forum, but here it is again: Intel Temperature Guide - Keep in mind there's an overwhelming amount of misinformation everywhere on the Internet concerning this topic, so if you'd like to get yourselves up to speed, then just read our Guide. wolfriderscrew, Once again, welcome aboard! CT I'm not really interested in quantitative analysis of the various processor stress tests. If the OP wants to run Prime 95 and footnote all of the system variables that is fine. But it is irrelevant. Because the odds that anyone in the whole wide word is going to run the exact same system configuration and the same version of Prime 95 are very slim. And that still doesn't give any response to the question at hand. My answer does that for his system and his game. Using his own games to determine whether his cooling is sufficient is entirely relevant. I am very much used to a testing environment. Quantitative and qualitative analysis do have their place. But I don't see that it is relevant here.
CompuTronix: wolfriderscrew, Welcome from Tom's Moderator Team! If you're curious about the basis of the Core temperature scale, refer to our Guide. By the way, you didn't specify ambient temperature, which can vary greatly. To avoid incorrect assumptions, it's essential to state it clearly from the start. Core temperatures change depending on ambient conditions. Since users come from all over, is it 10°C or 40°C where you are? The typical room temperature is around 22°C or 72°F. terry4536, With respect, if you didn't mention any differences in thermal performance or workload between Prime95 version 26.6 and later, it's possible you're not fully aware that the Prime95 issue is strictly version-dependent—a fact well established. See the ***Note*** below. Contrary to your general statement about Prime95, version 26.6 Small FFTs is the most suitable for evaluating thermal performance. This has been thoroughly researched, tested, and confirmed. Not all workloads are equal. Stress tests can be split into two types: stability tests with fluctuating loads, and thermal tests with steady loads. Intel evaluates processors under a constant 100% TDP load to verify Thermal Specifications. Prime95 version 26.6 Small FFTs is perfect for CPU thermal analysis because it maintains a consistent 100% workload, ensuring accurate Core temperature readings. It typically runs Core i variants with Hyperthreading and Core 2 processors within a few percentage points of TDP. A stable 100% workload is essential for thermal stability—allowing the CPU, cooler, socket, motherboard, and voltage regulators to reach equilibrium. No other utility matches Intel's testing setup more closely than P95 v26.6 Small FFTs. Tools that don’t overload or underload your processor will provide a reliable thermal baseline. Below is a comparison grouping utilities as thermal and stability tests based on % of TDP, averaged across six processor generations at standard settings, rounded to the nearest 5%: Higher TDP tests yield higher Core temperatures. All tests display 100% CPU utilization in Windows Task Manager, which reflects processor activity—not actual % TDP load. While power consumption varies with speed, voltage, and workload, Prime95 v26.6 Small FFTs consistently delivers a steady 100% workload, whether you're using stock or overclocked settings. ***Note*** Utilities from 2nd through 8th generation i3, i5, and i7 CPUs support AVX (Advanced Vector Extension). Prime95 versions later than 26.6 execute AVX code on the CPU's FPU, which can raise temperatures by up to 20°C due to excessive TDP workload. Other high-TDP tools produce similar outcomes. AVX can be disabled in Prime95 versions after 26.6 by adding "CpuSupportsAVX=0" to the local.txt file in Prime95's directory. However, since Core temperatures remain consistent with 26.6, it's simpler to stick with version 26.6. AVX doesn't impact Core i1st Gen, Core 2, Pentium, or Celeron chips because they lack AVX instructions. If you're overclocked and use AVX-intensive applications like rendering or transcoding, consider lowering Vcore and core speed, or upgrading your cooler and case fans to prevent temperatures from reaching 85°C. Many 6th, 7th, and 8th generation boards address AVX by offering BIOS offset adjustments—typically a -2 (200 MHz) offset is effective. ***Note*** The choice of which of the 15 possible CPU-related tests in AIDA64 was used can affect thermal results. The options range from CPU alone to FPU, cache, RAM, and combinations thereof. Each scenario introduces different variables. For clarity, this topic is often misunderstood by most users. When addressing environmental, hardware, and software factors, it's vital to focus on the simplest common factors. Only by narrowing down can we achieve consistent, repeatable outcomes. Apologies for any confusion—this subject remains complex, and understanding it requires precision. To aid everyone, volkgren shared a helpful link to our Guide, which details how to conduct a proper thermal test for a reliable baseline. It’s a useful resource near the top of our CPU forum, though here it is reiterated: Intel Temperature Guide - Be aware that misinformation about this subject is widespread online. If you wish to stay informed, please consult our Guide. wolfriderscrew, Thank you for joining! CT