I7-8700K 5GZ upgrading guide Performance boost tips for your processor
I7-8700K 5GZ upgrading guide Performance boost tips for your processor
I'm using a specific version of Prime95 and experimenting with an AVX-enabled build. My 8700k and 8086k run smoothly at 5GHz with liquid metal, maintaining around 55°C during blend and 65°C with smaller FFTs when using Prime 26.6, which doesn't support AVX. Running a simple FFT test in newer AVX versions gives similar results. I believe Prime95 isn't ideal for assessing system stability since its workloads are highly unrealistic. Perhaps testing Cinebench R20 would be more informative.
He gave me Cinebench results since even after adjusting my voltage, it kept showing stability issues and a consistent error rate. Recently, with all stock settings enabled, I’m seeing idle temperatures around 45-50°C, compared to 30-35°C before.
As discussed, Prime with AVX can lead you into a tough spot when adjusting overclocks. I stick to 26.6 for stable temperatures at full load, but newer Prime versions using AVX can really strain most systems. Your idle temps are worth worrying about. My 8700k is currently under 35°C in a fairly warm room. Have you replaced your cooler or reapplied thermal paste? If not, check Amazon and consider using liquid metal with a delidding tool. Working with LM has delivered the biggest temperature reduction.
When using Cinebench, choose 'Advanced Benchmark' from the file menu since the standard test runs quickly—usually within a minute. The advanced mode lets you pick a 10-minute or 30-minute duration. Another workload you can repeat is the CPU test in TimeSpy 3DMark; again, you must enable advanced or custom settings to ensure reliable stability and temperature readings.
I run Cinebench for a fast check on stability and temperature—any failure or error means it’s not stable. Overheating suggests too much voltage. If it clears Cinebench, I’ll test it longer with RealBench. Success there increases the likelihood it will handle real-world tasks, since RealBench is more demanding and tests both GPU and CPU together, which often causes issues in actual use (like gaming). A couple of hours without problems indicates it should work well.
Your setup is working well under those conditions. For voltage settings, aim for the recommended values from your motherboard manual—typically around 1.8–1.9V per core for overclocking. If you're unsure, start with a lower voltage and monitor stability. Regarding DRAM voltages, ensure they match the specifications listed in your system's documentation.