Is it reasonable that 4690k is on air?
Is it reasonable that 4690k is on air?
I have just placed an order for the i5 4690k and the MSI Z97 GD-65 gaming motherboard, along with the necessary install bracket for my Zalman 9700 cooler. I'm using an aluminum/nickel version, not the copper one. Could you suggest a suitable air-based overclock for the i5 4690k? There are two versions of the 9700 cooler, and mine is the Zalman CNPS9700nt. You can find more details here: http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cf...221&page=5
As the other person mentioned, performance hinges on the quality of the chip. I upgraded to this chip with an ASUS Z97-AR motherboard and a Noctua NH-D14 cooler that was previously used on an overclocked 2500K setup. The Zalman 9700 currently ranks among the less powerful cooling options in Frosty Tech's CPU Cooler rankings (I own the copper 9700LED version, which once cooled an older Core 2 Duo build, now handling my outgoing 2500K that I’ve returned to stock and assigned backup tasks for). If you don’t intend aggressive overclocking, it should perform adequately.
It should reach the maximum boost clock without any issues on that cooler, since it was built for significantly higher output than 88W (140W was the design cap). It might not cope with an extreme overclock, but it offers some room if you aim to push speeds beyond the manufacturer's limits.
mainly relies on acquiring a quality chip.
4.2-4.4 would account for about 90% of available chips.
I’ve grown somewhat disillusioned with Haswell cooling for overclocking.
The maximum overclock level depends largely on luck in the lottery.
The Devil’s canyon sections and their superior temperatures initially seemed promising, but I realized they’re only important if you’re aiming for competitive overclocking.
Haswell performs well until the voltage exceeds around 1.25v.
After reaching 1.3v, strong cooling becomes essential to manage stress levels above 85°C.
Most experts agree that voltages above 1.30 are not ideal for continuous use.
I haven’t found any official Intel guidance on a safe Vcore limit.
If you’re an enthusiast, you might push further.
Even if you can handle the heat, how much extra boost from 4.4 to 4.6 really matters?
I think it’s wiser to invest in a quiet, cost-effective air cooler rather than chasing higher voltages.
A solid tower cooler such as a Noctua or Phanteks model with 140mm fans would be ideal.
I'm not going for extreme overclocking. I prefer a stable setup for continuous use. This is similar to what I did with my current chip (see sig). I'm considering around 4.4/4.5ghz and hope it works well. My case has all seven 120mm fan slots filled. The side fan that directs air to the CPU and RAM is a high-speed fan connected to a controller. One of my exhaust fans at the top is also high RPM and linked to the same controller. I'm running crossfire (7970+7950), but neither card ever exceeds 60°C even after overclocking, because I set manual fan speeds between 65-70% on both cards. My case includes a lower 120mm fan on the side panel that circulates air between the two cards. I also keep my cables organized nicely.
What settings do you suggest for long-term use at a reasonable v-core and clock speed? What’s the maximum temperature I should aim for without risking damage? Just aiming for a stable performance level without any harm.
PS: My rig is quite loud, but I keep the volume high during gameplay and lower it when idle or watching movies. It gets much quieter then.
Sincreator is suggesting a balanced approach rather than pushing the system too hard. He recommends maintaining a steady configuration similar to his current setup, aiming for around 4.4/4.5ghz with a v-core and clock speed that keeps things stable. He mentions having multiple 120mm fans and a high-RPM fan controller, which helps manage temperatures. He also notes the use of crossfire drivers and a well-organized cable layout. For long-term use, he advises keeping temperatures reasonable and avoiding extreme settings to prevent potential damage. He shares his experience with the 4690k at 4.4 and suggests 4.2 as a safe option for the 9700 chip if needed.
As mentioned by the other person, performance hinges on the quality of the chip. I upgraded to this specific chip with an ASUS Z97-AR motherboard and a Noctua NH-D14 cooler that was previously used in an overclocked 2500K setup. The Zalman 9700 currently ranks among the less powerful cooling options according to Frosty Tech's CPU Cooler ranking (I own the copper 9700LED version, which once cooled an older Core 2 Duo build, now handling my stock 2500K that I've returned to a backup role). Still, if you're not aiming for aggressive overclocking, it should work adequately.
It mainly depends on the CPU lottery, but the best method to cool a Haswell 4xxK chip is by delidding it. For instance, I can achieve 4.6 @ 1.32v with around 72°C max IBT.
4.7 @ 1.4v with 77c-75c-80c-78c MAX IBT.
Of course, a good cooler is essential.
😉
For comparison, 4690K (un-delidded) reached 98-100°C IBT at 4.7 @ 1.41v.
Both tests used phanteks ph-tc14pe.
HASWELLS DON'T RUN HOT! (delidded)
How many CPUs have you encountered failing under warranty or in general? (excluding damaged units from the start)