Optimizing performance on an i7 4790K
Optimizing performance on an i7 4790K
Hi, your setup looks solid for gaming and light overclocking. You've managed to hit a stable 4.6GHz with RealBench at 1.215V, which is great. The temperatures remain manageable under load. You mentioned trouble reaching 4.7GHz and getting BSODs, even with higher voltages. It might be worth checking the BIOS for any additional CPU overclocking parameters or power settings that could affect stability. Also, ensure your cooling system is functioning optimally—sometimes thermal throttling can interfere with sustained performance. Let me know if you want help reviewing specific BIOS options!
The required power doesn't rise in a straightforward way. It also depends on the silicon selection. When the 4790k was released, 4.6GHz felt quite strong. A notable boost came from the later models. You might want to cut your memory speed down to 1600MHz for a more consistent 4.7GHz result.
You can attempt the test by applying 1.4 V. It may be sufficient to reach your CPU's 4.7 GHz, but you could notice a significant increase in heat. You might also consider adjusting the LLC (load-line calibration) if you haven't done so already. This adjustment can help stabilize voltage when your CPU is working under load.
Be careful with the CPU voltage input, it's typically kept at 2V during overclocking.
employs Intel's proprietary mayonnaise within the heat spreader; a delid is needed to swap the paste for liquid metal, enabling the CPU to exceed 4.6GHz. Search for details—tutorials exist on YouTube and other platforms. An alternative approach involves using a CrystalWell laptop CPU with an L4 cache, modified for LGA1150 by local developers in China.
This claim is incorrect. Most users who replace Intel's thermal paste don't switch to a liquid metal, which offers much higher conductivity—73 W/(mK) compared to 12.5 W/(mK) for standard paste, a sixfold improvement. The thinner layer also contributes to better heat transfer. I understand that a delid might not be beneficial in your situation. I sold my 4790K long time ago and don't recall the specific voltages needed to run it above 4.6 GHz, which is a common non-delid configuration for these chips.
You're welcome on the suggestions. It's true that pushing overclocking can be tricky, but since you managed 4.6 stable at lower voltage, you're on the right track. Increasing input vintage to 2.0 is a good next step. Load line calibration refers to adjusting the voltage reference so your board runs smoothly across different voltages. To set it, refer to your motherboard manual or BIOS settings—usually you'll find options under power management or voltage scaling. Thanks again!
Adjusting the voltage to 2v will only damage your CPU and motherboard.