Overclocking My 8700k
Overclocking My 8700k
Hello.
I just installed a new PC and wanted to know how well I could overclock the i7-8700k.
Board: MSI z370 Tomahawk
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Help would be really appreciated.
The EVO would definitely not be a wise decision.
Unless you invest in a high-quality liquid cooler (such as the 280mm Kraken x64), which can become costly:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/2RdF...l-krx62-02
or
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/RH2r...w9060027ww
the better option is a solid air cooler (like a good Noctua model) and adjust settings until your CPU temperature stays under about 80°C. This should be based on real-world conditions, not just stress tests.
I previously considered the Cryorig H5 Ultimate/Universal, but they don’t seem to match my expectations.
It’s unclear if appearance matters (case design), but here are some solid air cooler recommendations...
The EVO would not be a suitable option at all.
Except if you opt for a high-quality liquid cooler (such as the 280mm Kraken x64), which can become costly:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/2RdF...l-krx62-02
or
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/RH2r...w9060027ww
The better choice would be a solid air cooler (like a good Noctua or similar) and then adjust settings until your CPU temperature stays under about 80°C. This is the typical worst-case scenario, not extreme stress tests.
I previously considered the Cryorig H5 Ultimate/Universal but they didn’t meet my expectations.
It’s unclear if appearance matters (case view), but here are some solid air cooler options:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/xCL7...ler-nhd15s
and
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/xFw3...oler-crr1a
This one isn’t the best but should keep a 4.6GHz multi-core system stable. The result still depends on room temperature, case design, etc.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/YwGkcf/...oler-bk018
I have mixed thoughts about liquid coolers. If this were my setup, I’d likely choose the Noctua NH-D15S and then fine-tune for optimal overclocking.
I wouldn’t worry about pushing to 5GHz or higher across all cores, since real-world performance should be much lower than 4.7GHz. The cooling needs rise quickly with each additional 100MHz due to voltage demands.
Also verify that the CPU cooler meets the following requirements:
a) DDR4 clearance, and
b) side case dimensions (check the case site for maximum height such as 158mm).
c) Liquid coolers must fit the case without any issues and ensure proper motherboard clearance—some thicker models might interfere with the top of the board.
In certain air coolers, you can slightly raise the fan if there’s enough space at the back (case height). You may also review the DDR4 clearance and consider a low-profile option like Corsair LPX, which is around 31mm or similar.
The setup with i7-8700K and Noctua NH-D15S at 5GHz performed well under Prime95 for an hour, reaching around 81°C. This outcome is realistic for the actual conditions, considering room temperature and other factors. Results might vary slightly depending on your motherboard's voltage settings, but even a lower frequency still shows good performance. Air coolers tend to be more dependable than liquid ones, and pump noise can sometimes be bothersome.