Some Intel processors operate near their maximum boost speed even when temperatures rise to around 100 degrees.
Some Intel processors operate near their maximum boost speed even when temperatures rise to around 100 degrees.
I've noticed Intel CPUs still operating near full boost speed, especially from 12th and 13th generation models. This happens because they prioritize performance over cooling, which is why heat isn't the main issue. The reason they don’t throttle much is tied to thermal management—higher temperatures allow sustained higher frequencies. Your test with the 11400F confirmed this pattern, showing similar behavior. It’s unusual but not impossible, and it can happen even when power consumption remains high.
I can explain it clearly—they should operate smoothly at around 95°C, no issues. A video of JTC shows tests for "Fragbox," and he mentions that such temperatures are typical in benchmarks. You can review it using the link I recall.
The device operates safely up to 100°C, reducing speed only slightly if necessary to stay within that limit.
As mentioned before, it's typical behavior. The CPU can consume significant power within its limits, just like the motherboard or CPU itself. When cooling is adequate, you'll notice increased speeds and higher energy usage. Because of this, comparing benchmarks isn't straightforward—running a 13900K with a 120mm air cooler versus a 7950X with a 360mm AIO won't be directly comparable. Depending on the cooling setup, your Intel chips might underperform relative to other tests due to insufficient cooling. You could see a few hundred MHz below peak performance and lower benchmark scores. The same applies to AMD CPUs; the X series can maintain high boost and frequency if temperatures and power allow. Non-X CPUs are fixed at 65W, making them easier to manage thermally. You'll also experience some performance drop, though it's usually minor in gaming where power demands aren't extreme.
Essentially, cooling a laptop is significantly more challenging. These devices are typically set to operate within specific power limits, and once the temperature reaches a threshold, they automatically reduce performance to maintain it.
Power management is a major issue. Putting full load on my laptop's CPU causes it to slow down significantly due to insufficient energy.