The recommended maximum safe voltage for your i5-6600K is 12 volts.
The recommended maximum safe voltage for your i5-6600K is 12 volts.
Hello guys,
I'm checking the maximum voltage for everyday use. Right now I'm seeing 1.36V on Vcore (via Hw Monitor) and 4.7 GHz with a Corsair H100i V2 CLC. Is that within safe limits? Should I add around 20mV to aim for 4.8, or is the voltage already too high?
It's likely okay. There are people testing these chips at 1.45v, but that's not suggested for most users (as I phrased it originally). It's hard to predict exactly how long a Skylake chip will last at those voltages. The main factor is how comfortable you are with taking risks. One online data set shows the average user runs at 1.38v. Top performers can reach up to 4.8Ghz at or below 1.4v, while the best 4% hit around 4.9Ghz. I’d want to check how stable the chip is at 1.4v before deciding how much you’re willing to risk. For instance...
timeconsumer :
1.4v is regarded as the highest safe voltage for the average user on Skylake. I believe your 1.36v is a solid choice.
So you're suggesting I have about 40mV of margin? How does that affect the chip's lifespan? I intend to keep it for at least two to three years, so will that influence your advice?
It relies on your readiness to take risks. It remains safe, yet represents the highest level of safety. If a 3-year goal is your aim, 1.4v should be acceptable.
timeconsumer :
The decision hinges on your comfort with risk. It remains safe, though it's the upper limit of safety. If aiming for a 3-year lifespan, 1.4v seems acceptable.
So I plan to stay between 1.37 and 1.38, just to ensure we're well below the maximum safe level. (Haha)
It's likely okay. There are people testing these chips at 1.45v, but that's not suggested for most users (as mentioned in the original post). It's hard to predict exactly how long a Skylake chip will last at those voltages. The main factor is how comfortable you are with taking risks. One online data set shows an average user on a 6600k running 1.38v. Top performers can reach 4.8Ghz at or below 1.4v, while the best 4% hit 4.9Ghz. To gauge how stable your chip is and what temperatures you get, you should check these figures. Then decide if the extra performance is worth the slight drop in clock speed. For instance, if you can already achieve 4.7Ghz at 1.36v and 4.8Ghz at 1.4v but with a 10c difference, I’d probably settle for 4.7Ghz since the extra 2% speed isn’t worth the cost.
timeconsumer :
It seems acceptable. There are individuals testing these chips at 1.45v, though that's not advised for most users (which is why I phrased it this way). It's hard to predict exactly how long a standard Skylake chip will last at those voltages. The uncertainty depends on how much risk you're comfortable taking.
According to some online data, the average user running a 6600k chip at 1.38v is operating around that range. Top performers can reach up to 4.8Ghz at or below 1.4v, while the best 4% hit 4.9Ghz. To gauge how stable your chip really is and what temperatures you can expect, it helps to see how much of a speed boost you can get at 1.4v. This will guide your decision on whether the performance gain justifies the slight voltage drop.
For instance, if you're currently achieving 4.7Ghz at 1.36v and 4.8Ghz at 1.4v but with a 10c difference, I’d likely settle for 4.7Ghz since the extra 2% speed gain doesn’t justify the 10c change.
Thanks for the thoughtful advice, I’ll update this or write another post about my results, check the chip’s maximum clock at 1.4V just to be sure, and consider whether to rely on BIOS Vcore readings versus what the HW monitor displays. In the latter case, the monitor shows 1.360V while the BIOS sets it to 1.315V...