Upgrading to a newer processor model
Upgrading to a newer processor model
I currently possess an i5 4690k (operating at 4ghz) paired with a GTX 1070 (2.1ghz core, 4.55ghz memory) and 4x4 GB RAM at 1600MHz. I haven’t attempted CPU overclocking beyond what MSI OC Genie supports, but I’m considering adjusting the voltage to 1.25V to observe stability improvements. Would upgrading to a better CPU yield more performance, or should I hold off for AM5 and a more affordable 40xx series card? I only play games at 1080p at 144Hz.
Why hold back? 4ghz feels too low; target 4.8g+ with 4.6g performance. Ideal voltage should hover near 1.35v, as efficiency peaks around that level. Intel claims a max of 1.55v for 32 and 22nm processes—don’t stress about voltage, you’ll probably hit cooling limits before reaching 1.5v. I’d recommend removing the CPU and reapplying thermal paste—this helps the IHS stay stable. A thin razor works fine; I used a generic shaving tool’s edge (cut it apart).
Depending on the games you play, you can boost your i5-4690K + GTX 1070 setup. I once had a system with an i5-4690K that was overclocked to 4.8 GHz all-core and paired with an EVGA GTX 1070. That configuration is no longer available (I sold it after building a Ryzen system). I continued using the GTX 1070 in my Ryzen build until I acquired a newer RTX 3000-series GPU. (After switching to a new CPU, the GTX 1070 becomes the limiting factor.) If you replace your CPU, the GTX 1070 will likely be the performance constraint—compared to the RTX 3050? Did you just adjust the CPU voltage in the BIOS and stop there? The i5-4690K supports up to 3.9 GHz boost, while the base is around 3.5 GHz. I recall a guide on overclocking from Devil's Canyon/Haswell that I used as a reference.
Yep. Old non-HT quad cores will choke in newer titles. If OCing a bit more can hold you over till AM5 then wait for that, if not then get an i3 1200F/B660 board/16GB 3600Mhz DDR4 and call it a day (that combo is about $300). No. From my understanding, 1.55v is a theoretical number a chip could request if there were conditions in which Intel decided it needed to do so, no chip actually pulls this or is intended to survive load currents while doing so. You're misreading spec and claiming "max safe" voltages that will seriously degrade or kill chips. If memory serves the generally accepted safe voltage for these chips is the usual 1.4v-ish for Intel mainstream chips.
It was unusual for the i5-4690K to hit 4.6 GHz or higher at around 1.4V. The i6-4690K performed better, needing only about 1.33V or lower for 4.8 GHz.
After a while, the performance drops but it stops working completely. You can't simply destroy a chip by degrading it; it might only get worse under certain conditions. This applies when the temperature exceeds 100°C. If you push it beyond 2.1V for long periods, especially at 45nm, it won't last much longer. The safest approach is to increase the voltage as much as cooling allows and keep running it. Degradation is an option but it will take a long time—often over six weeks—to noticeably affect performance above 100MHz.
You can render a chip non-functional without destroying it completely. It seems you're not actually killing it, but causing it to fail to start or operate properly. They'll likely remain usable for a short period, maybe a few days or so. This is enough time for the newer 14nm Skylake chips to show noticeable wear if you run them at 1.55v (even when idle on a desktop). https://www.overclock.net/threads/cpu-ov...t-27026097 . Older models tend to cope better with voltage, but 1.55v is still a very risky level to consider. The safe range is roughly 1.42-1.45v, and as you mentioned, 1.35v is ideal for regular use.
I upgraded my i7 4770k and set it to 4.6GHz at 1.4V starting in 2014. It's still working fine on my friend's PC where I sold it. However, don't try to overclock an i5 or do any modifications—it's not worth the effort. You'll see a slight boost in performance, but it won't make a big difference in today's games. Save some money and consider getting a newer 12th generation i3 if you're on a tighter budget; it will far outperform even a heavily overclocked Haswell i7. Yes, you'll get better FPS in newer titles with the CPU upgrade, since the GTX 1070 remains a solid choice for 1080p.
This, 1000%. All that tinkering and work and the end result isn't going to net you a whole lot. Do all that for fun, absolutely, but not if all you're after is a noticeable performance jump in modern games. A 12100/B660 board/16GB RAM kit would be a simple upgrade that would benefit you a bunch at 1080p.