F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking Want to push the i7 4790K even more but can't?

Want to push the i7 4790K even more but can't?

Want to push the i7 4790K even more but can't?

R
rebeccawave
Member
53
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#1
Hello
I attempted to post on Reddit under Intel, but received a rejection. Not anticipating much support here... :-
I've been working on overclocking my CPU recently, yet I've struggled to reach high speeds, even with an i5 4670K. In the BIOS/UEFI, three 'stable' overclocks are listed, but only one has worked reliably—4.5GHz. The others are 4.6 and 4.7. I'm aiming for up to 4.6GHz to achieve better stability while playing Red Dead Redemption 2. I'm also trying to figure out why it keeps failing, unsure if the issue lies with my motherboard, the cooler, or just random chance.
My setup includes an Asrock Z97 Extreme 4 motherboard and a Hyper EVO 212 cooler. When using the 'stable' overclocks, the fan runs at full speed. At 4.5GHz, idle temps sit between 40-60°C; at 4.6GHz, they rise to 50-70°C. The auto-overclock settings are fixed at around 1.230 for 4.5GHz and 1.280 for 4.6GHz. I've experimented with slight adjustments and higher voltages (up to 1.3V), but nothing has improved. Occasionally, I experience random BSODs, either during PC use or while playing RDR2. It's odd since the system worked perfectly for two days after setting the voltage to 1.3, except for two crashes in the same session without any lockups. I attribute it mostly to the game.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
It seems I might just be out of luck and have to wait for a future upgrade.
Thanks
R
rebeccawave
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #1

Hello
I attempted to post on Reddit under Intel, but received a rejection. Not anticipating much support here... :-
I've been working on overclocking my CPU recently, yet I've struggled to reach high speeds, even with an i5 4670K. In the BIOS/UEFI, three 'stable' overclocks are listed, but only one has worked reliably—4.5GHz. The others are 4.6 and 4.7. I'm aiming for up to 4.6GHz to achieve better stability while playing Red Dead Redemption 2. I'm also trying to figure out why it keeps failing, unsure if the issue lies with my motherboard, the cooler, or just random chance.
My setup includes an Asrock Z97 Extreme 4 motherboard and a Hyper EVO 212 cooler. When using the 'stable' overclocks, the fan runs at full speed. At 4.5GHz, idle temps sit between 40-60°C; at 4.6GHz, they rise to 50-70°C. The auto-overclock settings are fixed at around 1.230 for 4.5GHz and 1.280 for 4.6GHz. I've experimented with slight adjustments and higher voltages (up to 1.3V), but nothing has improved. Occasionally, I experience random BSODs, either during PC use or while playing RDR2. It's odd since the system worked perfectly for two days after setting the voltage to 1.3, except for two crashes in the same session without any lockups. I attribute it mostly to the game.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
It seems I might just be out of luck and have to wait for a future upgrade.
Thanks

R
R3kty
Member
133
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#2
The idle temperature of 40-60°C appears excessive. A reading of 10-15°C above ambient should be expected if the cooler is properly installed and receiving adequate fresh airflow.
Could you provide the model and fan configuration of your case?
I noticed the previous hyper212 had trouble mounting correctly.
A more suitable cooler might be necessary.
R
R3kty
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #2

The idle temperature of 40-60°C appears excessive. A reading of 10-15°C above ambient should be expected if the cooler is properly installed and receiving adequate fresh airflow.
Could you provide the model and fan configuration of your case?
I noticed the previous hyper212 had trouble mounting correctly.
A more suitable cooler might be necessary.

C
Chester09
Senior Member
491
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#3
Don't rely on those auto OC tools. Follow the instructions in the CPU forum section carefully—it will guide you through a genuine, hands-on overclock process.
C
Chester09
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #3

Don't rely on those auto OC tools. Follow the instructions in the CPU forum section carefully—it will guide you through a genuine, hands-on overclock process.

S
scotti8
Junior Member
7
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#4
Adjust your expectations accordingly. Understand that the high oc multipliers mentioned are typically associated with players holding golden chips. Those using dog chips will stay quiet.
S
scotti8
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #4

Adjust your expectations accordingly. Understand that the high oc multipliers mentioned are typically associated with players holding golden chips. Those using dog chips will stay quiet.

H
HaloMinor123
Junior Member
12
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#5
I've looked at a few online resources, but I'll verify with this one. I think 4.5 might be my cap.
EDIT: The guide I used was definitely the one I followed.
H
HaloMinor123
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #5

I've looked at a few online resources, but I'll verify with this one. I think 4.5 might be my cap.
EDIT: The guide I used was definitely the one I followed.

N
NachoXPro
Junior Member
4
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#6
I revisited the process and tried overclocking once more. This time, I tweaked the voltage in tiny steps starting at 1.26. After completing Heavy Load for 10 minutes (which clearly wasn’t enough), my 4.6GHz overclock held steady at a voltage of 1.32. However, during that stress test, temperatures climbed to 90-100 degrees. These tests seem extreme, but it looks like this processor can handle it... I’ve heard these chips can reach such high temps without issues.
N
NachoXPro
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #6

I revisited the process and tried overclocking once more. This time, I tweaked the voltage in tiny steps starting at 1.26. After completing Heavy Load for 10 minutes (which clearly wasn’t enough), my 4.6GHz overclock held steady at a voltage of 1.32. However, during that stress test, temperatures climbed to 90-100 degrees. These tests seem extreme, but it looks like this processor can handle it... I’ve heard these chips can reach such high temps without issues.

D
63
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM
#7
The idle temperature of 40-60°C appears excessive. A reading of 10-15°C above ambient should be expected if the cooler is properly installed and receiving adequate fresh airflow.
Could you provide the model and fan configuration of your case?
I noticed the old Hyper212 was challenging to mount correctly.
It might be worth considering a more suitable cooler.
D
DerHerrNachbar
12-19-2025, 11:27 PM #7

The idle temperature of 40-60°C appears excessive. A reading of 10-15°C above ambient should be expected if the cooler is properly installed and receiving adequate fresh airflow.
Could you provide the model and fan configuration of your case?
I noticed the old Hyper212 was challenging to mount correctly.
It might be worth considering a more suitable cooler.