What is the typical maximum temperature during overclocking?
What is the typical maximum temperature during overclocking?
I was using HWinfo during a gaming session and observed my CPU temperature hit 90°C. I cleaned and re-pasted the CPU a few months ago without changing the settings, and it still stayed around 82°C. There are reports online about temperatures above 80°C being harmful and 90°C posing risks. I haven’t experienced any issues yet, but I’m just asking for general advice on acceptable temperature ranges.
My CPU model is i7 9700k at 3.6 -4.9GHz, using a NZXT cooler. It cost about $85 on Amazon. I wasn’t aware it was overclocked; the BIOS listed a target clock speed of 4900MHz, and the core clocks in HWinfo always display a maximum of 4702 across all 8 cores.
In the BIOS there’s an option for "Intel Turbo Boost," which appears to be an automatic boost feature that activates when needed. Based on its description, it seems the CPU is frequently overclocked during gaming. The system has always run smoothly, but I became concerned seeing the temperatures rise to 90°C and noticing the BIOS indicates overclocking. I only touched the BIOS settings for memory, not the CPU.
Could temperatures between 80-90°C be considered normal for an overclocked CPU? What does "Intel Turbo Boost" and "Intel Speed Step" mean? If I turned off Turbo Boost and set the overclock to a moderate range like 4.3-4.5GHz, would the temperatures drop noticeably, and would that affect my gameplay?
My instinct is to avoid making changes unless necessary—just want to confirm if the temps are within safe limits.
Not only does this look like a poor build, but even if it functioned correctly, it wouldn't provide sufficient cooling for regular use of the 9700k. Especially in a case with minimal airflow like this one. Look at the name printed on the side of the PSU shroud? The one that says "iBuyPower? That's the biggest issue and the first one." Friends don't let friends buy low-quality parts from iBuypower or CyberpowerPC. Not as bad as Walmart prebuilt gaming systems, but not significantly better. You should consider a better case and a more effective CPU cooler if you want to manage the heat better. Removing the side panel might help a bit. I'd hold off on choosing a new cooler until you pick a new case, so you can be sure it's...
What precisely were you doing or running when you noticed those temperatures? If they occurred during regular use or gaming, it might indicate a cooling issue. If they happened during an intense stress test such as Prime95, the 82°C reading is likely still within the acceptable range we expect, but the 90°C would be outside what we’d like to see. If this was just normal operation or gaming, then it’s definitely a concern.
Take the side panel off and check again. If the temperatures improve, you probably have insufficient airflow through the case or your airflow setup isn’t correct. If nothing changes, it could mean you don’t have a suitable cooler for that overclock, or you’ve pushed beyond the limits your CPU and motherboard can handle with cooling support.
We need to identify the exact model of your CPU cooler.
I was just playing games and checked the temperatures on HWinfo after my gaming session. They reached 90c. I did cinebench about two months ago and it stayed between 94-103c throughout. I have the latest BIOS version. It was a prebuilt system, and I upgraded most parts except the CPU and case. The case is a fully closed glass case with a vent on top. I don’t have any information about the cooler. I plan to test it without the side panel.
For your situation, one might consider it 'normal'. There aren't many spaces for cool air to enter, and the heated air that can escape might be pulled back in... SUSTAINED is key here. The spikes are less of an issue, but they shouldn't be overlooked. Looking at the last image suggests it's likely the hot garbage Kraken M22. Either it isn't receiving enough cool air to balance the heat from everything ahead—since you're using it as a rear exhaust—or it might have started to clog up.
I believe it's the Kraken M22, I'll share a picture of its interior. Is the M22 bad? I purchased it since the original model was out about nine months ago. The exhaust is 8 inches from the wall. It's not an issue getting a new cooler. What suggestions do you have for something similar in size?
Yep. That's a Kraken M22.
IF you've heard about the numerous Msi MAG & MPG Coreliquid failures, the M22 is made by the same company: Apaltek/Apalcool. They've got a track record of early failures due to contaminated coolant.
Plus, 120mm AIO/CLCs shouldn't be used as exhausts. It doesn't just cool the cpu, it also has to aid in getting the heat from everything else out - most notably, the gpu, since it's the greatest contributor... but a front install here would be crippled by that glass panel.
Scythe FUMA 2 or the Rev. B
Deepcool AK620
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120
Keep using the fan from the M22 as a rear case exhaust and throw out the rest.
Not only does this look like a poor build, but even if it functioned well, it wouldn't provide sufficient cooling for regular use of the 9700k model, especially in a case with minimal airflow like that one. Notice the name printed on the PSU shroud? The one mentioning "iBuyPower? That's the biggest issue and the first one." Friends don't buy low-quality parts from iBuypower or CyberpowerPC. It's not as bad as Walmart prebuilt gaming systems, but it's still not much better. You should consider a better case and CPU cooler if you want to manage the heat effectively. Removing the side panel might help slightly. I recommend waiting to choose a new cooler until you pick a compatible case, so you can be sure it works with both air and AIO liquid coolers. Compatibility depends on height and space constraints for each case.