Which cooler is best for your i7 9700K to unlock its full performance?
Which cooler is best for your i7 9700K to unlock its full performance?
Yesterday I purchased an i7 9700k and had it cooled by a Noctua NH-U12s. In prime 95 with AVX it hit 99°C at 4.6 GHz, but without AVX it stays around 86°C. When I turn on all core enhancements it reaches 100°C without AVX. I’m wondering what type of cooling solution would let it operate at its maximum performance or push it to 4.9 or 5 GHz while keeping temperatures low.
The nhu12s remains a solid cooler with manageable temps even at 100°C under AVX. Your previous discussions were on the right track—your performance metrics are normal. You don’t need to upgrade unless you want further improvements.
I'm not sure about the right cooler for that speed. I checked 4.9 and it worked up to 100, but at stock it's around 4.6—maybe a different model or setting is needed.
MCE increases voltage on the CPU to guarantee stability no matter silicon quality. What is your Vcore when you claim 99°C at P95 with AVX? How's the airflow in your case? What fan speeds do you use and what are your room temperatures? Also, are you using the same Windows version before upgrading your motherboard?
A better cooler helps maintain lower temperatures, but the ideal setting varies based on several conditions.
It varies based on your specific processor and its voltage requirements at that speed. Not every chip boosts performance uniformly.