Yes, several users have successfully overclocked the i5-12600K.
Yes, several users have successfully overclocked the i5-12600K.
I have an i5-12600k with all P-cores and E-cores overclocked to 5GHz and 4GHz respectively, and the CPU voltage is set at 1.380V. My cooler is an Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280mm top-mounted, and my case includes three 140mm intake fans and one 140mm rear exhaust fan. My idle core temperature is about 21°C, while the package stays around 27°C. The max core temperature is 23°C. During a Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the package and max temp rose rapidly to 100°C and then stabilized near 80°C. I'm running this on Windows 11. What could be wrong with my setup? Is it a hardware issue or just a misinterpretation from hwinfo?
Coolers are built to respond to temperature spikes, so sudden increases trigger fans and pumps to activate. This response can take a short time. It’s not an issue if it reaches around 80°C. The 1.38v setting is a bit high—how do your results compare between auto mode and manual overclocking?
You've achieved 1959 points using a single-core configuration with an average CPU package and a maximum of about 49 cores. That's quite impressive!
The issue is clear. Alder Lake has high heat capacity, making it unsuitable for sustained voltages above about 1.3V under normal conditions. Unless your setup uses a very low voltage curve, 1.38V will likely cause excessive heating. Your CPU is probably throttling due to temperature. Reduce the voltage or choose a suitable LLC setting—most Z690 boards perform best with a very low LLC value, which helps regulate heat. Performance should improve once thermal throttling stops. R23 isn't ideal for rigorous testing; it works on less stable hardware and can handle the stress test at 5.6GHz in air cooling (as seen with my delidded 7700K). For real-world stability, try tests like Linpack Xtreme, Prime95 SmallFFTs, or OCCT instead.
Consider letting it complete its cycle. Disable manual overclocking and return to default settings. Compare outcomes and observe thermal performance. The 12th generation features extremely high-performance chips, with Intel increasing power delivery significantly to boost results.
Interface problems between cooler and CPU are causing rapid temperature increases. Heat transfer between CPU die, metal cover, and AIO is insufficient. Previous generations required replacement to resolve the issue. Consider re-mounting the CPU and AIO and inspecting for paste buildup after removal. The problem may stem from a faulty thermal paste.
I started with r15 to check stability, but after several crashes and random resets, I moved to p95. It turned out my giga G31M S2C was unstable at 475 fsb because it lacked enough voltage needed for Vmod adjustments. I reduced the settings to around 435 and it worked properly. Large FFTs helped during RAM stress tests, especially on older platforms where boosting FSB also increased CPU frequency. Smaller FFTs are better for CPU stability checks since they simulate real workload without extreme demands. I think a recent video showed stress testing software results, highlighting issues with high-voltage components and cooling limits.
It seems he was referring to a specific clock speed, likely around 5.2GHz. That would be near the maximum achievable with air cooling for a 7700K processor.