CPU Cooling Overclocked Performance
CPU Cooling Overclocked Performance
Since we have a liquid cooling in the house we definitely should have decent tweakability on the processor.
As such, we were wondering where wed end up with a quick overclocking session. So we popped in a Core i5 750 processor and had a peek at several stages in overclocking and its respective temperatures, have a look at the following results please.
Perhaps its a bit hard to read in the chart, but these are the four tested stages.
- Core i5 750 @ default | fan regulated by motherboard (dynamic PWM)
- Core i5 750 @ 3.2 GHz with 1.3 volts on the CPU | fan fixed at 80%
- Core i5 750 @ 4.0 GHz with 1.4 volts on the CPU | fan fixed at 80%
- Core i5 750 @ 4.2 GHz with 1.5 volts on the CPU | fan fixed at 80%
Looking with an enthusiasts eye, we notice that the frequency of roughly 4GHz is the maximum safe choice for a 24/7 overclocked system. Although Intel states 1.35 Volts as the max-safe voltage applied for these 32nm processors, we think that 1.4 Volts is more recommended for those who hesitate to sacrifice their systems stability over a 50mV increment. Some of you guys may hold onto your horses and opt to go for 3.75GHz at @1.35 core voltage. However, wondering through many forums around the net, Ive seen many people striving to join the 4GHz Club, no matter the consequences.
So if you want 4GHz you can have it. Higher voltages than 1.5V is not recommended of course, 1.5 Volts is considered an excessive voltage to apply, only with more exotic cooling solutions rather than air-coolers. Ive seen more than one 32nm chip actually being killed by too much VCore applied. We do this measurement because we want to seek a threshold in cooling performance. So, where is the i7 920? Where is the e8500? Of course weve tested them too. Here we are:
Its obvious that the Corsair Hydro H70 Series is a true queen of i7 920 throne. If you are an X58 Bloomfield owner then you must forget its high temperatures and start some serious overclocking situations. So all platform owners are able to push their hardware to its limits as long as they remain inside the recommended voltage fields. As you may notice, Thors Hammer still stands on the top of the hill. We think that this is because of Corsairs H70 cold plate, though apart from that, everything else is just fine.
