Intel is planning to release its new top-of-the-line desktop processor, called the Core i9-14900KS Special Edition, very soon. Before its official launch, a skilled overclocker named Pakhtunov from OCN managed to get one. He quickly took the processor apart, cleaned it, took some pictures, and then tested it to see the difference in performance with and without its top cover. Originally, with its metal heat spreader still on, the processor reached speeds up to 5.90 GHz during a test using Cinebench 2024, consuming a lot of power (376 watts) as reported by the computer's motherboard, and getting quite hot at 85°C. This was all while using a special cooling system called a Deepcool LS720 SE 360 mm AIO CLC. When Pakhtunov removed the metal cover and ran the same test, the processor didn't get as hot, reaching only 75°C, and it used slightly less power, drawing 366 watts.
He also ran another demanding test called Y-cruncher. With the metal cover on, the processor's speed boosted to 5.90 GHz, used even more power (432 watts), and got up to 89°C. After removing the cover, it cooled down a bit to 82°C and used less power at 409 watts. It's important to note that when the metal cover was off, Pakhtunov applied a special liquid-metal thermal material directly on the processor, which helped with the cooling. This testing shows that removing the metal cover from the processor can help it run cooler and use less power during intense tasks, thanks to better heat transfer between the processor and the cooling system.
Sources: Pakhtunov (OCN)
