How Hot is Too Hot - 4790K Overclocking

[dmanschramm]

Hi LTT Forum!

 

I was trying to overclock my CPU the other day, but I just didn't have enough time...

When at 1.3V and 4.7 Ghz, I was getting load temps on Prime95 of above 80 degrees.

 

I was wondering at what point will thermal throttling occur, and at what point is it just too hot for the CPU to run for long periods of time. 80 degrees? 70 degrees? I will be stress testing for 24hrs to make sure the overclock is stable so I don't know if 85 degrees for 24hrs is okay for the CPU...

 

Also, when I was running Prime95 earlier, I started doing some other work on the CPU as well (browsing, word documents) and doing so caused the computer to crash... should I just let Prime95 do its thing without putting further load on the CPU, or does this mean that the CPU is in fact unstable.

 

If anyone has overclocked a 4790K, then let me know about your results with it. I have an AIO 240mm water cooler (Kraken X61)

 

Thanks!

[c0d0ps]

Hi LTT Forum!

 

I was trying to overclock my CPU the other day, but I just didn't have enough time...

When at 1.3V and 4.7 Ghz, I was getting load temps on Prime95 of above 80 degrees.

 

I was wondering at what point will thermal throttling occur, and at what point is it just too hot for the CPU to run for long periods of time. 80 degrees? 70 degrees? I will be stress testing for 24hrs to make sure the overclock is stable so I don't know if 85 degrees for 24hrs is okay for the CPU...

 

Also, when I was running Prime95 earlier, I started doing some other work on the CPU as well (browsing, word documents) and doing so caused the computer to crash... should I just let Prime95 do its thing without putting further load on the CPU, or does this mean that the CPU is in fact unstable.

 

If anyone has overclocked a 4790K, then let me know about your results with it. I have an AIO 240mm water cooler (Kraken X61)

 

Thanks!

You most likely won't have 100% all of the time. 

Prime95 is just to showcase how it would act in a worst case scenario.

 

I am guessing that 80-85 for prime 95 is but for several hours per day It is probably not especially good.

But keep in mind that if you want to, you can have it like this. It won't get destroyed it will just shorten it's life span.

[ManIkWeet]

It'll start throttling at the TjMax of the processor, so you're "safe" as long as you're below that.

 

I believe Prime95 is no longer a proper way to stresstest your CPU, it creates a workload that isn't normal at all. It also makes more heat than you'd normally be able to get.

 

I prefer a "safe" temperature of max 70C on my 2600k; I never reach that temperature as I never max out the processor.

[dmanschramm]

It'll start throttling at the TjMax of the processor, so you're "safe" as long as you're below that.

 

I believe Prime95 is no longer a proper way to stresstest your CPU, it creates a workload that isn't normal at all. It also makes more heat than you'd normally be able to get.

 

I prefer a "safe" temperature of max 70C on my 2600k; I never reach that temperature as I never max out the processor.

 

If Prime95 isn't a proper way of stresstesting, then what is the best software to do so?

[dmanschramm]

You most likely won't have 100% all of the time. 

Prime95 is just to showcase how it would act in a worst case scenario.

 

I am guessing that 80-85 for prime 95 is but for several hours per day It is probably not especially good.

But keep in mind that if you want to, you can have it like this. It won't get destroyed it will just shorten it's life span.

 

Would a 24hr stress test to harm to the CPU at those temps?

[EMENCII]

@dmanschramm

The throttling temp is 100°C, I'd recommend not going over 90 in stress tests and not above 80-85°C in normal use...

[EMENCII]

If Prime95 isn't a proper way of stresstesting, then what is the best software to do so?

OCCT, AIDA, Prime95, Intel's extreme tuning utility, rendering... All together? It's basically the same...

 

Would a 24hr stress test to harm to the CPU at those temps?

No, temps over 100°C would harm and kinda permanently, only voltage will reduce lifespan, if you go above 1.3v...

[dmanschramm]

OCCT, AIDA, Prime95, Intel's extreme tuning utility, rendering... All together? It's basically the same...

 

No, temps over 100°C would harm and kinda permanently, only voltage will reduce lifespan, if you go above 1.3v...

 

I know that AIDA costs money, and I am unaware of OCCT and Intel's extreme tuning utility. Which do you recommend the most?

[i_build_nanosuits]

I know that AIDA costs money, and I am unaware of OCCT and Intel's extreme tuning utility. Which do you recommend the most?

Intel extreme tunning utility....made by intel to stress test your INTEL CPU.

[Brandonien]

If you look at overclocking forums you can see what software they use there and the methods they follow. If it's a reputable forum with large scale OC competitions then their methods are probably best.

[EMENCII]

I know that AIDA costs money, and I am unaware of OCCT and Intel's extreme tuning utility. Which do you recommend the most?

I didnt pay for aida... (shouldnt have said it? ^^') OCCT is just another test, and with the IEXTU you'll be sure the Vcore won't be cranked up when you dont want to, so i'd recommend rendering AND IEXTU together, just to be sure of the 100% load...

[dmanschramm]

I didnt pay for aida... (shouldnt have said it? ^^') OCCT is just another test, and with the IEXTU you'll be sure the Vcore won't be cranked up when you dont want to, so i'd recommend rendering AND IEXTU together, just to be sure of the 100% load...

 

Rendering? Is there software I should do to do that?

[i_build_nanosuits]

Rendering? Is there software I should do to do that?

cinebench R15

[WaitForMeImOnDialUp]

dont use prime 95 on haswells/devils

[dmanschramm]

dont use prime 95 on haswells/devils

 

Why not?

[dmanschramm]

cinebench R15

 

Thanks!

[Queek]

Why not?

I haven't had it explained to my satisfaction yet, but the consistent explanation seems to be that the instructions that prime95 uses don't really tax haswell or devils canyon, so you will be generating a ton of heat (prime95 is really hot compared to other tests) but won't be actually testing the stability of your processor.  

 

I used AIDA64 and general usage to test my devil's canyon overclock.  There are 1 week trials of the full AIDA64 program if I remember properly, and you should be able to validate an overclock in that time.  

[dmanschramm]

I haven't had it explained to my satisfaction yet, but the consistent explanation seems to be that the instructions that prime95 uses don't really tax haswell or devils canyon, so you will be generating a ton of heat (prime95 is really hot compared to other tests) but won't be actually testing the stability of your processor.  

 

I used AIDA64 and general usage to test my devil's canyon overclock.  There are 1 week trials of the full AIDA64 program if I remember properly, and you should be able to validate an overclock in that time.  

 

Thanks!!

[WaitForMeImOnDialUp]

one main reason is it will over ride voltage settings and raise them higher causing the cpu to be unstable or too hot.

[Queek]

one main reason is it will over ride voltage settings and raise them higher causing the cpu to be unstable or too hot.

Only if you're using adaptive voltage.  Any any stress testing software will do that on adaptive voltage, not just prime95.

This is why you should always stress test using manual voltage, and only switch to adaptive voltage once you have validated settings.  

[vembutech]

If the temperature between 60-85 its normal. IF it exist then it will damage your PC components.

[c0d0ps]

 only voltage will reduce lifespan, if you go above 1.3v...

I am about 90% sure that it's temperature that reduces life span and not directly voltage ..

(But high voltage makes the cpu hotter I suppose)

[c0d0ps]

Would a 24hr stress test to harm to the CPU at those temps?

I am guessing that you do not it especially often so no.

But the cpu can handle up 100 degrees celsius before it get's damaged. 

 

My cpu never get near that temperature (since I can't turn off thermal throttle on my motherboard) even on prime 95 so I don't have problem.

But it's a good thing to keep in mind.

 

I am not an overclocker but here is how I like things:

I prefer it to be max 90 while on prime 95 (aka 100% load).

On normal usage (gaming) I prefer it to be max 70-75.

[Queek]

 

I am about 90% sure that it's temperature that reduces life span and not directly voltage ..

(But high voltage makes the cpu hotter I suppose)

I believe that both prolonged raised voltage and temperature can reduce a cpu's lifespan.  

I believe for intel processors, any prolonged temperature above Tcase (listed on the spec page of the processor) will reduce its lifespan [citation needed].  

 

@dmanschramm For the 4790k, Tcase is 74.04°C, so you want to keep your processor below that temperature as much as possible.  It's fine to go above that for short periods of time (like when validating your overclock), just don't leave it at 74°C 24/7, that will likely cause problems.  

[c0d0ps]

 

 

I believe that both prolonged raised voltage and temperature can reduce a cpu's lifespan.  

I believe for intel processors, any prolonged temperature above Tcase (listed on the spec page of the processor) will reduce its lifespan [citation needed].  

 

@dmanschramm For the 4790k, Tcase is 74.04°C, so you want to keep your processor below that temperature as much as possible.  It's fine to go above that for short periods of time (like when validating your overclock), just don't leave it at 74°C 24/7, that will likely cause problems.  

 

Mm'kay.

It sounds logical but I haven't heard that before.