Does overclocking a CPU "require" water cooling?

[ShaunOfNintendo]

So I've got an i7-4790k on its way for a new build, and I'm going to be cooling it (for now) with a Hyper 212 EVO since I happen to have one on hand

 

Any kind of overclocking guide that I've looked up always seems to use some kind of liquid cooler when overclocking a CPU

 

I do plan on upgrading to a liquid cooler at some point (don't know when)

 

So my question is, is it practical to overclock a CPU with just air cooling?

 

Also, if there are other variable that need to be considered, such as the kind of case I'm using, additional fans, PSU and such I'll add those in if necessary

[Sakkura]

Of course not. Air cooling is actually generally better when it comes to noise and cost.

[BoredErica]

The #1 factor on temps isn't your cooling solution (unless it's the extremes, like stock vs liquid nitrogen). It's what stress test you use to verify stability. I have assembled over a hundred overclocks, you can visit their clocks, CPU model, cooling solution, voltage, and stress test here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjXDCk5eCp1gdEdENjlDYWl6ZnV4OVlNc0lMU1V3c1E&usp=sharing#gid=0

 

Relative temperatures here:

[DimasRMDO]

Water cooling isn't a must, you can still use air cooler. 212 EVO has good value for performance.

[Luke4efc]

The #1 factor on temps isn't your cooling solution (unless it's the extremes, like stock vs liquid nitrogen). It's what stress test you use to verify stability. I have assembled over a hundred overclocks, you can visit their clocks, CPU model, cooling solution, voltage, and stress test here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjXDCk5eCp1gdEdENjlDYWl6ZnV4OVlNc0lMU1V3c1E&usp=sharing#gid=0

this^

 

A tiny little bit more power is required (not enough to be noticed), and air cooling (especially the hyper 512 evo) will easily cover you for overclocking (unless you live in an oven). Water-cooling can allow for a little more of a push, however it seems it's mainly there to keep temps down

[WereCat]

Watercooling is not required at all. If you want to cool your CPU for under $100 then air coolers will beat water coolers at that price range really hard. And when you will go with over $100 AIO water coolers then you are prety much wasting money because you wont get much lower temps for what you pay extra.

Then you have custom watercooling which is really expensive and it is not worth it at all unless you already have the best possible GPU and CPU or if you are rich.

[JebKerman]

Hell no, aftermarket air coolers wouldn't exist if they didn't, heck high performance air coolers (Cryorig R1, Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3, and Noctua D14/15) tend to be better than similarly priced AIOs,

 

Additionally, they have only 1/2/3 points of failure, the fans, which can be easily replaced. If an AIO's pump breaks down the whole thing needs to be replaced.

[ShaunOfNintendo]

The #1 factor on temps isn't your cooling solution (unless it's the extremes, like stock vs liquid nitrogen). It's what stress test you use to verify stability. I have assembled over a hundred overclocks, you can visit their clocks, CPU model, cooling solution, voltage, and stress test here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjXDCk5eCp1gdEdENjlDYWl6ZnV4OVlNc0lMU1V3c1E&usp=sharing#gid=0

 

Relative temperatures here:

-snip-

 

*Instantly bookmarks the google doc*

 

Thanks for your answers everyone, I really appreciate it =)

[BoredErica]

*Instantly bookmarks the google doc*

 

Thanks for your answers everyone, I really appreciate it =)

Both the chart and the graph are parts of my Haswell Overclocking Guide, link in my siggy. Overclocking DC is very similar to Haswell, just expect higher clocks on average.

 

Most replied-to Haswell thread on the internet, I am proud of my work.