i7-6700K + Noctua L9i

[Robolon]

Hello there...

 

As I could not find much about the combination of a i7-6700K + a Noctua L9i, due to having both available, I am creating this Thread...

So I paired the 6700K with a L9i and did some testing.

 

I am currently testing in open air.

This is my setup:

Mainboard: Gigabyte Z170X gaming 7 eu

CPU: i7-6700K

CPU Cooler: Noctua L9i

RAM: 1x Kingston 8GB 2133MHz + 1x Kingston 4GB 2133MHz

GPU: internal

Storage: KingDian S400 120GB

PSU: techsolo TP730

 

Some information about my component choice:

 - RAM: just some cheap RAM I bought used, because the 8GB RAM didn't arrive after 1 Week, I got a 4GB Stick. The 8GB Stick arrived later, so now I use both.

 - PSU: had that one lying around

 - GPU: the Internal GPU will do for testing, on open air even a powerful GPU won't make a difference.

 - Storage: well, some cheap SSD from amazon

 - CPU + Mainboard: I have upgraded my main PC to a X299 Platform and now these are collecting dust

 

I let every test run for about 30 minutes, because I think this is enough to saturate souch a small cooler.
I tested the CPU with AIDA64 and Intel XTU.
Keep in mind, AIDA64 stresses the CPU with 100% on all cores. This is a very unrealistic situation and might never happen in daily use.

Intel XTU does not stress the CPU that much and I think it is a more realistic load.

 

Here are my results:

4,0GHz Vcore = 1.35V:

- AIDA64: 100°C max, 100°C avg

- XTU: 77°C max, 69°C avg

- idle: 32°C

3,5GHz Vcore = 1,24V:

- AIDA64: 65°C max, 61°C avg

- XTU: 59°C max, 54°C avg

- idle: 30°C

 

The ambient temperature was consistent 21°C.

 

After seeing the AIDA64 Results, I decided to underclock the CPU to 3.5 just to see, what it would look like.

 

I have been thinking about using these components as a media PC.
If you know about a very small ATX Case for that mainboard, you can leave a comment (PSU size, and GPU compatibility doesn't matter, because I plan on using it with the internal GPU)

 

I hope someone can use this information.

 

Update 2017-10-22:

I have now installed the System into my deskt and connected it to the TV.
It is now in confined space, and I am running one Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200. The air is filtered, and I left all cooling settings at default.

There is only a small exhaust in the back and the PSU is set up, to support the Airflow. Cables are not managed yet.

I have attached a picture, so you can see, how it is installed.

 

 

I ran each Stress-Test for about two hours and here are my temps:

3.5GHz Vcore = 1.17V:

 - AIDA64: 63°C max, 58°C avg

 - XTU: 60°C max, 54°C avg

 - idle: 34°C

 

I think I will keep this setup as it is. (after doing some cable management)

 

Update 2017-10-22:

Today I reset the clock speed to the default while keeping the lower voltage setting and even going lower.
Here are my results:

 

4.0GHz Vcore = 1.19V:

- AIDA64: 69°C max, 64°C avg

- XTU: 63°C max, 58°C avg

- idle: not measured

 

4.0GHz Vcore = 1,14V:

- AIDA64: 65°C max, 58°C avg

- XTU: not tested

- idle: not measured

 

I have done no tests on 3.5GHz with the 1.14V setting, but I decided that I will use this setting.
 

[DutchTexan]

1 minute ago, Robolon said:

Hello there...

 

As I could not find much about the combination of a i7-6700K + a Noctua L9i, due to having both available, I am creating this Thread...

So I paired the 6700K with a L9i and did some testing.

 

I am currently testing in open air.

This is my setup:

Mainboard: Gigabyte Z170X gaming 7 eu

CPU: i7-6700K

CPU Cooler:

RAM: 1x Kingston 8GB 2133MHz + 1x Kingston 4GB 2133MHz

GPU: internal

Storage: KingDian S400 120GB

PSU: techsolo TP730

 

Some information about my component choice:

 - RAM: just some cheap RAM I bought used, because the 8GB RAM didn't arrive after 1 Week, I got a 4GB Stick. The 8GB Stick arrived later, so now I use both.

 - PSU: had that one lying around

 - GPU: the Internal GPU will do for testing, on open air even a powerful GPU won't make a difference.

 - Storage: well, some cheap SSD from amazon

 - CPU + Mainboard: I have upgraded my main PC to a X299 Platform and now these are collecting dust

I originally had a 12s on my 6700k. It left something to be desired, so I've upgraded to a D14. 

 

How was cooling performance with the L9i? My D14 is 100% satisfactory.

 

I would have elected to go with the D15, but the D14 is the biggest Noctua cooler compatible with my case, phanteks p400.

[Robolon]

12 minutes ago, DutchTexan said:

I originally had a 12s on my 6700k. It left something to be desired, so I've upgraded to a D14. 

 

How was cooling performance with the L9i? My D14 is 100% satisfactory.

 

I would have elected to go with the D15, but the D14 is the biggest Noctua cooler compatible with my case, phanteks p400.

Sorry, that I have posted the half finished article, I hit post by mistake.

I was running this 6700K with a Noctua D15 and got it to 4,74GHz without a lot of tweaking.

EDIT: I was running it in a Fractal Design Define S

[EunSoo]

how loud was it when it was underclocked to 3.5ghz? Also where you also undervolting while underclocking?

Edited October 20, 2017 by SCGazelle

[Robolon]

9 minutes ago, SCGazelle said:

how loud was it when it was underclocked to 3.5ghz? Also where you also undervolting while underclocking?

running out in the open, I could hear it well, but it is not running to loud. I think the Intel boexed of my 4770K was louder. Inside a case, it sould not be a problem.

EDIT: Yes I was undervolting while underclocked. I will edit the main article to include the voltages.
I set the voltage to 1.25V in the BIOS, CPU-Z says the voltage was @1.24V

The fan was running @2300 RPM under load and @1500 RPM in idle.