Overclocking I9-9900k Help!

sflorick · December 14, 2020

Hello everyone. I'm new here. I'm looking for help overclocking my i9-9900k. I just built my computer with the intent to overclock my cpu. Setup is Aorus Z390 Pro Wifi, I9-9900k, GTX 1080, Noctua D15s cpu cooler with 2 fans, trident Z 3200Mhz ram 8Gbx4. A lot of what I've read stated that this CPU can easily get to 5GHz overclock which is what I'm aiming for. So far all default settings in bios are stable in prime95 3.03, realbench 2.43 with a cinebench 15 score of 2013 and idle temps around 25 give or take and load temps in the mid 60's. I OC'd to 5GHz all core @1.36v and it's stable on realbench 2.43. But I'm afraid to run prime95 small FFT's any further than a minute because the temps gets to 100. The OC was unstable at 1.35v and froze during realbench test. LLC is set to turbo on all runs, ring set to 47. Did I just get a crappy chip or am I missing something? I've read of people getting 5GHz all core on 1.25v or 1.30v and temps in the 70's. Any help will be very much appreciated.

bellabichon · December 14, 2020

Welcome to the forum!

That's with the NH-D15's fan(s) cranked to max? Sounds like you just happened to be unlucky in the silicon lottery, my friend. You could check your thermal paste application to make sure you're keeping it as cool as possible, but you're probably gonna have to step down your overclock.

Bobbysixjp · December 14, 2020

I have the same cooler as you and the extra heat produced when running at 5 Ghz on my 9900K was, in my opinion, not worth it. Mine required 1.35 V to hit 5 Ghz and would easily hit 90 degrees plus with Prime 95. Eventually one core would fail and that would be that.

So I now run it at 4.7 Ghz on all 8 cores. It requires much less voltage and therefore runs much cooler. And the difference between 4.7 and 5 Ghz in real world use is not that much. I doubt that many people are getting 5 Ghz stable with 1.25 V so take that with a large grain of salt!

sflorick · December 16, 2020

On 12/14/2020 at 3:00 AM, bellabichon said:

Welcome to the forum!

That's with the NH-D15's fan(s) cranked to max? Sounds like you just happened to be unlucky in the silicon lottery, my friend. You could check your thermal paste application to make sure you're keeping it as cool as possible, but you're probably gonna have to step down your overclock.

Yes, that's with the fans set to max. I've since rearranged some fans and switched out the coolermaster case fans that came with the case with some noctuas. Lowered my temps by about 2C. But still, not good temps for p95. Also reapplied thermal paste as I had to remove the massive piece that is the d15 to work inside the case. So I guess I'll lower the clock to 4.7 and be happy with that. I just game anyway and the stock settings work great for that as it is. Was just experimenting with it since I enjoy this kind of stuff. Thanks for your input guys.