i5-6600K Conservative Overclock?

[CC268]

Hey guys,

 

I have been really torn about OCing my graphics card or CPU. I would like to keep this PC for the next 6+ years and don't want to wear out anything prematurely due to overclocking. At the same time it seems stupid to buy a K series CPU and not overclock it at least a little bit. It is sort of just free performance I am throwing down the drain.

 

Do you guys have any recommendations for a conservative overclock for the i5-6600K? I figured I would run AIDA64 and the x264 stress test - if it is even needed...

 

I have a Kraken X61 cooler

[themctipers]

4.2 if you have stock cooler. if water cooling or hyper 212 evo/x then 4.4-4.6 ghz.

[Amazingasian]

DOn't overclock on the stock cooler.  Don't push the voltage too hard and the CPU should last a good number of years.  Even if you do want to keep it for the next 6+ years, I would suggest upgrading it just so you can keep up with AAA titles.

[JustCallMeVlad]

Skylake doesn't come with a cooler

[CC268]

Is my signature not showing up? I have a Kraken X61...I guess I should have noted that but I figured it would be pretty obvious haha

 

OP fixed...

[JustCallMeVlad]

X61 should be good till 4.8ghz

[CC268]

I mean I was thinking of doing 4.5GHz, but if I have to increase my voltage then I know that is going to cause my CPU to wear out prematurely am I right?

[spartaman64]

I mean I was thinking of doing 4.5GHz, but if I have to increase my voltage then I know that is going to cause my CPU to wear out prematurely am I right?

if you dont increase it too much it shouldnt wear out

[CC268]

I hear like up to 1.35V is safeish?

[App4that]

Overclocking is only an issue if you go past the recommended voltage or temps. Overclock away. It's fun, and makes you smell nice.

[Imakuni]

I hear like up to 1.35V is safeish?

So far, no one died from running Skylake at 1.35. Or 1.4v. And even further. It's just too new to say "this voltage will make the cpu fail within a few years". Intel says up to 1.45v is fine, if you have good cooling.

 

I wouldn't trust that high, though...

[CC268]

I mean most people over on OCN are using 1.325ish V at 4.6GHz...idk at the same time I think maybe I will just leave it alone because some guys will jump in here and say "oh overclocking at all will kill your CPU"

[App4that]

Watch your temps. To kill your CPU you'd have to give it too much voltage, and voltage=heat. If you're under 75-80c unless you're using some exotic cooling device you would be hard pressed to hurt the CPU.

[Shakaza]

So far, no one died from running Skylake at 1.35. Or 1.4v. And even further. It's just too new to say "this voltage will make the cpu fail within a few years". Intel says up to 1.45v is fine, if you have good cooling.

 

I wouldn't trust that high, though...

If Intel says up to 1.45 is fine, we have every reason to trust them. They aren't going to advertise an unsafe voltage because if people found out it caused premature death of a CPU, Intel would have a lot of lawsuits on their hands, or at least have to replace all of the ones that died. That would just be asking for trouble, and is generally bad for business.

[CC268]

I guess its just tough because on the one hand most people will say at least OC to 4.4-4.5 GHz, but then you get the one or two who say don't OC because IT WILL cause your CPU to wear out quicker...

[Shakaza]

I guess its just tough because on the one hand most people will say at least OC to 4.4-4.5 GHz, but then you get the one or two who say don't OC because IT WILL cause your CPU to wear out quicker...

Don't worry about that. Running a CPU at all is going to cause some degradation because there's voltage running through it. The problem is whether that degradation will be noticeable within the CPU's usable lifespan. Most overclocks, since they don't go over Intel's recommended specifications, will allow the CPU to run without issues at least until the CPU is practically useless in day-to-day tasks. And generally, all that degradation is is that a CPU will require more voltage to run at the same clock speed, so you can either reduce the speed slightly or run more power through it. And while Skylake voltages seem high, bear in mind that they can tolerate more voltage than Haswell CPUs.

[App4that]

How many people tell you not to overclock who have an unlocked CPU? That my friend is called jealousy. I'm at 4.6GHz with 1.220v pushed through a 4690K and have never crossed 70c. My scores beat a 6600, you of course will crush me, not in the face though please.

[JustCallMeVlad]

Guys... Your cpu will be obsolete before you kill it at 4.8ghz. If you're worried... Buy a plan

http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/purchase-a-plan

[App4that]

Guys... Your cpu will be obsolete before you kill it at 4.8ghz. If you're worried... Buy a plan

http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/purchase-a-plan

What witchcraft is this?

[incarnate]

I guess its just tough because on the one hand most people will say at least OC to 4.4-4.5 GHz, but then you get the one or two who say don't OC because IT WILL cause your CPU to wear out quicker...

While it is true that any oc will degrade your cpu quicker than stock, too many ppl are too paranoid. They don't realize that a "mild" oc won't noticeably degrade the cpu. If you are concerned about it, just set your voltage .15 or .2 higher than stock and see what you get.

It's temps that will hurt the cpu more and with the kraken, temps won't be a problem until you push the voltage to the upper limit of the "safe" range. I have my cpu at 4.4 with +.15v over stock and I run my kraken on silent mode. My temps never got out of the 60s.

Now keep in mind I'm not suggesting offset mode for voltage. Just want to make that clear. I just don't know what stock voltage skylake runs at lol.

Also Intel's overclocking protection is a great insurance policy if you're really that worried

[CC268]

Alright I will go ahead and OC to 4.6 GHz since that seems to be the standard. Now do I leave the voltage on auto or manually set it to something?

I figured I would stress it with AIDA 64 and maybe x264 over night.

[CC268]

I'm gonna look into purchasing that Intel protection plan as well.

[App4that]

Alright I will go ahead and OC to 4.6 GHz since that seems to be the standard. Now do I leave the voltage on auto or manually set it to something?

I figured I would stress it with AIDA 64 and maybe x264 over night.

NOOOOOO!!! Manually set your voltage, never use the auto clock. Auto clock bad. It will send whatever voltage it feels like through your CPU, which is bad. I run adaptive voltage when not benchtesting though.

[Godlygamer23]

4.2 if you have stock cooler. if water cooling or hyper 212 evo/x then 4.4-4.6 ghz.

Skylake based CPUs do not come with coolers.

[Godlygamer23]

I guess its just tough because on the one hand most people will say at least OC to 4.4-4.5 GHz, but then you get the one or two who say don't OC because IT WILL cause your CPU to wear out quicker...

Frequency does not really cause wear-and-tear. Voltage does. Overclocking in of itself will not really degrade the CPU any further.