I just recently bought an i7 4790k and I'm having issues with keeping this thing cool. I've tried three different cooling methods (the stock cooler, Cooler Master N520 heatsink with push/pull fans and a Corsair H80i water cooler) as well as multiple methods of applying thermal paste to ensure that the cooling method is seated properly. My case also has optimum airflow with a positive-pressure environment. At this point, I'm very confident that the issue is in the CPU and no in my cooling method. I also want to mention that I've already RMAd my chip once and the first one was having similar temperature issues.
My setup is a Gigabyte z97x Gaming 7 motherboard and I'm using a 10 minute HD encode with Handbrake to test my temperatures under 100%. Other tests such as Prime95 and Intel Burn Test are pushing my temps up into the 90s and cause throttling even when I underclock this thing so my reasoning is that Handbrake is a real-world test I'll be using frequently so I'm most worried about keeping everything stable under those specific conditions.
Now as for performance, using the stock "auto" settings, my core temps were hitting 100C and throttling almost instantly under load. I then tweaked my settings around and set all 4 cores to run at the 4.4ghz turbo clock with a Core Voltage of 1.2v. This dropped the temperatures by about 10C and prevented throttling but the temperatures were still uncomfortably in the low-mid 80s. I then reduced the voltage down to 1.169v and the temperatures dropped even more to the point where I was maxing 77C. As of right now, I have all four cores clocked to 4ghz with the same 1.169v and the temps are ranging from 69C-71C under 100% load and this is where I'm comfortable keeping my temperatures.
So what I want to know is how can I determine the lowest stable voltage? Obviously, I want to maximize my clock speeds while keeping the temperatures low. Furthermore, How can I know when the voltage is too low? Would a low voltage have obvious symptoms such BSODs or throttling or would issues manifest in more obscure ways?
My setup is a Gigabyte z97x Gaming 7 motherboard and I'm using a 10 minute HD encode with Handbrake to test my temperatures under 100%. Other tests such as Prime95 and Intel Burn Test are pushing my temps up into the 90s and cause throttling even when I underclock this thing so my reasoning is that Handbrake is a real-world test I'll be using frequently so I'm most worried about keeping everything stable under those specific conditions.
Now as for performance, using the stock "auto" settings, my core temps were hitting 100C and throttling almost instantly under load. I then tweaked my settings around and set all 4 cores to run at the 4.4ghz turbo clock with a Core Voltage of 1.2v. This dropped the temperatures by about 10C and prevented throttling but the temperatures were still uncomfortably in the low-mid 80s. I then reduced the voltage down to 1.169v and the temperatures dropped even more to the point where I was maxing 77C. As of right now, I have all four cores clocked to 4ghz with the same 1.169v and the temps are ranging from 69C-71C under 100% load and this is where I'm comfortable keeping my temperatures.
So what I want to know is how can I determine the lowest stable voltage? Obviously, I want to maximize my clock speeds while keeping the temperatures low. Furthermore, How can I know when the voltage is too low? Would a low voltage have obvious symptoms such BSODs or throttling or would issues manifest in more obscure ways?