i7-4790k voltages and effects

wicklow

Honorable
Jul 7, 2013
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i7-4790 4.7 ghz 1.260 v stable
i7-4790 4.8 ghz 1.336 v stable

my question is, what can happen to my processor at 1.336 v. is it safe to leave it there? does it drastically reduce its life spam? i have a feeling that its too high and something bad might happen.


 
For haswell CPUs, the rule of thumb for safe voltage is 1.3V or lower. I've got a 4790k and I run it at 1.3V. 1.336 shouldn't be pushing it too much, but personally I'd play it safe and stick to 1.3
 
temps matter not the voltages. if your temps are ok you should be fine.

people who talk about x volts being too much are really talking about the point where most cpus run too hot. at around 1.25-1.3 haswell cpus tend to get very hot. not many can take more volts then that. if yours is taking 1.336V and has no heat issues then you should be fine.
 


The only exception to this is when your running crazy voltages like 1.45-1.5. Then your cpu's lifespan will really start to go down (but still a long time, like from 15 years stock to 7 years at 1.5v with good cooling).
 


again, it's the temps not the volts that do the damage.

you're mistaking the cause for the effect. yes, high voltage leads to high temps which leads to lower lifespan of electrical components. but it's the prolonged high temps that do the damage. this is why people with light overclocks on their systems and the stock cooler will see their cpu die before someone with a heavy overclock and an aftermarket cooler. it's because the aftermarket cooler kept their cpu at reasonable temps (granted it was higher voltages) while the stock cooler failed to do so, and the cpu got worn out as a result.

in that example it's entirely possible for someone to be running their haswell at 1.2V and burn their cpu out while someone running their haswell at 1.35V sees no issue before they replace the chip in 5 years.