[SOLVED] i9-9900k overclocking limits?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Jnelly99

Commendable
Nov 30, 2019
21
0
1,510
Specs:
Mobo: Asus ROG Strix z390-E
CPU: i9-9900k
GPU: Gigabyte gtx 1080ti
PSU: 750w
Ram: 32gb 3600mhz

So i just finished my first custom water loop build and first build with the i9-9900k. This is going to be my first time manually overclocking and wanting to get the most out of my cpu with out it dieing out in 1 week. So far i have my overclock set to 5ghz at 1.3volts. After doing a stress test i get max temp of 79 Degrees. I mainly use the computer to stream and play games on with the once in awhile video/photo editing. When i launch call of duty modern warfare i get a max temp of about 70degress. Im wondering if this is a good over clock or would i be able to push it a little more like 5.1ghz at 1.3volts and get better performance or does it not really make a difference? I'm not to sure about the volts part of overclocking i know the higher the more heat and power it uses and not to do crazy high with it, but would i get better performance if i go like 1.25 volts and 5.1ghz or no?
 
Solution
You have a full custom loop. Toss out any preconceived ideas of temps based on standard aircooling behavior. They don't apply.

Intel cpu's have a working range of temp. And it's all the same. 40°C is exactly the same as 50 or 70°C to the cpu. It's only once you get into throttle temps ranges that things matter.

Loops are liquid and liquids have a very large capacity to absorb energy, but it's very slow to change. Aircoolers are a big chunk of metal and metal transfers heat very fast. Stick an empty pan on a 1500w stove burner, pan heats up extremely fast. Stick a pan full of water on same burner and you'll be waiting a good long while for the water to even get warm. And that's the difference. It doesn't matter what the exact temp of...
Yes, that offers some good options. Aris is very knowledgeable. My guide can be helpful as well.


I too have been at this for a long while. Long before there even WAS an ATX standard for that matter.