Is this overclock for my Intel i7 4930K @ 4.5Ghz safe ?

[Centurion855]

Hello everyone!

I have recently overclocked my Intel i7 4930K from it's stock speed of 3.4Ghz to 4.5Ghz using a voltage of 1.35V and cooled by a Corsair H100i all-in-one water cooler.

My question is, is this overclock safe to last me another healthy 5 years without problems?

Additional Information:
- My system is turned on about 14 hours a day and is mainly used for gaming, never rendering or similar things.
- I have ran a Prime95 blend stress test for 4 hours without error and my temps maxed at 81°C and averaged at around 65°C.
Here is a screenshot:

- CPU-Z Validation link: http://valid.x86.fr/xh5tze
- My 140mm exhaust case fan spins at 90% duty cycle and my H100i fans are always spinning at 1200RPM. But when i'm gaming i sometimes put it at performance mode using the Corsair Link software.

My full system specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7 4930K
CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H100i
Mobo: Asus Rampage IV Black Edition (BIOS version 0507)
RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB DDR3-1866Mhz CL9 quad kit
GPU: Inno3D GeForce GTX 780 Ti IChill HerculeZ X3 Ultra 3GB
SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 1TB
HDD 1: Hitachi Deskstar 7K4000 4TB
HDD 2: Hitachi Deskstar 7K4000 4TB
ODD: LG BH16NS40
PSU: Corsair HX1050
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper Window
OS: Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit

Thanks for any feedback

 

[mcnumpty23]

that vcore seems high for 4.5ghz

i would have expected round the 1.28v mark though every cpu is different

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Thank you for all the information.

Maximum voltage for overclocking an i7 4930K depends on cooling and luck of the silicon lottery. No one will guarantee that any voltage above declared by manufacturer is safe.

Most 4930Ks should work @4.5GHz 1.35V. The better ones, above average, will run @4.5GHz 1.25V , the worse ones, below average, 1.35-1.4V.

4.2GHz should be enough for 24/7 and I would start testing it at 1.15-1.20V, slowly raising voltage if it won't be stable.

22nm is a small die and is more vulnerable to electro-migration at 1.4V. I would prefer 1.35V for 24/7, and see what speed that will be. Statement retracted due to senility.

Brain fart had me read 1.35 as 1.40V.

4.5Ghz at 1.35V is the top end place for your average, or slightly below average CPU.

I don't think that Intel releases information on half-life and voltage, but I would expect your chip to last five years under those conditions. ( I think the half-life is around 7 years at 1.25V)

 

[Centurion855]

Thanks for the reply, I will select it as solution later when all my questions are answered.
I would like to reach a higher clock speed with the lowest Vcore possible. Right now i'm trying 4.6Ghz with 1.35Volts but so far it's not working. I'm failing Intelburn test eveytime.

I have already tried the following things in order to pass IBT:
- enabling / disabling intel speedstep technology
- underclocking my ram from 1866Mhz (default) to 1333Mhz
- Adjusting ram timings from auto to 9-9-9-24 (default timings for my ram)
- Enabling PLL internal voltage instead of leaving it at auto
- Rampage Tweak (memory) from auto to mode 3

Does anyone perhaps have any idea on what other settings I could tweak in my Asus Rampage IV BIOS that will let me reach a higher OC with the same or a little higher Vcore? I have a way better than regular cooling system so I don't think that 1.4V will be too much heat. My temps at idle are around 30°C. I'm already satisfied with my 4.5Ghz @ 1.35V but I just want to try to squeeze out a little more before I settle for the 4.5Ghz in the long run.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I have found that I need to overclock my memory to get a stable overclock on my CPU.

I am not familiar with the details of that particular chip. You won't damage it very much by using high voltages for a short time, so I would just keep upping the voltages by 0.01V steps and see where it gets stable. The last voltage step, and this seems to be where you are, can be quite big for Haswell chips.