Please help - Intel i7 6700k

[rzepa11ds]

To begin this is my setup:

CPU: Intel Core i7 6700K
Mobo: Asus MAXIMUS VIII RANGER Z170
RAM: Corsair 16 GB DDR4-2666
GPU: MSI GTX 980 ti
CPU-cooling: be quiet! Dark Rock 3
SSD: Crucial BX200
SSHD: Seagate Desktop
PSU: be quiet! Power Zone 650W
Case: be quiet! SILENT BASE 600 Window
Fans: 2x 140mm be quiet! (front intake)
1x 120mm bitfenix 1100rpm (bottom intake)
2x 120mm bitfenix 1000rpm (top exhaust)
1x 120mm bequiet! (rear exhaust)

Description:

4 months ago I have build this setup. After a while I started to look at the temperatures and stability of it. Running 3 minutes stress test with RealBench program got me to 90C temperature on the CPU. Then I started to search the internet and found out that the motherboard somehow gives me way to much voltage.

I have set an Adaptive mode of 1.25v max and tried to stress test with RealBench again. The result wasnt so fascinating - 84C after 10 minutes.
That told me there is something wrong with this setup, Intel with Dark Rock 3 shouldnt get that hot. I started some experiments.

Off to BIOS again and put Offset mode on with -0.200v.
Started the RealBench stress test again for 10 minutes and the results were much better -73C. Vcore was 1.152 during this stress test, sometimes it went to 1.168 but after like 5 seconds it went back to 1.152 stayed there for most of the time.
How is it possible that this CPU can be stable with such low voltage?

I have also tried experimenting with open or closed side panel of my case(still with -0.200v offset) -
Closed Case: Same as above - 73C
Open Case: Bingo -63C

As you can see the temps dropped with 10C only by taking the side panel off - Is this normal? For me there can be no better airflow, I have the fans listed above with the right direction to spin turning at maximum speeds.

During all stress tests the CPU-cooler and all case fans were turned to maximum speeds.

Is there anyone who can help me out with this processor. Is it motherboard that reports wrong voltage or wrong temperature or is it the processor which is faulty and gets too hot during heavy loads. Or should I buy another case for this because the temps dropped with 10C after taking the side panel off. I have really no idea where the problem is.

To prevent you from asking - yes, I have removed the cooler by 3 times already with a fresh Arctic MX4 paste on it - no difference...

Hope someone can help me with this.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

There is something terribly wrong.
With this fan setup, you supposed to have pretty decent airflow. 10C delta of closed case vs open case is kinda high for your setup.
I'd expect much lower delta with 3 intake and 3 exhaust fans.?
Can you try to remove the HDD cages in front, as well as to leave front panel open ?

 

[rzepa11ds]

Thank you for your reply

After removing both side panels and the front panel also as you suggested -the temperature maxed out at 59C.

I left the HDD cage in the case to see any difference first, should I still try removing the cage?

For me there is no need to remove it as there are 2 140mm intake fans and one of them spins right above the cage

 

[n0ns3ns3]

If I were you, I'd mount all storage in 5.25 cage and remove the HDD cage.
980ti is kinda "hot" card with 250watt TDP and yours is using "open cooler" which relies on case airflow to remove the heat.
The point of removing the front panel, was to check how much it restricts the air intake.
So I'd return the side panels and check without front panel.

 

[rzepa11ds]

If I were you, I'd mount all storage in 5.25 cage and remove the HDD cage.
980ti is kinda "hot" card with 250watt TDP and yours is using "open cooler" which relies on case airflow to remove the heat.
The point of removing the front panel, was to check how much it restricts the air intake.
So I'd return the side panels and check without front panel.

After mounting the side panels and leaving only the front panel open the temperature maxed out at 61C

Its a huge difference between 73C and 61C... Now what do I do? Set manual voltage to like 1.2 and try again? Because my CPU is really undervolted with its 1.15v...

 

[n0ns3ns3]

That's the thing with "quite" cases. they trade airflow with noise level.
1.1 is kinda stock voltage. so it's fine. with 1.2-1.25 you should be able to get to 4.5GHz.
If you want to remove the dependency on airflow, liquid cooling will be very helpful.
Arctic has excellent AiO kits for both CPU and GPU. and they have sane price tag.
Though i'd (and i did) build a custom loop for slightly more money with much better results.

 

[rzepa11ds]

I think it's all clear for me. Thanks for helping me solve this problem out.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you are mostly welcome