What is a safe temperature for overclocking an 8700k?

[testtube5]

I swapped out my cooler to an h115i and after running for 2 weeks at stock clock (Well, MCE enabled so technically the out-of-the-box overclock) here are my min / max temperatures:

https://imgur.com/a/TOImn

That's after leaving my computer on and not resetting min/max values for 5 days straight. During this time I've gamed heavily, ran several Cinebench runs, and AIDA64 (CPU, FPU, Cache) Stress Test for 30 minutes once.

I've never actually seen it go to 70 with my own eyes. The highest I've seen while watching was 66C during the AIDA64 test for a split second. Averaging about 62ish during the test. (This is also with the side panel on and with a non-optimal fan setup so I can push that down a couple degrees).

I would like to keep my CPU for 5 years. (More like 3 before I upgrade but I just want to be sure).

How high can I push this while overclocking? What's a safe average temperature to ensure (Or well, maintain a high likelihood) that this CPU lasts me the 5 years I want it to?

PS: This is my full build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wvRgXP

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Your temps are very safe!

 

[bjornl]

Spikes of just over 90c and a max "common" temp of around 80c would be ok. Most overclockers are happy if they hit mid 80's running aida64, so those values I mentioned are conservative.

You can improve the temps some by having a higher airflow in to the case. This pushes the air out the path of least resistance, which in your case would be the radiator.

https://siliconlottery.com/ offers a delidding service which will drop your temps down.

Consider if you got the thermal paste right. Your temps are not a problem, so you probably got it right. But too much thermal paste is such a common mistake. I recently swapped from Arctic Silver to Kryonaut and that dropped it around 2 degrees.

 

[testtube5]

Spikes of just over 90c and a max "common" temp of around 80c would be ok. Most overclockers are happy if they hit mid 80's running aida64, so those values I mentioned are conservative.

You can improve the temps some by having a higher airflow in to the case. This pushes the air out the path of least resistance, which in your case would be the radiator.

https://siliconlottery.com/ offers a delidding service which will drop your temps down.

Consider if you got the thermal paste right. Your temps are not a problem, so you probably got it right. But too much thermal paste is such a common mistake. I recently swapped from Arctic Silver to Kryonaut and that dropped it around 2 degrees.

Few questions...

1. Would you suggest I delid my CPU? I wouldn't have a problem doing it at all and would actually want to so I could OC higher...if it didn't void my warranty... But it does. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

2. So just for clarity. As long as I only see random spikes just over 90C, and at average im from 80-85C, I should be safe; correct? This should allow my CPU to last the 5 years I would want it to last?

3. Would I be able to send you a picture of my computer so you could tell me what the optimal fan configuration should be? I use ALL Noctua 3000RPM PWM Industrial Fans and I'm not AT ALL afraid to run them at 3000 RPM 24/7 while I'm gaming because I do not care about noise AT ALL.

4. I know the Noctua NF-F12 is the Static Pressure Fan that should be used on radiators. However, I looked for an hour and I couldn't find a 140mm version of them. Only the 120mm version. Do they make these, and if so, could you send me a link?

And by the way, thank you so much for all the help so far.

 

[bjornl]

Spikes of just over 90c and a max "common" temp of around 80c would be ok. Most overclockers are happy if they hit mid 80's running aida64, so those values I mentioned are conservative.

You can improve the temps some by having a higher airflow in to the case. This pushes the air out the path of least resistance, which in your case would be the radiator.

https://siliconlottery.com/ offers a delidding service which will drop your temps down.

Consider if you got the thermal paste right. Your temps are not a problem, so you probably got it right. But too much thermal paste is such a common mistake. I recently swapped from Arctic Silver to Kryonaut and that dropped it around 2 degrees.

Few questions...

1. Would you suggest I delid my CPU? I wouldn't have a problem doing it at all and would actually want to so I could OC higher...if it didn't void my warranty... But it does. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

2. So just for clarity. As long as I only see random spikes just over 90C, and at average im from 80-85C, I should be safe; correct? This should allow my CPU to last the 5 years I would want it to last?

On #1. I voted with my wallet. I am running a 5930k. I bought a 8700k and opted to delid it. It does void the warranty. I am not worried about that because I can (if I had to) replace it. I don't want to do this. And I would not risk the CPU if I thought it likely to result in problems of any kind. Justing saying that for >>ME<< the risk/reward is ok to do this. Running it at the same OC but lower temps means that in exchange for no-warranty I get a probable longer life out of the CPU.
If you are more risk adverse, you should not follow my example. You should instead get Intel's overclocking warranty.
https://click.intel.com/tuningplan/

#2. Yes. If the spikes are common, tune it down a little bit. Overclocking is a bit of a fiddling-fest. You will have to play with the settings and test the results (like you are already doing with Aida64) to find what works for your chip. If it were my chip I would not be worried with a max temp from aida64 in the low to mid 80s. I would be worried if it were there just playing Civilization.

 

[bjornl]

Missed 3 and 4 since you posted the update while I was replying.
I think the fan you want is:
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a14-pwm

You can post the photo, but I can't see the temps. I would just work at having positive case pressure (force more air over the radiator and keeps dust out) and if concerned get some case temp probes. I have a set I bought in the 1998-2003 time frame that still work. It is just a simple series of sensor that you position through out the case and it logs the temps You adjust airflow and observe the results.
Always do this with the case side ON as without it you won't get accurate readings and your VRMs won't get sufficient airflow.

 

[testtube5]

I think the fan you want is:
https://noctua.at/en/nf-a14-pwm

That is the Air Flow Case Fan. If anyone knows where I can find (if they exist) the 140mm 3000RPM PWM Industrial *Static Pressure* Fan, please post a link. Thanks.

 

[testtube5]

Ran AIDA64 for an hour. These were the results.

https://imgur.com/a/l7wa4

Going to OC to 5GHZ and test for another hour and post results again, and then go from there to see if I can go higher.

In the meantime, could someone tell me...

After I overclock, how long should I run AIDA64 for (CPU, FPU, Cache), before I know it's a stable clock and that I can attempt going higher?

 

[testtube5]

After I overclock, how long should I run AIDA64 for (CPU, FPU, Cache), before I know it's a stable clock and that I can attempt going higher?

^ Still would like an answer to that question if someone misses it because I'm posting again.

Overclocked to 5.0GHZ, Max temperature after 10min of AIDA64 = 77C

Radiator Fans running at 1500 RPM (Intake), Case fan running at 2200 RPM (Intake), Exhaust Fan running at 1200 RPM (Going to replace this with the Noctua, it's just a stock 140mm at the moment.

Safe to try for 5.1GHZ (If I turn up my radiator fans to 2500-3000RPM)?

 

[Karadjgne]

Aida64 isn't all that good for temp testing. Stability testing it's OK. Problem is it's not running just the cpu, it also runs linpack, as in it taxes the ram also. Meaning you are not running a cpu load of 100% consistently. For AIO's, temp testing should be run using Prime95 version 26.6, small fft torture for approximately ½-1hr. This allows for the coolant to equalize to a clean 100% cpu load. Version 26.6 uses little to no AVX, just like games, so fits a gaming temp accurately. Versions after 26.6 use Alot of AVX (among others) so is more suited to all-around pc's that see some production apps usage that do include those instruction sets.

You'll get a far more accurate gaming temp baseline, especially when overclocking using p95 26.6, than by using Aida64.

 

[icebreaker374]

I mean my Pentium G3220 even though its a VERY different CPU was idling at 96C (dont ask about that, long story) and it didnt explode or catch fire, so I'd say as long as you're ABSOLUTELY no higher than 90C you should be fine. When your PC crashes thats when you know theres a problem, lol.

 

[testtube5]

Aida64 isn't all that good for temp testing. Stability testing it's OK. Problem is it's not running just the cpu, it also runs linpack, as in it taxes the ram also. Meaning you are not running a cpu load of 100% consistently. For AIO's, temp testing should be run using Prime95 version 26.6, small fft torture for approximately ½-1hr. This allows for the coolant to equalize to a clean 100% cpu load. Version 26.6 uses little to no AVX, just like games, so fits a gaming temp accurately. Versions after 26.6 use Alot of AVX (among others) so is more suited to all-around pc's that see some production apps usage that do include those instruction sets.

You'll get a far more accurate gaming temp baseline, especially when overclocking using p95 26.6, than by using Aida64.

Okay. I will use Prime95 from now on to test CPU Temperatures.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you guys vote on what the best response was as there were several different questions answered on several different topics.

By the way: Since this is turning into a "How far can I overclock my 8700k" thread, I created a new one and we can move over here if you'd like to assist me in pushing this CPU as far as I possibly can.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3640208/push-8700k.html#20691014

Thank you ALL so much for the help guys, I can not express how much I appreciate you guys and most of the amazing people on these forums.

 

[Karadjgne]

No can do. You are the Op, this is your post, topics aside, so you get the right and responsibility of choosing a best answer. Just remember, it's not just a forum, these are also internet wide, anyone world wide doing a Google search will find this post if looking for a similar answer, so choose the one that's been the most helpful/applicable to you and your question. If you can't or are unwilling, then don't, and sooner or later a moderator will read this and choose for you.

Just letting you know ;p

Edit: on a side note, I've had a PII 350 OC to 400MHz for 20 years now, that still works, an i5-3570k at 4.3GHz, an i7-3770K at mostly 4.9GHz for over 5 years. Cpus that run about 70°C or under with vcore under max tend to live far longer than the mobo, ram, storage etc. Left alone, cpus are the hardest components to kill, it's only under abusive conditions that lifespans are shortened. Even with high vcore/OC 10 years isn't out of expectations. Most cpus are still viable long after technology has rendered them obsolete.

 

[Maxsupertweaker]

I am using a Hydro H60 and was able to overclock my i7 8700K to 4.9GHz (stable). I took it as high as 5.1GHz but the CPU gets too hot for the H60 (see signature). I have just ordered the H100i v2 which will (in theory) should lower the PCH by 5-10 degrees - we'll see.

To very candid, overclocking this wonderful processor is most likely not necessary for anyone (including me). I know we all are curious but just the boost clock at 4.5GHZ on any of the Z370 boards is more than enough speed for any game, video editing etc. IMHO

Current CPU-Z: https://valid.x86.fr/5ufwg6


pch8700k by Crusher, on Flickr

 

[Maxsupertweaker]

Safe PCH temps would be anywhere from 75 degrees and lower (consistently). Mine go up to 100 degrees and the system crashes at 5.1GHz. As mentioned in my first post in this thread. We'll see how the Hydro H100i v2 helps or doesn't help.

8700ktempsAida64 by Crusher, on Flickr

 

[mdd1963]

66C on AIDA64 is roughly what you'd expect on a well-cooled 7700K, so, I'd be darn happy with those temps for peaks on an 8700K....

 

[mdd1963]

Prime95 is normally a 'worst case' scenario of temperature, not typically encountered in gaming, ...short of running Cinebench in the background...

Normally temps peak in 10 minutes, but, the liquid coolers might act a bit differently as fluid heats up if radiators cannot adequately dissipate the heat....; warmer fluid leads to less cooling, leading to warmer temps leading to warmer fluid....until 100C is reached....

 

[Maxsupertweaker]

66C on AIDA64 is roughly what you'd expect on a well-cooled 7700K, so, I'd be darn happy with those temps for peaks on an 8700K....

I totally agree. This is a very powerful CPU with physical and virtual cores (12 total). More than enough to handle any game or program on the market for home users. The 7700K is also a great choice. In fact, I was about to buy the 7700K at Amazon and a Z270 board when I discovered the 8700K and Z370 were back in stock. The prices were the same (give or take 10-15 dollars for the CPU/Motherboard so I did due diligence on what other expert computer builders/techies learned in the few short months following the release of 8700K CPU and Z370 motherboards. I saw good news with some expected negatives about both items. The pros far out-weighed the cons and between the research and the small difference in costs, I built everything new around around the 8700K (except PSU 650W, Hydro H60 and NZXT Case) from the previous build.

I am very pleased with this system which is now just two weeks old. I will return to this forum and post an update in this topic about the H100i v2 AIO.

Both scenarios below will work in my 410.

Top Mount: https://youtu.be/9XA0x-ien6g

Front Mount: https://youtu.be/JhNK-YLsa-w

 

[Maxsupertweaker]

I went with a Noctua D15 Air Cooler and delidded the 8700K and use Liquid Steel rather than a thermal paste.

Here's how it's running now:
https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/11569088


W10 System

ASUS ROG STRIX Z370-E GAMING
INTEL: i7 8700k
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti FTW ULTRA SILENT GAMING
Noctua D15 CPU Air Cooler
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 Gun Metal
Monitor: BenQ ZOWIE RL2755 27"