SumTingW0ng :
Isokolon :
a 6700k overclocked to 7700k levels gets just as hot.
Depends if you have a good chip or a bad chip. With good chip, you can overclock to 4.6GHz with no problem at all. Unlike the i7 7700k which already gets hot at stock. Why buy an overclockable CPU if you can't overclock at all? If you can't overclock at all, you can save $100 more by buying a locked processor instead.
Now Intel responded to i7 7700k owner that they shouldn't overclock at all which is like what the heck? Aren't Intel k prefix series designed for freedom tuning? If I can't freedom overclock at all on the k series CPU, than screw you Intel, ima go with AMD or a non overclock Intel CPU instead.
OP: Probably supply problem.
if your 7700k is almost overheating at stock speeds you either....
... have an insufficient cooler
... bad airflow in your case
... live in a very hot area
in summer my 6700k can reach 85°C at stock speeds due to the room temperature being 38°C and my computer being located in an unlucky spot (but literally the only possible spot in my flat unfortunately). but I don't blame the CPU for it.
the 7700k behaves exactly as you'd expect from a overclocked 6700k.
of course there are some better and some worse chips but saying you should buy a 6700k and OC it to 7700k levels for temps is just not a right statement.
also you can OC a 7700k to speeds most 6700ks don't reach.