Unstable i7-6700K build at 4.5GHz

[dc4517]

I've just put together a new build based on an i7-6700K, Gigabyte Z170 Gaming 5 m/b, 16 GB of g.skill DDR4-3200 RAM, and a Hyper 212 EVO cooler with Arctic Silver 5. Running Prime95 at stock speeds with small FTTs, I'm getting about 65C. With XMP on, at 4.4GHz, it jumps up to about 74C. At 4.5GHz, it was around 79C for the first 8 minutes and then BSOD. There was little variation across the 4 cores. My feeling is that I probably didn't install the cooler and thermal paste well, which lead to the temps that I saw, and the resulting instability. I tried looking up online what temps people are getting with the same CPU, but I got varied answers.

Am I running hotter than expected?

I just read somewhere that running with XMP so that I can get the full 3200 MHz speeds on my RAM might also lead to instability. I'll have to wait to get home tonight to test that.

 

[mnewsham]

The hyper 212 EVO is a fine cooler for a basic OC, but it isn't really going to be capable of providing good temps for 4.4GHz+ For air cooled 4.4GHz+ you will want something like the Noctua NH-D15 or similar sized coolers.

Or you can go for a 240-280mm CLC radiator setup for a bit more money which will provide similar cooling levels.

Some lucky soul with a golden 6700k may be able to get 4.5GHz stable with decent temps on a 6700k and the Hyper 212 EVO. But the average chip isn't going to be able to handle it.

 

[Burpo]

+1.. Well said mnewsham! :thumbsup:

 

[dc4517]

The hyper 212 EVO is a fine cooler for a basic OC, but it isn't really going to be capable of providing good temps for 4.4GHz+ For air cooled 4.4GHz+ you will want something like the Noctua NH-D15 or similar sized coolers.

Or you can go for a 240-280mm CLC radiator setup for a bit more money which will provide similar cooling levels.

Some lucky soul with a golden 6700k may be able to get 4.5GHz stable with decent temps on a 6700k and the Hyper 212 EVO. But the average chip isn't going to be able to handle it.

Ah, I didn't realize that the Hyper 212 EVO would not be good enough for OCing. What CLC would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[mnewsham]

Ah, I didn't realize that the Hyper 212 EVO would not be good enough for OCing. What CLC would you recommend? Thanks!

If you want to go the CLC route make sure you case has room for a radiator to be mounted. I personally like the larger corsair coolers if you want similar performance to a high end air cooler. H110i GTX, H115i , H100i GTX.


For air cooling you'd be looking at the Phanteks PH-TC14PE, CRYORIG R1, or Noctua NH-D15.

 

[Burpo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001

 

[Majcric]

See if you can do 4.5 without the xmp profile enabled.

 

[Ken g6]

For air cooled 4.4GHz+ you will want something like the Noctua NH-D15 or similar sized coolers.

Except coolers that size have been known to [thread=2456465]warp[/thread] the board material of Skylake processors. It's thinner than that of previous processors. I think a Scythe Kotetsu is about the best air cooler you can safely use on LGA1151. After that I recommend going to a CLC.

 

[Emo]

All of your components are great and would be my pick as well if I were building a new PC. Maybe I missed it but you didn't state what voltages you are using at stock and OC. That can make all the difference.

 

[cytg111]

as evident of late, if you really need multicore performance your can have a ~factor 10 or more for the price of that broadwell (with used parts).

 

[ozzy702]

See if you can do 4.5 without the xmp profile enabled.

^ I would start here. Run at low memory speed to rule out memory as being a problem. Then dial in how much voltage you actually need to have a stable OC. The 212 is probably good for about 4.4ghz, maybe 4.5ghz if you have a good chip that is stable with lower voltage.

 

[imported_BS]

Ah, I didn't realize that the Hyper 212 EVO would not be good enough for OCing. What CLC would you recommend? Thanks!

Its plenty good enough, I just did a build myself ,an i5 6600K at 4.6ghz on an ASUS Sabertooth Z170S TUF, 212 EVO, probably could try to get more but don't really care too. Temperatures are fine as well. Your 212 EVO is more then enough to handle the job, I have found myself that the motherboard had a lot to do with my having troubles with OC'ing a CPU. My last processor an i5 2500k on an ASUS board had no issues at all doing 4.5Ghz, had to change that board out as it failed(Dam BIOS update Fail I should say), the new board was an ASRock that refused to go above 4.2Ghz.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I feel like you should be able to let that OC sit, and stare at the temps on a stress test until it actually hits 100c. Just bluescreening at that OC value may indicate your voltage needs to move up a bit, no?

I will say that those temps are already reaching past where i'd feel comfortable, and as other posters have said, this is either a good candidate to stay at 4.4ghz, or swap to a better air/water cooler.

 

[imported_BS]

I would suggest keeping your 212 EVO and not wasting your time on anything else, thousands would agree on this if you look at the reviews, your cooler isn't your problem. I can attest to this as I am running one at 4.6ghz and could do more. I would say do a reinstall of your cooler, under load at 4.6ghz I get around 61C to 65C. I just used the paste that came with the EVO.

 

[Termie]

OP, the 212 Evo isn't a particularly powerful cooler, but based on your temp readings, heat is not the issue. You either have a dud chip sample or you aren't overclocking correctly, i.e., with enough voltage. Given that you didn't provide details on the voltage settings you're using, my guess is that it's the latter. And frankly, if you had the proper voltage for 4.5GHz, your temps would be higher.

It's not your heatsink, it's not your paste, and it's not your installation.

 

[Joepublic2]

At 4.5GHz, it was around 79C for the first 8 minutes and then BSOD.

That's pretty warm, although it shouldn't damage your chip. Earlier chips wouldn't throttle until they hit 100C or so. 6700ks apparently starts throttling at 80C. The fact that it BSODed though indicates that the chip wasn't stable at that frequency, heat aside.

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/ww...sktop-6th-gen-core-family-datasheet-vol-1.pdf

Section 5.1.7 - Scenario Design Power (SDP). If "cTDP Down" is in "Auto" or "Enabled" in BIOS, then Thermal Control Circuit (TCC) activation is 80C

If you disable that it may enable your chip to hit Tjmax (100C), although I'm not familiar with the platform. Intel might have had a good reason for adding this feature to these chips, IANASE. Personally I wouldn't risk it without learning more about why they lowered the throttling limit to 80C.

Artic Silver 5 is a really old paste as well. I have a big tube of relatively inexpensive MX-4 that outperforms it by 2-3C. Regardless, it looks like you've hit a thermal wall with that cooler.

 

[Joepublic2]

Except coolers that size have been known to [thread=2456465]warp[/thread] the board material of Skylake processors. It's thinner than that of previous processors. I think a Scythe Kotetsu is about the best air cooler you can safely use on LGA1151. After that I recommend going to a CLC.

A couple people dropped/mishandled their systems or over torqued the mounting bolts and that bent the CPU PCB; there's no indication that you can't use a large air cooler on a skylake system. The socket has a mounting pressure spec so you should use a mounting system with stops or a torque wrench to insure you don't over tighten things, same as working on a car or anything else mechanical. I always remove big video cards and big tower type coolers before moving a system to a new apartment or something. If you don't be very careful with it (move it yourself IMO, movers don't give a shit).

 

[Headfoot]

I would 1) reseat the cooler with new high quality thermal paste (e.g. NTH1), 2) Purchase a second 120mm fan to put on the back of the 212 Evo using the included clips, 3) ensure your overclocking settings are good per the skylake overclocking guides out there. If you're ocing on automatic voltage that is your problem.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That's pretty warm, although it shouldn't damage your chip. Earlier chips wouldn't throttle until they hit 100C or so. 6700ks apparently starts throttling at 80C. The fact that it BSODed though indicates that the chip wasn't stable at that frequency, heat aside.

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/ww...sktop-6th-gen-core-family-datasheet-vol-1.pdf



If you disable that it may enable your chip to hit Tjmax (100C), although I'm not familiar with the platform. Intel might have had a good reason for adding this feature to these chips, IANASE. Personally I wouldn't risk it without learning more about why they lowered the throttling limit to 80C.

Interesting info! That's the first mention that I've seen that Intel has added a feature (cTDPdown) on desktop CPUs, to make the throttle limit 80C, rather than 100C. Apparently, heat is a real problem with FinFETs.

 

[imported_BS]

OP, the 212 Evo isn't a particularly powerful cooler, but based on your temp readings, heat is not the issue. You either have a dud chip sample or you aren't overclocking correctly, i.e., with enough voltage. Given that you didn't provide details on the voltage settings you're using, my guess is that it's the latter. And frankly, if you had the proper voltage for 4.5GHz, your temps would be higher.

It's not your heatsink, it's not your paste, and it's not your installation.

I'm sure it isn't the best out there, but is more then capable of handling a high overclock as I have done this with acceptable temps. I would also suspect his motherboard, as I also stated above with varying overclock's from going from one board to another.

 

[Ranulf]

Try using a different paste. I wouldn't use AS5 these days, its just old.

 

[ddogg]

The 6700k is a hot CPU and definitely requires good cooling. I have a custom water loop and even then it has a few spikes in the high 60s @4.8 at 100% load (1.35V)
My CPU didn't require a voltage increase until 4.6 or so(maybe I got lucky).

 

[Headfoot]

None of these answers are at all relevant until we know what voltage you're running your chip at, and what it runs at stock

 

[Nhirlathothep]

oc is the worst way to spend money and time. (if you re a tech expert)
enjoy tech and live cool (cool )