Overclocking
Overclocking
The Intel Core i7-7700K’s overclocking headroom depends on the cooling hardware at your disposal and silicon lottery. Throughout the testing process, I analysed two processors and attempted to find a pattern which outlines the kind of overclocking results you can expect. Achieving 5.0GHz with a decent cooler isn’t overly challenging and it’s possible to reach this impressive figure with a voltage around 1.345v. Unfortunately, 5.1GHz is a much tougher task and requires a huge voltage increase. On average, 5.1GHz needed 1.435v and came perilously close to the 95C mark even with a top-tier closed-loop liquid cooling solution. Despite my best efforts, 5.2GHz just wasn’t a viable option and failed to post with 1.465-1.475v while running the fans at 100%. From my experience, the maximum potential is really 5.1GHz unless you’re using LN2. To put this into context, the highest overclock I managed on the i7-6700K was 4.8GHz.
Despite my best efforts, 5.2GHz just wasn’t a viable option and failed to post with 1.465-1.475v while running the fans at 100%. From my experience, the maximum potential is really 5.1GHz unless you’re using LN2. To put this into context, the highest overclock I managed on the i7-6700K was 4.8GHz. In addition to multipler overclocking, I endeavoured to enhance the overclocking result through BCLK adjustments. However, even the smallest tweak would result in instability alongside the 5.1GHz figure. Honestly, I’d recommend focusing on multiplier overclocking and ignore BCLK tweaking unless you want to eke out every last bit of performance.
Whats frequency of iGpu? Is possible to overclock?
Ps
Very good review!
Hi, thank you so much. I wasn’t able to overclock the iGPU, but I’ll note down the frequency in the next day or so when I do some additional testing.
Great review man.. So 7700K is just a higher clocked 6700K? My current Z170 mobo is dead and i’m considering to upgrade to Kaby Lake.. but seeing this review hold me back. Slightly off topic, but can i use my 6700K with Z270 motherboard? Just curious.. otherwise i’ll buy another Z170.. Thanks
If you want a future proof build then buy a Z270… pure logic here, it will support intel Xpoint Optane SSDs and dimms.
Hum, google it, it takes 5 seconds, it will be released after the CES 2017 the 5th of January, in fact some online retailers already got the Z270 mobos and 7700Ks ready ^^
Thank you 😀 Yep, no real improvements outside of a frequency boost. The 6700K and 7700K both use the same LGA1151 socket so you’ll have no issues doing that!
One of the best conclusions i have seen lately,
unbiased, to the point, and balanced.
Kudos!!!
Thank you 😀
You should think about delidding this supernova, it’s reported you can get 30 degree reductions in temperature. Looks like Intel wanted to limit overclocking thermally again.
http://wccftech.com/intel-core-i7-7700k-delid-performance-tests/
Thank you very much for this. Interesting how the 7700k outperforms a 6700k OC’d 4.8ghz on Ashes of the Singularity. Can you please test Starcraft 2? That game is CPU limited and really shows the strength of a CPU (may it be architecture or IPC or speeds) and I’m really interested how the 7700k perform against the 6700k in that game clock for clock. Thank you.
“AMD’s Zen architecture is just around the corner and looks promising” Are you kidding me? What the hell does AMD have to do with this? You are referring to a product that is not available, and will be a first iteration of a new technology that will need weeks (if not months) of vetting before I will risk my hard earned dollars. For All practical purposes, AMD is dead until it can PROVE it has a product that I should take a look at. Until then….I am completely ignoring them.
“What the hell does AMD have to do with this”, really? They are Intel’s direct competitor, their zen processors do actually look promising and they’ll be coming out shortly. How much vetting do processors need according to you? It’s not like AMD is unexperienced in terms of making processors, it’s just a (very) new architecture. It is completely logical to suggest waiting to see what AMD does before making a purchasing decision.
It has a lot to do with this, because IF the Zen single core performance is within 10-15% of the current Intel offerings, there is virtually no reason to get an Intel CPU, and it becomes well worth getting a much cheaper 4C/8T Zen or a 6 or 8 core version of the Zen for the same price and have those extra cores in case you need them.
For gaming, 6 and 8 core CPU’s add a high cost but essentially no value performance wise. Oh, ok… Ashes of the Singularity shows a little bit of performance increase but it costs a lot to build the system. IMO, it isn’t worth purchasing a 6 or 8 core Intel System at this time for gaming.
Here is the point:
If Zen is close to Core i7 7700k, then why wouldn’t I get the 8 core Zen that could be priced the same as the 7700k, AND add the extra cores “for free”?
Or, if I don’t need 6 or 8 cores, why not get the 4C/8T i7 version of the Zen for a most likely much cheaper price?
It really depends on how good Zen is as to whether these Intel prices are worth it or not.
You’re making a huge presumption that pricing will be low, It’s much more likely that pricing will not be far off Broadwell e pricing, AMD are repeatedly referring to there 8 core alongside the Broadwell 6 core so I’m expecting similar pricing but we’ll see.
I’m a big Intel fan but their insistence to put progress into neutral as often as they can get away with is just crazy. The 7700k could have easily had far more tangible improvements but because the market wasn’t forcing them to compete they just don’t bother. Intel has provided AMD with a generous opportunity here with Zen. I hope rigorous competition gets the innovation train back on the track.
As a Haswell user, I will not have to upgrade my CPU for the next 3 years. Intel is so lazy now. Now AMD has an opportunity to strike back with Zen. I can definitely give a try for a Zen 6 core CPU if it matches with a 6700K. I bet those performance gains are mainly due to clock speed jump, but no IPC improvement. The biggest advantage here is overclocking head room and the new media engine which will useful for multimedia users. BTW, is 5GHZ sustainable for daily using, I mean with a good liquid cooler?
Nice Review !
I’m also on Haswell. I didn’t think I was going to be able to hold onto the same CPU for so long, but I am also planning on holding out for a long time.
Looks like Intel has lost its way… /:
does HD630 support HDMI 2.0?
No. What a disappointment.
Core i5 2500k here (OC’ed to 4.5Ghz).
Debating whether to go for a 7700k or possibly even a Zen, though I use my PC for gaming, so I don’t think Zen gives me anything special, probably detracts since it is rumored to be slower single core.