Should I undervolt my CPU?

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

Hey guys,

I'm running a system with the following specs;
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980
Intel Core I7 4970K @ 4.00 GHZ
16GB of DDR3 1600MHZ Ballistix Elite ram
Republic of Gamers Maximus VII Ranger motherboard
Strike-X 800 watts silver rated PSU
Windows 7 Professional 64 bit OS

My CPU's core voltage is at 1.224 V and I'm getting about 65c whilst playing Counter Strike Global Offensive. I haven't reached 70's yet while playing a game, but I was really close to when playing Skyrim with about 110 mods and an ENB on top of it. The idle temperatures are on an average of 31c and it just feels a little high so I was wondering if I should undervolt it a little bit to reduce temps?

I also ran prime 95 and after 6 minutes of testing, all cores got up to high 80's and low 90's.

So, should I undervolt a little bit or are these temperatures normal? I'm using an after market cooler, the "Cooler Master V8 GTS" and I have one front intake fan, one back outtake and one top outtake as well.

Thanks in advance.

laviniuc · Feb 10, 2015

if it's stable when you undervolt, sure. unlike overclocking/overvoltaging the UNDERvolt can't hurt. ever.

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

Try to increase the intake fans first,

Air might just be poorly circulated, causing heat zones inside the case which is absorbed by the cpu cooler

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

All of my fans are running on 100% speed, the case fans are plugged into the power supply and the CPU cooler is plugged into the motherboard, but configured to run on 100% as well

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

I mean, add another intake fan

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

Oh, unfortunately I don't have space for anymore fans. I only have space for 3. It's the Cooler Master Enforcer case.

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

Well, three options

1. Get a new case ( not recommended because tge enforcer looks cool)

2. Undervolt ( temporary fix, plus you're not getting all the cpu power)

3. Replace that cpu cooler because its rather bad

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

Thanks, I think I may need to get a better cooler in that case. Not going to undervolt. Do you have any recommendations for a cooler I could get?

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

For cheap, is the cooler master hyper evo 212

Or
More suitable for your build is a corsair h100i closed loop cooler, or any similar 240 radiator cooler

st3v30 · Feb 10, 2015

Here you can buy this one https://pcpartpicker.com/part/raijintek-cpu-cooler-op105246
Rly cheap and performs like CM EVO 212 and it will fin in with your black and red mobo.
Also if you can find cheap Raijintek Triton water cooler it will be rly good,he offers good performance/$ and comes in 3 colors green blue and red.

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

I forgot the enforcer needs a little modding to fit a 240 rad

Try a corsair h80i or similar cooler from kuhler

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

st3v30 :

Thanks for the suggestions! I really like the Raijintek Triton water cooler, might look more into that one.

Zangeki · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

Thanks for that! I'm gonna check out all the coolers you and the other person mentioned and see what's best. I appreciate the help

laviniuc · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

i have to disagree with the you're not getting all the cpu power part. only case this would happen is if it's not stable once he undervolts requiring a clock decrease too. if he can undervolt without dropping speed it's the exact same cpu speed only not generating as much heat.

st3v30 · Feb 10, 2015

Zangeki :

Raijintek is new brand out there that way many people dont know about them but they rly make good stuff for budget oriented people.Look at other coolers from them all cheap and can hold ground against more expensive ones.

plaintuts · Feb 10, 2015

For laviniuc

All cpu downclock and overclock differently even the same brand and model, 20% chance his cpu is "golden" which will retain 4.0ghz after undervolt

Its a higher chance that the cpu will jump around 3.8 and 4.0ghz during load which usually causes micro-stutter

Well I could be wrong, but the v8 is a rather bad cooler for his build

laviniuc · Feb 10, 2015

plaintuts :

well... i really didn't know it would adjust clocks auto to comply with the new voltage. i assumed it would just crash in case it can't comply with the new voltage -> forcing him to set the voltage to normal if he has issues. my bad i guess

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Should I undervolt my CPU?

Zangeki

Honorable

laviniuc

Judicious

plaintuts

Admirable

Zangeki

Honorable

plaintuts

Admirable

Zangeki

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plaintuts

Admirable

Zangeki

Honorable

plaintuts

Admirable

st3v30

Admirable

plaintuts

Admirable

Zangeki

Honorable

Zangeki

Honorable

laviniuc

Judicious

st3v30

Admirable

plaintuts

Admirable

laviniuc

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