7700k kraken x62

jrov89 · May 8, 2017

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am reaching out to the community here because I really need some input and I don't personally know anyone who is experienced with overclocking. Just to get it out of the way, may specs are as follows:

7700k
Kraken x62 with x4 140mm AER-P fans in push pull
Maximus IX formula Z270 with latest bios update
G.skill trident z 3600 8gb x4, XMP enabled
2x Samsung 960 pro raid 0
MSI seahawk 1080 with corsair ML pro 120
NZXT noctis 450 case
2 ML pro 140 case fans

The kraken radiator is mounted in the front with push pull, seahawk radiator mount in back as exhaust with ML pro 120, and 2 ML pro 140's up top as exhaust.

Ambient temp of 19.5 C

So here is where I need some advice. I have come to terms with the fact that I have not hit the silicon lottery as 5.0ghz is out of the question due to temps, but wondering if I have a bum chip all together or possibly a bad AIO. At 4.9 ghz, vcore 1.300 and LLC of 5, I can complete a cinebench run, realbench benchmark, Aida64 for 15 min with the top three checked (cpu, fpu and I can't remember the third one), XTU 5 min stress test, prime95 26.6 small fft for 10 min, then another cinebench and real bench run with a max temp of 83C with an average of 76C. I had no crashes or BSOD's so I thought with all that thrown at it I would be stable. I am concerned with the max temp of 83, but it only spiked there and never consistently stayed in the 80's. Before I ran a 2-4 hour test in AIDA64, I ran OCCT Linpack 64 bit, all logical cores, and AVX and it fails instantly, within a minute or 2 without an idiling period beforehand. Turned OC back to 1.250 with multiplier of 48 and BCLK of 100, fails within minutes due to temperatures. I'm not sure what to think here. Given the fact I've had no failures with those settings until I ran OCCT, would my OC at those settings be considered unstable? Should I keep tinkering until I get 30 min stable in OCCT by reducing the voltage and multiplier, or should I rule out OCCT all together? I can maybe hit 4.6 or 4.7 in OCCT all together without errors or crashes. I know everyone stress tests differently, so I just need some input. If I should go by OCCT as the standard, a 4.6 or 4.7 OC is kind of disappointing considering I am cooling with a kraken x62 and 7700k chips are usually at least capable of 4.8.

Of note, AVX offset of 3 or 4 yielded the same results in OCCT. I just today also removed and applied artic silver 5 using the pea method to rule that out with similar temperatures. Pump speed is set to 100 and fans to 100% for stress testing.

Keannu · May 8, 2017

I heard of the 7700k overheating issue and it may be affecting your overclocking results. I'd suggest waiting for some news and sticking to a 4.6ish overclock.

n0ns3ns3 · May 8, 2017

1. It's crappy AIO which is significantly overpriced. it is nice looking one, but it's similar to getting Hyundai for the price of BMW/Audi.
2. the programs you use for testing, put unrealistic thermal/power load on CPU. You should have no problem running your CPU at 1.35v and even higher with your MB and ambient even with Krappen X62.

To test your temps, use this guide http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html
for stability, I use blend mode of prime95 as well as custom with min/max FFT=1344 20mins.

Since you are spending significant amount of money on your rig, I'd suggest to look at real liquid cooling instead of this jokes with anemic pumps and aluminum rads.

jrov89 · May 8, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thank you for your quick response. Today I used Prime95 26.6 small FFT with a multiplier of 49 and vcore of 1.300. Within a few minutes I hit a max temp of 83 and ran pretty much at 80-81 Celsius so I stopped the test. I changed vcore to 1.250 and multiplier to 48 and ran prime95 again with an average temp of 73 in HWinfo with a single spike to 78 celcius. Ambient today is 18 celcius. It is cold in PA right now and refuse to run my heat in May. Given my ambient temps will be around 22C when the weather warms up and the AC is on, I feel this probably where I should leave it set at the moment. I then ran blend in prime95 with a single spike to 78 but the majority of the test it was 72C. After 20 mins of testing I had no freezes, shutdowns, or BSOD's.

So in your opinion, would you consider those temps safe and my OC stable? Is there another program I should run longer to test stability and what values should I use for custom in Prime95?

You did mention using a different liquid cooling and I'm just wondering what you would suggest. Do you feel I have a 7700k that just runs hot or the kraken is inadequate? I have heard of better temps using the kraken with the 7700k which is why I'm wondering if it's the cooler or the chip.

n0ns3ns3 · May 8, 2017

I think that kraken can keep the CPU within reasonable temps. The problem with 7700 is the thermal paste between the die and IHS. replacing it with something decent (deliding) results in lowering CPU temps by at least 8C. kinda easy, but you lose the warranty and you can destroy the CPU if doing it wrong.
To test CPU overclock stability, I usually leave the custom torture test or blend in prime95 for the night. It also tests the VRM. so if in the morning everything is fine (still running and no errors), just game.
As for different liquid cooling I'm all in for a custom loops with good components (copper rads and, good pumps, good blocks). they tend to live much longer and are much more flexible. you can move them from one build to another, customize, expand, adjust for your needs. The oldest loop that I have is over 10 years old. Still completely functional. I just got bored with it and replaced it with much more fun parts.
If you don't feel like building one yourself (for any reason), there is Swiftech H220 X2 which is AiO style pre assembled custom loop. You can plug and run it or you can expand/customize it in a future if and when you feel ready.
Have a look here for different sizes/models http://www.swiftech.com/aio.aspx
there was a more sleek EK Predator, but they discontinued it. EK promised to release a replacement this spring, but so far, no news.
P.S.
Visited Pittsburgh and Washington PA (business trip) few years ago in spring - was kinda chilly

jrov89 · May 8, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thank you again for the quick response. I wish I had known that prior to my build. I read many good reviews on the kraken so I thought it was a good choice, however with no experience in water cooling or overclocking I didn't know any different. The noctis 450 was not very beginner friendly to build in. I don't know if I could fit a custom water cooler in there, so I would probably need a larger case before I'd attempt that for the first time.

As for right now, I think I will just leave it at 4.8 unless it is unstable or with higher ambient temps my package temp goes beyond 80C. I don't think I hit the silicon lottery with this one, but oh well. Short of a delid, I think that's the best I can do with my current setup. Don't know if I want to risk a delid, so I'll live with this for now. I will do a stability test with prime95 and if it passes I'll consider that a win. By the way, for a custom torture test, what values do you enter? Thank you again for your input.

n0ns3ns3 · May 8, 2017

Min/Max = 1344
Run FFT in place checked
20 minutes.

noctis 450 is a huge case. it can have up to 2x240 or 2x360 rads top and front mounted. i'd do the later for lower noise. That can cool any CPU + 2 high end GPUs all overclocked at reasonably low noise - fans under 1300RPM.
look at my system, it's just a fraction of yours.
So you don't NEED to replace the case. As for the Swiftech's AiO which is a good place to start with custom loop, it is not bigger than kraken.
You can add it (or whatever EK come up with) at any point. I'd do it if and when I found a use (or sell) the kraken or when next GPU upgrade arrives. Simply would slap a full cover block on new one and connect it to a Swiftech/EK. It is much better temperature and noise wise (and probably less expensive) than those Hybrid cards like Seahawk.
Regarding your overclock, what holding you back right now, is the temps. so it might be that it can go to +-5GHz. Though practically, it's not much different from 4.7GHz performance wise. You don't need to overclock right now to play games. Even at stock clocks it will run any game. So you can overclock more and delid later when there will be a need for it or you feel confident enough. realistically, this CPU should be good for 3 years at least IMHO.

jrov89 · May 8, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

I do believe it is capable of 5ghz, just not without a delid. I am tempted to replace the kraken with swiftech even just to see if temps improve, so if I find another use for the kraken I may just do it. As for a custom loop, I may be seeing a problem that for someone with your experience is not there. My concern would be fitting the reservoir in the case.

Regardless, if I find that this is stable even at 4.8ghz I have to consider it a win. This was my first build and first attempt at overclocking. Once I get a little more comfortable a custom loop watercooling setup is definitely the next step.

Thank you again for all the information, you have definitely alleviated my concerns with this build and overclocking.

n0ns3ns3 · May 8, 2017

For a first timer, really good job.
Swiftech is a custom loop that someone assembled for you. It has a pump (DDC), rad, res, CPU block, fittings, tubing. you can replace/change any of them as well as add components like other rads/blocks. Kinda very good place to start with custom loop. I doubt there will be much temperature difference if at all. At least not with stock helix fans. The difference is much lower noise. And of course the customization.

jrov89 · May 8, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thank you. I get bored easy so I know I will likely move to a custom loop or even the swiftech eventually, when I have the extra time and money. For now I am going to tweak this until I get it where I want it. We are expecting our first baby this month so most of my free time will be spent taking care of a newborn

n0ns3ns3 · May 9, 2017

Congrats

It will take some time before you have the extra time

Themastererr · May 9, 2017

You could have the best custom loop setup on the market and it wouldn't make a difference. The problem is the contact between the CPU heat spreader and the dye. Not the between the liquid cooler and the CPU.

You can dedlid your CPU or you can return it and hope you get a better one next time.

The max temp is 100"C. The chip doesn't throttle whatsoever until that point.

I run my 7700k on my kraken x62. 5ghz @ 1.39 volts. Temps hit 90',C in benchmarks. Still got 10 degrees to work with.

Keep in mind anyone who doesn't work as an engineer at Intel is talking out of their butt. Including me. Good luck

jrov89 · May 9, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Thank you. So I thought all was well and I started blend on prime95 and after 3 hours and 17 minutes there was an error and worker 7 stopped. What should I do from here, rerun the test, dial it back to 4.7ghz, increase vcore, or just ignore it lol?

n0ns3ns3 · May 9, 2017

The default path is to bump up the vcore voltage a bit 0.001v or lower the clock a bit. What voltage mode do you use (manual/adaptive) ?
use the HWInfo64 to monitor temperatures. you are interested in CPU cores and VRM.
I wouldn't use "unstable" overclock. In my experience, "worker has stopped" is often caused by memory related settings (RAM overclock, CPU Cache clock/voltage )

jrov89 · May 9, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Using manual mode until I find a stable overclocking, the I planned on switching to adaptive. I reran the test for 4 hours and 15 minutes and had no errors, same vcore at 4.8 ghz. XMP is on, I haven't run memtest yet to test memory specifically. Temp had a single spike to 80 but for the most part stayed around 73. Would you recommend changing vcore or multiplier still?

n0ns3ns3 · May 10, 2017

if this computer is not used for work, just for gaming, and it's not crashing (games/programs or BSOD) I'd leave it as is for now.
if the system become unstable on normal use, you know what to do

jrov89 · May 10, 2017

n0ns3ns3 :

Sounds good. If I have issues I guess I'll have to change some things but for now I'm going to enjoy it while I have the time. Thank you again for all your help.

n0ns3ns3 · May 10, 2017

You are welcome. HF

7700k kraken x62

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