Does a High Voltage Kill the CPU Faster than High Temps???

PCKid777

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Background Info: After RMA'ing my MB, I am unable to set a once stable overclock of 218Mhzx11 @1.65V. I was only able to reach 210x11 @ 1.7V.

Question: Right now, I am going to test out a 200x12.5 @1.775V setting. Temps are fine at idle: 40C, 104F. And my MAX CPU Temp warning is set at 54C, 129F if it should reach that high (doubtful). Will high volts, however, decrease the life of the CPU?
 

PCKid777

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Uhm...Normal Results (all at 1.775V):

12.5x200 = 2.5Ghz = FAILURE
12x200 = 2.4Ghz = FAILURE
12x210 = 2.52Ghz = FAILURE, though it handled COD2 for 20 minutes LONGER than the other settings.
11.5x210 = 2.42Ghz = COD2 CRASH within a minute
 

AntiHax0r

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I think high voltage does kill a CPU faster than high temps in the way of electron migration (I have heard of this many times, but I don't know enough to explain it.. so I won't)

CPUs that are well designed should be able to take high temps, like the Pentium-M which can take temps up to 100C before any serious damage occurs.
 

chuckshissle

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That's a lot of voltage you're putting to your cpu. I don't even dare to go pass 1.45v with water cooling, cuz even with it at lower temperature, still high voltage is not good for the cpu.
 

rexter

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I took my electronic class way back in the '80s, so 'am a little rusty on this part.
Voltage is just a carrier, think of it as a water pipe. And water flow is the current.
For example:
1 diameter of water pipe = 1 volt. = 1 Amp.
When you increase the voltage you increase the provability of current. Therefore more watts, which mean more heat as well.
So your question of Voltage is yes. It will kill your processor eventually. Depend on you CPU thermal breakdown.
 

PCKid777

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Thanks for the replies. I was already worried at the 1.775V setting, and it still wasn't stable so I just gave up. I have more important things to do (homework...ugh.. and games to play :) ) than try to find a better OC. So I'm gonna settle for the 11x210 setting (it seems stable at 1.65V, will test with more games in the future).