I7 cooling system

[senthurpandian]

Hi,

I have built a new gaming RIG recently, after a long discussion in Tom's Hardware forum.
I've now got a doubt in the cooling system of my processor.

I am using the stock CPU cooler of my i7 2600k and am getting 50 degrees easily (as per ASUS visual tool).

Can anyone tell me the necessity of overclocking and a CPU cooler.

I am a gamer and I want to run all of the latest PC games in full resolution (1920x1080 in very high/ultra). My configuration is available in my signature.

Now my questions:

1. Am I supposed to overclock for Gaming reasons? (as of now, my CPU is not reaching full utilization in any of the games I have played)

2. Is CPU cooler required for i7 2600k without overclocking?

3. Is Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus sufficient for i7 - if I am overclocking. Else, suggest one.


Cheers!

Senthur
---------------------
Intel i7 2600k | Asus Sabertooth P67 | Asus GTX 570 | 8G Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz DDR3
Samsung 23" LED @ 1080p | 2TB WD HDD @ 6 Gbps | Corsair TX 750W PSU | CM HAF 912 chassis

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

1.) Do you have to overclock for gaming? No but it can improve your performance on high end games.

2.) Is CPU cooler required for the Intel® Core™ i7-2600K without overclocking? No, the stock cooler works fine and you can even get a small overclock out of it without much problem.

3.) is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus sufficient for i7 - if I am overclocking? Yes I am using one right now and it does fine as long as you arent pushing for high end.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[senthurpandian]

Thanks for your reply

Regd. performance on high end games.
>> I have never seen the CPU utilization more than 50% in any of the games I have played. Is there any such games with the maxed out settings?

Regd. CPU cooler
>> Till what level it will be very stable? I am using Asus Sabertooth P67 with stock CPU fan & Corsair TX 750W PSU

Cheers!


Senthur
---------------------
Intel i7 2600k | Asus Sabertooth P67 | Asus GTX 570 | 8G Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz DDR3
Samsung 23" LED @ 1080p | 2TB WD HDD @ 6 Gbps | Corsair TX 750W PSU | CM HAF 912 chassis

 

[chriscornell]

Keep in mind that Windows doesn't distinguish between physical cpu cores and hyperthreading, so if the Taskmanager is showing a 50% cpu usage, you're actually using 100%. Hyperthreading doesn't affect games positively in 99,9% of the cases.