Is it worth overclocking when your temperature threshold is small?

[PaulDubya]

Ok so I'm considering overclocking my i7 4770k chip. I'm running a closed loop corsair cooler, sadly the case I have only allowed me to get the smaller cooler with a single 120m radiator. I just ran prime 95 and my max temp I got was on core #2 at 77*c. After running 3d mark (basic edition) my top temperature was on core #0 at 64*c, core 1 and 2 were at 63. Since I mostly just game I'm not overly concerned about reaching 90*c during gameplay, just very concerned about reaching a critical temperature when running prime 95 to test the stability of my overclock. What are your thoughts community? Is 13*c too small of a window to risk overclocking?

 

[Dunlop0078]

I would overclock it. Prime95 makes your cpu run way hotter than it ever would playing game or using it normally, however 77c really isn't that bad for prime95 even at stock clocks. I honestly don't stress test much anymore, I dont see what it accomplishes I have no desire to run my cpu at 100% usage for several hours or days just to make sure I am absolutely stable on an unrealistic cpu load. I usually just run a stress test for 15 minutes or so, make sure im not immediately crashing or throttling. Then I will play games normally for a few days if I dont crash and temps are okay in game I call it stable. I'm sure some people would consider that a lazy hack way to overclock but it works for me.

 

[PaulDubya]

I'm a lazy hack so I like your way of thinking ^_^

 

[Dunlop0078]

I'm a lazy hack so I like your way of thinking ^_^

If it works it works lol. Just don't go crazy with the voltages and keep the CPU away from TJ max and you wont hurt anything. Worst thing that's gonna happen if your overclock isn't stable is a freeze or a blue screen, nothing a hard restart wont fix.