Overclocking i7-9700K

Matthew Hunt · 13 Dec 2018 at 14:51

What should a 9700K overclock to?

I currently have my 9700K overclocked to 5GHz @1.300V, but seems to become unstable when pushing it any higher.

Now I have seen multiple posts online stating that they have the 9700K overclocked to 5.3Ghz and that 5.2Ghz should be easily achievable.
So does this mean I have lost the silicon lottery?

I have the ASUS Hero XI motherboard and a Corsair H110 CPU cooler.
Temps are not an issue as overclocked on Prime95 my CPU reaches 78c max, and doesn't go any higher.

Although I am sure there are CPU coolers out there much better than the 5/6 year old H110.

Doug2507 · 13 Dec 2018 at 16:01

Not exactly lost but nothing special.

Bluntwrapped · 14 Dec 2018 at 13:23

Chances are you'll need to tighten up vdroop via LLC when pushing any higher than 5GHz.

MartinPrince · 15 Dec 2018 at 18:58

I suspect the reports of 5.2 - 5.3 are more the exception that the rule. I think you have a fairly representative 9700K and 5Ghz at 1.3v sounds pretty good to me. I would be happy with it there as there is little difference with going higher for more heat and shorter CPU life.

Distracted · 15 Dec 2018 at 19:06

According to the only place that is releasing binning statistics right now, approximately 3/4 (72%) 9700k can hit 5.0GHz or higher with 1.35v or less.

For 5.1GHz or higher the figure is approximately 1/4 (27%) at 1.362v or lower.

I don't know of anywhere else that is binning as many cpus with identical stress tests and requirements and releasing the stats.

Of course there will be higher and lower bins. There will also people that acheive the same or different clocks without being as thorough with stability testing.

As a guide, however, the stats are useful.