Upgrade or overclock

[Havocide]

Hey all.

I have been running at stock on my build from end of 2015 and whilst it has been running perfectly fine without issue I am debating an upgrade. Or at most overclocking. Though in my head if it isn't broke dont fix it comes to mind. Board and CPU below.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...-4690k-bundle-12-pounds-saving-bu-006-gi.html

- CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z97X-SLI Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard

I purchased a 1080 when they where released and its been awesome to game with but would like to push it somewhat more as I have been running at 3.5 stock speed on the cpu forever. Being a novice at overclocking it always worried me.

However we attempted a mild overclock which indicated a issue with the water cooler not being very effective so couldn't even go higher than 3.9ghz my query is this.

Should I improve the cooling of the current system, so it can be overclocked to a higher speed. Or is there something out there now that would out do this CPU full stop.

Budget isn't really an issue but of course the less spent the better.

 

[pastymuncher]

What cooler is it? You should get around 4.5Ghz out of that cpu.

 

[gavinh87]

I had one @4.5 it was very capable. If it's not causing you any issues then why upgrade?
On the other hand games are started to show improvements with more cores/threads so if you've got the itch dont go for another i5.

 

[Awahwah]

I had one @ 4.5Ghz. It would limit my then 980 Ti Sli setup. I have now moved on to a Ryzen 1700 @ 3.9Ghz and a 1080 Ti. Gaming is about the same in numbers but feels a lot smoother. That was noticed even with the SLI setup. Prior to the Ryzen build, I was seeing 100% CPU time on BF1\4. Now I don't.

Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of money to upgrade but, sell you old kit and recover some of the outlay.

 

[Havocide]

I have had this cooler since I had this build

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/antec-kuhler-h2o-650-liquid-cpu-cooler-hs-010-an.html

Might be time to put some new paste on it or something. I am currently idle with an MMO in the background whilst I am working sitting around the 30-40oC but when I stressed overclocking it went up to 80/90oC and that was only the tiny upgrade. Nothing unusual going on besides having a browser open with several tabs, emails. Dont get me wrong it never 'struggles' at all but would like to push it somewhat for my bigger games.

Idle without anything is still around 30

 

[Bluntwrapped]

Those temps seem crazy high for such low voltage. Do you have the pump speed turned right down via PWM?

If you're idling in the 30's something definitely isn't right. I would repaste and reseat the cooler, make sure the pump is running ok and if that doesn't work and it is still under warranty send it back for a replacement.

 

[eeii]

You have not mentioned the type of case you have. I would also make sure all your case fans are running and that the air flow is not blocked.

 

[humbug]

I have one running at 4.6Ghz 24/7, its perfectly capable for gaming. i would keep it unless you feel the need to burn a fist full of money....

Edit, PS: this is the cooler, it will actually run it a 4.7Ghz but i don't see the point.... NZXT KRAKEN X31