Intel Skylake-X Core i7-7800X Review – The True HEDT Entry-Point?

👤by Tim Harmer Comments 📅29-06-17
Overclocking



We weren’t expecting CPU overclocks as high as Kaby Lake-X’s 5.2 GHz – higher core numbers inevitably leads to lower headroom in both voltages and temperatures. Skylake-X nonetheless rewarded us handsomely for pushing the envelope even a little, echoing the mainstream Skylake CPUs and garnering us some great results.

Our best stable overclock, one that we were comfortable with both temperatures and voltages, was 4.8GHz and represents a 33% increase over a 3.5 GHz base clock. Frankly, that’s pretty great as a result from only a relatively minor voltage tweak to 1.32 as input in BIOS, even if 90C is at the limit of acceptable. Greater frequencies were possible for short periods, so the chip could be a real contender for overclocking enthusiasts willing to endlessly tweak their settings.

For reference, using the same NZXT Kraken cooler stock load temperatures hovered around the 52C mark. The Kraken is a closed loop liquid AIO cooler, so arguably the temperatures are close to a best case for the consumer market; custom water cooling setups and of course more exotic solutions should do a better job of keeping an overclocked i7-7800X under control.



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