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question about Core i7 /stock cooling

M

Morrisvald

n00b
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
62
Is the stock cooler for Core i7 860 completely worthless? Would it be a wise decision to use "Xigmatek HDT-S963" as cooler instead?
 
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Do temps need to be kept low for the i7 860 trubo mode to come on? If the CPU is running hot will the turbo not be used?

I will probably get a $50 midrange cooler to replace the stock one even though I am not overclocking.
 
ya. if you arent overclocking i wouldnt worry about buying an aftermarket cooler
 
Jumpem said:
Do temps need to be kept low for the i7 860 trubo mode to come on? If the CPU is running hot will the turbo not be used?
Click to expand...
Turbo mode depends on how loaded the CPU is and not on its temperature.
Jumpem said:
I will probably get a $50 midrange cooler to replace the stock one even though I am not overclocking.
Click to expand...
That would be pointless.
 
Zero82z said:
Turbo mode depends on how loaded the CPU is and not on its temperature.
Click to expand...

Here's a quote from the November 2008 Intel® Turbo Boost Technology White Paper. When this was written, they were referring to ther original Core i7-9xx series CPUs but I believe it also applies to the newer socket 1156 CPUs as well.

1.2 Dependencies / Algorithm
Intel® Turbo Boost technology core frequency upside availability is ultimately constrained by power delivery limits, but within those constraints, it is limited by the following factors:

• The estimated current consumption of the processor
• The estimated power consumption of the processor
• The temperature of the processor

The number of active cores at any given instant dictates the upper limit of Intel® Turbo Boost technology. For this discussion, a core is considered ‘active’ if it is in the “C0” or “C1” state; cores in the “C3” or “C6” state are considered ‘inactive’. The upper limits will vary on a per processor number basis. For example, one particular processor may allow up to two frequency steps (266.66 MHz) when just one core is active and one frequency step (133.33 MHz) when two or more cores are active. Therefore, higher deep C-state residency (“C3” or “C6”) on some cores will generally result in increased core frequency on the active cores.
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If a user is not overclocking they shouldn't have to worry that core temperature will become a factor and it's not likely it will ever reduce their turbo overclock, even with the OEM cooler. At full load, these CPUs don't run that hot at default settings.

When a user does overclock and starts using extra core voltage then temperatures can become a limiting factor like they were for many Asus P6T based motherboards before Asus started releasing special bios versions to take care of this issue.
 
Hmm, I thought it only depended on the TDP of the CPU. I was wrong then.
 
The stock cooler is more than sufficient if not overclocking. I would even say that it is enough for an overclock of under 20-25%. Anything over that will probably require a good aftermarket cooler to keep the temperature down.
 
When testing on the P6T series, it seemed to be somewhere around a core temperature of 80C to 85C which is higher than most users comfortable range at full load.

I was reading some Intel documentation the other day, i7 mobile CPUs I think, and they recommend leaving 10C of head room to ensure that turbo boost will always be available so that would imply a maximum temperature of 90C. Since there are the 3 factors that can trigger this, it's best to be a little on the safe side.

The stock cooler is more than sufficient if not overclocking.
Click to expand...

That's the most important conclusion. There's no need to spend extra money on a fancy cooler so your CPU can be at a comfy temperature. I wouldn't be too happy at over 60C but a CPU will run reliably at 60C or 70C for a very long time or until you are completely bored with it. Whatever comes first.
 
PC_User said:
The stock cooler is more than sufficient if not overclocking.
Click to expand...

+1

The cooler was designed to be adequate for normal operation. Don't throw away money on aftermarket cooling. If you aren't going to OC, and you still want to spend the money somewhere, send it to me, lol. Would be just about as useful as far as your computer ops would be, hehe.
 
Since improved cooling effects the "turbo" performance of this CPU IMO an improved cooling solution seems like a good idea.
 
When not overclocking, you will probably be able to hit 90C before you see any difference or lowering in turbo performance. With the OEM cooler, you'll be fine. There is nothing to gain by spending more money on a cooler if you don't intend to overclock.
 
Ok, thanks for all answers.

Just another question , What is the maximum temperature Core i7 860 will rise to, while using the stock cooler?
I am a bit worried about the temperature, because it gets quite warm in my apartment, especially on the summer, (I had to replace my old computers stock cooler (P4 3Ghz).)

Thanks!
 
Morrisvald said:
Ok, thanks for all answers.

Just another question , What is the maximum temperature Core i7 860 will rise to, while using the stock cooler?
I am a bit worried about the temperature, because it gets quite warm in my apartment, especially on the summer, (I had to replace my old computers stock cooler (P4 3Ghz).)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It depends on the core frequency, number of threads, and Vcore voltage. Also depends on whether or not the system is overclocked. If it is, the temps will be higher. You can actually test the temps yourself by running a program such as Prime95, LinX, Intel Burn Test, or OCCT and see how high the temps go. As is expected, they will be higher than those that are seen with an aftermarket cooler.
 
Ok , but how much will the average temperature with (package) standard configuration be? (Stock cooler)
 
What are you measuring your temps with and is that 74c Oc'd or stock frequencies ?

1000
 
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