The Intel Skylake i7-6700K Overclocking Performance Mini-Test to 4.8 GHz
by Ian Cutress on August 28, 2015 2:30 PM ESTGaming Benchmarks: Integrated Graphics
Our regular benchmarks for processor reviews consist of Alien Isolation, Total War: Attila, Grand Theft Auto V, GRID: Autosport and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Rather than the full run of graphics cards from $70 and up, we are limiting here to just the low-end testing on integrated graphics and a full on ASUS GTX 980 Strix assault.
Integrated Graphics
Conclusions on Integrated Graphics
It is clear that an overclocked processor gives worse integrated graphics performance when the graphics setting is left on Auto. In some titles, the more overclock gives more of an effect, although 4.6 GHz and 4.8 GHz seems to get similar numbers. The key here is power budget, and by forcing the CPU to work harder, in order to balance the total power the IGP has to decrease in performance - and requires being forced at a certain frequency as a result. These CPUs are not necessarily purchased for their integrated graphics performance, however. Although if DirectX 12 titles are capable of multi-adapter modes where the Intel IGP can be used, it could result in tests for an interesting balance in order to get the best performance.
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MrSpadge - Thursday, September 3, 2015 - link
If HB exposes errors which the other programs do not find, it is a stress test. Just a different one. It's not about the highest power draw & temperature, but about a code path which apparently takes a bit longer to complete than others and hence can't be pushed to such high frequencies.Dr_Orgo - Sunday, August 30, 2015 - link
The conditionally stable overclocking results were pretty interesting. When I overclocked my GTX 970, I primarily used Unigine Heaven to stress test. Got to 1500 MHz stable with voltage maxed in Precision X. Used it in a number of games with zero crashing even with sustained 100% usage, seemed completely stable. Running the unit preloader (loads all units/annimations) in Starcraft 2 would make the game crash every time. Dropping the overclock to 1460 MHz made it stable. I'm not sure what specifically makes that unit preloader less overclock friendly.LemmingOverlord - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
I think the premise behind the Discrete Graphics tests are incorrect. If you max out the settings you are capping the performance of the system by the graphics card. If you lower the settings just a bit, you'll definitely see how the CPU influences overall game performance. I know this is a mini-test, but these discrete tests prove absolutely nothing on how the overclock impacted the game performance.Either lower the detail on these tests, or test with a game that is non-GPU Intensive. Civ V is an excellent benchmark for CPU tests, because it really is CPU-intensive...
dimonakid - Sunday, September 6, 2015 - link
In the past couple of months, we see alot of BSOD and freez and what not from media encoding softwares.Some of our friends mentioned (while they were testing), that this maybea a global XMP issue.
Same resaults regarding handbrake were showing on z77 z68.
Just to comment
SeanJ76 - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
Not impressed, my 4690k does 4.8ghz with a $29 Hyper Evo....InstinctXIV - Friday, November 20, 2015 - link
I would love to see your 4690K do this http://imgur.com/U6ZZ1Ll (It is my PC)gravy1958 - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
I have a 6700k with an asus maximus ranger viii MB and an hours gaming produces regular clock_watchdog_timeout errors if I use the overclocking... and frequent boot fails with the random overclocking failed press F1 to enter setup 8^(gravy1958 - Monday, October 19, 2015 - link
should add it is set at 4.6Ghz and all advice points to the voltage being too low.jonainpdx - Thursday, May 5, 2016 - link
It's pretty obvious that overclocking a new, state of the art CPU is nothing more than a waste of money for a gamer.