MAKING INTEL BETTER
I’ve spent a good while trying AMD’s Ryzen architecture at home, and although it’s a fantastic little chip, the overclocking experience is incredibly limited, and it hasn’t quite satisfied my progressive power itch.
Recently, Intel loaned us two Core i9-7900Xs, and I’m tempted to take one of those for a personal upgrade. The thing is, X299 has issues involving overclocking, too. The first is to do with the VRMs (voltage regulation modules) throttling the processor once they hit 107 C. That’s a fairly easy fix—the answer is to invest in a liquidcooled monoblock that cools both the processor and the VRMs.
Far more terrifying to solve is the fact that Intel refuses to solder the IHS (heat spreader) on to the CPU die, instead using cheap thermal paste to transfer heat from the die to the IHS. The solution would be to delid the CPU, a risky process that typically requires you to use a razor blade to separate the IHS from the CPU and PCB. So, we got in touch with Der8auer, the world famous overclocker, to see whether he could loan us one of his Delid Die Mate Xs. It’s a neat little device, that removes the IHS safely. It’s then up to us to clean off the glue, apply liquid metal thermal paste between the CPU die and the IHS, then reglue the IHS back down for far lower temperatures. Still terrifying, but in the hunt for better thermals, overclocks, and more, we simply have to give it a try.