Does my setup support overclocking I7-11700KF?

[1stKunoichi]

Hello,

I am thinking of overclocking my CPU to see if I can play new games smoothly with better FPS. Resolution is always 2K when gaming due to my monitor.

Setup:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11700KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core
• Motherboard: MSI MPG Z590 GAMING FORCE ATX LGA1200
• CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i RGB PRO XT 75 CFM
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB RS 32 GB (2x16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18
• Storage: Corsair MP600 Force Series Gen4 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME
• GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB GAMING X TRIO
• PSU: Corsair RM (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
• Monitor: ASUS ROG Swift 360Hz 27” 2K - PG27AQN

I'm considering replacing my thermal paste since it's been almost two years since I built my setup and haven't touched it since. Do you have any recommendations for a good thermal paste? Do you think I should also replace the thermal paste on the GPU?

 

[EarthDog]

Yes.

But your biggest bottleneck with be the GPU at that resolution.

I wouldn't worry about the paste on either unless you're seeing abnormally high temps.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Yeah, I'd leave the paste on the GPU alone especially if you are not in a position to replace the GPU in case of some sort of failure.

 

[1stKunoichi]

Yes.

But your biggest bottleneck with be the GPU at that resolution.

I wouldn't worry about the paste on either unless you're seeing abnormally high temps.

Thank you! I am going to give it a try to increase my cpu to 4.8 (potentially 5.0) and ram frequency to 3600. I am not experienced, so I hope I won't destroy anything.

Do you think I would have better FPS if I play games at 1920x1080 instead of 2K on my monitor? It's 27" - not sure if I will have good quality.

Yeah, I'd leave the paste on the GPU alone especially if you are not in a position to replace the GPU in case of some sort of failure.

Thanks! I won't touch GPU. It reaches around 70c degrees when gaming. I believe that's normal.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Thank you! I am going to give it a try to increase my cpu to 4.8 (potentially 5.0) and ram frequency to 3600. I am not experienced, so I hope I won't destroy anything.

Do you think I would have better FPS if I play games at 1920x1080 instead of 2K on my monitor? It's 27" - not sure if I will have good quality.



Thanks! I won't touch GPU. It reaches around 70c degrees when gaming. I believe that's normal.

FPS is an arbitrary number. If you're 60fps with few or no minor lag causing dips, don't worry about it. Turn the counter off. Is it smooth? Than game the 2k at the settings you can handle.

1080P doesn't look as sharp as 1440P, If the FPS number means more than good visuals, try gaming 1080P. I'd leave it 1440 though. Its probably fine.

70c is perfectly normal. It sounds like everything is doing good. Maybe some minor overclock here and there and good to go!

 

[EarthDog]

1080P doesn't look as sharp as 1440P, If the FPS number means more than good visuals, try gaming 1080P

It looks even less sharp when you go off the native resolution of the monitor. I wouldn't use 1080p on a 1440p monitor unless I was forced to because of performance/feels.