Delid for maximum performance
There’ s an additional way to get extra performance out of your CPU and that is to delid it. Delidding your CPU will reduce your CPU temperatures by 15-30C on load which allows for higher voltage settings thus higher overclocks.
Delidding is the process of removing the integrated heat spreader( silver part) from the PCB( green part). Once you delid you can remove the thermal interface material( TIM) that is used to conduct heat between the IHS and the PCB and replace it with superior performing thermal paste.
There are a few ways to delid. The safest way is to use a delidding tool that is available on the market.
Thermals
We ran tests using air and watercooling setups at different voltages using both delidded and non-delidded Intel Core i-7700K’ s to show the difference in thermal performance.
Our Watercooling Setup
Water cooler: Enermax LIQMAX II 120S All-In-One CPU Liquid Cooler Motherboard: Z270X-Gaming 7
Our Aircooling Setup
Air cooler: Enermax ETS-T40 fit Motherboard: Z270X-Gaming 7
Note: Using a larger air cooler or a water cooling setup will result in lower temperatures and possibly allow for higher frequencies.
Non-delidded temperatures in Celsius( average of all cores)
1.30v idle @ 4.8Ghz 1.30v load @ 4.8Ghz 1.35v idle @ 4.9Ghz 1.35v load @ 4.9Ghz Air ~ 31.5 ~ 91.25 ~ 35.5 ~ 97.75 Water ~ 30.75 ~ 85 ~ 32.75 ~ 94
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