Pushing the Limits: Overclocking an i7-870 in an Ice Bath

In the world of PC enthusiasts, overclocking is an exhilarating challenge that often tests the boundaries of hardware. Recently, I decided to revisit an old classic—the Intel i7-870—to see just how far I could take it on the bench.

After delidding the CPU, I took an unconventional approach by submerging it in an ice bath, coupled with maximum voltage adjustments. My ultimate goal was to achieve a staggering 4.5GHz. However, despite my efforts, the chip just wouldn’t stabilize enough to run through Cinebench. The closest I could get was an impressive 4.4GHz, but the most memorable result was a score of exactly 666 in R15—an eerily fitting number that felt like a cheeky signal from the processor to call it quits.

Throughout the process, I conducted four separate benchmarking runs. Two of these attempts yielded subpar results, while one involved using a submerged radiator. The final “suicide run” was an ambitious experiment to see if the CPU could even boot at maximum voltage, which was capped at 1.7v. Unfortunately, I didn’t set any records, but it was more about the thrill of pushing this old powerhouse to its limits before it protested.

For those interested in witnessing the chaos unfold, I compiled my overclocking adventure into a video for your viewing pleasure:
I Overclocked an i7-870 with an ICE BATH (Cinebench 666)

As a follow-up, I’m excited to announce that my next project will involve overclocking an i7-6700k, and I can’t wait to explore its potential. Stay tuned for more overclocking escapades!