My i9 14900k still hitting 100c after undervolting

Title: Troubleshooting High Temperatures on the Intel Core i9-14900K After Undervolting

Introduction

Building a high-performance PC involves numerous adjustments to optimize thermal performance and ensure stability. Recently, I attempted to undervolt my Intel Core i9-14900K on a Z790 Tomahawk Max WiFi motherboard with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Dual V2 and a Lian Li HydroShift 360 TL liquid cooler. Despite these efforts, I am still experiencing temperatures reaching 100°C during gaming. In this article, I’ll share my experience, the steps I’ve taken, and seek advice on how to further improve my CPU’s thermal performance.

System Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K
• Motherboard: MSI Z790 Tomahawk Max WiFi
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Dual V2
• Cooler: Lian Li HydroShift 360 TL liquid cooling system

Initial Undervolting Settings and Attempts

As someone new to undervolting, I started with conservative adjustments to my CPU’s voltage and power settings:

• Load-Line Calibration (LLC): Mode 4
• CPU IA AC/DC Loadline: 10/10
• Vcore Offset: -0.125V
• Multi-Core Enhancement (MCE): Disabled
• Critical Enhanced Parameters: Enabled (CEP/CEP 14th)

Despite these changes, during intensive gaming sessions, my CPU still reaches 100°C, which raises concerns about thermal throttling and potential long-term damage.

Understanding the Challenges

Undervolting aims to decrease the CPU’s voltage to reduce heat output while maintaining stability. However, high temperatures can still occur due to several factors:

• Cooling System Limitations: Even premium coolers can struggle under heavy loads with high-end CPUs.
• Thermal Paste and Mounting: Ineffective application or improper mounting can impact heat transfer.
• Voltage and Power Settings: Inadequate or incompatible settings may prevent effective undervolting.
• Ambient Temperature and Case Ventilation: External factors influence thermal performance.

Recommendations for Improvement

Given the current situation, here are some steps that could help reduce CPU temperatures:

1. Verify Cooler Installation
2. Ensure the Lian Li HydroShift 360 TL is properly mounted with even pressure.
3. Clean the radiator and fans to prevent dust buildup.
4. Optimize CPU Voltage Settings
5. Use CPU Vcore manually set rather than offset to find a stable