Intel 13900K & 13600K Temperature Myths BUSTED

Summary

This video explores the performance and cooling requirements of Intel's 13th gen processors, focusing on the 13900k and 13600k. It investigates how different cooling solutions, from budget air coolers to high-end AIOs, impact temperatures and clock speeds. The video clarifies misconceptions about the processors' power consumption and cooling needs, revealing that while the 13900k demands robust cooling for optimal performance, especially in all-core workloads, the 13600k is more forgiving. It also addresses motherboard settings that can push CPUs beyond Intel's specs, affecting temperature and power draw, and provides insights into gaming performance across various coolers.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The launch of Intel's 13th gen processors has sparked debates on their performance and cooling requirements.
• 🔥 Early reviews were polarized, with some claiming the processors were power-hungry and difficult to cool, while others found them manageable with typical air cooling.
• 🌡️ The video aims to explore the middle ground, testing various cooling solutions from budget air coolers to high-performance AIOs on Intel's 13th gen CPUs.
• 💰 The Deepcool AK-400 and AK-620 air coolers, along with Deep Cool's LT series AIOs, are tested to see how they perform with the new processors.
• 🔋 The video discusses the power levels of Intel's CPUs, highlighting how motherboard settings can push beyond Intel's maximum Turbo Power, leading to high temperatures and power consumption.
• ❌ Some motherboards' auto settings can lead to excessive power draw and heat, which is not recommended for long-term use and can be controlled with manual settings.
• 🎮 For gaming, the 13900k is much easier to cool, and high-performance can be achieved even with quieter cooling solutions.
• 📉 The performance difference between various coolers is minimal in gaming scenarios, suggesting that the 13900k is more manageable than initially feared.
• 🆚 The 13600k, being a more budget-friendly option, is shown to be easier to cool and performs optimally even with entry-level air coolers.
• 🔧 The video concludes that while the 13900k may require robust cooling for intensive all-core workloads, the 13600k is more forgiving and suitable for a wider range of cooling solutions.

Q & A

What are the two common categories of reviews for Intel's 13th gen processors?

The reviews for Intel's 13th gen processors typically fell into two categories: either they were described as fire-breathing monsters with high power consumption and difficult to cool, or they were considered power-hungry but easier to cool than expected.

What is the role of air cooling in keeping Intel's 13th gen CPUs at optimal frequencies?

Air cooling is sufficient to keep a processor like the 13900k cool enough to reach optimal frequencies, suggesting that typical air cooling solutions can manage the heat output of these CPUs effectively.

What are the two types of air coolers mentioned in the script for testing Intel's 13th gen CPUs?

The two types of air coolers mentioned are the Deepcool AK-400, a budget heatsink, and the Deepcool AK620, which matches the performance of top-tier air coolers in most tests.

What is the significance of the Deepcool LT series AIOs in the context of the video?

The Deepcool LT series AIOs are highlighted as some of the best-looking AIOs with a simple yet cool geometric pattern and are competitively priced, making them a significant part of the cooling solutions tested in the video.

What is the 'Running Without Limits' setting on some motherboards, and how does it affect CPU power consumption?

The 'Running Without Limits' setting on some motherboards allows the CPU to push beyond Intel's maximum Turbo Power, reaching up to 300 watts, which can lead to extremely high temperatures and power consumption.

How does the power consumption of the 13900k CPU behave under different motherboard settings?

The 13900k CPU's power consumption can vary significantly depending on the motherboard settings, with some settings pushing it to 300 watts and others adhering to Intel's default of 253 watts or a predetermined period before reducing power.

What is the impact of the extra power consumption on the 13900k's overall clock speeds?

The extra power consumption, while leading to higher temperatures, does not significantly affect the overall clock speeds over longer periods, with the difference being less than a three percent bump in frequencies.

How do the 13600k CPUs handle power consumption and cooling compared to the 13900k?

The 13600k CPUs handle power consumption and cooling more efficiently, with the ability to hit maximum frequencies even with less expensive cooling solutions, making them easier to cool than the flagship 13900k.

What is the 'Intel's defaults' setting and how does it affect the 13600k CPU's performance?

The 'Intel's defaults' setting ensures the 13600k CPU operates within Intel's specified power limits, which is sufficient for the CPU to achieve maximum turbo frequencies without the need for additional cooling or power headroom.

What is the conclusion regarding the cooling requirements for Intel's 13th gen CPUs based on the video script?

The conclusion is that while the 13900k may require a more robust cooling solution for optimal performance, especially in all-core workloads, the 13600k is much easier to cool and can achieve peak performance with even entry-level air coolers, making it a more manageable option for users.