Ryzen 9 9950X3D delidded and overclocked to nearly 6 GHz by first timer
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The AMD Ryzen 9950X3D is AMD’s most recent addition to the X3D lineup. CPUs with the X3D suffix have proven popular with PC gaming enthusiasts thanks to additional 3D V-Cache. Some users have managed to get even more performance out of these chips, resulting in some incredible figures.
Processors with the X3D suffix have claimed the top of ‘Best CPU for Gaming’ lists since they first began to be released. Even so, some users want to see how far the performance of chips can be pushed, and engage in the tricky process of ‘delidding’ the CPU.
- Cores: 16
- Threads: 32
- Boost Clock speed: 5.7GHz
- Base clock speed: 4.3GHz
- L3 Cache: 128MB
- TDP: 170W
Delidding the 9950X3D
Delidding involves removing the heatspreader from the CPU unit and running a custom cooling setup directly to the CPU die. This set-up allows users to overclock the CPU whilst still retaining fairly low temperatures.
The project was undertaken by Reddit user u/UserBhoss, who admitted the process was very scary despite their experience with water cooling and liquid metal setups. Remarkably, UserBhoss did not use a specifically designed delidding kit, such as the ones offered by Thermal Grizzly, and they say it was their “first ever Delid for a cpu as well”. Instead, they utilized household objects such as a clothes iron and a length of monofilament fishing line.
“I used strong thin string to remove the silicone on the IHS legs, then used the clothes iron, I placed the CPU for no longer than 2-3 seconds about 5-7 times before the IHS just slid off like butter,” UserBhoss explained in a Reddit post.
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They went on to say that the delidded CPU managed to get up to almost 6GHz when overclocked and connected to a water cooling solution. When tested in Furmark’s CPU Burner software, it stayed at a reasonable 72-73°C.
Despite the good results UserBhoss managed, delidding is not usually a process for those without extensive technical knowledge who are prepared to accept the risk of something going catastrophically wrong.
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