I get your point, but no-one "wants" to set it at base and turn off boost... not willingly... definitely not me.
But if for instance this was a concern for me and I wanted an 8 core CPU on this platform, I could've just gotten a 7700 and been much more comfortable or just go get a better cooling solution. Have not seen anyone complaining about the non-X skus unless it is a terrible pre-built (big box shelf product) or overclocked and lets be honest those things are most often nerfed at the bios level and locked. I would really like to converse with an AMD engineer to see what they calculated the IHS to be optimally before they were forced on the AM4 cooler compatibility path.
I agree to do proper testing as in a from the factory equivalent would need to be soldered and would likely cook the chip without proper setup that uber controls the environment. But I think we can still get an idea form using liquid metal in place of the solder. Taking the numbers from liquid metal and add a couple/few extra degrees and this is what should be expected form solder. Not an exact science but I bet I can find a chart showing the differences in stock solder to liquid metal and get fairly close.
I agree with the the possibilities of needing a thicker design and higher temperature gradients, but that's a lot of maybes and speculative thinking. I don't know, one of the reasons I want to experiment on it.
Everyone's temps are different due to the overabundance of options and builders... including builders throwing crap together that should never be combined in cases that should never have been made. Different cooling solutions and different environments. But you are also absolutely not wrong that just about everything can throw off results from one user to another in comparison.
Temps don't just matter at throttle point though. Rate of climb effects the algorithm's behavior while ramping, it is going to adjust it's boost behavior if too much saturation occurs.
Never really considered that they are basically overclocking to the max to satisfy gamers and enthusiasts and not to mention to beet the other guys on the performance numbers... Some do still provide the cooler, the AMD non-X skus with lower clocks, thermals and freq... Hmmm
Overclocking on ambient died? Maybe mainstream, but not for me! I don't need to make a leaderboard to feel good about what I am doing or to feel that feeling of success when I hit a PR. If your only incentive is to be on a leaderboard than yeah ambient is not for you. The last few systems I have done stuff like this with, I was able to consistently get results equal to a lot of AIO overclockers with my wimpy air coolers and that is still a win for me and that is all I need. I am fueled by PRs and the love of the process.
Plates are not fine... aaaahhhh!
I am going to be clear for anyone that might stumble upon this later and not read the mile long thread we have going here (long for me anyways for a casual read). I do not "need" to do this, My AK500 does sufficient cooling for the 7700X and a water cooler would do even better. I am experimenting and testing my theory that is shared by many that the IHS is garbage on the AM5 platform, at least for the X skus. I know that there is some content around this out there but
I want to experiment for myself.
This is what I am going to do...
I will not be using an AIO for testing... the ones I have need to be cleaned if used for testing for good results but pumps are not what they once were either and I am not going to spend ~$150 dollars or more on something that I am not going to use long term, sorry I know this will likely upset some. I apologize.
This weekend:
1. I will be pulling my stock #s and results with the current stock 7700X, Kryosheet and AK500 Zero Dark with dual Arctic static pressure fans
2. Replace the Kryosheet with Kryonaut and run again at stock. ding this so I don't have to invest in a million Kryosheets... degradation with each re-use, not ideal for testing
3. Lap surface of IHS, lap surface of the AK500 install with Kryonaut and run again
Tracking and bench tests:
HWinfo64 v7.68 cleared before each run
Cinebench R23 10 minute run single and multi
Maybe some gaming numbers, might not have time day of release of info but will eventually do gaming numbers
Following:
Do incremental IHS reduction and track at 0.2 MM increments, lapping and doing runs at each increment, stopping at likely a 1.0-1.7 mm reduction depending on where/if I start to see diminishing returns.
I will likely have to mess with the mounting with the different heights, but I have a plan to help with this. Just need to find some 0.2mm spacers, likely nylon or some other non-conductive plastic or change out the posts for something more adjustable. I am pretty meticulous so I should be able to figure this out.
Following that:
De-lid and replace with a performance IHS using Conductonaut liquid metal between die and IHS and Kryonaut to the lapped AK500
Replacement IHS = TBD
Direct Die:
TBD - saving for investments needed for this endeavor... I would do custom water cooling for this
Keep in mind this is being done on my free time. I am not a content creator that gets paid or reimbursed through add revenue for their time. I run my own small business and work a 50+hr/wk job and have 4 kids in the house. Life happens... Just be patient and I promise I will deliver. Gotta go in today for an emergency electrical service and deal with server power backup and shutdown if needed.. but tomorrow I should be able to get started.
I will except all suggestions, but will likely not be persuaded from my course of action above unless I see something really compelling that does not require a large investment.
Thank you for any and all input so far, hope you guys are excited to see the results as I am!