Running 'Asus Optimal Mode' on Stock Cooling

[playXray]

I've just upgraded to a Core i5 2500K running on an Asus P8Z68-V PRO motherboard with 8GB of Corsair Red Vengeance RAM. This is the stuff if you need to look:

Asus P8Z68-V PRO Z68 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard

Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155 6MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor

Corsair 8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Red Vengeance Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.5V

I'm using the stock HSF that came with my retail CPU. The system is currently running on 'Asus Optimal Mode' as opposed to the standard or power saving modes that can be selected via the BIOS. I haven't had any lock-ups or restarts yet, though until my GTX 560 Ti arrives I haven't done any serious gaming yet. Does anyone know if it's safe to be running the 'Optimal Mode' on a stock cooling solution, or should I stick it back down to standard until I get around to buying a better HSF?

[Muhammad Farrukh]

You should be fine with that. No need to worry

[metal_dragen Veteran]

You could always use Core Temp or the Asus AI Suite tools to monitor your system temps and find out if you are too hot.

That said, you should be fine. The Intel coolers are designed to work with the CPU they are packaged with at stock speeds - they may not be quiet or efficient, but they will cool the CPU just fine.

[Titoist]

I have the exact setup as you. You will have no issues even with heavy GPU games such as Battlefield 3. Overclocked to 4.5GHz and its still running cool around 42C.

[playXray]

Cool, thanks guys, that's all good info.

[Scraggles]

Just got my new system setup. OC'd from 3.4 to 4.5 with stock cooling. Insane. Asus. I love you.

[Mando]

im running same board, zalman cooling added to cpu and running an i7 2600k@4.8ghz no temp increases :D

grab core temp then if u fancy grab the windows vista/7 gadget that reads your core temps.