Project Node 202 Update – System Failure

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I’ll start off with the good points, all the components fit nicely together inside the Fractual Design Node 202 case.

The bad, everything works to an extent but the motherboard, ASUS Z170I Pro Gaming Vcore regulation is no where near as good as the MSI Z170A Krait Gaming Motherboard I was using. It shoots to high when on AUTO mode, Adaptive mode and Offset mode. The functioning of Adaptive mode is for the most part broken and Offset mode works better but again it seems to have no limits and scales higher than what is set. Load line calibration options do work but in conjunction with Adaptive mode or offset mode adds further issues.

My MSI Z170A Krait Gaming motherboard does all the above without issues.

  • You simply find out your CPU’s maximum VID voltage by running it at the turbo boost frequency (6700K = x42) and do a prime95 max power test.
  • This gives you a VID / Vcore value in Hardware monitor.
  • Based on that, you choose your offset voltage.
  • And next time when you do a Prime95 max power test, the Vcore value shown in hardware monitor will be exactly the VID voltage + chosen offset voltage.
  • Easy, stable and works.

Quite disappointing which meant I couldn’t overclock the i7-6700K in the ASUS Z170I Pro Gaming motherboard.

The other main issue lies with the CPU temperatures, due to the motherboards Voltage regulation and possibly the Scythe cooler I was not able to maintain satisfactory temperatures. With any minor load the Cores would hit 70 Degrees C, a stress test using Prime95 was not an option.

Intel XTU benchmark with the Scythe’s fan running max speed, 85 Degrees C.
In comparison, the MSI Z170A Krait Gaming with the i7-6700K at 4.4Ghz 1.280v, Zalman CNPS10X cooler, 56 Degrees C.

The Core temperatures were very unstable in the Asus Z170I Pro Gaming motherboard that I ultimately ceased project node 202. Heat dissipation is way below what I require which results in excessive noise. The Asus Z170I Pro Gaming motherboard’s BIOS options, in particular Vcore adjustment are poorly coded to the point of making it unusable.

My i7-6700K deserves better, lower temps, stable voltage and silent operation. Right now I have reverted back to my old hardware with the Samsung 960 EVO nVme as my main drive.