Quote Originally Posted by CryptiK View Post
There is a difference between 'max' and 'absolute max' vcore.

Max = 1.3625v

Absolute max = 1.45v

If you read the portion of the data sheet I have quoted below, it states that the max voltage is the functional limit of the processor. The absolute maximum voltage lies outside the functional limits of the processor, and long term reliability will be affected to some degree with the severity determined by the length of exposure to these voltages. If you go beyond the absolute max voltage, the processor may not function anymore, or will have it's reliability severely degraded.

We know the CPU's will still function after excursions above 1.45v, however we have no idea how badly they have been damaged. I have benched my E8600 at 1.56v on air for hours with no obvious ill effects.

It should be clear that 'safe' vcore = no more than 1.3625v

Ive read that before, but what gets me is that listed 1.3625 is the max VID, which is not vcore.