Maxsun Ice frequency stability and OC backup tips
The biggest mistake I made was blindly raising the power limit. I used Intel XTU to unlock the power walls, and my temps shot up to 84°C instantly, which triggered a massive throttle. I then used OCCT for a loop stress test and saw the temps jumping between 78-84°C, proving that too much voltage was causing thermal runaway. I switched to MSI Afterburner to set a stepped acceleration fan curve, which managed to pin the core temp at 76°C. Finally, I verified the stability and backed up the profile. The lesson here is that stability isn't about unlocking power; it's about aggressive undervolting and cooling to create headroom for the clocks. If the temp swing isn't controlled, your OC profile is worthless.