I agree Prime95 is overkill, but a processor should be able to handle it. This is like the cooling argument all over again - "your cooling system is good enoug

I agree Prime95 is overkill, but a processor should be able to handle it. This is like the cooling argument all over again - "your cooling system is good enough for normal workloads". No, it must be good enough for permanent full load! Like a CPU under Prime95. If your heatsink lets it overheat, it's defective. You saved a few pennies on the copper and now it's a defective product. Same for Prime95, the CPU must be able to run it for days at end and last ~5 years. Doesn't seem like too much to ask for, imo. Intel says their chips will run at 98 degrees for years, so why would a full load like Prime95 kill them in days? One other thing, overclocking these days is actually undervolting combined with raising clocks. The old school "just raise the voltage" is a bad way to do it on any Intel chips post-Sandy Bridge...