pc hardware•Mon, October 19, 2026•4 min read

The 12-Year-Old CPU That Still Has Gas in the Tank: A New World Record

While the tech world focuses on the latest silicon, an overclocker has proven that vintage hardware still holds surprises. By pushing a 2013-era Intel Core i5-4670K to 6.3 GHz, a new Cinebench record has been set after 12 years of standing unchallenged.

Defying Obsolescence with Liquid Nitrogen

In an era where tech cycles move at breakneck speed, it is easy to assume that hardware from a decade ago belongs in a museum. However, overclocking expert Luumi has demonstrated that with enough skill—and a significant amount of liquid nitrogen—ancient silicon can still make headlines. The latest achievement? A new world record in Cinebench R11.5 using an Intel Core i5-4670K, a processor that first hit the market back in 2013.

The setup used to push the Haswell-era i5-4670K to its limits.

Breaking a 12-Year Stagnation

The i5-4670K, built on Intel’s 'Haswell' architecture, was a staple for PC builders in the mid-2010s. By utilizing advanced liquid nitrogen cooling to reach a staggering 6.3 GHz clock speed, Luumi managed to squeeze a score of 10.8 points out of the chip in the Cinebench R11.5 benchmark. This feat is particularly remarkable because the previous record for this specific hardware had remained unchallenged for 12 years.

Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K (Haswell)
Overclocked Frequency: 6.3 GHz
Benchmark: Cinebench R11.5
Record Score: 10.8 cb

Why This Matters for Enthusiasts

This record isn't just about raw speed; it is a testament to the longevity of enthusiast-grade hardware. The 'K' series chips from Intel have historically been the golden ticket for PC builders, as they feature unlocked multipliers that allow users to tweak performance beyond factory settings. Even today, the passion for pushing hardware to the absolute edge remains a core component of the PC building community, proving that the 'enthusiast' spirit transcends the age of the components.

You don’t need the latest and greatest PC hardware to have fun or even break overclocking world records.
— Tom's Hardware Analysis

Key Takeaways

A 12-year-old Cinebench R11.5 record was officially broken by overclocker Luumi.
The record-breaking CPU was a 2013 Intel Core i5-4670K (Haswell architecture).
Liquid nitrogen cooling was essential to stabilize the chip at a 6.3 GHz frequency.
The final benchmark score achieved was 10.8 points.
The achievement highlights that older enthusiast hardware remains a valid platform for competitive overclocking.

FAQ

What is the Intel Core i5-4670K?

The i5-4670K is a mid-range CPU from Intel's 2013 'Haswell' line, known for being an 'unlocked' chip that allowed users to overclock.

What is Cinebench R11.5?

Cinebench R11.5 is a benchmark tool used to evaluate the rendering performance of a CPU. It has been a standard in the overclocking community for many years.

How did Luumi achieve this record?

By using liquid nitrogen cooling to maintain extreme temperatures, allowing the processor to reach a stable 6.3 GHz clock speed.

Why is this record significant?

It is significant because the previous world record for this specific CPU architecture had stood for 12 years before being surpassed.