CPU delid and direct mount worth it?

I'm building a steam machine with a 3770k and hydro h55 cpu cooler. Due to the size of the case I'm having to use a low profile 120mm fan rather than the fan that comes with the cooler.
Currently I've got the cpu undervolted at 1.18v load and running at 4.3 ghz and temps don't top 80c.
I can run at 4.6ghz with 1.3v but temps get into the 90s so obviously I don't want to torture test for too long. In general windows it never gets that high.

I'm wondering if it's worth de-lidding and modifying the h55 for a direct mount. Has anyone done it on the h55?

Or would you say it's a lot of risk and hassle for the potential gains?

Why do you need to run the CPU at 4.6GHz?

My main rig has SLI'ed 780Ti's and still doesn't max the CPU to 100% while gaming with the CPU at 4.2GHz

If your running SteamOS, there should be even less CPU overheads.

No its running Windows 8.1. I don't need to run it at 4.6ghz it's just because I potentially can.

I've read and watched videos on delidded and fancied giving it a go then my sensible head tells me it's not worth it for 300mhz and lower temps.

I've delidded two of my chips before - both 3570k's using a razor blade
The first one I botched up and lost half of the memory controller (only the 3rd and 4th RAM slots worked) and the second was a success.

I did get nice temperature drops of about 10 degrees (I maybe also mounted it better the second time)

If there was an easy, guaranteed way, I'd say go for it. I currently have a 3770 and I don't think I will de-lid just because of the risk (I've tried again with the blade and just couldn't get it right)
I also don't think you can just mount a H55 - I'd think you need a spacer/shim for direct mount?

I was thinking of shortening the bolts so it would direct mount. It is a risk and having just put the build together it'd be a shame to ruin it now. Maybe I'll try in y months time when everything is tested and stable.

If you had a decent AIO cooler (240 at least) or a custom w/c loop, then it would be more worthwhile.
From what little I know about the 3770Ks and those who have delidded, you should find you can then run it at 4.6GHz with temperatures around 75ºC with relative ease.

Whether it's worth the risk and effort or not, though, is for you to think about.

The problem with all this though is the small case. De-lidding it won't reduce the amount of heat you need to dissipate and de-lidding will make you want to run it faster, therefore creating more heat to get rid of.

When I hear "Steam machine, small case" I think front-room and therefore silence.

Shaithis you are very much correct in your statement. It's next to my TV. Currently (still waiting on 970 to arrive) the machine is inaudible.
I'm having an internal battle with the overclocker in me and the near silent gaming rigger..