Just Dropped My CPU Core Temp by 50C In 5 Mins

metoo

metoo

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Mar 7, 2008
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So I randomly open up CPUz/CPUID and am looking at my stats, as I've had my computer on for a while, and it runs slower then expected once in a while. Turns out my CPU core temp is running at approx 98C across all 4 cores (i7 chip), all fans spinning at 100% capacity! It turns off at 100C so I'm told.

I open up my comp, and remember when I was building it that one of the clamps on the stock cooler didn't fit properly into the mobo. I was worried about my shiny new parts at that point so didn't press too hard in case I broke something.

But at this point, after seeing the 98C reading, I'm like screw it. I open up all 4 clamps, and press down so hard I'm actually expecting the mobo to crack at any point. In 2013, having clamps that don't fit properly, is a stupid problem to have (esp with such an expensive part of the comp) - but anyways.

All 4 clamps now seem to be in place and I lock em in. Also air blasted the internal components as it was a little dusty.

Straight after this, I turn the comp back on and it's running at 48C-51C across all 4 cores. Thank goodness.

Anyways, in case you're running a little slow, check out your comp stats once in a while. I must have been running mine at 98C for approx 8 months - maybe more. So although they seem to make a bad ass chip that can take a beating, I wish they could make a cooler that bloody fits properly, without any fuss.

PS: I heard about a guy just using regular nuts and bolts to get a good fit for the cooler over the CPU. Might be a better solution in case you're having these same issues...
 


48c still sounds a little on the high side when idle, should be around 40c with the stock intel cooler.

regarding the fitment, it's usually a once time install, it's tight for a reason :p
 
If the heat sink was off for 8 months like you say, did you notice if your thermal paste was dried out? Might need another application if you notice your temp going up again. Thermal paste is a grease which increases the thermal conductivity between the processor and the heatsink(the metal part with fins/fan))

Also, computer parts are way stronger than people think. I had a job restoring hundreds of computers from all makes and models, some I literally thought I was manhandling, and they all came out fine.
 
I've looked around online and 48 seems ok. It's not the coolest, but compared to what I've been running on, I'll take 48C gladly! Some people claim 30C is average - I have no idea how they're managing this on stock unless they actually are living in a fridge!?!

Also, I think when I first installed it, I used thermal paste alongside the little rubberish pad that usually comes with the cooler. This time though, I didn't actually take the cooler fully off, but will keep an eye on the temps. If it starts climbling again, I'll need to get a lil Arctic Silver to squeeze in between.
 
metoo said:
Also, I think when I first installed it, I used thermal paste alongside the little rubberish pad that usually comes with the cooler.
Click to expand...

All you did there is make it less efficient, if you have decent paste, first remove the pad that comes with the cooler, with alcohol or better. you really only want a tiny smidge of it too.
 
Maybe that's why it's running at 48 instead of lower. I'll keep an eye on it, if it gets too high I'll clean it up and add some Arctic Silver alone.

Cheers.
 
You will want to add really good thermal paste after removing the old stuff. There are tons of articles about which paste is better, but I bet at this point anything is better than what you have. Essentially you want to apply no more than a grain of rice to the center of the cleaned i7 chip. Use alcohol, not other products as you could damage your chip.

Alternatively get a H80/81 high performance closed water cooler which is what I'm running and i'm 40 C's across the board on an i7. Min 37c and Max 46c. I live in Costa Rica and ambient temps here are constantly around 25c. So I can tell you this works great.
 
I idle around 45c, i7 3.6 ghz, 2011 socket build, but my fans are only operating at 20-30% capacity. If I increase my fan speeds manually, it gets cooler but also louder. The fans automatically increase in speed if I'm gaming or something intensive like that.

I agree with what the previous posters said. If your cooler was never seated properly, chances are your paste is all dried out and gross. If you remove the cooler, thoroughly clean it and the chip and repaste it, I bet you'll see a further 10c drop. You might want to consider a CPU cooler upgrade from the stock one, if that's what you're running. Intel stock coolers aren't renown for their performance. I'm a big fan of Noctua products but am currently running a Xigmatek cooler.
 
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Ok I just got some Arctic MX5 as it seems to be the badboy online, in tests. I agree that I do need some. Esp as you say, the old stuff has been cooking and air dying in heat in a partially open cooler/chip joint. It probably resembles wet cheese pieces by now, and is probably turning solid.

Will let you know how it goes - hopefully it hits the 10C drop I'm looking for.

Sidenote: one site tested mayo out, and it did better then some of the pastes in tests. Though it's likely to dry up real fast, this was still interesting!

EDIT: Jryan - wtf is that!?! Some crazy set up!
 
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I had this issue where my PCI slot was hitting over 220F degrees after a software update on my mac. My monitor was constantly shutting down and it was pain in the ass.
 
For cleaning off the old thermal paste, now would be a good time to freeze some vodka/gin (the water will freeze, the alcohol won't) if you don't have any isopropyl. A shot should be more than enough.
 
-joe- said:
For cleaning off the old thermal paste, now would be a good time to freeze some vodka/gin (the water will freeze, the alcohol won't) if you don't have any isopropyl. A shot should be more than enough.
Click to expand...

When cleaning mine I also used regular floss soaked in isopryl alcohol as well to get in and break the seal between CPU and heatsink, it was GLUED. After soaking and trying a few times, worked like a charm.
 
Dude just use a qtip. Don't get creative. Just make sure you don't leave pieces of cotton on the chip. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth like what you would use to clean your monitor or tv.

Fatbat is right, good cable management means better airflow hence better cooling. You do want the system to suck air out where you have lots of heat... For example infront of your HDD's. SSD's produce minimal heat so not a bit issue.

PbzmMug.jpg
 
This thread got me thinking so I checked out my temps and they were super high. My PSU fan was making noise so I replaced it and I replaced one case fan and added another one on the side to pull hot air out. Looks like it dropped all 4 core temps by 30-40C and overall temps by 40C on average. Gotta like that.
 
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