CPU Heat

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 11:48

Hi,

I have an overclockers system from 2016 and it still runs racing sims really well … i7 6700K (water cooled) with 16GB RAM and a GTX1080.

But I am worried about the CPU overheating … running Assetto Corsa Competizione two of the four physical cores were hitting 89C, which is pretty high.

Now, I believe the water cooling unit is “self-contained” … and there appears no obvious way of opening it to check, top-up, water levels. What can I do to see that the unit is operating properly? Should I be worried about the temperatures?

VaderDSL · 11 Jul 2020 at 11:51

Might be dust in the radiator, could see how it looks?

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 12:18

I tried that but it looks pretty clear ... are these self contained units safe enough ... how would I know there is enough coolant in them?

oweneades · 11 Jul 2020 at 12:22

Assuming it hasn't been touched its probably just a case that the thermal paste needs replacing.

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 12:31

Yes, completely untouched ... not sure I am confident enough to do that paste thing myself!

foster grant · 11 Jul 2020 at 13:13

Maybe the pump has gone ?

B@Th*nG · 11 Jul 2020 at 13:44

foster grant said:
Maybe the pump has gone ?

I expect it'll be hotter than that, from experience haha. If it's plugged into one of the mobo headers you should be able to check the rpm though.

If the rad looks clean then you're left with the paste I'm afraid. Plenty of guides out there for how to do it. It's not difficult so don't be concerned

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 14:49

Does re-pasting make a big difference? Just saw a video and it was two or three degrees difference...

foster grant · 11 Jul 2020 at 15:00

B@Th*nG said:
I expect it'll be hotter than that, from experience haha. If it's plugged into one of the mobo headers you should be able to check the rpm though.

If the rad looks clean then you're left with the paste I'm afraid. Plenty of guides out there for how to do it. It's not difficult so don't be concerned

yeah my cooler went a few weeks ago had to get myself one of those RGB ones lol

Minstadave · 11 Jul 2020 at 15:05

B@Th*nG said:
I expect it'll be hotter than that, from experience haha. If it's plugged into one of the mobo headers you should be able to check the rpm though.

If the rad looks clean then you're left with the paste I'm afraid. Plenty of guides out there for how to do it. It's not difficult so don't be concerned

Could be the waterblock gumming up if its an old AIO too. Which model is it OP?

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 15:10

Minstadave said:
Could be the waterblock gumming up if its an old AIO too. Which model is it OP?

Not sure ... cannot find any markings on it and my receipt seems to have vanished ...

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 15:18

I think it is this: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...cpu-cooler-120mm-cw-9060010-ww-hs-013-cs.html

EsaT · 11 Jul 2020 at 15:27

C3PO said:
I think it is this: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...cpu-cooler-120mm-cw-9060010-ww-hs-013-cs.html

That's a small radiator certainly beaten by high end heatpipe coolers, except in short load spikes whose heat can be absorbed by coolant's heat capacity.
In actual heat dissipating power it just doesn't have specially much surface area for cooling that heat into air.

Other cause could be Intel's bubblegum/toothpaste under heatspreader going bad.

Drollic · 11 Jul 2020 at 16:56

What clock speed and voltage are you at?

C3PO · 11 Jul 2020 at 17:20

Not sure - will check late tonight when i get home.

koooowweeee · 11 Jul 2020 at 20:34

C3PO said:
Does re-pasting make a big difference? Just saw a video and it was two or three degrees difference...

It can...

First thought was dust, then pump.

So it's either the fans have stoped working or the paste has dried up and not transferring the heat to the cooler.

Did you check what temps you had at the start? (When first build or first overclocked )

Psycho Sonny · 13 Jul 2020 at 10:41

i've never replaced thermal paste in any pc i've owned and never had any issues with temps. i highly doubt that would cause any major issues if applied correctly in the first place.

the system is 4 years old not 10 years. at best in 4 years it will make very little difference. unless of course they used excessive paste or crap cheap stuff. i would put this low down on the priorities of things to check but it's easy enough to replace so probably worth checking but i'd be more interested in the pump, coolant and radiator as well as the hoses.

this is why i only buy air coolers. far cheaper. run quietly. never fail. i've never had to replace a fan but it's easy enough to do.

ghuk · 13 Jul 2020 at 19:13

Hi OP

I have an Overclockers set up as well (core i5 2500k @ 4ghz) and its water cooled with a Corsair H80igt. My CPU idles around 30 degrees Celsius and when gaming never goes above 55 degrees (even in the UK hot weather)

My advice would be to max your CPU fans at 100% when both at idle and gaming and then see if the temps drop in comparison to the temps you are experiencing right now, that should give you a good idea if your pump is actually working. Failing that, you can apply some new thermal paste to your CPU and see if that makes a difference.

Something else to maybe consider - I've been debating getting my CPU sent away for a 'delid and relid' for a while now, there are a couple of sellers on ebay who offer the service and it's reasonably cheap. From what I've read online this helps drop your CPU temps quite a bit. If I do go ahead I'll try and remember to post my results on this thread

Saul Farrell · 31 Aug 2020 at 21:36

C3PO said:
Hi,

I have an overclockers system from 2016 and it still runs racing sims really well … i7 6700K (water cooled) with 16GB RAM and a GTX1080.

But I am worried about the CPU overheating … running Assetto Corsa Competizione two of the four physical cores were hitting 89C, which is pretty high.

Now, I believe the water cooling unit is “self-contained” … and there appears no obvious way of opening it to check, top-up, water levels. What can I do to see that the unit is operating properly? Should I be worried about the temperatures?

It might be time for a repasting. Generally it is recommended that you repaste every 5 years but I do it every 3 just to be sure! 1 tube of thermal paste lasts for ages!