CPU Runs hot, is cooling adequate?

snakefood · Monday at 09:15

Hi guys,

Just finished putting a build together, and can't help but think my cpu could be running too hot.

I'm running this cpu / cooler as below; the sink states it has 160W of TDP, and the chip is only 125, so I thought they should work OK together.

But my idle temps right now are around 35-40, when my gpu (4070) is sitting at 25. Room temp is around 19.

Once I fire up a game (I used cyberpunk) my cpu was under 45-50% load, but struggling to stay below 60-75, averaging 10c hotter than the GPU?

These stats are from my on screen MSI Afterburner:

GPU:
Temp 60c
Load 99%
Power: 208.5W
Clock 2715GHz
VRAM 9922MB

CPU:
Temp 77c
Load 42%
Power 95.9W
Clock 5292GHz

RAM 15088

I'm using the combo below:

My basket at OcUK:

1 x Intel Core i5-14600K (Raptor Lake-S) Socket LGA1700 Processor - Retail (SKU: PRO-INT-00802) = £229.99
1 x be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim 2 CPU Cooler - 135mm (SKU: HS-020-BQ) = £42.95
1 x be quiet Silent Base 802 Midi Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-146-BQ) = £139.99

Total: £412.93 (includes delivery: £0.00)

Looking for some advice, if my CPU is getting this hot under only 42% load, it would be unuseable under much more?

(I have tried re-seating the sink, it's on good and firm).

SpellowHouse · Monday at 09:33

Those temperatures are fine, it just depends whether you consider them acceptable.

The bequiet is a good cooler but there are better. Thermalright do some great coolers at the moment or you could perhaps consider a second fan.

Also, you may be able to under-volt the CPU, which can make a significant difference.

snakefood · Monday at 09:49

I just fired up prime 95, at 100% load, the cpu went straight to 100c?

Edit: Would upgrading to a Thermalright make the required diffrerence? They are actually pretty cheap, and very well reviewed.

freddie64 · Monday at 12:13

Are you using the vented front and top covers for the case?

Something like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 should be better.

As Spellhouse said, maybe look into undervolting. (Hope this video is of some help.)

snakefood · Monday at 13:13

freddie64 said:
Are you using the vented front and top covers for the case?

Something like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 should be better.

I'm not using the vented tops, no. However, when I fired up prime 95, my cpu hit 100c within a second, the issue definetely wasn't airflow.

Any idea what the difference is between that sink and the SE version?

momo56 · Monday at 13:29

snakefood said:
I just fired up prime 95, at 100% load, the cpu went straight to 100c?

Edit: Would upgrading to a Thermalright make the required diffrerence? They are actually pretty cheap, and very well reviewed.

Use HWinfo, i suspect it’s initially boosting to higher than 125W.

snakefood · Monday at 14:18

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on Phantom Spiriot 120 Evo? Looks like the fans have some more oomph, they spin up to around 2100.

freddie64 · Tuesday at 06:32

snakefood said:
Any idea what the difference is between that sink and the SE version?

snakefood said:
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on Phantom Spiriot 120 Evo? Looks like the fans have some more oomph, they spin up to around 2100.

JollyJamma · Tuesday at 09:52

SpellowHouse said:
Those temperatures are fine, it just depends whether you consider them acceptable.

The bequiet is a good cooler but there are better. Thermalright do some great coolers at the moment or you could perhaps consider a second fan.

Also, you may be able to under-volt the CPU, which can make a significant difference.

This is really good advice. Try these points and then see what the results are.

You could also just not run Prime95 and be happy - most CPUs run hotter than the old Core 2 Duo and early Core i7 models because Intel is pushing the limits of the silicon instead of sandbagging.

Undervolting a CPU is a top idea and makes a difference both to temps and improves performance slightly.

snakefood · Tuesday at 14:35

I ended up going all in (no pun). I added a 360 AIO, replaced the stock case fans with some arctoc pwms that can shift more air, and swapped out the soundproofed panels to the air flow options.

Now I can run a game without lookihg like my rig's gonna melt. Prime maxes out between 80-85, I'd call that a bit more acceptable.

I'm def going to check out the undervolting vid linked above, many thanks @freddie64.

Appreciated to the others who have added advice as well, it's all well recieved, thanks