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i5 2500k OCed, but too hot?

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Joined
25 Aug 2011
Posts
223
Hi guys,

I OCed my i2500k to 4.2GHz using the OC Genie button. I installed a Tranquillo Rev 2 CPU cooler, but at max use, I get close to 75C. I thought this may be too high for an OC at 4.2 and a fairly hefty CPU cooler.

When I was installing it, I put quite a lot of thermal paste on the CPU (about 3-4 rice grains) just to be sure. However, when I was installing it, the heat sinc may have come up just a little bit and I read that if it separates from the CPU you have to reapply the thermal paste. Is this necessary, and could it be the cause of my high temps?

Regards,
Mike
 
Temps don't look to bad, with thermal paste a little can go a long way and too much can course higher temps.

It might be worth cleaning and reapplying minimal TIM.
 
Yes, you only need a tiny amount of paste, just enough to fill any microscopic holes.
I use half a grain of rice smeared around with clingfilm on my finger to get a even finish on the CPU then rub the remainder onto the cooler base, just to discolour it and fill in the holes.

I5 @ 4.5Ghz 1.35V Zalman 6 heatpipe cooler (£15 clearance from a retail store) single pwm fan.

Max of 60C after an couple of hours of prime, gaming around the low 50's

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Ok, so perhaps just a grain of rice smeared with my finger?

Yes I removed the plastic film. And I'm almost 100% sure it's been installed poperly.

I might do this in a week or so, because I would like my computer not to be lying on the workbench for just 1 week, since it's been opened up nearly once a day for the past 2 weeks. It'll be ok till then right?

Mike

EDIT: Idle temps = 37-40C
 
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Those temps are fine in that they wont cause any damage, but I'm sure they could be better. As others have said, re-apply the TIM (not so much this time, about the size of an uncooked grain of rice, in the middle of the cpu, then use the base of the cooler to sprad it when you seat it) and re-seat the cooler.
 
Just a grain of paste, no need to smear it or anything. The heatsink will do that for you.

What voltage is running through the 2500K?
 
With TIM less is sometimes a lot better than more.. Don't need much as people have said.. There are loads of videos on YouTube that will show u how much to use etc.. Well worth watching a couple and picking up some tips from them. Just make sure u clean you CPU n heat sink well before you try again. What TIM are you using??
 
Re-apply the thermal paste - 1 small grain of rice, the cooler will do the spreading for you once it's attached.
 
Hi mackey,

75c is a good upper limit with an i52500k with all cores @100% for burn testing.

if your CPU volts are set to auto in the bios, some mobo's can deliver more volts @ full load than is required, thus generating excess heat too.

I have my i5 voltage set manually to 1.325v with an oc of 4.5ghz

Try manually lowering your cpu voltage with your desired OC if you havent already.

use cpuz to monitor how high your volts go with cpu@100% if using auto cpu voltage.


Always tricky getting a big heatsink to sit perfectly flat on top of the cpu, especially when some of the retention clips have crossbow levels of force in them lol.
 
I would normally use Arctic Silver 5, but I used the stuff that game with my Tranquillo, G20 or something.

AS5 is well out of date you're better off using MX-4 not only is it better temps it's non conductive so you're unlikely to short the CPU out, Also don't spread the TIM with your finger you'll end up with air pockets just make a grain of rice and let the heatskink spread it, There is a video on youtube to back up this claim.
;)
 
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