i7-4770k temp creep with AIO - solved, poorly cooler

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 12:17

Hi Overclockers,

Is 56C when in BIOS too hot?

I've a non-overclocked i7-4770k that I've had along with a Corsair H100i for 8 years now.

After some recent issues with my system's stability I've taken the opportunity to apply fresh thermal paste (Arctic MX-4).

I never paid attention to the CPU temp before, but now I can see that when in BIOS, the CPU is sitting at around 56C.

The H100i appears to be working, fans spin, lights come on, pump can be felt, one water cooling pipe much warmer than the other etc.

Is this temperature normal for an i7-4770k with an AIO cooler? Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Edit: now solved, cooler wasn't cooling properly, so now removed and replaced.

Dark Side · 30 Jul 2022 at 13:22

Delid will solve your problems.
Paste under the IHS must be completely dry.

Glanza · 30 Jul 2022 at 14:04

If your in bios that is hot for that generation of CPU with a AIO unless your running a huge overclock (if you are go back to defaults and see if temps drop). Also make sure it's mounted correctly.

Tetras · 30 Jul 2022 at 14:15

What is temp idle in OS?

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 14:54

Dark Side said:
Delid will solve your problems.
Paste under the IHS must be completely dry.

Sounds drastic! Just had a look and I see there are now vice-like tools for this available from our hosts so I may resort to this if necessary.

I genuinely appreciate you suggesting this as I thought delidding was solely a hardcore overclocker thing. Sounds like it's actually a useful step on some older CPUs given the aging of the thermal paste within. Cheers!

Dark Side · 30 Jul 2022 at 14:57

It's not only intended for overclockers, but it lowers cpu temperatures about 12-15c at stock values.
I'm delided my old 8700k and 7700k with thermal grizzly conductonaut.

Try to borrow a delid tool from someone, there are also people who do it for money.

Emlyn_Dewar · 30 Jul 2022 at 14:57

I just delidded a Haswell the other day with one of the delid tools (cheapest one I could find). The tool and included razor blade made it ridiculously easy.
Definitely worth doing, but I'd also be thinking about moving off the H100 soon.

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 17:03

Tetras said:
What is temp idle in OS?

I'll download some software and check (surprised Windows doesn't offer a basic check!)

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 17:06

Glanza said:
If your in bios that is hot for that generation of CPU with a AIO unless your running a huge overclock (if you are go back to defaults and see if temps drop). Also make sure it's mounted correctly.

Your last sentence made me go 'Of course I did. I remounted it three times already why would that be a problem.' and then I realised it was correct for when in the case, but it's currently FLAT as the mobo is outside of the case.

And going vertical as it would be in the case has the temp in BIOS at 40C. So I was being a clutz.

Thank you for the re-reminder to check!

However, the pump is now clicking quite a bit, presumably air bubbles. Hopefully they'll dissipate with time.

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 17:08

Dark Side said:
It's not only intended for overclockers, but it lowers cpu temperatures about 12-15c at stock values.
I'm delided my old 8700k and 7700k with thermal grizzly conductonaut.

Try to borrow a delid tool from someone, there are also people who do it for money.

Our hosts do one for £15, and I think I might get free delivery? Makes sense to buy it at that price given postage to and from me plus someone else's packing and postal time. It's way cheaper here than on Amazon!

V F · 30 Jul 2022 at 19:52

It makes me wonder what the condition of my Corsair H80 is after 12 years, inside. The pump still runs at 1400rpm and still seems to be holding temperatures ok. It's had a lot of use with a i7 3770K at 4.4Ghz.

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 20:07

Emlyn_Dewar said:
I just delidded a Haswell the other day with one of the delid tools (cheapest one I could find). The tool and included razor blade made it ridiculously easy.
Definitely worth doing, but I'd also be thinking about moving off the H100 soon.

If the pump clicking continues, I may well do so as in my haste and assumption that it was the cooler's fault, I ordered a Noctua NH-U12A and it's now too late to cancel before it arrives!

I must admit that I've always been concerned by water-cooling. Any random shutdown and I open the case and check for fluid leaks! There's something less concerning about just air cooling.

The delid is a definite option. It's a complete waste that I've never overclocked this, and I may well do so to squeeze more life out of it. It's doing everything I need of it though, so I don't want to mess it up unnecessarily. I'll definitely end up trying it though.

hughtrimble · 30 Jul 2022 at 20:09

V F said:
It makes me wonder what the condition of my Corsair H80 is after 12 years, inside. The pump still runs at 1400rpm and still seems to be holding temperatures ok. It's had a lot of use with a i7 3770K at 4.4Ghz.

It would be good if they let you check the fluid levels or to see the state of the fluid. It's a pity that a small blockage that could be fixed with a bit of careful cleaning could end up with the whole thing in landfill given their lack of user serviceability (though see almost all of the tech world for this same issue!).

Mine does appear to be doing fine though, it was me not paying attention to the mounting angle. Hopefully the clicking goes away, as it wasn't there before I removed everything.

drakulton · 30 Jul 2022 at 20:29

hughtrimble said:
It would be good if they let you check the fluid levels or to see the state of the fluid. It's a pity that a small blockage that could be fixed with a bit of careful cleaning could end up with the whole thing in landfill given their lack of user serviceability (though see almost all of the tech world for this same issue!).

Mine does appear to be doing fine though, it was me not paying attention to the mounting angle. Hopefully the clicking goes away, as it wasn't there before I removed everything.

You could always undo the coldplate screws and top if up if needed. Gamers Nexus show plenty of AIO teardowns on youtube.

Quartz · 30 Jul 2022 at 21:07

hughtrimble said:
I've a non-overclocked i7-4770k that I've had along with a Corsair H100i for 8 years now.

Check that the AIO is working. In particular check that the pump is working and check the level of fluid. The simplest way of doing the latter is to weigh the whole thing, which should weigh 1216g. If it weighs a lot less then fluid has leaked or evaporated.

hughtrimble said:
However, the pump is now clicking quite a bit,

That is not a good sign.

hughtrimble · 31 Jul 2022 at 02:05

drakulton said:
You could always undo the coldplate screws and top if up if needed. Gamers Nexus show plenty of AIO teardowns on youtube.

Not heard of that channel before, but I really like their style, cheers

hughtrimble · 31 Jul 2022 at 02:07

Quartz said:
Check that the AIO is working. In particular check that the pump is working and check the level of fluid. The simplest way of doing the latter is to weigh the whole thing, which should weigh 1216g. If it weighs a lot less then fluid has leaked or evaporated.

That is not a good sign.

Do you know what parts are included in that weight? I know the kit has different types of screws depending on how you attach the rad and fans etc.

And it is definitely now in a bad way! Hit 100C in Windows.

hughtrimble · 31 Jul 2022 at 02:09

Update: whilst it was at 38-43C in BIOS, by the time I'd booted up Windows and downloaded some temp monitoring software, it was at 100C! This is not overclocked.

I'm glad I preemptively ordered an air cooler!

I'm surprised it didn't cut off. Shouldn't it do so?

Emlyn_Dewar · 31 Jul 2022 at 03:16

I think after 8 years, it'll have lost a decent amount of fluid. My old H100 was still in use in a friend's system until a year ago. He swapped to a cheapo Arctic tower cooler and the difference was significant. AIOs are good, until they aren't.
Not sure why that wouldn't have shut down. I thought Haswell's max was 100.

I'd far rather have a decent Noctua tower cooler, like you've ordered. You'll probably find it's a lot quieter with it. :cool:

Quartz · 31 Jul 2022 at 07:47

hughtrimble said:
Do you know what parts are included in that weight? I know the kit has different types of screws depending on how you attach the rad and fans etc.

Sorry, no. You should be able to find precise weights on Corsair’s website. But being off a gram or two isn’t a problem; being off 100g is another matter.