Old 4790K idle temps rising significantly..... help!

RockSteddy · 26 Mar 2020 at 12:14

Hi Guys,

I need some guidance as my ageing Intel 4790K is starting to idle between 45-65 degrees.
When I'm doing any simple task the temps are rising to the high 60's to high 70's and I've now seen it reach a max temp of 89 degrees :eek:

The CPU has never gone over 75 degrees before and that was only at load when playing an intensive game etc.

Do you think my AIO cooler is on it way out (Corsair 110i..I think, cant remember the model exactly) or there is an issue with the CPU directly?

Due to the current situation I'm working from home so this is not a good time for my PC to die, really need some pointers.

Thanks in advance!

EssexBoy · 26 Mar 2020 at 12:18

When did you last change the thermal paste? If old it is most likely dried up.

RockSteddy · 26 Mar 2020 at 12:36

EssexBoy said:
When did you last change the thermal paste? If old it is most likely dried up.

Erm.... would have to say not since I installed the AIO I'm ashamed to say :rolleyes:

Good place to start so thank you! I did have some old thermal paste lying around but it is really old so probably better off getting something new.
Any suggestions?

drakulton · 27 Mar 2020 at 14:02

De-lidding it as well and replacing the thermal paste between the chip and the IHS will get your temps even lower.

RockSteddy · 4 May 2020 at 21:46

Hi Guys,

Quick update, I gave the PC internals, cooler and fans a good clean and it has brought the idle temps down to the low 40's / high 30's but any time the CPU has to do some light work, literally web browsing or youtube vids etc and the temps spike to the high 60's and 70's.
I tried an OCCT stress test and it shot straight up to 95 degrees and would have gone higher if I hadn't stopped it and this is after replacing the thermal paste on the CPU with some MX4.

I've had a Corsair H110i GT in their since 2015 so its done 5 years now but I'm guessing its time to be replaced?

How long is an AIO expected to last in general?

drakulton · 4 May 2020 at 22:22

Before you go replacing the cooler, it would be worth delidding the CPU, as the thermal paste inside will have turned to dust.

RockSteddy · 4 May 2020 at 22:27

drakulton said:
Before you go replacing the cooler, it would be worth delidding the CPU, as the thermal paste inside will have turned to dust.

I think that is a bit above my skill level so I hope that's not the issue!

drakulton · 4 May 2020 at 22:30

RockSteddy said:
I think that is a bit above my skill level so I hope that's not the issue!

Skill is not required, it's a very simple procedure. There are cheap delidding tools on the bay or you can do it in a vice.

RockSteddy · 4 May 2020 at 22:41

drakulton said:
Skill is not required, it's a very simple procedure. There are cheap delidding tools on the bay or you can do it in a vice.

Thanks but I really cannot risk it right now as I'm using my PC to work from home so can't afford to damage it.

I'll try a new cooler anyway but if it does not help it will be the excuse I need to upgrade to a new PC and I can use it in the new one. I've been itching to upgrade for a while but didn't really want to spend 1k on a new PC at the moment.

drakulton · 4 May 2020 at 22:45

RockSteddy said:
Thanks but I really cannot risk it right now as I'm using my PC to work from home so can't afford to damage it.

I'll try a new cooler anyway but if it does not help it will be the excuse I need to upgrade to a new PC and I can use it in the new one. I've been itching to upgrade for a while but didn't really want to spend 1k on a new PC at the moment.

Fair enough. Keep us informed if the new cooler sorts the temps out.

RockSteddy · 6 May 2020 at 21:15

Quick update:

My new cooler arrived today and just in time because this afternoon my PC kept locking up. Upon reboot and checking CPU temps it was reaching 100 degrees so I shut it down ASAP!

New cooler installed and temps are back to normal, well slightly better than before but that is to be expected. So the old GT was at fault, trouble is I've experienced another lockup even though temps are fine now. My worry is that damage has been done to the CPU, either that or there is some corruption somewhere after having to hard shut down.

Rroff · 6 May 2020 at 21:20

AIOs especially mainstream don't last forever one of the reasons I went back to a tower heatsink. 30-40 idle, 60-70 load and 90s on prime, etc. is fairly normal for a 4790K though.

RockSteddy · 6 May 2020 at 22:59

Rroff said:
AIOs especially mainstream don't last forever one of the reasons I went back to a tower heatsink. 30-40 idle, 60-70 load and 90s on prime, etc. is fairly normal for a 4790K though.

Agreed, I think I did well with the GT lasting over 5 years really.

Had no more locks ups this evening so fingers crossed all is ok now. Think it may have been linked to iCue software as the fans reverted to hard defualt when the crash occurred and the old GT was still listed even though it was no longer installed. Did a full shutdown and restart and the GT disappeared, also upgraded the new cooler firmware and touch wood all seems ok.