Q9450 hot!

[UltimateBlob]

Just set up my new PC and noticed (using SpeedFan) I'm getting CPU temps of ~50c idle and upwards of 80c under load (calculating PI), core temps are about 20c higher (Core #2 never seems to drop below 72). I'm using the stock cooler, but after placing it I had to remove it to get my power supply in place. I put it back and used it for a bit until I read that after removing the cooler, you should reapply thermal paste, (also it was crashing "randomly"), so I scraped the stock stuff off (both the heat sink and chip) and put a horizontal line of bog standard thermal grease on (the shop was out of AS5). My case temp is 40c even though I've got two 1600 rev fans (inlet at front, exhaust at back). I read something about thermal grease taking a while to set - could this be it? Why are my temps so high!? (is 40c normal for a coolermaster elite 340?)

 

[RJC]

Your idle temps do seem high, have tried using Core temp or real temp to compare temps.

 

[inflynx]

I am running Q9450 on stock clocks under custom watercooling and most temp monitoring software would say it idels as you say ~50C.
The truth is these reading are wrong. I put my finger on the waterblock and it feels cool, meaning the actual temp is ~30C.

To get acurate readings do either:
1. Upgrade your BIOS to the latest. Monitor temp from BIOS.
2. Get yourself a laser thermometer.

 

[UltimateBlob]

BIOS reports a CPU temp of 85c!

Also, I started SpeedFan just after booting and it reported 100c on Core #3...

It seems unfair that (at least in my setup) the stock cooler is inadequate... I don't want to have to upgrade. I just can't think of anything else which would cool the CPU better (my cable management is good). AUX temp is 17 (same as room temp), so case airflow is fine. There is a space for an 80mm fan on the side panel of the case... I could potentially take one out of my old comp and try it - is it worth it? I read that side fans generally cause turbulence and may increase temps - is this true?

 

[platinum87]

how did you apply the heatsink? which one did you use and are you sure you put on on nice and tight..

remount it

 

[UltimateBlob]

Despite being an obvious suggestion, platinum87, that seems to have done the trick. I now get 60c at 100% for about 40 secs, then it drops in only a few seconds to ~27c. Thanks though for putting it so bluntly, I really don't like the whole push pin design.

 

[slap ed]

yep them crappy push pins

 

[Kelt]

yep them crappy push pins

Oh come on! Intel paid some geezer a million bucks to come up with that idea!