Im losing hope. Constent high CPU temps.
Posted by MissLily__@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Recently, ive been quite struggling with trying to resolve my issue in regards to my CPU.
Ive recently replaced my motherboard with the exact same make/model. I did this purely to have a white motherboard rather then a black one as my whole build is white.
PC specs will be at the bottom of this post
Please note: my issue was not happening before i switched the motherboard. my idle temps used to be 27 - 40 and gaming temps was around 65 or a max of 75. The motherboard is brand new.
Ever since then, my CPU idles at around 50 - 60 degrees which i know is completly fine. However, the simplest tasks would send my CPU to a minumum of 70/75 degrees. When i say simple tasks, i mean playing a youtube video adds an extra 20 degrees, opening any program adds an extra 15 degrees for about 10mins, playing games such as rocket league/TFT/RS6/BF6 would mean 90 to 100 degrees. Any benchmark/stress test such as cinebench or XTU would send my CPU to 100 degrees instantly and thermal throttle. Even as i type this with only 1 tab of chrome open and nothing else, my CPU is at 59 degrees using 7% utilisation.
I have attempted absolutly everything i can think of including doing as much research as possible. The troubleshooting steps i have taken inlcude but not limited to:
- Replaced thermal paste with different types such as Thermal Grizzly Duronaut, Thermal Grizzly KryoSheet and ARCTIC MX-4.
- Reseated AIO cooler several times and checked stand offs / AIO bracket.
- made sure there isnt a single speck of dust within the PC.
- Removed all overclocks + reset bios several times. Only XMP is enabled.
- Bios , drivers and windows updated to latest versions.
- Undervolted to several different values and put a limit on short/long power to 253 W.
- Adjusted min/max processor power managment.
- Checked AIO fan + pump stats and everything looks fine. Even at heavy load, coolent temp is around 40 degrees.
- Adjusted fan curve to optimal settings + attempted with full speeds.
- Checked temps on other components and everything else is at normal temps.
- GPU stress test finishes with zero artifacts / clean. Under stress test the temps are aound 65 / 70 degrees while idle is around 30.
Im not entierely sure what else i can do. At the moment, my only other opton is to maybe replace the AIO with a new one. My current one is less then 2 years old.
Any suggestions or advice would be amazing!
PC specs: CPU: Intel Core i7 13700K GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Motherboard: NZXT N7 Z790 RAM: CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6400MHz CL36. AIO: Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX XT 360mm. Fans: 10x Thermaltake SWAFAN EX12 - 6 intake and 4 exhaust. Case: NZXT H9 Flow Monitors: 1x 34" 1440p + 1x 32" 1440p
Desperate_Hall8791@reddit
Are you on Win 11 25H2 latest update or 24H2's last update? Since December end, after updating Windows, CPU's running too hot, especially on 25H2. It used to be fine before but even after uninstalling most updates (except for security ones which Microsoft doesn't let us uninstall), I'm still getting high temps. I'm thinking about reinstalling older version of Windows, and turning off updates completely. The security patch ruined it for me.
Desperate_Hall8791@reddit
I just found out that NVIDIA driver was causing high temps for some weird reason. Installed old driver (November 2024). Weird. Something isn't right.
Jay467@reddit
How old is the aio? I know they're prone to fluid evaporating off over several years, so I could see dismounting it having potentially moving an air pocket/bubble around that's now gotten trapped in a way that's preventing the remaining fluid from circulating as effectively.
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
It's less then 2 years old.
Is it possible to somehow remove the trapped air bubbles if it does have it?
Jay467@reddit
It's possible it would work itself out over time, but otherwise potentially dismounting it again and rotating it around at different angles might help free any trapped air. I might even try a decent but affordable air cooler - if that's giving better temps the you definitely know something is up with the AIO.
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
I should also mention it have attempted the tilting of the PC in every direction however nothing seemed to help. One hose is clearly warm and the other is cold, that would suggest it's moving around. There's also absolutely no weird noises coming from the pump other then hearing it work harder when I ramp it by setting the pump preset to extreme.
DatGuyPigglet@reddit
How large is the temperature difference between the tubes? If there is super obviously one hot and one cold that’s a red flag the pump might be dead
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
I wouldn't say it's a massive difference. It's warm but not that hot. It's just a clear difference between the tubes. Coolant femp usually averages around 40 to 45 degrees under load.
Jay467@reddit
Another thought just occurred to me - did you change the mounting plate that the aio mounts to when you swapped boards? If so, maybe something's up with that plate that's giving worse contact with the CPU. I know you'd mentioned checking the aio mounting bracket so maybe that's part of what you already checked though.
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
I have yes. I simply moved everything exactly as it is from the previous MB to the new one. It shouldn't have been any difference since it's exactly the same MB, just a different colour. I have also gone back and checked the back plate, bracket, stand offs and screws. I just cant seem to find any issue with it and it looks to be perfectly in contact with the CPU.
oe_throwaway_1@reddit
One time I had overheating problems for 5 years and it was because I cleaned the interior of the case and the CPU fan got put on backwards. Maybe check airflow?
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
I dont have a CPU fan, I have an AIO water cooler. Theres also 10 fans in the case. From feel alone, air has no problem going in and out. Fans speeds are constantly changing depending on temps.
Character-Mango6061@reddit
Cap voltage at 1.25 or set your CPU Lite load to a lower mode in bios
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
I've set the core voltage offset to -0.075 v and set the min/max power to 253 W which is apparently recommended as ideal for my CPU. No change in temps.
Character-Mango6061@reddit
Did you try the lite load setting? I have no idea how to get to it in the NZXT bios but in the MSI bios it’s in overclocking -> advanced CPU configuration, and I set mine to “Mode 12” when I first got my 13600K and was having insane temps, haven’t had issues since
n7_trekkie@reddit
Is your aio pump being powered?
A contact frame should help https://www.amazon.com/Thermalright-Replacement-Aluminum-Correction-Mounting/dp/B0CSMP16RX/
MissLily__@reddit (OP)
The AIO is 100% powered. The pump is active, 2600 RPM, 1400 RPM fan and 34 degrees coolant temp according to ICUE. It does also have a LCD screen which is on.
I have that exact same contact frame currently installed!