[SOLVED] I7 cpu temps

5896 Views 23 Replies 4 Participants Last post by KPryor, May 28, 2009

KPryor

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2009

I built a new I7 machine recently and feel like the cpu temps are a bit higher than they should be. I removed the heat sink / cpu fans, cleaned off the paste and reapplied everything, but still feel it's running too hot. Idle temps are running about 70-75C during the day and a bit cooler at night.

Part of the problem, I'm sure, is we haven't turned on our air conditioner yet, so I'm sure the hot days aren't helping any. When I run any fairly intense software like video editing stuff or Prime99, it jumps up to 100C pretty quick. I'd think with this heat sink/fan it should do better: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=N126-1006

Any thoughts or are these temps closer to normal than I would think?

Full specs on the machine:
I7 920 cpu
6 gig DDR3
BFG Geforce GTX280
320 gig SATA HD
Intel DX58SO mobo
Cooler Master HAF 932 case
OCZ StealthXStream 700 watt PS

Thanks,
KP

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1 - 20 of 24 Posts

Tumbleweed36

· #2 · May 25, 2009 (Edited)

Re: I7 cpu temps

How specifically are you testing those temperatures? Check the bios and see what that says for temps and voltages. I seriously doubt it is getting to 100c without shutting down. Does it shut down?

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 25, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

I'm using the RealTemp program to keep an eye on the temps. It seems to level off once it gets to 100. It was shutting itself down previously, but once I removed and re-attached the heatsink and fan that no longer happens. As far as testing goes, I've only "officially" tested with Prime 99 which takes it right to 100C pretty quick and stays there, all according to RealTemp.
Thanks,
KP

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

I downloaded a different program called SpeedFan. It's showing me the same temps, sort of...

Perhaps I'm just stupid (ok, I am), but I don't really know whether I've got a problem or not now. SpeedFan shows the cpu temp as being in the 30's Celsius, but shows the temps of the individual cores as I described above, ranging between 70C and 100C depending on workload. Being only semi intelligent at times, I assumed the core temps reported by Real Temp were the same thing as the cpu temp, as Real Temp does not show a separate cpu temp figure.

However, now seeing such different values shown between the one cpu temp figure and the 4 core temps in SpeedFan, I apparently assumed incorrectly. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Should the core temps be significantly different from the reported CPU temp?
Thanks!
KP

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Tumbleweed36

· #5 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

90% of the time, the bios is the most accurate reading. That is why I asked the earlier question, because with the temps you are reporting, it should shut down earlier. It might be wise to check those now to see what the at-rest temperatures and voltages are.

Some times, aftermarket programs don't read the sensor properly and it reads like the temps are way above what they are.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Will do, TW, sorry I didn't do that first. I'll check and come back afterward.
Thanks!
KP

Tumbleweed36

· #7 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

While doing that, download and install SensorviewPro and test temps and voltages for both at-rest and under-stress temps. This program is another one like the others you are looking at, but comparisions are important between the bios and these type programs. Might be worth a look to see.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Thanks TW36!

I rebooted and went into the CMOS. Here's what the hardware monitoring section showed:

Processor Fan Speed: 1200 (this one is the air "pulling" fan to pull heat away from heat sink
Auxiliary Fan Speed: 1200 (this is the "pusher" fan pushing air into the heat sink)
Front Fan Speed: 00
Rear Fan Speed: 600

Processor Thermal Margin: 1C
IOH Temperature: 39C
Motherboard Ambient Temp: 33C
Voltage Regulator Temp: 49C

I installed SensorView Pro and it doesn't detect my fans at all, nor will it show my cpu temps or any voltages. It reports the sensors are not found, so I guess it doesn't like this mobo. It only shows the HD temp

Thanks!
KP

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Tumbleweed36

· #9 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

KPryor said:
Thanks TW36!

Processor Fan Speed: 1200 (this one is the air "pulling" fan to pull heat away from heat sink
Auxiliary Fan Speed: 1200 (this is the "pusher" fan pushing air into the heat sink)
Processor Thermal Margin: 1C
IOH Temperature: 39C
Motherboard Ambient Temp: 33C
Voltage Regulator Temp: 49C

Thanks!
KP

Those temps look pretty darn normal to me. I do have a question about cooling for you. Are you using a stock heatsink fan or some other dual type fan that sucks and blows air at the same time. I just didn't understand that issue when you described it.

Let's also go over fan placement:

Suggested Fan Placement and Cooling

CPU/Heatsink fan blowing down on heatsink

Fan in front of case pulling in cool air - Highly recommended.

Fan in rear of case pulling hot air out of the case and blowing out the back. Required.

Fan on top pulling warm air out of the case (heat rises)

Most instances, side case fans pulling cool air into the case with the exception of any very near the top of the case to take advantage of the hot air rises scenario.

Smooth air flow front to back in case

Other Considerations:

Move ribbon cables out of the air flow area if possible

Suggest round IDE cables for best air flow

Post back with questions/concerns.

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KPryor

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Thanks very much, I appreciate it. The cpu fan/heatsink I'm using is the Noctua NH-U12P that has a large heatsink and two fans, with the fans mounted on opposite sides of the heatsink. One fan pushes air into the heatsink while the other pulls it out. I put a link in my original post, but just noticed I didn't get the whole url in there somehow.

The only thing that concerned me was when I saw those core temps were what I believed to be high. Do I not need to be as concerned with them at those temps since the overall cpu temp being reported is good? This is my first multi-core processor and I have a lot of learning to do.

My case has four fans. A large one on the side pulling air out, one in front pulling air in, one on top pulling it out and one on the back pulling it out. The case is the Cooler Master HAF 932. I have SATA only, no IDE. I'll make sure all my various cables are not restricting airflow.

Thanks again!
KP

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Tumbleweed36

· #11 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

KPryor said:
My case has four fans. A large one on the side pulling air out, one in front pulling air in, one on top pulling it out and one on the back pulling it out. The case is the Cooler Master HAF 932. I have SATA only, no IDE. I'll make sure all my various cables are not restricting airflow.

Thanks again!
KP

Core temp is pretty darn good for a quad core, but it too can give false readings, so if you aren't getting any shutdown, I would assume it is not accurate with that sensor. When you get this all set up, give core temp another shot and see what it does.

A side fan needs to pull in cool air and not blow hot air out, I would turn that one around to insure a smooth flow of air from front to back. A side fan pulling hot air out actually creates turbulance in the case (and resultant heat) and you want the front to back flow with it pulling in cool air. That alone will make a difference in the temperature in that case.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Actually, I mistyped that. My side fan is blowing in, not out. My bad.

I managed to overheat this thing and cause it to shut down just now. I ran Prime 95 while I was also typing a reply here to see if anything happened and it shut down without warning. All the core temps were pegged at 100 C, but the cpu temp was not bad.
KP

McNinja

· #13 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

You should get a new aftermarket CPu Cooler

Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready
$55.40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

And new thermal Grease

Arctic Silver 5
$9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

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KPryor

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Thanks for the suggestions, Mcninjaguy. That cpu cooler is very similar to what I have, as far as how it is constructed. I am considering buying the Arctic Silver and trying it to see if things go better.
Thanks
KP

Amd_Man

· #15 · May 26, 2009 (Edited)

Re: I7 cpu temps

I would triple check that you've got the the heatsink installed correctly. That heatsink/fan that your using should cool that processor with ease. I have a couple of friends using that on the exact same processor and their temps are 33c-44c.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Yea, I'm just sure it should be running cooler. I've taken it off and reinstalled it a couple times now, so I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'll probably order some of the Arctic Silver and see if it does a better job with that than the compound that came with the heatsink/fan. Thanks for the advice!
KP

McNinja

· #17 · May 26, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Just make sure its on the CPU tightly.

I notice at least a couple degrees drop in temps when using arctic silver, depending on the heatsink and how the case is cooled.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 27, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

Overheat problem solved!!! Despite staring at installation instructions over & over, I had put the brackets on wrong, resulting in a very tiny gap between cpu and heatsink. Tech support sent me better diagram which more clearly displayed the correct assembly. Temps are running what they should be now. Thanks to all for advice.
KP

Tumbleweed36

· #19 · May 27, 2009

Re: I7 cpu temps

That is great news, let us know if we can help further and enjoy the rig.

KPryor

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 27, 2009

Thanks TW, it sure has been driving me crazy. Glad to have it fixed finally!
KP

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

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