Question 13600KF Temps during gaming, are they okay?

[Nexus713]

Hello,

So today I replaced my 12600K with 13600KF (selling my previous CPU for my friend). I put new thermal paste (Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut), attached my current AIO and played some games. I can already see FPS improvement since I'm playing in 1080p so I'm happy with an upgrade and performance but I'm little bit concerned about the temperatures.

My 12600k during gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Elden Ring) was reaching maximum temperature of 52-55*C (with room temperature ~70-72*F).
Now after just playing 30 mins of Cyberpunk 2077, 13600KF reached 62*C. I know these CPUs can reach up to 90-95 degrees withou an issue but I wasn't even using 100% of CPU power. Is that normal temperature for this CPU and I'm just worrying for now reason?

My specs:

Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus
CPU: Intel Core i5 13600KF
Cooler: ASUS ROG Strix LC II 240 AIO (2x120 mm Fans, mounted on top)
RAM: 2x16GB G.Skill Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5-6000 @ 3000MHz
GPU: PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX6750XT 12GB
PSU: Corsair RM750x (750W)
Storage: M.2 Samsung 980Pro 1TB + M.2 Samsung 990Pro 1TB
Case: NZXT H5 Flow (2x 120mm front, 1x120mm rear, 1x120mm bottom, blowing on GPU)

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, it IS probably normal. While both CPUs are listed as "125w" processors, the 12600k only has TDP for PL1 and PL2 of 150w while the 13600kf has a PL1 and PL2 of 181w. Those are the lower and upper boost condition power consumption specifications for those CPUs while at low and high loads. While gaming you are likely seeing the result of the 31w difference.

When you put new thermal paste, did you COMPLETELY clean the surface of the AIO pump block of all old thermal interface material using a lint free cloth like a, well, lint free cloth, or paper coffee filter? Lint and other debris can cause minor problems between a CPU heatspreader and heatsink or water block base that can result in not getting a really good, flat mount. A piece of human hair caught between can cause as much as a 5-10°C difference in some cases. A small piece of paper towel or other debris could cause much the same or worse.

It's also possible that if you had the case lying on it's side while you replaced the CPU that you might have dislodged some small amount of air from the top of the AIO radiator which has found it's way to the pump and is causing a small change in pump efficiency. You can try, while the system is running, tilting the case to several extreme angles to try and dislodge the bubble and get it back to the top of the AIO radiator where it belongs and where all AIO coolers have some amount of air. Tilt it all the way back until it is nearly laying on the back of the case. Do the same for each side AND if possible, the front as well. Do this WHILE the system is running so that any potential bubble gets forced out of the pump and up into the radiator. Air inside your pump causes full or partial loss of pump efficiency so even a small amount of gurgle in there could have an effect.

 

[Nexus713]

Yes, it IS probably normal. While both CPUs are listed as "125w" processors, the 12600k only has TDP for PL1 and PL2 of 150w while the 13600kf has a PL1 and PL2 of 181w. Those are the lower and upper boost condition power consumption specifications for those CPUs while at low and high loads. While gaming you are likely seeing the result of the 31w difference.

When you put new thermal paste, did you COMPLETELY clean the surface of the AIO pump block of all old thermal interface material using a lint free cloth like a, well, lint free cloth, or paper coffee filter? Lint and other debris can cause minor problems between a CPU heatspreader and heatsink or water block base that can result in not getting a really good, flat mount. A piece of human hair caught between can cause as much as a 5-10°C difference in some cases. A small piece of paper towel or other debris could cause much the same or worse.

It's also possible that if you had the case lying on it's side while you replaced the CPU that you might have dislodged some small amount of air from the top of the AIO radiator which has found it's way to the pump and is causing a small change in pump efficiency. You can try, while the system is running, tilting the case to several extreme angles to try and dislodge the bubble and get it back to the top of the AIO radiator where it belongs and where all AIO coolers have some amount of air. Tilt it all the way back until it is nearly laying on the back of the case. Do the same for each side AND if possible, the front as well. Do this WHILE the system is running so that any potential bubble gets forced out of the pump and up into the radiator. Air inside your pump causes full or partial loss of pump efficiency so even a small amount of gurgle in there could have an effect.

Thank you for your long and detailed answer!
Forgot to add that idle for CPU is 29-32*C which is the same like I had for 12600k.

I did clean surface of AIO pump block thoroughly with alcohol wipes and then with wipe that they attach for iPhone screen protectors (didn't leave any particles I believe).

Yes case was lying on it's side but I tried not too lift pump too high, just enough to make room for cleaning. I will try your method with tilting case and will see if i get any better temps! Thank you!

 

[Darkbreeze]

If "tilting" to dislodge any possible bubble doesn't help, then it is likely just the difference in TDP between the two CPUs.

 

[geofelt]

Not to worry.
The processor monitors it's temperatures and will slow down a bit if it reaches anything dangerous.
Modern motherboards will try to ramp up performance as much as possible.
The impact on gaming is minimal.
You probably did not even need that aio cooler:

Core i9-13900K Cooling Guide: Testing Intel's Flagship With Budget Air and Big AIOs

The Core i9-13900K can push even the most capable liquid coolers to their limits, but you don’t lose that much performance if you go with budget-priced air cooling.

www.tomshardware.com

In video form:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNFgswzTvyc

 

[Nexus713]

Thank you for explanations and the video! I'm less worried now.

I did some "tilting" action from Darkbreeze's advice but not sure if helped.

These are CPU temps after playing ~1 hour of Cyberpunk 2077:

and GPU Temps as well:

 

[RolandOlifant]

Hello,

So today I replaced my 12600K with 13600KF (selling my previous CPU for my friend). I put new thermal paste (Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut), attached my current AIO and played some games. I can already see FPS improvement since I'm playing in 1080p so I'm happy with an upgrade and performance but I'm little bit concerned about the temperatures.

My 12600k during gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Elden Ring) was reaching maximum temperature of 52-55*C (with room temperature ~70-72*F).
Now after just playing 30 mins of Cyberpunk 2077, 13600KF reached 62*C. I know these CPUs can reach up to 90-95 degrees withou an issue but I wasn't even using 100% of CPU power. Is that normal temperature for this CPU and I'm just worrying for now reason?

My specs:

Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus
CPU: Intel Core i5 13600KF
Cooler: ASUS ROG Strix LC II 240 AIO (2x120 mm Fans, mounted on top)
RAM: 2x16GB G.Skill Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5-6000 @ 3000MHz
GPU: PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX6750XT 12GB
PSU: Corsair RM750x (750W)
Storage: M.2 Samsung 980Pro 1TB + M.2 Samsung 990Pro 1TB
Case: NZXT H5 Flow (2x 120mm front, 1x120mm rear, 1x120mm bottom, blowing on GPU)

62c is nothing to worry about during gaming; you are fine; you are well below TJMax

 

[Darkbreeze]

Your temps are totally fine. Lower temps do not equal "better" when it comes to thermal compliance and longevity. So long as you are within the intended thermal envelope it really doesn't matter if you continuously run the CPU, or GPU, or whatever, at (For example) 85°C or 50°C continuously. As long as you are within intended spec either of them is fine so long as that is the maximum temperature you see under a full load. And gaming, isn't a full load. A full load is a 100% all core steady state load, with steady state being the key which means running something like Prime95 Small FFT with all AVX options disabled. If you remain below 100°C, going by spec, then you are compliant. I'd prefer to see a maximum of 90-95°C on these 12th through 14th Gen Intel CPUs but technically it's 100. So at a maximum of 62°C while gaming you are well within spec and likely right where you ought to be with a fairly heavy gaming load.

 

[Nexus713]

Thank you guys! We can close this thread then, hopefully it will be helpful to anyone else that is wondering if temps are good!

Much appreciated.