78 Degrees Celsius After 10 Minute Stress Test: i7-4790k

[BigToip26]

As the title reads, I built a new pc (my very first one) and I have an i7-4790k processor installed. I also have a Cooler Master Hyper N520 CPU Cooler installed as well as two case fans, one intake and one exhaust. I'm planning on installing four more fans this weekend, but I want to know if the temps are normally suppose to get this high this quick with a stress test and an aftermarket cooler. I think I might have applied the thermal paste wrong or something because I'm hearing that the max should be like in the high 60 degree Celsius zone for my setup. I don't have a graphics card installed if that information matters. I used Prime95 for the stress test and RealTemp for my temperatures. I must also say I was not overclocking at all.

RealTemp results after 10 minute stress test: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127248182@N03/15484159962/

 

[diabedo]

You may have gotten a lower quality batch for that CPU. it happens. Not every 4790 cpu is exactly the same just like all CPUs. the batch number is on hte barcode sticker on the CPU box. Find that and type "i7-4790k batch XXXXXXXX" into google see if others are having similar issues. because 78c in 10min stock freq and V.. that too hot too fast.

 

[BigToip26]

You may have gotten a lower quality batch for that CPU. it happens. Not every 4790 cpu is exactly the same just like all CPUs. the batch number is on hte barcode sticker on the CPU box. Find that and type "i7-4790k batch XXXXXXXX" into google see if others are having similar issues. because 78c in 10min stock freq and V.. that too hot too fast.

Thanks for the super quick reply. Yes, that could be the reason, but I will try testing it after reapplying the thermal paste and installing the extra fans. I was going to run the test for an hour, but I was almost certain that it would shut down my computer because it would get to hot.

 

[BigToip26]

I'm getting between 31-35* Celsius with about 1-5% CPU and it is currently set at the stock 4.0 GHz, but again I'm using an aftermarket cooler. The stress test really does go up fast though. I'm still looking for a solution.

 

[CompuTronix]

You might want to read this Sticky: Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

CT

 

[BigToip26]

You might want to read this Sticky: Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

CT

Wow, I'm running 10 degrees Celsius over standard temps and I have a good aftermarket cpu cooler. I'm pretty sure I should take it out and install it with new thermal paste. Any recommendations on how to apply the thermal paste for this square heatsink bottom. I heard use a dot just under the size of a pea. I heard others say spread it around with a credit card. I'm pretty sure I put too little on and I may not have fastened the heatsink that tight to the motherboard. I'm a first time PC builder so I'm not completely sure about how to install it. Again, thanks ahead for any replies.

 

[diabedo]

You might want to read this Sticky: Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

CT

Wow, I'm running 10 degrees Celsius over standard temps and I have a good aftermarket cpu cooler. I'm pretty sure I should take it out and install it with new thermal paste. Any recommendations on how to apply the thermal paste for this square heatsink bottom. I heard use a dot just under the size of a pea. I heard others say spread it around with a credit card. I'm pretty sure I put too little on and I may not have fastened the heatsink that tight to the motherboard. I'm a first time PC builder so I'm not completely sure about how to install it. Again, thanks ahead for any replies.

The "line" or "X" method is most preferred when applying paste (google these methods). It also helps to get quality paste. The 2 best I've found was "Xigmatek freezing point G4718" and "IC Diamond". I'd suggest you get one of those. they both perform superbly and are roughly matched with efficiency and price

http://www.amazon.com/Xigmatek-Freezing-Point-Thermal-Compound/dp/B0078IWR3U
http://www.amazon.com/IC-Diamond-Carat-Thermal-Compound/dp/B0042IBAOG

 

[Baralis]

I have a N520 in my other system and my preferred method to apply thermal paste to that particular heatsink was to apply a small drop in the center of the copper base and then use a flat piece of plastic (credit card in my case) to spread a thin layer evenly over the copper base.

 

[BigToip26]

I changed my thermal paste to the Xigmatek paste recommended earlier and it reduced my core temps to around 28-32 degress Celsius varying between the cores. I did a stress test though and my system shoots up to 70 degress Celsius within the first minute though. Do I wait for the burn in time to pass before testing again? I also added 2 more fans to my case for a total of 4 fans (2 intake, 2 exhaust). I already have two fans attached directly to the heatsink of the cooler (1 intake, 1 exhaust). By the way my thermal paste said no burn it time but I'm assuming that it still would have some. Do I let my computer run on idle over night to help spread the the paste even better? Thanks ahead of time for replies.

 

[spacejunk]

Those cooler temps could be attributed to your improved case air flow alone. Air coolers and Water coolers aren't too efficient when they have nothing feeding them cool air.

Not sure if this has been asked but what is the ambient temperature in the room where your case is ?

 

[BigToip26]

Those cooler temps could be attributed to your improved case air flow alone. Air coolers and Water coolers aren't too efficient when they have nothing feeding them cool air.

Not sure if this has been asked but what is the ambient temperature in the room where your case is ?

The ambient room temp is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or about 25.5 degrees Celsius.

 

[spacejunk]

Ok, that's not bad. My environment is about the same.

70c under load doesn't seem awfully wrong under those conditions. You are still 35c away from TJMAX. Not a great deal of headroom for Overclocking.

This being the 2nd time you have installed that cooler, I'd assume you have proper contact. It's possible, but unlikely that you have used too much thermal compound, you only need a piss-thin layer.

If your temps don't normalize, you might want to try a different cooler and or play around with the compound thickness and see if it makes any difference. Though 70c under load for these chips is not really anything to worry about.

 

[CompuTronix]

BigToip26,

Which version of Prime95 did you use?

 

[BigToip26]

BigToip26,

Which version of Prime95 did you use?

I believe it is version 28.5, I'm not next to my computer so I can't confirm. I do know that it is the latest version though. I installed an EVGA Geforce GTX 980 Superclocked ACX 2.0 graphics card and the cpu temps are about 29-33 degrees Celsius on idle at the desktop.

 

[CompuTronix]

BigToip26,

If you had read the link to the Intel Temperature Guide provided several posts above, then you would know why it recommends using Prime95 version 26.6 - http://windows-downloads-center.blogspot.com/2011/04/prime95-266.html

I don't have time to explain it in detail at the moment, but your processor temperatures will be at least 10C lower during the Small FFT's test. Please do yourself a favor and take the time to read that Guide thoroughly. It's one of the Stickies in the Forums here at Tom's Hardware. Just click on the link in my signature below.

Thanks,

CT

 

[paulocosme]

i think you shouldn´t be so worried, i read a lot about haswell cpu´s and they get really hot. I have a i5-4690k, which is built with "better" cooling properties like yours, and i have it water cooled and still with prime 95 i reach 59/60º C with default speeds.
Also i dont think that anything will push your cpu temps so hard as prime does..usually my MAX cpu temps after some hours of heavy game playing are 45º..so 15º cooler then prime. your temps are ok i think.