[SOLVED] Alder Lake and the ILM Issue raising temps

[SkruDe]

Hello good people of Tom's Hardware,

I have a question. I was recently reading this article posted on Tom's:
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/easy-mod-reduces-alder-lake-cpu-temperatures-5-degrees-celsius

I have a couple questions.....
Excuse my ignorance on the subject, I'm just trying to learn here as I build a new gaming PC.

I've already bought an i7-12700k for it.
My intended MoBo to purchase is the: ASUS Z690-F ROG Strix

First Question, is the Independent Loading Mechanism (ILM) a feature of the Motherboard? And if so, are ALL current MoBo's producing an ILM that is warping this CPU chip? Causing increased temps?

Second, are there Mobo's out there with a correct matching ILM? Or, is this an issue MoBo companies are aware of and intend on issuing Version 2's of their MoBo's?

I see the solution is adding your own M4 washers. But, before I go doing a modification like that, I'm trying to figure out if I really am required to do so (aka, all MoBo's are having this issue).

Thank you!

 

[DRagor]

I suggest watching this video, pretty good explanation of the problem and why the solution of washers may or may not work.

 

[SkruDe]

I suggest watching this video, pretty good explanation of the problem and why the solution of washers may or may not work.

Thank you for posting this video. It was very informational.

Basically, how I understand it... the MoBo's won't change or adapt. Reason being, it is a mass production money issue. The issue is the LGA 1700 ILM applies uneven pressure, mostly to the middle of the CPU chip. Over time, it could warp the outer ends to curve up due to this middle pressure.

The good news is, some after market cooling OEM's, know about the issue and have provided a slight arc to some contact blocks. It would be up to me to find out with a straight edge if my cooler of choice provides such a design feature.

It looks like this is something that I (and everyone else) just has to deal with. The washer solution seems to be a legitimate solution but mostly for systems that may have undergone repeated removal and install of CPU cooler blocks?

Where as for me, if I just torque down, and leave it alone, I shouldn't run into any issues as long as I don't remove the CPU cooler block.

Did I understand everything correctly?

 

[DRagor]

The issue is the LGA 1700 ILM applies uneven pressure, mostly to the middle of the CPU chip. Over time, it could warp the outer ends to curve up due to this middle pressure.

Yes, however it happens almost instantaneously when you lock CPU in place, it does not take time.

Where as for me, if I just torque down, and leave it alone, I shouldn't run into any issues as long as I don't remove the CPU cooler block.

Well, nope. It can happen even at first install of CPU. If your cooler block has wrong shape it will affect your temps immediately. There are two clues that it is happening: CPU temps higher then you would expect; and uneven spread of thermal paste on CPU (which of course requires removing cooler to check).

So generally what you should do is install CPU and cooler normally then check CPU temps. If they are fine no further action is needed. If they are too high then you can remove cooler and check the paste spread. If it looks like one of those improper ones shown on video then you can apply washer mod or try another cooler that fits better.

 

[SkruDe]

Yes, however it happens almost instantaneously when you lock CPU in place, it does not take time.

Well, nope. It can happen even at first install of CPU. If your cooler block has wrong shape it will affect your temps immediately. There are two clues that it is happening: CPU temps higher then you would expect; and uneven spread of thermal paste on CPU (which of course requires removing cooler to check).

So generally what you should do is install CPU and cooler normally then check CPU temps. If they are fine no further action is needed. If they are too high then you can remove cooler and check the paste spread. If it looks like one of those improper ones shown on video then you can apply washer mod or try another cooler that fits better.

Thank you for the responses.

About a month ago I bought a new water cooling CPU block and new LGA 1700 backplate .
Backplate: https://www.xs-pc.com/accessories/xspc-lga1700-support-backplate

I'm going to straight edge the new "Edge" waterblock I got and see if it has at least a tiny curve. Video mentioned some manufacturers have a slight curve. I doubt it though, but I'll start there.

New Backplate has washer adjustments, not sure if that is helpful or not.

 

[Danra]

Hello good people of Tom's Hardware,

I have a question. I was recently reading this article posted on Tom's:
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/easy-mod-reduces-alder-lake-cpu-temperatures-5-degrees-celsius

I have a couple questions.....
Excuse my ignorance on the subject, I'm just trying to learn here as I build a new gaming PC.

I've already bought an i7-12700k for it.
My intended MoBo to purchase is the: ASUS Z690-F ROG Strix

First Question, is the Independent Loading Mechanism (ILM) a feature of the Motherboard? And if so, are ALL current MoBo's producing an ILM that is warping this CPU chip? Causing increased temps?

Second, are there Mobo's out there with a correct matching ILM? Or, is this an issue MoBo companies are aware of and intend on issuing Version 2's of their MoBo's?

I see the solution is adding your own M4 washers. But, before I go doing a modification like that, I'm trying to figure out if I really am required to do so (aka, all MoBo's are having this issue).

Thank you!

The warping problem has been solved on MSI motherboards, there are 1mm spacers on the motherboard from the factory.