AMD FX-8320 High Temperature (No problem in HS)

[sharbath]

Hello Tom's Hardware Community;

Here, we are dealing with a 6 months old PC, basically specs are as follows:

CPU: AMD FX-8320
CPU Heatsink : Zalman CNPS90F 92 mm Fan
GPU: Asus Strix Radeon r7 270x
Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L
PSU: XIGMATEK XCP-A500 X-Calibre 500W
RAM : CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 4GB PC 1600 CL9
CASE: Xigmatek Asgard

Well, this PC has run with stock cooler for 6 months, suddenly stock cooler decided to retire (that sob) and PC shut down after 2 minutes due to overheating.
We bought the current heatsink (as refered above) and installed it properly, Thermal Compound spread equally and minimally in order not to cause any leaks by the side of CPU.
Our idle CPU temps are 34 Celcius, and Mobo is 32 Celcius.
When we load CPU to %100 with no overclock, temps rise above 65 Celcius and we stop CPU stressing which we do by CPUID.
When we limit max CPU Performance from Windows Power Settings to %70, CPU Temps stabilizes around 58 Celcius, with same CPU Stress Test for 20 minutes.

However, Overwatch with Medium to High settings @ 1080p, gets GPU temp to 65 Celcius, CPU max workload to %40-50 BUT, CPU Temps go above 70 Celcius after 3 minutes of gameplay.

Stock Cooler was able to run Overwatch at same settings for days without overheating.

I'd say as most of you would do, that problem is Heatsink or Thermal Compound, but I know that is not the issue. Because when playing Overwatch CPU is not at max voltage, at most %40 yet temperatures are like Neil Armstrong reaching out to moon.

What would be your usual suspects about this, How should I test to find which component is the culprit ?

Thanks for your replies, and have a nice day.

 

[hazzyboy3]

How are your fans setup inside your machine, and how many do you have?

 

[sharbath]

How are your fans setup inside your machine, and how many do you have?

Hello Hazzboy;

I haven't changed a single screw about anything, but CPU cooler, everything is as they were since beginning.

I have :
1 fan in front of case, blowing in
1 fan on top of case 140mm sucking air out
1 fan at back blowing in, above Mobo digital I/Os, roughly blows air in right where CPU cooler is.

CPU Cooler is blowing to its radiators, and through them to Mobo.

 

[MaDDD]

That cooler is designed for CPU with a TDP of 95W or lower, a FX 8320 has a TDP of 125W. The cooler is not sufficient for the CPU.

 

[sharbath]

That cooler is designed for CPU with a TDP of 95W or lower, a FX 8320 has a TDP of 125W. The cooler is not sufficient for the CPU.

Thanks for your input MaDDD;

I would be willing to try another heatsink, since those are refundable unlike other components, would you have any particular heatsink to recommend for this setup ? Your comment is appreciated.

 

[MaDDD]

I'm not too familiar with that many coolers but I know that the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is a popular choice and can cool that CPU well, and is relatively inexpensive.

 

[RobCrezz]

You bought a crap cpu cooler.

Look at the hyper 212 evo, its cheap and does the job.

 

[sharbath]

Will try to install a better CPU Cooler, if not Cooler Master Hyper 212X Evo.
As you guys pointed out, I went a tad cheap on that CPU Cooler.
I hope this CPU Cooler is the problem.

But isn't this a bit weird, that an Aftermarket cooler is crappier than the stock cooler? Well I guess you never know.

Beer for everyone if this solves my problem!

 

[MaDDD]

Some of these coolers are designed with compactness and power efficiency in mind, along with being designed for low consumption and budget CPUs that don't require much to cool them. Along with any opportunity to get your money into their hands

 

[RobCrezz]

Will try to install a better CPU Cooler, if not Cooler Master Hyper 212X Evo.
As you guys pointed out, I went a tad cheap on that CPU Cooler.
I hope this CPU Cooler is the problem.

But isn't this a bit weird, that an Aftermarket cooler is crappier than the stock cooler? Well I guess you never know.

Beer for everyone if this solves my problem!

Yeah if you look at the stock cooler (which also isnt great), it has a copper base with copper heat pipes. The one you bought is entirely Alu which is much worse for heat conducting.

 

[sharbath]

For anyone else who might encounter the same problem, yeah it might seem like a bad mobo, or some awry voltage from PSU. It most likely is not. It is your CPU cooler.

As MaDDD has pointed out, cpu cooler was not enough, and so it acted weirdly, when idle it was perfect, when gpu was not working it was acceptable. However when things get a bit hot in the case, its when CPU cooler's quality kicks in. Don't cut back on CPU cooler, get Cooler Master imho, they provide you with future kits to fit with your future boards, I think its as "FUTURE-PROOF" as it gets. They've put up new kits to fit upcoming Ryzen and Intel Motherboards check their website.

Hyper 212 Evo was the best bang for my bucks. Thanks MaDDD and RobCrezz