Average Temperatures for Core i5 2500K

[UzEEInc]

I just tossed out my old AMD Phenom II X3 720 + MSI A790GX-G65 + Corsair XMS3 4GB and replaced them with the following components:

Intel Core i5 2500K
MSI Z68A-GD65
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4GBx2) 1600MHz kit

I decided to test the system before installing it in my CM 690, so I just installed the CPU and one memory module on the board on an open table and powered the system on. I was using my DeepCool GamerStorm CPU cooler and DeepCool Z9 thermal compound.

Since I don't have a hard drive installed or an OS setup, I was only using the EFI (BIOS), which shows the idle temperature at 47-50 °C for the CPU and around 33 °C for the system (motherboard). My room temperature is around 31 °C. I couldn't verify through CoreTemp or any other tool since I haven't even installed Windows yet.

I had the same cooler and thermal compound running on my AMD build which was overclocked to 3.5GHz at 1.45V and idled at around 26 °C and used to max out around 50-52 °C under full load, so I'm certain the cooler+compound combo is really good.

I plan to overclock the system and am expecting to go at least as high as 4.5GHz and I'm guessing these temperatures would certainly hinder that.

What are the average temperatures that are considered normal for a Core i5 2500k? And if there is really something up with my build, any guesses what I'm doing wrong?

 

[AdrianPerry]

For my own build (i5-2500k @ 4.4GHz with Arctic Freezer 13 92mm CPU Fan)

Idle: 28-33 degrees
Load: Mid 60's

 

[henryvalz]

You can push the 2500k in to the 70s.

Also, your room temperature is 31C?

Jesus. I can't stand much more than 22C.

So, in conclusion, the first thing you need to do is move to somewhere more temperate.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Under 70 is ideal, but anything up to about 80 can be considered "safe". After that id start looking into some better cooling though.

I think intel recommends about 73 degrees.

 

[UzEEInc]

You can push the 2500k in to the 70s.

Also, your room temperature is 31C?

Jesus. I can't stand much more than 22C.

So, in conclusion, the first thing you need to do is move to somewhere more temperate.

Unfortunately, I live in a warm place where summers are usually 8 months in the year.

Also, will there be a difference in temperatures you get in the EFI/BIOS and the ones you measure with CoreTemp etc?

 

[AdrianPerry]

As long as they are monitoring the same component temp then it will display the same.

 

[13thmonkey]

Also until windows is installed, speedstep won't work so it will idle High in bios, better in windows.

 

[johnners2981]

^ +1

 

[UzEEInc]

Are you sure about that?

Lol that was around Spring when room temperature used to be 18-22 degrees.

 

[UzEEInc]

Best answer selected by UzEEInc.

 

[Deeks]

Im running a 2600k OC 4.8 on Zulman CNPS10X Cpu cooler and getting 28 - 30c idle and prime 95 58 - 61 full load. Mind you i just bought a AC unit and now temp is down to 18c, when my room temp before AC was at 35c i had idle of 40 - 43 idle - 70 - 72 load. so Ambient temp does make temps vary!