Can the CPU Heat Sensor Be Wrong?

[Gobblegobble]

Hello, recently I purchases an Intel i5 4690k, (with stock cooler) on the stock clock. Initially I was getting 45 Degrees Celsius idle, and then 100* in games like Civ 5 and Advanced warfare. I identified the problem might have to do with an incorrect appliance of thermal paste, or the heat sync being mounted incorrectly. So I redid the thermal paste (Pea sized amount) and remounted the heat sink, and now on boot I either have 50-90 degrees idle! When nothing is running it can reach 100*. My computer never crashes and when I touch the cooler after I turn off the system it is not hot at all. My system and GPU are running at around 30 degrees under load. Can the heat sensor give me wrong information?

Update #1: I checked what my BIOS said the temperature is and its at 99* permanently.
Also, core temp is saying it's 100* whilst only writing this post -__- nothing is crashing or lagging.

Update #2: I have replaced the thermal paste (for the second time) and made sure all pins came through the back. I'm now getting max 70* in games and 35* whilst writing this. Thanks for all the help.

 

[smorizio]

the issue with the intel stock cooler is the push pins may not be locked in or all the way in the mb. the cooler is not made to be removed and reinstalled. try this use hardware monitor and or the bios temp screen and with the side case open push down on the edge of the cooler or legs if the temps go down the cooler not on tight.

 

[CaedenV]

temp sensors can be wrong, but when they are off they tend to be WAY off, so I would guess that these are accurate temps.

When re-doing thermal paste be sure to remove all of the old paste with alcohol first from both the CPU and cooler. Install the cpu, put a tiny dab of paste in the middle. Next; very lightly place the CPU cooler into place and slowly apply even pressure in the middle. Then push in the mounting clips using a star pattern so that (again) pressure is applied evenly. Turn on the computer, and run the chip at stock settings. No overclocking until you get an aftermarket cooler as the stock cooler is only good for stock settings.

Remember, Thermal paste is an insulator... just less of an insulator than an air pocket. Paste should be the minimum amount needed to remove the air gap between two plates of metal... it does not take much. Keep in mind it should be an organic pea sized bit of paste, not some genetically engineered mondo-sized pea. Too much paste will act like a blanket keeping the CPU hot and preventing heat transfer to the cooler.

 

[Gobblegobble]

the issue with the intel stock cooler is the push pins may not be locked in or all the way in the mb. the cooler is not made to be removed and reinstalled. try this use hardware monitor and or the bios temp screen and with the side case open push down on the edge of the cooler or legs if the temps go down the cooler not on tight.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I just checked what the BIOS said what the temperature is and it's saying my CPU is at 99 degrees. It doesn't change, it says 99 permanently -__-

 

[Gobblegobble]

temp sensors can be wrong, but when they are off they tend to be WAY off, so I would guess that these are accurate temps.

When re-doing thermal paste be sure to remove all of the old paste with alcohol first from both the CPU and cooler. Install the cpu, put a tiny dab of paste in the middle. Next; very lightly place the CPU cooler into place and slowly apply even pressure in the middle. Then push in the mounting clips using a star pattern so that (again) pressure is applied evenly. Turn on the computer, and run the chip at stock settings. No overclocking until you get an aftermarket cooler as the stock cooler is only good for stock settings.

Remember, Thermal paste is an insulator... just less of an insulator than an air pocket. Paste should be the minimum amount needed to remove the air gap between two plates of metal... it does not take much. Keep in mind it should be an organic pea sized bit of paste, not some genetically engineered mondo-sized pea. Too much paste will act like a blanket keeping the CPU hot and preventing heat transfer to the cooler.

Thanks for the quick reply. When I put on more thermal paste, I didn't use alcohol but it appeared to clean. Does it matter if I remount the heat sink when the mother board is mounted inside the case? The first time I put the heat sink on was when the mother board was outside and the second time the mother board was already installed.

 

[CompuTronix]

Gobblegobble,

Please read these Tom's Stickies:

Intel Stock Cooler Installation Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/338655-28-intel-stock-cooler-installation-guide

Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

CT

 

[CaedenV]

the guides above are good

To summ up, no, the stock Intel cooler can be easily installed without needing to remove the motherboard from the case. Personally I find it easier to install AFTER installing the motherboard as the motherboard standoffs do a better job at holding the board in place and I don't need to get my grubby hands all over the board potentially causing damage. But then again, the only way to really know for sure that it is locked into place is to look on the back side of the board and see the little black post spreading the white plastic outwards, securing it in place. It is those little white plastic bits that like to break off and require you to get a new cooler if you ever have to re-install the heatsink.