Could my high CPU temperature be the culprit of a choppy/low frame rate?

[trustNme]

Hello, I recently upgraded my small form factor mini ITX computer with a new GPU (GTX 1070), CPU cooler and a new (600 W) PSU. I am experiencing a high CPU temperature of 100°C and a choppy frame rate on games. I ran MSI afterburner while playing GTA V to see that my core i5 4690k would get up to 100 °C and the 4 cores of the CPU being around 95~99 °C. I am more than sure that this is too hot for a CPU to run and is causing it to throttle. (Well that's my theory on why I believe I'm getting such a choppy frame rate.) My GPU temp never went over 80°C. And I know that's not hot enough to cause the GPU to throttle. I have done several clean installs of drivers. I have made used that all old drivers were removed. I have reverted back to older drivers and it made the game less choppy, but still choppy. I have put in an older GPU (gtx 960) and the frame rate was choppy as well even dropping to single digit fps. I took off the aftermarket cooler and replaced it with the stock cooler and still the CPU temps were at 100°C. I have also replaced the RAM. I have read several forums on here and tried their methods, but nothing seems to work. I tested another game The Division, and the frame rate was still choppy and would dip down to the single digits. I have turned off V Sync and turned it back on several times in each game and limited the fps to 60 and the frame rate still becomes choppy and is not smooth. None of the games ran on ultra settings only on high. Game benchmarks came back with average 60 fps on both games. My CPU is not overclocked and is running at its stock CPU speed.

Here's what's in the case
Core i5 4690k, stock cooler
Zotac Mini gtx 1070
Silverstone SFX Series 600 W PSU 80 plus gold
Kingston HyperX DDR3 16 GB RAM
Toshiba 1 TB HDD 7200 rpm
Intel H81 Motherboard (I believe, it was pre-installed)
PC used to be a Syber Vapor P-W Pentium with the pre-installed parts.

 

[Kavinqt]

is the CPU overclocked? if not then there is no way it should be hitting 100c your software you are using to view the temps has to be wrong or the diodes on the CPU are <<watch the language please>> up. If overclocked what's your overclocked settings?

 

[mdsiu]

I would remove the CPU cooler and remove the CPU from the socket. Remove all the thermal grease from both the CPU lid and the surface of the aftermarket CPU cooler. Use isopropy alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels. Get some good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5. Apply using the pea method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ

 

[trustNme]

is the CPU overclocked? if not then there is no way it should be hitting 100c your software you are using to view the temps has to be wrong or the diodes on the CPU are <<watch the language please>> up. If overclocked what's your overclocked settings?

No the CPU is stock clocked. With it being in a small form factor case, I know that overclocking wouldn't be a good idea. I used MSI Afterbruner to monitor temps and the CPU has never been released from its enclosure.

 

[trustNme]

I would remove the CPU cooler and remove the CPU from the socket. Remove all the thermal grease from both the CPU lid and the surface of the aftermarket CPU cooler. Use isopropy alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels. Get some good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5. Apply using the pea method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ

I was thinking that the thermal paste cooler master provides with its after market cooler would suffice.

 

[mdsiu]

I would remove the CPU cooler and remove the CPU from the socket. Remove all the thermal grease from both the CPU lid and the surface of the aftermarket CPU cooler. Use isopropy alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Do not use paper towels. Get some good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5. Apply using the pea method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ

I was thinking that the thermal paste cooler master provides with its after market cooler would suffice.

Even terrible paste would get you down to around 85 C. It is likely not applied properly. Might as well get high quality paste if you are going to reapply.

Another thing you can try is remove the GPU altogether, or replace with your old GPU. If you get a significant drop in temps it may be due to the new card dumping too much hot air in the ITX enclosure.

 

[eidolon171]

Just wanted to jump in on the question in the title, and you are correct. When the CPU goes above the prescribed temperature envelope it will throttle the clock multiplier in order to reduce voltage load. The slowing clock will reduce performance linearly.

My suggestion is that you inspect the cooling block's bracket closely and make sure that it is not bent, or damaged, and that the bracket mounting structure is installed correctly. If the plate on the cooling block is not totally flush, and applying pressure to the CPU's lid it won't work properly. I know from personal experience that everything can appear to be situated properly, when in reality the cooler is wonky. Inspect the mounting and bracket with a magnifying glass before moving on to other troubleshooting steps.