CPU Higher Temperatures Than Normal, No Idea Why

[ivideo1011]

I have a 4790k @ 4.0GHz (stock speed) and I'm using the stock cooler. It used to run on around 30 degrees on minimal or no load and 60 on hefty games. Now the temperatures have been up by around 10 degrees, and I don't know what's causing it. I've had the CPU for about 5 months now. Is it possible the thermal paste is not quite as well as it was now? I'm considering buying an aftermarket cooler (would it even fit in there?), but I don't know if I should try other methods first such as reapplying the thermal paste first, if that's even viable. If it helps, I've attached a picture of some of the CPU voltage settings in the BIOS as well as a picture of the setup. I'm not sure if this makes any huge difference, but I do have XMP enabled for my RAM. It's clocked @ 1600MHz. I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[skit75]

If you are not in a climate controlled room and live in the northern hemisphere, it could easily be ambient temperature increase from winter to spring to summer.

It could also be the stock thermal pad they put on those coolers. If you turn your PC off a lot, those thermal pads tend to "dry-up" or become less efficient in thermal transfer properties. I was never a fan of those pads. Too messy to remove after being used and usually disappointing to begin with in regards to thermal profiles.

I may catch some flak for this next comment but it saddens me to see a 4790K with a stock cooler. =)

 

[Rogue Leader]

Thermal paste does not break down. Even if it did, it wouldn't in 5 months.

If your ambient temperatures in your home went up the PC temps are going to go up.

I would buy an aftermarket cooler it looks like you have plenty of room in there, might even be able to fit a 212 EVO in, if not then something shorter like a Hyper T2 or TX3.

 

[ivideo1011]

Thermal paste does not break down. Even if it did, it wouldn't in 5 months.

If your ambient temperatures in your home went up the PC temps are going to go up.

I would buy an aftermarket cooler it looks like you have plenty of room in there, might even be able to fit a 212 EVO in, if not then something shorter like a Hyper T2 or TX3.

My concern is that a cooler wouldn't fit due to the components around the CPU. Right here.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Thermal paste does not break down. Even if it did, it wouldn't in 5 months.

If your ambient temperatures in your home went up the PC temps are going to go up.

I would buy an aftermarket cooler it looks like you have plenty of room in there, might even be able to fit a 212 EVO in, if not then something shorter like a Hyper T2 or TX3.

My concern is that a cooler wouldn't fit due to the components around the CPU. Right here.

Most of the new coolers are made to clear those heatsinks and memory. If you turn it so the fan of the cooler is blowing through the heatsink towards the back of the case any of the ones I mentioned will definitely fit.