CPU Running Hot, I5 4590 with stock cooler.

[sedateeddie]

My processor seems to be running rather hot. I ran Prime 95 and temps went up fairly quickly to 90 c.

I then read somewhere that Prime 95 wasn't good to run with Haswell CPUs so I ran the Intel Extreme Utility test and the processor got hot and into the high 80s.

I am convinced that my stock cooler is seated correctly, and as this is a relatively new build (3 months) I doubt that my heat paste has degraded.

I think that my problem lies in airflow. The case is kinda boxed in. there are two inches on each side and about 4 to the back, the top is clear. It's not really an option for me to move my PC anywhere else as space is an issue.

It also seems to be running hotter since I put in an MSI GTX 970 which is big enough that it cuts the PC in half, and I imagine constricts air flow.

I am not super worried about the temps as when I play BF4 I may just hit 80 but it averages in the 72 - 75 range.

Would an aftermarket CPU cooler be a good idea? Obviously I can't do too much to increase airflow naturally so I was thinking that the 212 Evo might just knock temps down 5 degrees or so.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

 

[Beezy]

How are your case fans currently set up? Are you using a top exhaust ?

 

[smorizio]

with the stock cooler look at the back of the mb to see if all the plastic pins are in all the way and locked. most times the pins are not in all the way and the cooler is tuching the cpu my is not flush with it. the evo and other coolers like it use a back plate and screws to keep the cooler on flush and tight.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

 

[sedateeddie]

How are your case fans currently set up? Are you using a top exhaust ?

It's a Zalman z9 + case with a top fun sucking down onto the side of the CPU fan and the exhaust pulling air out the back. Two case intake fans and the power units fan are cut off from the CPU by the GPU

 

[sedateeddie]

with the stock cooler look at the back of the mb to see if all the plastic pins are in all the way and locked. most times the pins are not in all the way and the cooler is tuching the cpu my is not flush with it. the evo and other coolers like it use a back plate and screws to keep the cooler on flush and tight.

I am sure it is on correctly, I have checked multiple times as I made this mistake on another build that I did. I am fully aware of how those funny plastic legs can defeat the most brilliant of minds, but in my case I really am totally sure it's on correctly

 

[sedateeddie]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

This is what I thought might help, I was just unsure as to weather

a) it was necessary, as occasionally hitting 80 on BF4 doesn't seem that hot...

b) Is the CM Hyper 212 going to help even if I don't sort out the underlying problem with airflow?

 

[AdmiralDonut]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

This is what I thought might help, I was just unsure as to weather

a) it was necessary, as occasionally hitting 80 on BF4 doesn't seem that hot...

b) Is the CM Hyper 212 going to help even if I don't sort out the underlying problem with airflow?

You would need to do something about the lack of airflow as well, yes. That said, even if airflow weren't an issue, with that much heat in the case from the GPU, you would need to ditch the rubbish stock cooler anyway. What case do you currently have? I am wondering if a Cooler Master Seidon 120V might fit in the front of your case instead.

 

[sedateeddie]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

This is what I thought might help, I was just unsure as to weather

a) it was necessary, as occasionally hitting 80 on BF4 doesn't seem that hot...

b) Is the CM Hyper 212 going to help even if I don't sort out the underlying problem with airflow?

You would need to do something about the lack of airflow as well, yes. That said, even if airflow weren't an issue, with that much heat in the case from the GPU, you would need to ditch the rubbish stock cooler anyway. What case do you currently have? I am wondering if a Cooler Master Seidon 120V might fit in the front of your case instead.

I have a Zalman z9 +, which is got a fair bit of headroom left in it, the only problem I can think of is that 120v sounds a lot and I only have a 500 W PSU, which is the smallest recommended to use with my GPU.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

This is what I thought might help, I was just unsure as to weather

a) it was necessary, as occasionally hitting 80 on BF4 doesn't seem that hot...

b) Is the CM Hyper 212 going to help even if I don't sort out the underlying problem with airflow?

You would need to do something about the lack of airflow as well, yes. That said, even if airflow weren't an issue, with that much heat in the case from the GPU, you would need to ditch the rubbish stock cooler anyway. What case do you currently have? I am wondering if a Cooler Master Seidon 120V might fit in the front of your case instead.

I have a Zalman z9 +, which is got a fair bit of headroom left in it, the only problem I can think of is that 120v sounds a lot and I only have a 500 W PSU, which is the smallest recommended to use with my GPU.

The Cooler Master Seidon 120V is £36/€45/$45 and is a 120mm all in one cooler that, from experience, is damn good. The 120V does not describe the voltage or wattage, it's just its name, like Zalman Z9 or intel i5 3570K, that's all it is, just a name.

 

[sedateeddie]

You are using a stock cooler. That's your problem. Running Prime95 on a stock cooler I am surprised you only hit 90°c. Go out and buy yourself a decent cooler, like a CM Hyper 212 and I guarantee your temps will drop down in to the mid 60's or low 70's even under full load.

This is what I thought might help, I was just unsure as to weather

a) it was necessary, as occasionally hitting 80 on BF4 doesn't seem that hot...

b) Is the CM Hyper 212 going to help even if I don't sort out the underlying problem with airflow?

You would need to do something about the lack of airflow as well, yes. That said, even if airflow weren't an issue, with that much heat in the case from the GPU, you would need to ditch the rubbish stock cooler anyway. What case do you currently have? I am wondering if a Cooler Master Seidon 120V might fit in the front of your case instead.

I have a Zalman z9 +, which is got a fair bit of headroom left in it, the only problem I can think of is that 120v sounds a lot and I only have a 500 W PSU, which is the smallest recommended to use with my GPU.

The Cooler Master Seidon 120V is £36/€45/$45 and is a 120mm all in one cooler that, from experience, is damn good. The 120V does not describe the voltage or wattage, it's just its name, like Zalman Z9 or intel i5 3570K, that's all it is, just a name.

120 Volts lol....I think I like this option, the only thing I am, having a little difficulty with is in what configuration to mount it. It would be easiest for me if the cooler master fan sucked air out of the computer and replaced my current exhaust fan. Is this a sensible place to put it or am I being stupid?

 

[AdmiralDonut]

120 Volts lol....I think I like this option, the only thing I am, having a little difficulty with is in what configuration to mount it. It would be easiest for me if the cooler master fan sucked air out of the computer and replaced my current exhaust fan. Is this a sensible place to put it or am I being stupid?

That is a standard place to install an All In One cooler, so no, you aren't being stupid I personally have mine mounted in the front of my case like this:

But if you don't have room at the front of your case, then putting it at the back would be fine.

 

[Beezy]

How are your case fans currently set up? Are you using a top exhaust ?

It's a Zalman z9 + case with a top fun sucking down onto the side of the CPU fan and the exhaust pulling air out the back. Two case intake fans and the power units fan are cut off from the CPU by the GPU

I would consider making the rear the intake and the top the exhaust (and re positioning the CPU cooler), heat rises after all.

 

[sedateeddie]

I just thought I would add a little update to this thread to explain what I have done.

AdmiralDonut suggested buying a Cooler Master Seidon 120V, whilst considering this I decided to follow his other advice about airflow. I moved one of my case fans higher up the case so it is closer to the CPU and decided to tidy up my cables. I moved the CPU power cable and the main mobo power cable so that they ran behind the motherboard and didn't get in the way.

I don't think I had realised the importance of good cable management in terms of good airflow. I have seen about a 5 degree drop in load temperatures on the CPU.

The case fan I moved had been close to the GPU and I thought that the GPU might need it but the cooling on my MSI GTX 970 is incredible and I have no problems with that overheating even without a case fan close to it.

I am still considering buying the Cooler Master Seidon 120v because I like the idea of it, I no longer think that it is necessary as my temps are now hitting 75 Max on running a 10 minute Intel Extreme Utility stress test.

I also considered the Cooler Master 212 Evo system, but it wouldn't fit with my Corsair vengeance RAM and to make it work the fan would have to be on the other side and made to push air rather than pull it, and thus slightly reduce it's effectiveness.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

I just thought I would add a little update to this thread to explain what I have done.

AdmiralDonut suggested buying a Cooler Master Seidon 120V, whilst considering this I decided to follow his other advice about airflow. I moved one of my case fans higher up the case so it is closer to the CPU and decided to tidy up my cables. I moved the CPU power cable and the main mobo power cable so that they ran behind the motherboard and didn't get in the way.

I don't think I had realised the importance of good cable management in terms of good airflow. I have seen about a 5 degree drop in load temperatures on the CPU.

The case fan I moved had been close to the GPU and I thought that the GPU might need it but the cooling on my MSI GTX 970 is incredible and I have no problems with that overheating even without a case fan close to it.

I am still considering buying the Cooler Master Seidon 120v because I like the idea of it, I no longer think that it is necessary as my temps are now hitting 75 Max on running a 10 minute Intel Extreme Utility stress test.

I also considered the Cooler Master 212 Evo system, but it wouldn't fit with my Corsair vengeance RAM and to make it work the fan would have to be on the other side and made to push air rather than pull it, and thus slightly reduce it's effectiveness.

I'm very glad to see how much success you are having with just a few minor changes. A 5°c drop is quite impressive for just tidying cables and moving a fan Nicely done.

 

[sedateeddie]

I just thought I would add a little update to this thread to explain what I have done.

AdmiralDonut suggested buying a Cooler Master Seidon 120V, whilst considering this I decided to follow his other advice about airflow. I moved one of my case fans higher up the case so it is closer to the CPU and decided to tidy up my cables. I moved the CPU power cable and the main mobo power cable so that they ran behind the motherboard and didn't get in the way.

I don't think I had realised the importance of good cable management in terms of good airflow. I have seen about a 5 degree drop in load temperatures on the CPU.

The case fan I moved had been close to the GPU and I thought that the GPU might need it but the cooling on my MSI GTX 970 is incredible and I have no problems with that overheating even without a case fan close to it.

I am still considering buying the Cooler Master Seidon 120v because I like the idea of it, I no longer think that it is necessary as my temps are now hitting 75 Max on running a 10 minute Intel Extreme Utility stress test.

I also considered the Cooler Master 212 Evo system, but it wouldn't fit with my Corsair vengeance RAM and to make it work the fan would have to be on the other side and made to push air rather than pull it, and thus slightly reduce it's effectiveness.

I'm very glad to see how much success you are having with just a few minor changes. A 5°c drop is quite impressive for just tidying cables and moving a fan Nicely done.

To be honest the picture of your build put mine to shame, I suddenly thought that perhaps having two massive cables hanging around in front of the CPU and various fan intakes was probably a problem worth sorting.

Anyways thanks for your help!

 

[AdmiralDonut]

I just thought I would add a little update to this thread to explain what I have done.

AdmiralDonut suggested buying a Cooler Master Seidon 120V, whilst considering this I decided to follow his other advice about airflow. I moved one of my case fans higher up the case so it is closer to the CPU and decided to tidy up my cables. I moved the CPU power cable and the main mobo power cable so that they ran behind the motherboard and didn't get in the way.

I don't think I had realised the importance of good cable management in terms of good airflow. I have seen about a 5 degree drop in load temperatures on the CPU.

The case fan I moved had been close to the GPU and I thought that the GPU might need it but the cooling on my MSI GTX 970 is incredible and I have no problems with that overheating even without a case fan close to it.

I am still considering buying the Cooler Master Seidon 120v because I like the idea of it, I no longer think that it is necessary as my temps are now hitting 75 Max on running a 10 minute Intel Extreme Utility stress test.

I also considered the Cooler Master 212 Evo system, but it wouldn't fit with my Corsair vengeance RAM and to make it work the fan would have to be on the other side and made to push air rather than pull it, and thus slightly reduce it's effectiveness.

I'm very glad to see how much success you are having with just a few minor changes. A 5°c drop is quite impressive for just tidying cables and moving a fan Nicely done.

To be honest the picture of your build put mine to shame, I suddenly thought that perhaps having two massive cables hanging around in front of the CPU and various fan intakes was probably a problem worth sorting.

Anyways thanks for your help!

LOL. I am incredibly...odd, when it comes to my PC builds. I have always had to have everything as neat as possible, all the time. That led me, many years ago, to realise just how much difference it can make when things are tidy inside a PC case. I'm really glad my weirdness has helped you out though, it's always good to see someone else getting things fixed up

 

[jetfighter545]

Old thread, but my i5 4590 runs at 59C on a full load. It was running at much higher temps, but I configured the fans so that one on the top blows in air and one at the side blows out, all near my CPU. Before that it was running 70C, and I didn't even leave it for that long!
Anyway, any peeps having temp problems try this out. (ignore the asterisk)
************ {FAN}
* | -------------| | |--------- -case
* | **-********vvv
< | fan * <--- CPU
**| **-

 

[biggies]

I realize this is an old thread but I was shocked to see only one person addressed the most obvious issue and it got no real recognition.

Top fans should always be exhaust, regardless of what else you do. As was said, heat rises. This is the most relevant concrete flaw OP provided in his setup. Hot air is rising in your system, and your top fans are literally pushing that hot air back down directly onto your CPU. This isn't rocket science...but it is science. Cable management is another huge factor in optimizing airflow, but honestly getting your intake/exhaust organized right is much, much more important. Even with horrendous cable management, if you have intake/exhaust arranged correctly, and the vents themselves are not obstructed, air will find its way through your system.

As a rule of thumb, you want air to move from front to back, bottom to top. This means you should have intake in the front, and exhaust for both top and rear. Beyond the basics, your exhaust CFM should exceed your intake CFM, which creates a net in favor of the exhaust, resulting in negative pressure and a vacuum effect that sucks fresh air in.

tl;dr - you're doing it wrong. front should be intake, top/rear should be exhaust. always. anyone with temp problems who hasn't already accomplished these basics should most definitely address this immediately before exploring other options.