Question CPU Temp Issues

[DD0311]

1st off - Specs:
Processor 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900KS - 3.40 GHz
(Liquid Cooled: Corsair Hydro Series H90 140 mm High Performance;
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver);

Motherboard ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-E Gaming WiFi;
Installed RAM 64.0 GB Trident G Skill Z5 DDR5 RGB - CAS: 36 36 36 96
Vid Card ASUS ROG STRIX GEFORCE RTX 3090 OC Edition; @PCIEx16
Mouse: Razer Naga;
Keyboard Corsair K70;
PSU EVGA 1300 GT Gold "Supernova"
HDs MAIN/OS: Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus NVMe M2_2 2TB
(in 2nd slot to prevent bus/lane sharing with Vid Card , that would reduce it from x16 to x8); (Multiple other HD's for storage, but not relevant here for the current issue)

Self/Manual Overclocking Settings:
CPU - None; (Reduced P Cores from 55 to 51 today)
GPU - None;
RAM - None; - Though i'm sure I think up the ram some, due to the default probably being much lower than possible max, but at 64 gigs i'm not sure I need to up it...?...

Issue/Details:
I'll give all info. currently fresh in my mind, and probably more than is needed, to prevent not giving enough info. lol.
I game, & I edit vids for my YouyTube channels (1. Motorcycle rides; 2. Private Pilot training stuff). I have absolutely NO heating issues when gaming, or doing anything else regardless of the game, how taxing it is on the system, & the settings to "Ultra" or in close proximity to that. The temps while gaming at even the most stressful times, are very good.
However, the Editing, forces the CPU to not just spike to 100c, but often sit there for longer than i'm comfortable with. I build my own pc's, as I did with the one i'm here about (specs above). I'm certainly NO "expert," & I often have to research, ask questions, and/or trial-&-error things to get things where I believe they should be, & where people wiht more knowledge than I say they should be.
I sometimes OC my CPU/RAM, but in this case they are NOT OC'd. I think I need top up the RAM, because i'm assuming, from past experience, that the default frequency is much lower than the RAM and the MB can handle, but that is another issue, I checked the Thermal Paste for the cooler/cpu and it is good. All things are seated properly (CPU, RAM, GPU, etc.). I blow out any dust from every portion of the pc at least once ever 2 weeks, sometimes more often.
I became worried about the Temp of the CPU package when I started noticing the red light on the MB above the digital code readout was lighting up consistently when vid editing.
After some research regarding the light, to ensure it WAS specifically relating to the Temp issue I COULD see & not something else, some said "reseat the RAM," some said "reseat the GPU," etc. I have ensured both are seated correctly. I am convinced the light is ONLY on due to Temp. Some people mentioned lowering voltage, some mentioned lowering the P Core max allowed, I chose to drop the P Core from 55 to 51, leaving the E core at 40 (default). This DOES seem to have fixed the issue (currently have the editor running wiht last compilation of videos to test and compare). However, though it seems to have fixed the issue, I do have some questions.
1. Is lowering the P Core in BIOS the "optimal" fix? I'm unsure exactly HOW MUSH performance hit i'll take, & I can handle a small one, if it reduces temp stress and increases longevity.
2. Is there a better solution?
3, What is the overall "hit" to performance, when dropping from 55 to 51? I'll of course test, and see if I notice, but I recognize that even if I don't notice, it could be causing a big performance hit underneath, somewhere, that ultimately affects the whole system.
I don't currently have the funds for a bigger/better Liquid Cooler, so right now that is not an option (but on my list), and as I said, ONLY editing causes this type of spike, and/or consistent/quasi-consistent temp of 100c.
I'm "o.k." with the P Core lowering IF i'm not taking a big hit to performance, & IF it is a general consensus that it would be an "optimal" fix right now. However, as mentioned, I do NOT claim to know everything, and my BIOS modifying knowledge and ability is NOT anywhere near "expert" level. So, i'm asking here, for suggestions, info., thoughts, etc. Please give details if you have any of the aforementioned information, so I can follow along, lol.
I check temps through various programs, such as, but not limited to: CPUID HWMonitor, & the ASUS Armoury Crate. Currently, with the same video editing I was doing prior to changing the P Core values from 55 to 51, HWMonitor which was showing it spiking to and sometimes HOLDING 100c, is now showing an occasional spike to 86c, and with the editing program in the background as I type this, and all other programs running that were during the 100c issues, the current temp for CPU Package is Current=27c/Min=26c/Max=86c. I went into the editing program and started editing to test, & the values stayed in that area, as opposed to spiking to 100c, or holding there for any time at 100c.
I'm assuming I could have simply reduced voltage or power to the cpu, as opposed to simply dropping the total P Core values, but i'm VERY unsure of myself at doing such, and unsure of optimal for my system, and as such would definitely require detailed instruction and information on what the power should be set to, and etc., or I wouldn't feel comfortable modifying such. The voltage, from my memory (I didn't write it down) was about 1.47? as set by default in BIOS. Since I didn't OC the CPU at all, I thought that looked a little high, even for the max P Core etc., but hell, i'm not sure.
I thank you in advance for information, thoughts, suggestions, answers, etc., and again, please don't expect me to know all of the terms, or processes by which to alter everything, as I learn as I go, and even when i've done something, since this is new hardware (recently new build due to age of last build) I STILL have to go research, watch vids, and HOPE people are giving accurate info. My last Pc build lasted a very long time, and ran strong, this one seems to have one issue, the 100c temp, and i'd like to find the "best" option to alleviate it, without too much performance hit, so i'm starting by asking for general info., etc., here..
Thanks...
P.S. If I created this thread in the wrong place, well, I just created an acocunt here on the forums, & this appeared to be the place to put it. My apologies...

Edited to Add: I run the chassis fans, liquid cooler fan & Pump ,at Constant Max, I prefer to keep them, going and not have them throttled down, for a few reasons. I thought it worth mentioning.

 

[hotaru.hino]

The main problem I see is a 140mm AIO cooler isn't really enough for an i9. You need at least a 240mm cooler, ideally something at least 280mm.

Though note, at least since Alder Lake, Intel's CPUs are designed to hit the thermal limit first when boosting. So seeing it go up to 100C even with beefy coolers isn't unheard of.

 

[geofelt]

First of all, do not be alarmed.
Intel processors are designed to run at 100c.
If they detect a dangerous temperature above 100c, they will slow down or even shut off.
When gaming, you will rarely effectively use more than a handful or two of the processing threads.
That is why temps seem ok while gaming.
When running multithreaded apps like editing and loading many cores, that is when heat is generated.
As above a 140 aio is not very good at extracting heat.
And, in time, air will intrude through the tubes making aio coolers less effective.

I think part of your problem is the use of Asus armoury crate app which is trying to boost/overclock your processor.
I read about issues with it, but I am no expert on the app.

 

[DD0311]

First of all, do not be alarmed.
Intel processors are designed to run at 100c.
If they detect a dangerous temperature above 100c, they will slow down or even shut off.
When gaming, you will rarely effectively use more than a handful or two of the processing threads.
That is why temps seem ok while gaming.
When running multithreaded apps like editing and loading many cores, that is when heat is generated.
As above a 140 aio is not very good at extracting heat.
And, in time, air will intrude through the tubes making aio coolers less effective.

I think part of your problem is the use of Asus armoury crate app which is trying to boost/overclock your processor.
I read about issues with it, but I am no expert on the app.

I understand they throttle at the specific temps, and to prevent damage. My issue is not wanting it to throttle. I don't want it to hit the 100c temp. Most people i've read have said that 100c is too high, and it does throttle the cpu at that point. It's not just that it spikes to 100c, it's that it also sits there for an amount of time, while editing, that is a concern. I don't get concerned over a quick spike, that happens, I get it,. but it was wanting to sit there for longer than i'd expect and too long for comfort, causing the Mb light to be on for a period of time much longer than i'm comfortable with. I've listened to the cooler, and can't hear any gurgling or other such sounds, so it seems to be working as intended, though still needing replaced with a larger cooler, i'm certain.
My main question is about the 55 to 51 dropping in P Core values, and whether that is the "best" course of action currently, & what actual overal performance hit I should expect, and whether another course of action.
Regarding Armoury, What I do in BIOS is reflected correctly in Armoury, and I see nothing in Armoury that is indicating it is trying to, or doing, any sort over superseding or circumvention of the BIOS settings. "AI Overclocking" in Armoury is off, as I don't want it it to OC, and when I changed the 55 to 51 for the P cores, it shows it correctly in Armoury. So, i'm not sure about the Armoury thing. Mainly I use it to control lighting (RAM, MB, GPU, & as another (of multiple) Temp/etc. monitoring programs. Not sure what you've seen about Armoury, but I can't say for sure, to be honest, regarding what you've seen.
Good info. though, thanks.

 

[DD0311]

The main problem I see is a 140mm AIO cooler isn't really enough for an i9. You need at least a 240mm cooler, ideally something at least 280mm.

Though note, at least since Alder Lake, Intel's CPUs are designed to hit the thermal limit first when boosting. So seeing it go up to 100C even with beefy coolers isn't unheard of.

Ya, like I said, I know my cooler is underpowered for the cpu, it's on the "list" of "needs." I'm trying to figure out about the 55 to 51 p core, hit to performance, whether there is a better more optimal option to tweak, or if this is the right "track" to take currently. The more I learn, the more I know, and spiking to 100c is one thing, but holding there for any length of time, is an issue I want to prevent, and one that concerns me. A new cooler might, probably would, fix the issue, but short of that, currently I need to take action (temporary or otherwise) to solve it until a new cooler is possible.
Thanks for the reply...

 

[hotaru.hino]

I understand they throttle at the specific temps, and to prevent damage. My issue is not wanting it to throttle. I don't want it to hit the 100c temp. Most people i've read have said that 100c is too high, and it does throttle the cpu at that point. It's not just that it spikes to 100c, it's that it also sits there for an amount of time, while editing, that is a concern.

Intel designed the CPUs to hit 100C and be fine with it.

AMD also designed Zen 4 based processors in the same manner. Or to take from an AMD's reviewer notes (from an Ars Technica review):

With the new AM5 socket and higher TDP, most processors will run into a thermal wall before they hit a power wall. You will therefore see the Ryzen 7000 series, especially the higher core count variants, reside at TJMax (about 95 degrees Celsius for the Ryzen 7000 series) when running intense multithreaded workloads like Cinebench nt. This behavior is intended and by design.

It’s important to note TJMax is the max safe operating temperature—not the absolute max temperature. In the Ryzen 7000 Series, the processor is designed to run at TJMax 24/7 without risk of damage or deterioration. At 95 degrees it is not running hot, rather it will intentionally go to this temperature as much as possible under load because the power management system knows that this is the ideal way to squeeze the most performance out of the chip without damaging it.

And while sure you could say "this only applies to AMD", I'm pretty sure Intel's no different here. This is just one of those things both companies are doing to make themselves look better. Also the whole point of thermal throttling is to prevent the silicon from reaching its thermal runaway temperature, a temperature where electrical resistance in silicon semiconductors actually starts dropping. However, this thermal runaway temperature is around 150C. So even at 100C, the parts aren't in any danger of blowing up.

My main question is about the 55 to 51 dropping in P Core values, and whether that is the "best" course of action currently, & what actual overal performance hit I should expect, and whether another course of action.

If you don't want to spend money revamping your cooling system, then sure, you could start mucking with the maximum clock speed of the P cores or the overall power limit of the CPU. There was an article on power limiting an i9-14900K at various levels and it seems to not lose that much performance (<20%) going down to 95W.

EDIT: I found one they did with the 12900K: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/...er-lake-tested-at-various-power-limits/2.html. It loses more performance at lower power levels compared to the 14th gen, but even cutting the power limit in half only drops performance by about 15%.

 

[geofelt]

Do you have any performance problems, or is your main concern temperatures?

In an interview with an Intel engineer, he said
"if you are not running at 100c. you are losing performance."
This was talking about the latest gen processors so it may not apply to 12th gen.

 

[DD0311]

Intel designed the CPUs to hit 100C and be fine with it.

AMD also designed Zen 4 based processors in the same manner. Or to take from an AMD's reviewer notes (from an Ars Technica review):



And while sure you could say "this only applies to AMD", I'm pretty sure Intel's no different here. This is just one of those things both companies are doing to make themselves look better. Also the whole point of thermal throttling is to prevent the silicon from reaching its thermal runaway temperature, a temperature where electrical resistance in silicon semiconductors actually starts dropping. However, this thermal runaway temperature is around 150C. So even at 100C, the parts aren't in any danger of blowing up.


If you don't want to spend money revamping your cooling system, then sure, you could start mucking with the maximum clock speed of the P cores or the overall power limit of the CPU. There was an article on power limiting an i9-14900K at various levels and it seems to not lose that much performance (<20%) going down to 95W.

EDIT: I found one they did with the 12900K: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/...er-lake-tested-at-various-power-limits/2.html. It loses more performance at lower power levels compared to the 14th gen, but even cutting the power limit in half only drops performance by about 15%.

Excellent info., thank you. I'll get a better cooler when I can, it's not a matter of not wanting to, it's a matter of inability right this minute, unfortunately, lol. I'm just trying to get an idea of what performance I am actually losing by dropping P cores from 55 to 51. I'm leaving the power alone right now, and so far have only adjusted the P cores. I don't think it should affect performance TOO much, but i'm not certain.
I get a little concerned when the birght red light on the MB above the digital readout, coupled with the temp monitoring showing 100c, coupled wiht the fact it's not just a spike but holding there for any length of time, then add in the people saying it is throttling down at 100c, which I prefer to not have happen.
I'll read more form the links you provided, and see what I can discern from it.
Thank you..

 

[geofelt]

The KS chips are highly binned and are the best of the best.
I would be a bit concerned about the motherboard red light and would not completely discount it.
Is there possibly a bios update for the motherboard that might address the issue?
In the motherboard bios, did you select something like :load optimized defaults"?
That might have loaded what is essentially an overclocked profile.
Or, the Armoury crate might have done so.

Consider taking a user system checkpoint then try to uninstall armoury crate.
If something nasty should happen, you can do system restore.

 

[DD0311]

Do you have any performance problems, or is your main concern temperatures?

In an interview with an Intel engineer, he said
"if you are not running at 100c. you are losing performance."
This was talking about the latest gen processors so it may not apply to 12th gen.

Well, that's my question. I'm not sure yet. I literally just started getting paranoid (possibly) over the red light on the MB, the tempos spike AND holding there at 100c for longer than I expect, & then I lowered the P cores to 51. That is my main concern about lowering them, ;..."How much performance hit will I take, should I bother lowering them, & is the CPU throttling at 100c?"
If it's not throttling, and no damage is being done (i'm not sure about this) for this CPU, then i'd be less concerned about the red light on MB, spiking to 100c, AND holding there more consistently while editing. However, IF any of the above IS happening, i'd rather take steps now to prevent possible issues, whatever they may be.
I'm still testing "performance" now after changing P core values, and speaking of prior to changing them today, I didn't notice performance issues, BUT...it's harder to notice performance issues running an editor, than say...gaming, as the fps isn't a valuable indicator then, so the only way I could think i'd see a performance drop is something obvious while editing, but that's difficult for me to tell what is related to the editor doing what it "does," or the pc having some issue. So, i'm not sure if when it hit 100c while editing it actually was losing performance. If that makes sense?
Thanks for the info. Maybe i'm getting my panties in a wad over nothing, & maybe it has no issues spiking to, and holding 100c while doing intensive things like editing vids. That's why i'm here...I don't know, but I figure people out here do, and eventually a general consensus and most probable answer is going to find its way to me., & i'll take the steps necessary to act on it, from those whom have more knowledge than I.
Regarding the comment about "if you are not running at 100c..." I can only hope that is true. lol. But, like you said, not sure if that applies to 12th gen...so...
Thanks...

 

[DD0311]

The KS chips are highly binned and are the best of the best.
I would be a bit concerned about the motherboard red light and would not completely discount it.
Is there possibly a bios update for the motherboard that might address the issue?
In the motherboard bios, did you select something like :load optimized defaults"?
That might have loaded what is essentially an overclocked profile.
Or, the Armoury crate might have done so.

Consider taking a user system checkpoint then try to uninstall armoury crate.
If something nasty should happen, you can do system restore.

I'll address in order:
1. I am definitely concerned about the MB light.
2. As far as i'm aware, after updating the bios twice since completing the build, there is NO new bios update available, though i've not checked since last update, which WAS maybe a month ago, so i'll go check for any new bios update again after this reply to you.
3. I've not done anything regarding telling it to choose optimized defaults, or etc. I've not attempted to OC, nor alter really anything related to what you're asking, as far as i'm aware, so i'd have to say "No" to your question, and as far as my repeated checks, nothing is indicating any type of OC profile, or Oc selection.
4. Armoury Crate is NOT set to do any type of OC, or profile changes, or anything that supersedes the BIOS options. It is not on, & not allowed per the settings. So, unless Armoury says "to hell with your choices, i'm going to do THIS!" ...then I don't think it's related to Armoury, honestly.
I'll go check about any new bios updates, & report back with an edit to this...
Thanks...
Edited to Add:

New recent BIOS IS available. Though it doesn't mention anything to do with my issues, that I can discern. I'm going to flash the bios, then change the 51 p core back to 55 (unless someone thinks I should leave it, OR take it only to a certain number below 55). Then i'll see what happens.

ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING WIFI BIOS 3401
Version 3401
12.9 MB 2024/03/22
"1.Improved DDR5 compatibility
2.Further optimized CEP settings when disabled
Updating this BIOS will simultaneously update the corresponding intel ME to version 16.1.30.2307. Please note after you update this BIOS, the ME version remains the updated one even if you roll back to an older BIOS later.

Edit 2: Flashed to latest BIOS. Apparently it also reset the performance core ratio limit form the 51 I had, to the default of "Auto." Going to run my vid editor, and see what happens, while concurrently monitoring temps, to get an idea of the spikes, & length of time it sits at 100c (if it continues to do so), also watching for the MB red light.

 

[DD0311]

After BIOS Flash here are the results:
1. It apparently reset the CPU P P cores back to 55. I'm also assuming it probably reset other things I don't want changed, such as disabling LSPM, etc., but i'll check on those later. I prefer to not have the PC shutting down things, for various reasons.
2. I'm running my vid editor, as well as converting files in the background, as well as chrome. So far the red light on the Mb is no longer coming on, even while running the programs concurrently.
3. It is spiking to 100c occasionally now, & i'm unsure if something it defaulted back to is the reason, perhaps I changed something previously, but the spikes are only spikes, and no longer hang there for any real length of time, instead currently showing 84c with a recent max of 100c, for both P & E cores, in CPUIDHWMonitor. Though it does occasionally go to upper 90's, sometimes 100c (especially in "package") but only for a sxecond or 2, in "current" value" (as shown in SS if I can post it here).
4. While I was in there, I enabled XMP1, which defaulted to highest RAM Frequency of 6000. I realize this is a separate subject, but I had been meaning to up the RAM from 4000 to something more, utilizing its' potential. I've heard some people have issues wiht 6000, on this MB, especially if using all 4 slots instead of 2x32 (i'm using 4x16) & perhaps i'll have to drop it to 5600, then down until stable, but i'm testing it, and will put it under stress (gaming/vid editing like i'm doing) & see what happens. Unfortunately when I bought the ram, instead of getting 4 sticks in the same run which I know can be an issue, & thus why they sell them together if you plan on needing that much RAM, but at the time, it required 2 separate purchases. I'll see what happens. If anyone has any comments, ideas, suggestions, or thoughts on this separate subject, I welcome it.
5. I re-set fan profiles to max for everything, asd I prefer, including Pump & Fan for cooler.
6. I'm working on affording a better cooler, but then that might create an issue as to where to put it. It's a big case, but i'm unsure a 2-fan one would fit at the rear, or if I could manage to get the fans set at the top somehow. Old case, used for last 2 builds. I'll have to figure something out.
7. All information provided is appreciated, and any further info. will be considered as well . This is probably going to be a trial and error, and monitoring situation for a while, before I see if everything is stable.
Thanks for the info., replies, & thoughts. I'm still testing.

*Note: Couldn't add the SS, or photo of case...

***Edited - Update: MB Light back on in past few minutes, on consistently. HWMoniter shows:
Package: Current back and forth from 97 to 100c / Min 20c / Mac 100c.
P Core: 97 to 100c / Min 25c / Max 100c
E Core: 67c / Min 26c / Max 80c
Is the CPU throttling at 100c, or not? I'm not sure if I should lower the P Cores again temporarily from 55 to something like 54, 53, etc., like I had it setg to 51. I'm kind of at a loss on what best course of action is, until I can get ahold of a better cooler.

 

[drjohnnyfever]

...aren't the MOBO manufacturers starting to default certain OC settings with both Intel and AMD chips? I had to check the P1 and P2 after a recent build of a gamer for my son because I was worried that the voltages might be set too high due to using a i5-14600k. It asked the cooler type on the posting visit to Bios on an MSI MOBO. I clicked the 3rd party, radiator type and after review, it didn't up the voltages, but there are a number of YouTuber's who have lamented this pre-emptive alteration.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Is the CPU throttling at 100c, or not? I'm not sure if I should lower the P Cores again temporarily from 55 to something like 54, 53, etc., like I had it setg to 51. I'm kind of at a loss on what best course of action is, until I can get ahold of a better cooler.

Technically speaking, the CPU is always going to be thermal throttling because it's designed to hit its thermal limit first. However, to add some sanity in my life regarding these things, I only consider thermal throttling a problem if the processor can't even maintain base clock speeds.

...aren't the MOBO manufacturers starting to default certain OC settings with both Intel and AMD chips? I had to check the P1 and P2 after a recent build of a gamer for my son because I was worried that the voltages might be set too high due to using a i5-14600k. It asked the cooler type on the posting visit to Bios on an MSI MOBO. I clicked the 3rd party, radiator type and after review, it didn't up the voltages, but there are a number of YouTuber's who have lamented this pre-emptive alteration.

I think the issue is more that i9's don't have a time limit for their PL2 rating unlike the other processors. So the lower PL1 rating is more or less pointless.

"Too high" of a voltage in recent memory is only an issue with Zen 4 X3D processors, and mostly from ASUS.

 

[John Chesterfield]

Armoury Crate might not be set to interfere with the BIOS but that doesn't mean it isn't messing with it.

Reason? Armoury Crate is GARBAGE software and I wouldn't have it anywhere near a system. Try to find an alternative.

 

[DD0311]

Armoury Crate might not be set to interfere with the BIOS but that doesn't mean it isn't messing with it.

Reason? Armoury Crate is GARBAGE software and I wouldn't have it anywhere near a system. Try to find an alternative.

I don't like 3rd party crap, & mostly keep free from crapware, etc. normally, anyway. However, Armoury was the only thing I could find that would allow RGB configs for the RAM, MOBO, & GPU. Unless there's something out there lighter, and confirmed more reliable, i'm stuck with it for now.

 

[DD0311]

I removed the pump from the cpu again, and this time altered and increased the amount of paste, reseated, and tightened the pump down tightly. I also re-checked that one hose wasn't cold, while the other warm, indicating it's fialing or not working as intended. It may be a bit underpowered for the cpu, but it wasn't doing this before, immediately after the build, so MAYBE this will help. Not sure. Still testing...

 

[35below0]

Unless there's something out there lighter, and confirmed more reliable, i'm stuck with it for now.

You're stuck with it. As long as you're stuck with an Asus board, you're stuck with AC.

Other manufacturers have their own versions of the same thing. Some times they are bloated, sometimes they are fine. Sometimes they're so bad they trip up anti-malware software 😀

It depends on what generation we're in. These days a lot of folks hate Armory Crate, while few hate on MSi and AsRock. Gigabyte is neither here nor there. It does the job or maybe there's more pressing reasons to hate on Gigabyte 😉

*i own a bunch of gigabyte gear so i am allowed to take shots at them. right?

 

[DD0311]

You're stuck with it. As long as you're stuck with an Asus board, you're stuck with AC.

Other manufacturers have their own versions of the same thing. Some times they are bloated, sometimes they are fine. Sometimes they're so bad they trip up anti-malware software 😀

It depends on what generation we're in. These days a lot of folks hate Armory Crate, while few hate on MSi and AsRock. Gigabyte is neither here nor there. It does the job or maybe there's more pressing reasons to hate on Gigabyte 😉

*i own a bunch of gigabyte gear so i am allowed to take shots at them. right?

"Stuck with it"...exactly. However, i've been using it since the recent build was completed, and this temp issue wasn't occurring the whole time i've been using it. Also, it is not set to OC anything, that is turned off. Honestly, after all the testing i've done, settings checked and/or changed, reapplying thermal paste, on, and on, it comes back to the Cooler being the most logical culprit. I'm kind of resigned to that being the case.
However, my most pressing issue while awaiting a better cooler, is: What to do? I could turn down the P Core values again, maybe not all the way to 51 from 55 this time, but trying 54, or 53. That's all i've come up with so far to try to temporarily deal with the issue. People have their opinions on this program, or that program, but iun my mind if the setting is off, then either the program just ignores it and the setting I see is nothing but "for show," which i'd believe i'd have read about from MANY people complaining about it; or, it isn't the specific cause of MY issue, despite it still being an annoying program, possibly causing OTHER differing issues.
HWMonitor, while running my editor shows: Current 97-100c / Min 32c / Max 100c. Then, just now, the Current dropped to upper 40's lower 50's. Possibly the cooler is dying, or it's just definitely underpowered.
Either way, Cooler...is on my list of necessities when it can be afforded, and until then I need a temp. work-around/fix, which as mentioned, right now in my mind is only dropping the p core values, unless someone has a specific directive otherwise, I guess that's what i'll have to do.
Edited for hitting wrong keys as i type...ffs

 

[ThomasKinsley]

If it makes you feel any better OP, it sounds like completely normal behavior. The processor is extracting as much performance as possible. AMD and Intel are in a brutal war for top performance, and so they have been competing by raising the thermal limits that were once there before. That is why some people warned you about running at 100C - that would've nuked a 6th or 7th gen Intel, but newer Intels can and do run hotter.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9TjJviotnI

View: https://youtu.be/yaj8EWXSw-A?si=vndg-n5CO0OwKQGw&t=240

 

[DD0311]

If it makes you feel any better OP, it sounds like completely normal behavior. The processor is extracting as much performance as possible. AMD and Intel are in a brutal war for top performance, and so they have been competing by raising the thermal limits that were once there before. That is why some people warned you about running at 100C - that would've nuked a 6th or 7th gen Intel, but newer Intels can and do run hotter.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9TjJviotnI

View: https://youtu.be/yaj8EWXSw-A?si=vndg-n5CO0OwKQGw&t=240

Thanks for the info. As I mentioned, I VERY WELL could be getting uptight over NOTHING./ But, if it IS throttled due to hitting 100c, then it concerns me.
Here is a weird thing - I re-applied the thermal paste, and re-seated the cooler pump on the CPU. In the beginning it was stil showing it hitting 100c in both "current (97 - 100c off and on) readout AND the "Max"
readout areas in HWMonitor. However, now, it has suddenly died down, and is showing 38 to 50 d"current" (depending on what i'm doing in the editor), & shows it's only hit a max of 83c. So, now, unless the paste takes a while to actually cause an effect (I find that difficult to believe), then the issue is based on an intermittent, or specific amount of time passing, cause. I've not changed what i'm doing, and i'm still editing, and watching the monitors.
If the cooler was failing, i'[d expect (from my limited knowledge, and common sense...) to see this type of behavior, temps varying on current and max in the high numbers, then suddenly in a range of much lower as described above. If it was simply not powerful enough, i'd not expect the temps to drop as they have, while performing the same actions on the pc (editing, etc., as i'm testing).
The other issue, is not just the temps, but the red light on the MB coming on during those temps. If the temps are "o.k.," then the light shouldn't be kicking on, and remaining on, and the light is 100% consistent wiht the temps raising so it is logically related to that issue specifically, as far as i'm able to tell.
Thanks for the vvids, i'll give them a watch, but the light on MB is indicating more than just a simple matter of CPU's run hotter, to me anyway. The light is what REALLY is the indicator of an actual issue, to me. Again, in my limited knowledge. I wish I could share screen shots here, but I can't as far as i'm aware.
I'll include the text readout from HWMonitor, showing how it has suddenly, dropped the temps, but quite a while after re-applying thermal paste, and even though i'm still performing the same actions on the pc.

Hardware monitor Nuvoton NCT6791D
Voltage 0 5.00 Volts [0x7D] (+5V)
Voltage 1 3.30 Volts [0xCE] (+3.3V)
Voltage 2 12.00 Volts [0x7D] (+12V)
Voltage 3 0.58 Volts [0x48] (VIN3)
Voltage 4 1.79 Volts [0x70] (VIN4)
Voltage 5 1.36 Volts [0x99] (VCORE)
Voltage 6 1.05 Volts [0x83] (VIN6)
Voltage 7 1.28 Volts [0x50] (VIN7)
Temperature 0 41 degC (105 degF) [0x29] (Mainboard)
Temperature 1 37 degC (98 degF) [0x25] (CPU)
Temperature 2 41 degC (105 degF) [0x29] (TMPIN2)
Temperature 3 41 degC (105 degF) [0x29] (TMPIN3)
Temperature 5 14 degC (57 degF) [0xE] (TMPIN5)
Temperature 6 17 degC (62 degF) [0x11] (TMPIN6)
Fan 1 1525 RPM [0x5F5] (CPU)
Fan 3 723 RPM [0x2D3] (Chassis #3)
Fan 4 1009 RPM [0x3F1] (Chassis #4)
Fan 6 1500 RPM [0x5DC] (Chassis #6)

 

[DD0311]

The main problem I see is a 140mm AIO cooler isn't really enough for an i9. You need at least a 240mm cooler, ideally something at least 280mm.

Though note, at least since Alder Lake, Intel's CPUs are designed to hit the thermal limit first when boosting. So seeing it go up to 100C even with beefy coolers isn't unheard of.

I'm looking into a 280, but unsure I can even fit it into the case, unless I somehow could mount it at the top. I really wish I could send the photo of my case layout to make this make more sense. lol

 

[DD0311]

Any thoughts on this one?
https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-Liquid-Freezer-RGB-PWM-Controlled/dp/B09VH1QDPS/ref=sr_1_23_sspa?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-kUH-x0Svs8nrBEYSkwcBhp8eEDOuZ4-brCEYl4Mh0rqXOdMZcFW8lQ5h_rA0w7UlYqZGmE0VnIqI4DD1NVtZkDU8HJFlxhwxRk2DCP4iL2bnpZhw8EtjZTbIvxdPcTunqqPTFnSPSdg8Y5IkP9cEWSu0XLVAQsMsYJqdxRqfo-2nOZL_3M7xEqUkHRQr4_q-GdjHluvNNOX1ooeoXK0xukIa7SuVMbBLq536s9JnqaJ3WTcjBIRJ-8JG71hBPx3HpP7qyVKO19sdkSAPNOFeWnt_U21pc1qYlBWHUAVwYM.JuOkDS1i2XJf8Mfwq9XIo9GkYQjVFWOl40JSUZrKDkU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Computer+CPU+Cooling+Fans&qid=1712187748&refinements=p_89:ARCTIC&s=pc&sr=1-23-spons&ts_id=11036281&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9idGY&th=1

Edit: Nevermind...some really bad reviews about mounting and damage.

 

[Cellie]

So, now, unless the paste takes a while to actually cause an effect (I find that difficult to believe)

Some paste lines need to cure (eg Artic Silver), and I wouldn't be surprised this charactersitic was also present in a few lines from other brands.

More info: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/thermal-paste-curing.356195/

 

[DD0311]

Some paste lines need to cure (eg Artic Silver), and I wouldn't be surprised this charactersitic was also present in a few lines from other brands.

More info: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/thermal-paste-curing.356195/

Hmm, o.k. thanks for the info. So it IS possible for a delayed reaction after applying the paste. VERY good to know it is a possibility. Thanks.