[SOLVED] Hot CPU and Loud Fans

[julienruc]

Hi all,

I recently upgraded my rig to both a 5600X and a 6800XT. Everything seems to be working fine. However, whenever I play a demanding game such as Warzone, BFV, or Cyberpunk 2077, my PC becomes extremely loud and my CPU is quite hot.

My [upgraded] Setup:
5600X
NH-D15S
B450-F Strix
2x8GB 3200MHz Trident Z RGB
6800XT Nitro+ OC
SX8200 Pro + a SATA SSD and a couple of 3.5" drives.
Leadex III 850W Gold
Meshify C Dark TG

The GPU seems to be pretty normal with temps sitting at about 40-45C on idle and 60-65C in-game.

The CPU however is running rather hot and my fans are going crazy. I was wondering if you guys could help me find a good setting for it. This is what I've tried so far:

I started by setting the CPU on Auto and was getting 40C on idle and ~80C under load. After verifying on HWMonitor, its clocks were sitting at 4.7GHz pretty constantly while playing. The rig isn't loud here, but it's still pretty audible.
I then decided to try and overclock it. I set it to 4.6GHz at 1.4v. I was getting 50C on idle and 90C under load and my fans were extremely loud! Like when u open the oven and hear that oven fan going!

I then decided to reseat and repaste the CPU. I also added an NF-A12x25 as a second fan to my NH-D15S (I couldn't add another NF-A15 due to lack of clearance when closing the side panel).
On Auto, I was getting <35C on Auto and ~75 under load. Much better results but the rig is still quite audible.
On 4.6GHz @ 1.4v I am getting 45C on idle and just over 80C under load. Fans are still super loud. I popped the side panel open and it did nothing for the temps, fans kept going at full speed (so I know the fans are doing their work).

The fan even shoots up for half a minute when turning on Windows or whenever I open an application of any kind (steam, browser, afterburner, etc...)
I've got 2 NF-A12x25 at the front as intake (top and bottom), one NF-A12x15 at the front as intake (middle) due to fat GPU. Two NZXT AER 140mm fans as exhaust at the top, and a 120mm Fractal default case fan at the back as exhaust.

But why is it getting so hot? So hot that the fans are going at full speed to barely be able to keep the CPU at 80C. I've never experienced such temps/noise up until this upgrade so I'm not sure what to expect here. Could it be that my motherboard poorly handles overclocking? Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

 

[Phaaze88]

The reason the cpu gets 'hot' is a combination of:
-chassis ambient: the temperature of the air going into the cpu cooler.
-Ryzen 5000 having even more aggressive boost behavior than Ryzen 3000.
-While Ryzen has great power efficiency, the greater thermal density of the 7nm dies beneath the IHS cannot be effectively transferred up through the heatspreader; some of the heat is 'lost' before it can move up.

Also: https://www.pcgamer.com/amd-views-ryzen-5000-cpu-temperatures-up-to-95c-as-typical-and-by-design/
Probably not all that helpful, but AMD wouldn't see your current situation as a problem.

You've got to roll with a higher rpm fan curve. Trying to keep it low just leads to sharper revving.
The higher, yet gentler curve will be easier on your ears than the constant revving one.



I know that my H500P Mesh doesn't represent everyone's airflow and cooling situations, but I've done a number of cooling tests with it and a NH-D15S(dual fan), and found that if you want to maximize cpu cooling with the D15, consider the following:
1)The 2 top fans have to go: Their benefit is to gpu cooling anyway, but it's detrimental to most cpu air coolers. With them gone, the D15 will draw air from both the front and top.
Obviously, gpu cooling will be slightly worse, but if it was already pretty cool, then no big deal, right?

2)The folds at the sides of the finstacks promote more front to back airflow and actually reduce the effect of fans above the cooler. Another reason to remove the 2 top fans.
3)Remove the rear fan if it's specs are lower than that of the NF-A15. If yes, it's actually in the way. People tend to fill fans everywhere and not think about such things. IF it's specs are greater, then it can stay there.

 

[julienruc]

The reason the cpu gets 'hot' is a combination of:
-chassis ambient: the temperature of the air going into the cpu cooler.
-Ryzen 5000 having even more aggressive boost behavior than Ryzen 3000.
-While Ryzen has great power efficiency, the greater thermal density of the 7nm dies beneath the IHS cannot be effectively transferred up through the heatspreader; some of the heat is 'lost' before it can move up.

Also: https://www.pcgamer.com/amd-views-ryzen-5000-cpu-temperatures-up-to-95c-as-typical-and-by-design/
Probably not all that helpful, but AMD wouldn't see your current situation as a problem.

You've got to roll with a higher rpm fan curve. Trying to keep it low just leads to sharper revving.
The higher, yet gentler curve will be easier on your ears than the constant revving one.

I know that my H500P Mesh doesn't represent everyone's airflow and cooling situations, but I've done a number of cooling tests with it and a NH-D15S(dual fan), and found that if you want to maximize cpu cooling with the D15, consider the following:
1)The 2 top fans have to go: Their benefit is to gpu cooling anyway, but it's detrimental to most cpu air coolers. With them gone, the D15 will draw air from both the front and top.
Obviously, gpu cooling will be slightly worse, but if it was already pretty cool, then no big deal, right?

2)The folds at the sides of the finstacks promote more front to back airflow and actually reduce the effect of fans above the cooler. Another reason to remove the 2 top fans.
3)Remove the rear fan if it's specs are lower than that of the NF-A15. If yes, it's actually in the way. People tend to fill fans everywhere and not think about such things. IF it's specs are greater, then it can stay there.

This is actually quite reassuring to know about. At least it's somewhat expected. Because if this happened to my 2700X (which was my previous CPU before this) I would have been quite worried.

I'll purchase a stronger fan for the exhaust and try removing the top fans as you've suggested. I'll also try setting a more aggressive fan profile.

For now, I've set the Core Multiplier back to auto because apart from Cyberpunk 2077, I'm getting more than acceptable frame rates in every other game I play.

Thanks so much for your reply. It's helped narrow down my options for a solution. Appreciate it.

 

[BogdanH]

People tend to fill fans everywhere and not think about such things.

-sadly, but true: many think "cool" (look) is the same as "cold".

@julienruc
You have one of the best air coolers in the world on only 65W TDP CPU and you can't handle temperatures/noise?
There can only be two reasons for that: your airflow is extremely bad, or your overclocking is beyond reasonable settings.
For comparison: I have 60$ air cooler on my 5900X, two 140mm intake front fans, one 120mm fan in back and I use solid top panel on PC case -and no temp/noise troubles at all.
Yes, sometimes less is better.

 

[julienruc]

I just wanted to come back and provide everyone with an update on the situation.

I have removed the 2 top exhaust fans and replaced my rear exhaust fan with one of the Noctua 120mm fans. I didn't want to believe it but I was very pleasantly surprised that the noise levels and temperatures had improved significantly. Though still audible, it was on acceptable levels and non-intrusive when playing with a headset.

I have since upgraded my motherboard to a B550 because I felt like splurging a bit, my system is now extremely quiet. Even under load.

Thanks again to everyone for their help. Appreciate it.