i5-3470: Idle temp is fine?

[MayuraDeSilva]

Hello,

My i5-3470 idle temperature is 40°C (CPU Package) and on gaming, it reaches 50-60 range. When I stress it with Prime95, it settles at 67°C. (Ambient Temp: 27°C)

The temps on load seems normal to me, but the idle temp. Or is it fine?

On BIOS, the CPU temp reads as 36°C though. May be, it's not referring to the CPU Package temp?

CPU Cooler - Cooler Master X Dream i117

I'm not sure if this is normal, and appreciate if you guys have any ideas to lower the idle temp if it's higher than it should be.

Thanks in advance.

 

[xFeaRDom]

The Idle temperature is perfectly fine and safe, probably a lot higher than most people, it is normally around 5c higher than ambient, but I'm in the same boat as you, it idles at about 36-40c, so it's nothing to worry about.

With it hitting around 60c while gaming, then it just backs up that opinion, as that is well below the recommended maximum temperature of 80c, and throttling at around 100c.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

The Idle temperature is perfectly fine and safe, probably a lot higher than most people, it is normally around 5c higher than ambient, but I'm in the same boat as you, it idles at about 36-40c, so it's nothing to worry about.

With it hitting around 60c while gaming, then it just backs up that opinion, as that is well below the recommended maximum temperature of 80c, and throttling at around 100c.

Thanks for the quick response and reassurance, xFeaRDom Yeah, hence I was fine with temps at load.

Thought the idle should be around 35°C though. However, that's what BIOS indicates. Not in Windows though.

I was wondering if I should reseat the Heatsink and Fan, and see if it helps. Did you try that on yours and still the same?

 

[xFeaRDom]

The Idle temperature is perfectly fine and safe, probably a lot higher than most people, it is normally around 5c higher than ambient, but I'm in the same boat as you, it idles at about 36-40c, so it's nothing to worry about.

With it hitting around 60c while gaming, then it just backs up that opinion, as that is well below the recommended maximum temperature of 80c, and throttling at around 100c.

Thanks for the quick response and reassurance, xFeaRDom Yeah, hence I was fine with temps at load.

Thought the idle should be around 35°C though. However, that's what BIOS indicates. Not in Windows though.

I was wondering if I should reseat the Heatsink and Fan, and see if it helps. Did you try that on yours and still the same?

I haven't tried it on mine since it isn't really an issue that is worth the hastle.

If you would prefer doing that, then go ahead and do that, it may provide a bit of extra cooling, but 40c idle isn't really a major issue, and 60c while gaming is a good temperature to be at.

If the idle temperatures bug you, then you could always install some extra case fans, as that will lower the overall temperatures by a few degrees. But 40c Idle and 60c while gaming is perfectly fine.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

I haven't tried it on mine since it isn't really an issue that is worth the hastle.

If you would prefer doing that, then go ahead and do that, it may provide a bit of extra cooling, but 40c idle isn't really a major issue, and 60c while gaming is a good temperature to be at.

If the idle temperatures bug you, then you could always install some extra case fans, as that will lower the overall temperatures by a few degrees. But 40c Idle and 60c while gaming is perfectly fine.

Cool! I was thinking of a Hyper 212X when I upgrade to i5, but don't think it's necessary with these temps. Got a side intake fan as well, and 2 mounts free on top.

I've read some got better temps after reseating or applying a different TIM. Also that higher idle temps were caused by applying too much TIM too. I have no idea here though. Guess I'd have to try and see if it's the TIM or this is the idle temp for current cooler.

CM X Dream i117 came with thermal paste pre-applied. Think I still have to reapply if I reseat?

 

[xFeaRDom]

I haven't tried it on mine since it isn't really an issue that is worth the hastle.

If you would prefer doing that, then go ahead and do that, it may provide a bit of extra cooling, but 40c idle isn't really a major issue, and 60c while gaming is a good temperature to be at.

If the idle temperatures bug you, then you could always install some extra case fans, as that will lower the overall temperatures by a few degrees. But 40c Idle and 60c while gaming is perfectly fine.

Cool! I was thinking of a Hyper 212X when I upgrade to i5, but don't think it's necessary with these temps. Got a side intake fan as well, and 2 mounts free on top.

I've read some got better temps after reseating or applying a different TIM. Also that higher idle temps were caused by applying too much TIM too. I have no idea here though. Guess I'd have to try and see if it's the TIM or this is the idle temp for current cooler.

CM X Dream i117 came with thermal paste pre-applied. Think I still have to reapply if I reseat?

If you reseat you will have to reapply, no matter what, it is always recommended and can cause temperature increases if you do not reapply the thermal paste. If you reseat it without replacing it, you will create air bubbles, and therefore the heat will not be able to be transferred correctly and the temperatures will increase.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

If you reseat you will have to reapply, no matter what, it is always recommended and can cause temperature increases if you do not reapply the thermal paste. If you reseat it without replacing it, you will create air bubbles, and therefore the heat will not be able to be transferred correctly and the temperatures will increase.

Thanks again, xFeaRDom Ordered Arctic MX-4. Will clean and re-apply.

 

[xFeaRDom]

If you reseat you will have to reapply, no matter what, it is always recommended and can cause temperature increases if you do not reapply the thermal paste. If you reseat it without replacing it, you will create air bubbles, and therefore the heat will not be able to be transferred correctly and the temperatures will increase.

Thanks again, xFeaRDom Ordered Arctic MX-4. Will clean and re-apply.

Okay, let me know how it goes.

Glad I could help

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

Okay, let me know how it goes.

Glad I could help

Will do - Might take a week or two though Had to order online.

Today, I've taken off the Side Panel fan to clean dust on its filter and suddenly noticed a solid drop on CPU and GPU temps. Now CPU idle temp is between 36°C - 39°C and GPU idle temp dropped by 2°C too.

Now I'm thinking of rearranging the case fans as well. This was the best setup out of all the combinations for my former i3. Gotta test 'em all over again for i5.

 

[xFeaRDom]

Okay, let me know how it goes.

Glad I could help

Will do - Might take a week or two though Had to order online.

Today, I've taken off the Side Panel fan to clean dust on its filter and suddenly noticed a solid drop on CPU and GPU temps. Now CPU idle temp is between 36°C - 39°C and GPU idle temp dropped by 2°C too.

Now I'm thinking of rearranging the case fans as well. This was the best setup out of all the combinations for my former i3. Gotta test 'em all over again for i5.

Thats a good thing, aye.

And for the best fan setup, it is more of a personal preference, but you may as well test them all if you're willing to.

Best of luck

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

Thats a good thing, aye.

And for the best fan setup, it is more of a personal preference, but you may as well test them all if you're willing to.

Best of luck

Yeah, I've tested all the combinations when I had i3-3210 and it seems I have to do it all over again for i5-3470 too.

I'll try Arctic MX-4 when arrives too.

Thanks again, xFeaRDom You've been very helpful.

UPDATE: Tested some case fan setups and moved the Side Panel fan to Top (Rear) mount as an exhaust. Now the idle CPU temp is 36°C and GPU is 35°C Previously, they were 40°C and 37°C.