[SOLVED] i5-4690k insane temps

1codekiller

Honorable
Apr 14, 2015
15
0
10,510
Hello,
idle temps hover around 45-55C but running a system stability test in AIDA64 immediately makes my CPU temps shoot up to over 90C. After about two minutes the CPU starts throttling and the temps stay at ~95C. Stopping the test immediately lowers the temps to around 60-70C.

CPU: I5-4690k
CPU COOLER: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240
MOBO: ASUS Z97 PRO-GAMER
GPU: GTX 970
PSU: Corsair CX550


Starting system stability test
3 sec after ending test
Stability test cpu usage, throttling and fan speeds

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
Idle temps seem high (45-55C)- is it very warm in the room the PC occupies?

Has the cooler been cleaned? Fans removed, radiator pulled down and cleaned thoroughly? A clogged radiator can really impede cooling.

When stress testing stops, does the temp drop quickly, or does it take some time for it to return to idle temps? My expectation would be that once the CPU load is ceased, the cooler will allow the heat generated to be removed from the CPU IHS and allow the temps to drop 10-20C within seconds.

Has the PC been moved recently? There could be a partial airlock if an air bubble is present and can get lodged in the pump and prevent and impede coolant flow.

I have a couple of copy/paste sections listed below that I use often...
Many pumps lose effectiveness over the years as internal cooling fins clog with contaminants/gunk, etc....or, slow micro-leaks, or, just blatant pump failures...

(Alas, this often happens 1-3 months after the warranty expires...)

An NH-D15 (if your case allows a 165mm tall cooler) can be carried forward to your next 3700X/4700X or 10700K...
 

1codekiller

Honorable
Apr 14, 2015
15
0
10,510
Many pumps lose effectiveness over the years as internal cooling fins clog with contaminants/gunk, etc....or, slow micro-leaks, or, just blatant pump failures...

(Alas, this often happens 1-3 months after the warranty expires...)

An NH-D15 (if your case allows a 165mm tall cooler) can be carried forward to your next 3700X/4700X or 10700K...
Thanks for the reply!

So you reckon it's actually an issue with the cooler and not some weird sensor malfunction? The build is around 3-4 years old so all warranties have expired already. The cooler you linked doesn't unfortunately fit my build but I'll keep it in mind when changing cases.

Cheers
 

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
Idle temps seem high (45-55C)- is it very warm in the room the PC occupies?

Has the cooler been cleaned? Fans removed, radiator pulled down and cleaned thoroughly? A clogged radiator can really impede cooling.

When stress testing stops, does the temp drop quickly, or does it take some time for it to return to idle temps? My expectation would be that once the CPU load is ceased, the cooler will allow the heat generated to be removed from the CPU IHS and allow the temps to drop 10-20C within seconds.

Has the PC been moved recently? There could be a partial airlock if an air bubble is present and can get lodged in the pump and prevent and impede coolant flow.

I have a couple of copy/paste sections listed below that I use often:


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


AIO Troubleshooting and Questions

High CPU and GPU temperatures:

This could be caused by a few different things, please don't automatically assume 'the cooler is not working' without also checking if the case airflow is sufficient.

Remove the side panel of the PC case. Orient a house fan (desk or box style fan) to blow air into the case, directly over components at the highest setting.

This will represent a case with the best possible airflow possible. For reference, the fans I am providing as examples would look like the items below (just to clarify for anyone who might want reference)

nI6vx5v.jpg
2GBempv.jpg


Re-test as you have normally done - play games, run benchmarks, etc. to get to where temperatures were normally seen to be higher than they should. Normal room temperature is usually between 20-24C or 68-75F. Please note that every air or liquid cooler operates as a product of delta-T over ambient, meaning that if the PC is operational (simply turned on), it is impossible for the CPU to display a temperature below ambient room temperatures. If it is, this is likely a bug in software temperature reporting either from the desktop UI or the BIOS reading it incorrectly.

With the fan running at full speed, if temperatures drop by 5-7C or more, case airflow is one major issue to contend with. You will need additional fans or better fans for your setup in order to optimize air in and out of the chassis. This might even require consideration for a new PC case or leaving the side panel partially open during sessions of heavier computing until these items are corrected.

If your temperatures remain relatively the same (difference less than 1-2C), then you likely have an issue with the cooler in question (if CPU is hot, CPU cooler, if GPU is hot, GPU cooler). It would be good to then approach the next steps by thoroughly cleaning the cooler with compressed or canned air and ensuring there are not large blockages in cooling fins or on fans, etc. This might require the cooling fans to be removed from the heatsink or radiator to ensure there is not a buildup of pet hair, dust or even carpet fibers which can trap additional debris. Please ensure the PC is turned off and unplugged during this process to prevent unwanted startup to keep fingers safe from fan blades or accidental shorting if you happen to drop a screw onto other components during fan removal.

Removal of the cooler and re-application of thermal paste & re-seating the cooler can also be beneficial once cleaning of the cooler is ruled out by retesting the steps above.



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


AIO Troubleshooting and Questions

Does the CPU temp decrease when there is no load and benchmarking is stopped, or does it remain very high as if it were at load? At 1 min? At 5 min?

Does the CPU temp increase without any meaningful load from cold bootup, or does the CPU temp remain consistent around 30-35C (depending on your ambient room temp) for up to 5 or 10 minutes?

Did this cooler work correctly before now, is this a new install or a re-install? What thermal compound was used?

How is the AIO cooler oriented? Is the radiator on the top (ceiling of the case), or front or back of the case? If front or back, is the tubing oriented at the top or bottom of the radiator?

Is the pump running? Does cooler software show pump RPM? Does the tubing vibrate if you are to hold onto them?

When the CPU is showing high temperatures, is the radiator cold, warm or very hot to the touch?


Clearing a (potential) airlock on an AIO

Tap the CPU/pump housing while the pump is running.

Wiggle (without pulling or stressing) the tubing near the pump housing. Excessive force can cause small cracks or leaks, the idea is to only dislodge any air pockets that are stuck in the line.
 
Solution