I7 930 and Scythe Mugen 2

[greenmongoose]

Hi all,

I recently completed my build including a Core i7 930 and Scythe Mugen 2 using AS5. My temps at idle are around 32C and at full load are 60-62C.

I was wondering if these load temps seem a little high? I found a chart comparing several aftermarket heatsinks.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1196/6/

While my idle temps are lower then in their data set my load temps are several degrees higher. Is it possible that my load temps will drop to sub-60C after some burn in or do I need to re-seat the heatsink?

I'm concerned because I would like to start trying to OC this weekend and didn't know if I should proceed "as-is".

Thanks for you input.

Other info:
CPU: Intel Core i7 930 (stock)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
VGA: GTX 460 1GB (x2 in SLI)
PSU: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W

 

[lenoxlv]

Maybe buy a better thermal paste. It should lower you temps a few C. Try improving your cable management in the case and maybe add another fan to your case (if it`s possible). Btw, what case do you have?

 

[greenmongoose]

Maybe buy a better thermal paste. It should lower you temps a few C. Try improving your cable management in the case and maybe add another fan to your case (if it`s possible). Btw, what case do you have?

I have a Thermaltake Element V ATX Full Tower Case. It has a ton of huge fans in it so I don't think air flow is an issue.

A question on the thermal paste. I used Arctic Silver 5 that I had from a previous build. It's maybe 2 years old. It seemed thinner than I remembered. How long does it "keep" sitting in a drawer?

I used the line method for applying the thermal paste as described on the Arctic Silver website.

 

[lenoxlv]

For the thermal paste - it should be ok, but if you are afraid it`s old or something buy a new tube.

Humm... make sure you have negative pressure in your case - more fans pushing air out than in.

The core i7 930 will be safe under 80 C, so you have a the space for overclocking.


Our recommendation is to keep Intel Core i7 CPUs under 80C. That gives you a healthy margin in case you’re running a heavy load on your CPU on a particularly hot summer day. Due to the manufacturing process of Intel Core i7, and the improved power management features, we’re comfortable at up to 80C, even though this would be considered a very hot temperature with an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU.

 

[greenmongoose]

Okay well I guess I will leave it for the time being, continuing to run Prime95 and see if my temps go down with the burn in process.

I'll hold off a couple weeks to start trying to OC. If I don't see an improvement in temps I'll try re-seating the heatsink and use a new tube of Arctic Silver 5.

Thanks for the input.

 

[redechelon]

If you end up buying a new tube of paste, you might as well buy stuff better than AS5 if you want to see an improvement. MX-3 is a favorite, but there are plenty out there.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The manufacturer's website says that new AS5 takes 200 hours and various thermal cycles to cure which, according to benchmarkreviews.com, might take about a year.

I'd look for a better paste. You should be able to get in mid 50's with a 35 - 40% overclock.


http://www.hwreviewlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amega-44-thermal-paste-round-up&catid=32%3Around-ups&Itemid=47&limitstart=3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup_10.html#sect1
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=3

 

[greenmongoose]

Thanks for the additional information guys. It's been a while since I've had to seat a heatsink and I didn't realize there had been quite so many changes in TIM in the last few years. Last I knew AS5 was the way to go.

I did some more research on benchmarkreviews and found a comparison that they did of 80 different TIMs.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13

I decided to go with OCZ Freeze. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[redechelon]

Sounds good. I saw that review a while ago and thought about picking up some freeze, but couldn't get my hands on any.

BTW, you should NOT be able to get a 40% OC in the mid 50's... if you OC to 4GHz, with HT on, something around 70-75C is normal. With HT off, something around 60-65C.

 

[greenmongoose]

Best answer selected by greenmongoose.