Is my CPU cooler dying?

[mobkon]

Hey all -

I have an AMD FX8350 that I've had for a few years now. I've noticed that over time the CPU temps have been rising. I cleaned out the cooler as best as I can with tweezers (not sure of a better way) and I remove old thermal paste and apply new paste. But, it doesn't seem to make a huge difference. Maybe 5-7 degrees difference. I sometimes hit about 80 degrees under full load.

I am currently using the stock cooler. Would I benefit from an Evo 212? Is my fan just shot?

 

[terry4536]

I would use something like Dust Off to blow out the heat sink. But if you have removed the heat sink & fans, you could even use the sink to wash the heat sink (just make sure that it is dry before reinstalling).

If you have replaced the thermal paste, then the next thing to change would be the fans. There are other aftermarket cooler available.

 

[terry4536]

What CPU cooler do you have?

 

[mobkon]

What CPU cooler do you have?

Sorry, I should have noted that I'm using the original stock CPU cooler that came with the FX-8350.

I have also recently replaced my fans in my case. My idle temps are fine (around 15 degrees or so), its just sometimes under full load it hits 80 or so.

Would installing an after market cooler like the Evo 212 make much of a difference? I'm not overclocking.

 

[CountMike]

AMD stock coolers are barely enough when new, Any better aftermarket cooler would do much better. CM 212 Evo or any in it's class (number of pipes, 120mm fan, size of the body) could handle that processor at stock speeds.

 

[terry4536]

I always recommend an aftermarket cooler. They are much better at cooling the CPU for one thing. The other benefit is that they are typically much quieter (depending upon the cooler chosen).

The Cooler Master 212 Evo is an inexpensive CPU cooler using a 120mm fan. It would be one step up from the stock cooler. Other coolers such as the Noctua NH-D14 and NH-D15 are excellent coolers. There are also closed loop water coolers available like the Corsair H100i that are also excellent CPU coolers.