My CPU is running at 85 degrees C at Idle

jtrichou

Commendable
Jul 31, 2016
2
0
1,510
Hey guys! So I'm a complete novice when it comes to computers, but I was trying to fix my computer so it could give better FPS when I noticed that my temperature for my CPU was pretty high. 75-85C at idle. and like 90's high 80's when it was playing overwatch.

I just noticed and I built this computer in 2011. I'm not sure how I applied the thermal paste, or what temperature reading it had back then. I also have messed up and vacuumed my computer a couple of times before I found out it was bad for the computer. I appreciate the help!

SPECS:

MotherBoard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Deneb Quad-Core 3.0 GHz Socket AM2+ 125W HDZ940XCGIBOX Processor

Hard Drive: Western Digital Blue WD6400AAKS 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply

Physical Memory: ADATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD2U800B2G5-DRH

I also looked back on my purchases and Have no idea what the fan is? I never bought one from new egg apparently.


 
Solution
for stock speeds yeah 60C-65C is prime. Though anything <80C full load will do; thats the temps most overclockers aim for though I personally aim for 70C while overclocking. Point being even if you not dead under 60C you have some thermal headroom left to use if you just have a hot chip or do decide to overclock down the road.


Should probably take a picture of the heatsink and fan. If it's clogged with dust that will significantly rise the temps. May just want to take it off and do a full cleaning with new paste.
 
Hmm it was clogged with dust, and I cleaned it and it dropped 10 C but right now it is still floating at 77 to 80C when i play games. But I'll be replacing my thermal paste this week when it comes in the mail!

I heard that I should be aiming for 60C when it's running at full blast. Is that wrong?
 
for stock speeds yeah 60C-65C is prime. Though anything <80C full load will do; thats the temps most overclockers aim for though I personally aim for 70C while overclocking. Point being even if you not dead under 60C you have some thermal headroom left to use if you just have a hot chip or do decide to overclock down the road.
 
Solution