[SOLVED] New build. CPU idle temps question

[mrblazito]

Just finished building my new system

ASRock B450M Steel Legend
R5 2600x with Deep Cool Gammaxx GTE 2.0
G.Skill 16GB 3200
Using my old HD6970 GPU for now
Antec NeoEco 550w PSU

All hardware is new with the exception of my GPU. I used the supplied thermal paste that came with Deep Cool cooler.
In the bios the CPU temps go up to 48c
In Windows on idle my cpu temps are bouncing around from high 30's to mid 40's according to CAM

Are these idle temps normal for a brand new CPU with an aftermarket cooler? My ambient temp is around 28C. I would think the CPU temp. should be at least 10 degrees cooler with the aftermarket cooler. And yes I removed the sticker on the bottom of the heatsink.

Thanks.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, those temps are normal. It is important however that you verify that you are thermally compliant at the HIGH end of the envelope. Much more important than what is happening at idle. In fact, so long as you do not exceed the thermal spec recommendation of 80°C under a full steady state load, steady state being the key, then it really doesn't matter what the temps are doing at idle.

The two primarily acceptable methods of testing thermal compliance are to run either Prime95 "Small FFT" (NOT "Smallest FFT", just "Small FFT") or OCCT small data set. In both cases, Prime and OCCT, you will want to disable any AVX instructions including AVX2 if present. Run for 15 minutes. If you exceed 80°C at any point, stop the test and then exit, as it's pointless to continue until the cooling problem has been addressed.

 

[mrblazito]

Yes, those temps are normal. It is important however that you verify that you are thermally compliant at the HIGH end of the envelope. Much more important than what is happening at idle. In fact, so long as you do not exceed the thermal spec recommendation of 80°C under a full steady state load, steady state being the key, then it really doesn't matter what the temps are doing at idle.

The two primarily acceptable methods of testing thermal compliance are to run either Prime95 "Small FFT" (NOT "Smallest FFT", just "Small FFT") or OCCT small data set. In both cases, Prime and OCCT, you will want to disable any AVX instructions including AVX2 if present. Run for 15 minutes. If you exceed 80°C at any point, stop the test and then exit, as it's pointless to continue until the cooling problem has been addressed.

So I ran Prime95 with small FFT, AVX, AVX512, AVX2 disabled and the CPU temp went passed 80 in less than a minute. That is disappointing. What now?

 

[mrblazito]

A couple of screw on the heatsink weren't tightened all the way. I tightened them up thinking that was the problem, but my cpu still overheats in prime95 just as fast. The fan does spin up to 1650RPM.

When I was building this system, I installed the aftermarket cooler and used the supplied thermal paste. I then left the system alone for about a week as I waited for final parts to arrive before fully assembling it and running it. Could the 1 week between installing the cooler and the time I was able to finally run the system for the first time caused the thermal paste to dry up and made it insufficient?

 

[mrblazito]

I think I've made some progress. Started thinking what is missing. Started checking if all the drivers have been installed. Went to ASRock website to see all available drivers (chipset drivers specifically) and it seems they do not offer chipset drivers on their website. I went directly to AMD and downloaded the chipset drivers. After installing the drivers, I also installed Ryzen Master. I went back in Prime95 and used Ryzen Master to monitor the CPU this time. Previously I used HWInfo and CAM to monitor temp. Anyways, I let Prime95 rip and to my surprise the CPU temp got to 77c and stayed at 77-78c for about 15 min. Then it got up to 82c and I shut it down. This is with 83F ambient temps.

By the way, this is in Fractal Focus G case with two 120 intake fans @1200rpm and two 120 exhaust fans @ 1600rpm.

The results are better but far from ideal, correct? What's my next step?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Where are your exhaust fans installed, exactly?

Where are your intake fans installed, exactly?

Can you post some images of the fans as they are installed AND the inside of the case?

What fans ARE they?

You have to consider too, that's not a terrific cooler you have. It's better than the stock cooler, but only marginally better. This cooler is likely just about on par with the 212 EVO. But it should be capable of handling that 2600x without much difficulty. I'm thinking there is a problem with airflow through the case.

Try removing the side panel, run your tests again and see what kind of results you get with the side panel off.

 

[mrblazito]

Hey thanks for the reply.

The two exhaust fans (Aerocool DS 120mm) are at the top of the case right above the CPU cooler. The two intake fans (Fractal Silent Series LL 120mm) are in front of the case.

Here are some pics. The intake fans have the grill inside the case, the exhaust fans have the grill towards outside the case.

 

[Zerk2012]

So I ran Prime95 with small FFT, AVX, AVX512, AVX2 disabled and the CPU temp went passed 80 in less than a minute. That is disappointing. What now?

Some people get confused with Prime 95 as to what settings to use. Download OCCT and just start the test.

 

[mrblazito]

Would it make sense to add another fan onto the other side of the CPU heatsink?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Remove the top fan closest to the front the of the case, on top, and move it to the REAR exhaust fan location, in line with the CPU cooler. THAT is not only the MOST important fan location in the entire case, for 99% of tower cases, but you also do not generally want to use any of the top fan locations except for the very rear one, if you are using an air CPU cooler, because they tend to "steal" the flow of cool outside ambient air away from the CPU cooler.

Like this, and you don't want that when using an air cooler. A Top-rear and Rear exhaust fan are plenty for any air cooled configuration when it comes to exhaust. For intake, either two or three intake fans in front works fine.

What ends up happening is this:

When what you WANT to happen, is this: