[SOLVED] New RAM and considerable overheating with CPU

[Sean87NC]

Running i7-9700k with just Intel turbo boost. Before I purchased this new ram I was using Corsair Vengeance LPX 2400Mhz 4x8GB and my temps while playing AOC for example on Very High settings never got above 75c with CPU 4.7Mhz.

Motherboard is a MSI Z370m Mortar and the new memory is Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 3200
After installing the memory I noticed it would not go to 3200Mhz with XMP but a BIOS update which was released this month fixed that, however, I noticed a problem. Now when I play the same game with new memory it gets up to 80-90c. A big increase. At first I thought it was maybe my case along with ambient temps. The case I have has a solid front panel and my cooling radiator is in the front so all the hot air(and I mean it gets very hot) was trapped. I took a jigsaw to the front panel and cut out a hole and put a dust filter over it. This is before I got the new ram. Even so, my CPU temps were not that bad. I would hit 80c on occasion before I modified the front case panel.

I have been on Google all weekend and read some other people who had problems with memory and increased CPU temps. I believe I read one or two post on here about it. One guy resolved his issue apparently but said that he decreased the DRAM freq and loosened the timings. I assume that means lower them. I tried some things they tried. No help. For example I tried setting manual timings, using the BIOS DRAM profiles they have built-in. Manually setting voltages. Hard to keep track.
I think I have tried literally everything to bring the temps down while keeping the memory but at this point, I think I may return them unless someone has a suggestion. I feel like there is a setting in my BIOS that is just causing the whole problem.

So,
XMP off. Set DRAM Frequency to 2400Mhz. Didn't bother with CPU SA/IO because I tried that and it did nothing. I noticed in DRAM Advanced Configuration it still had the 3200Mhz timings so I lowered those to 14-16-16-32 tRFC 459 from 16-18-18-36 559 . Well, at first it looked like it was better but that didn't help. I am going to try and lower that some more and see if it does anything. Does anything think it will? DRAM voltage is at 1.2 manually set.

I don't know if its any significance but when the PC is idle with new memory, it will jump from 34c to 53c and back. Looking in CPU-Z the DRAM frequency will change from 1200Mhz(still at custom DRAM freq 2400Mhz) to 1198Mhz. Same goes for the NB Frequency. They both change but only a small amount. I assume because of some setting in BIOS set to auto. PRIME95 test and my temps get up to 89-91c. That is 8 passes of the small fft.

Any ideas on what I can try? I can provide HWINFO or whatever if needed. I can give you some BIOS screenshots. I think its some lonely setting in the OC menu of the BIOS? Should I just go back to the 4 8gb sticks at 2400? I am leaning toward this as I have spent all weekend trying to remedy this. They are still on sale as of this post and that was the only reason I bought them. I just came across them while randomly browsing. I am going to drop the timings down some more and will be back to check the post.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Sean87NC]

I did some further testing and I think the problem is with ambient temps and case. Ambient temps are more likely causing 5-10 degree increase. The PC moved to where the AC no longer blows air toward it which I can guess makes a bit of a difference. I do know for a fact that the case, although it looks nice, is TERRIBLE for air flow. As I said, my 280mm radiator could only go in the front of my case. The 2 x 140mm fans are mounted on the radiator so they are blowing inside the case and hot air comes off the radiator and out the front of the case. I have 2 x 140mm fans on the top of my case. Originally they were exhaust but I changed them to intake. The only exhaust fan is at the rear. The two top fans whichever way they are mounted do not effect temps. I checked the cooling system and its running. I can feel water moving etc.

Anyways, I put the old ram back in which is 4 x 8GB modules. I ran the same test and noticed the same exact results. Prime95 jumps to 80's just like the new 3200Mhz ran (2 x 16gb). If I run CPU-Z cpu stress test or intel xtu stress test I get the same temps. Those don't go above 66c. With the old memory I launched AOC and played that. I noticed is also got into the 80's with the front cover on. I am pretty sure now the ambient temp is the problem. I usually keep my AC in a power saving mode while at work. I got home and I noticed CPU temp hit a high of 62 while I was at work. The PC is literally sitting here running nothing but teamviewer, icue, steam and core-temp. Room temp was 77c.

Anyways, I will just keep the RAM and I am going to look at a new case. Something with a front panel that isn't sealed shut and where I can mount the cooling system up top instead.

 

[Sean87NC]

I found the solution. It all came down to my cooling system. See this post. https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...aio-case-or-ambient-temp-the-problem.3623670/

I had my radiator mounted in the front with the fans acting as exhaust instead of intake. I turned them around and there is a dramatic decrease in my temps. I forgot to turn my top mounted fans so they are also intake and I have my rear fan as exhaust. I am not sure if the top fans will do anything more but I may try and flip them and see. Anyways, very happy now and I can sleep and work without this gnawing at me.