Question Should I purchase a CPU cooler or an exhaust fan?

[Looped Pohna]

Reference Image:

https://imgur.com/a/omR0XIE

View: https://imgur.com/a/omR0XIE


So basically, I've owned my computer for around an year now but never really bothered to check the temps, and after checking them, I was shocked to find out that the CPU goes upto 100 C on some games. My PC has 3 intake fans and 0 exhaust fans, and uses the stock intel cooler. Should I purchase a better cpu cooler and redo the thermal paste or buy an exhaust fan? (Disclaimer: I dont know if the PC has no exhaust fans, but there are only the 3 front fansand thats it.) Apologies for my lack of pc knowledge. The following image shows the cpu fan temps on idle

Other Specs:
CPU: Intel Core I5-10400F
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
MOBO: ASUS PRIME B460M-A

Thanks in advance!

 

[helpstar]

check if the motherboard has the latest BIOS
check thermal paste between CPU and CPU cooler
check if the cooler is mounted correctly

 

[Looped Pohna]

check if the motherboard has the latest BIOS
check thermal paste between CPU and CPU cooler
check if the cooler is mounted correctly

Its a prebuilt so I dont wanna assume they mounted the cooler incorrectly, and ive had this pc for an year now. The bios is on the latest, ill check the paste.

 

[TerryLaze]

Pre builds just use settings that will give you the max performance within specs and specs for the 10400 is 100C max temp.
If you upload pics from your bios then people will help you with figuring out settings that will give you better temps without losing much if any performance.

 

[Looped Pohna]

Pre builds just use settings that will give you the max performance within specs and specs for the 10400 is 100C max temp.
If you upload pics from your bios then people will help you with figuring out settings that will give you better temps without losing much if any performance.

may I ask which part/setting in the BIOS do you want to see? I am pretty sure I've reset the bios to default just to make sure nothing was messed up, but the problem still resumes. Is there any chance that those numbers can be wrong? It doesnt go above 100 at all and there is no nerf in the performance. Only thing that concerns me is a part getting burnt due to such high temps.

 

[TerryLaze]

may I ask which part/setting in the BIOS do you want to see? I am pretty sure I've reset the bios to default just to make sure nothing was messed up, but the problem still resumes. Is there any chance that those numbers can be wrong? It doesnt go above 100 at all and there is no nerf in the performance. Only thing that concerns me is a part getting burnt due to such high temps.

Show the CPU pages, if it doesn't have any show the main page so that we can see what options you have, resetting will just re apply whatever settings the manufacturer used in the first place which will be tweaked for max performance at the max heat limit.
Basically we need to see what power/volts is applied to the CPU.
100C is the typical limit so it will not go above that even if there is something wrong and you would get worse performance it would not go above that.

 

[geofelt]

Check to see if the stock cooler is mounted well.
With the pc powered down, try to wiggle the cooler.
If it moves or is not level, you need to remount it.
Look at the push pins from the back of the motherboard.
They should be through the motherboard and locked.

 

[Ralston18]

And I will ask about the PSU:

Make, model, wattage, age (1year-?), condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used)? History of heavy use for gaming, video editing, or even bit-mining?

Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

Other suggestions:

Check Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Process Explorer (Microsoft, free) for any unknown or unexpected tasks that are running or start running some time after the initial startup.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

Power down, unplug, open the case. Clean out dust and debris as necesary. Ensure that there are not airflow blockages inside or outside of the case.

Verify that all connectors (including fans), cards, RAM, jumpers, and case connections are fully and firmly in place.

 

[Kona45primo]

What CPU Cooler do you have? What case?

It might be time to see how tall of a cooler you can fit in there & look into replacing the stock cooler.

 

[Looped Pohna]

What CPU Cooler do you have? What case?

It might be time to see how tall of a cooler you can fit in there & look into replacing the stock cooler.

I have edited my main message to get closer to the point, my case is a Corsair ICUE 4000X and the cpu cooler is the intel stock one. Although my pc has only 3 fans and theyre all at the front, and they seem to be intake (from what ive read online) and it has no fans at the back (near the motherboard)

 

[Lafong]

I think that case has a 120 mm rear fan mount that is empty when purchased. I'd certainly see that it had some type of fan in that mount, regardless.

https://res.cloudinary.com/corsair-pwa/image/upload/corsairmedia/sys_master/productcontent/WW_iCUE_4000X_RGB_QSG_WEB_AA.pdf

 

[bill001g]

Try the simple thing first. Remove the side panel and see if you get a drop. The CPU cooler will now have direct access to air from outside the case. If it is still bad then looking at the cpu cooler is likely you next best step. Could be you can just remove it put on new paste and will work.

That case design it not the best. They think seeing the fancy led lights on the front fans is more important than letting air get to the fans. Putting a piece of glass in front of your fans is not going to give you optimum air flow.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I have edited my main message to get closer to the point, my case is a Corsair ICUE 4000X and the cpu cooler is the intel stock one.

Can you show a photo of your system with side panel removed?
(upload to imgur.com and post link).

Intel stock cooler is a joke. I'd suggest replacing it.
Something like Bequiet Dark Rock 4 pro, Cryorig H5 or similar.

For rear fan you can move lower front fan to rear position and set it as exhaust.
Lower front fan seems to be severely obstructed anyway.

 

[Looped Pohna]

Most of the replies here are mentioning that the case comes with a 120mm fan, but it sadly doesn't or in my case it didn't. Ive also seen it shown online and it doesn't appear to have any. I will try removing the side panel and using it to check if the results are the same (which should eliminate the possibility of the back fan being the problem). And I've also heard that the intel stock cooler is bad so I will be purchasing a better fan.

 

[Looped Pohna]

Can you show a photo of your system with side panel removed?
(upload to imgur.com and post link).

Intel stock cooler is a joke. I'd suggest replacing it.
Something like Bequiet Dark Rock 4 pro, Cryorig H5 or similar.

For rear fan you can move lower front fan to rear position and set it as exhaust.
Lower front fan seems to be severely obstructed anyway.

https://imgur.com/a/81SNgZR

View: https://imgur.com/a/81SNgZR


here is an image of the case from the side.

 

[SkyNetRising]

here is an image of the case from the side.

Can you make photo with side panel removed. Lot of reflections there.

Anyway - it seems your fans are installed in wrong orientation. Because of those reflections it's not possible to see properly.
Flip them to opposite direction, so they work as intake.

Previous suggestion stands - move lower fan from front to rear position as exhaust.

 

[FAhentai]

I have edited my main message to get closer to the point, my case is a Corsair ICUE 4000X and the cpu cooler is the intel stock one. Although my pc has only 3 fans and theyre all at the front, and they seem to be intake (from what ive read online) and it has no fans at the back (near the motherboard)

Okay, stock cooler, we have the answer now After checking your Case, here is my suggestions:
I personally recommand, you go Be Quite pure loop 280, you case is good for that. And please don't throw anything come with the AIO cooler, because
1).my understanding, your comptuer is a little bit too old, you may need to change the hardware very soon. However, this cooler supports AMD AM5 and LGA1700. You can use it again.
2). You can refill this AIO cooler. Usually, the major reason for why AIO cooler can not last long is due to its
cooling liquid drying out after 2-3 years, depends on how much you use it. However for this one you don't need to worry about that. It come with a bottle of cooling liquid, and it is refillble, which means that this cooler is going to last very long time.
And also, buy a Noctua Noctua 120mm NF-A12x25 fan, put that onto its back as the exhaust for the case. I know this one is a little bit expensive but believe or not, I have 2 Notcua fans that have been removed from my old computer, which was built 8 years ago and installed to my new computer, still works fine.
In conclusion, my suggestion may looks a little bit expensive, yet totally worth it. Those parts, including your case are very decent, which is something can last very long.

 

[Lafong]

Most of the replies here are mentioning that the case comes with a 120mm fan, but it sadly doesn't or in my case it didn't. Ive also seen it shown online and it doesn't appear to have any. I will try removing the side panel and using it to check if the results are the same (which should eliminate the possibility of the back fan being the problem). And I've also heard that the intel stock cooler is bad so I will be purchasing a better fan.

That case can accept coolers up to 170 mm tall, which would include virtually any you might consider.

You might find that simply moving 1 of the 3 front intake fans to the rear as an exhaust might be worthwhile....there's nothing chiseled in stone about 3 front side intakes being better than 2.

 

[Zerk2012]

https://imgur.com/a/81SNgZR

View: https://imgur.com/a/81SNgZR


here is an image of the case from the side.

Stock coolers are just bad.
I would get both and be through on a budget just 28 bucks.
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($17.89 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: ARCTIC P12 56.3 CFM 120 mm Fan ($9.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $27.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-10-01 11:05 EDT-0400