Temperature problems with Noctua NH-U14S cooler

[Kuhanz]

My temps are not what I supposed when I bought this cooler.

Idle temp according to AsRock extreme tuning utility: 38c (room temp 24c)
Idle temp according to RealTemp: Core1~33c, Core2~34c, Core3~30c and Core4~28c

When I start IntelBurntestV2 temps are:
aXtu: 77c
RealTemp: C1 ~70c, C2~75c, C3~72c and C4~68c

When I stop Intel Burntest temp drop instantly to idle temp

Current OC: 4200MHz, Vcore is around 1.24v-1.25v under load and ~1.1xxv at idle

Take a look at this picture

Spoiler

Red: Area without any contact
Blue: Processor under IHS

Could problem be that top part of cpu is not having good contact enough? I don't have pressure paper to make sure. I have tightened screws as much as I can without breaking board

 

[Anry]

What cpu is this?

 

[Kuhanz]

Damn I totally forgot specs 😀

i5-3570k
AsRock Z77 Pro4 mobo

 

[Anry]

You can't get 4.5 with all cpu's, i think 4.2 with air cooling and this temperatures is good.

 

[Anry]

BTW try lowering the voltages a little and see stability and temps. You could get lower temps but not sure if it is stable under stress.

 

[Kuhanz]

Well quick googling and I found review about same cooler I'm using (NH-U14S) and with same cpu at 4.4GHz he got 12c idle (not sure how this is achieved) and under load 61c

source: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-and-Cooling/Noctua-NH-U14S-CPU-Cooler-Review/Cooler-Comparison-Testing-0

 

[Anry]

It.s "temperature delta", meaning temperature difference (ambient and cpu). So lets say 20'ish ambient + delta 61 = 81

 

[Anry]

As I sad, try lowering the voltage and test the stability of the system, here is an example tested:
4.2Ghz - No increase in core voltage (might even decrease it!) - Default load voltage is around 1.18v
4.3Ghz - 0.003v increase
4.4Ghz - 0.06v increase
4.5Ghz - 0.11v increase
4.6Ghz - 0.17v increase, but it was getting way too hot for confort ( over 85deg celsius)

 

[Kuhanz]

Okay, i have only offset mode for cpu voltage in bios.

What should I use to measure voltage? I got HWmonitor and there is CPU VCORE around 1.064V-1.2V and "VID" 1.076V-1.271V

 

[Anry]

Right now I'm at work and I don't remember what i used for home pc... Sorry, try to google it and check the best options for you cpu, I have 4770k so there are some differences. Hope I was of any help.

 

[maddogfargo]

Your temperatures are actually fine. In the 70s is a good load temp for a Haswell i5.

Your conclusion about contact is flawed. The thermal paste gets pulled between the CPU IHS and heatsink when you remove it. Removing it can create air bubbles when contact is broken, even if there were none when it was installed.

- Clean the CPU and heatsink
- Apply a 1/4" or 1cm line of thermal paste along your CPU core
- Mount the heatsink and tighten it down evenly
- Enjoy, your temps are fine