Question Wrong temperature readings leads to CPU throttling? (Probably VRM issue, need short term solution)

[Joypad]

Hello!

I did a lot of reading on this issue but nothing really compares to my specific problem. I hope you guys can help me out here.

CPU: AMD FX(tm)-8120 Eight-Core Processor, 3100 MHz
CPU cooler: stock (runs at 3000rpm)
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P23(FX) (MS-7641)
Ram: 16 GB (2x8)
SSDs: Intenso 240 GB (system), Intenso 512 GB (games)
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super, 6 GB
PSU: be quiet! System Power Unit 7, Model: BQ SU7- 500W
Chassis: don't know, I'll do some research
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Monitor: Medion Smart TV (model unknown)
The problem: while in a game or emulator the temperature readings of my CPU is jumping from 52-53°C to 255° (CPUID reading) or 206°C (MSI afterburner)then it starts to count down basically, meanwhile the CPU gets throttled down which causes huge lag spikes and sound distortion. After it reaches about 60°C reading, the throttling stops then, game is resuming as normal. Low demanding games (tested with Citra Emulator) will have this issue about every 20 minutes, high demanding games like Monster Hunter World will have this problem every 2-5 minutes. As long as this weird occurrence isn't triggered everything runs buttery smooth. The idle temperature readings in Windows 10 are 19-28°C, in BIOS it's 30-32°C. There was also never an emergency shutdown. Outside of gaming there are no problems at all with this PC.

Things I did to solve this problem:
- cleaned up CPU and Fan with Iso+ reapplied thermal paste
- cleaned up dusty spots on the motherboard with Iso
- software optimisation such as modding Monster Hunter World to be less CPU demanding, checked if there was any driver updates
- attempting to BIOS update; there is no update for my BIOS and it is infact the most recent version which is not downloadable from the manufacturer! Just this morning I read that BIOS downgrade might even help but I'm not doing that
- no loose cables in the PC case
- leaving the PC case open for more airflow: the 255°C reading from CPUID starts immediately and stays, the throttling won't go down. Restart fixed this

Other problems I encountered while troubleshooting:
- VRAM might not get sufficient cooling and there's probably no easy solution within this specific stock PC case
- most results while searching for 206°C problem lead me to other people using the same motherboard
- CPU might get too much/low voltage, I don't know how to check that (yes I can display that with CPUID I know that)
- while booting the BIOS beeps one time, I looked it up and it leads to either Motherboard or RAM issue

Solutions I came up with:
- using a different AM3+ compatible motherboard+ replacing the stock fan
- replacing the stock fan on its own and somehow allow better airflow

Saying this, additional and better cooling would be just a workaround and might just not work. A different motherboard is the best option but wasted money if this problem reoccurs.

Any ideas what else I can do?

Edit: Sorry, I would have added some screenshots but it won't let me upload from my drive. I'll have to do it later.
Edit2: I forgot to ask; I read that it's possible to disable the throttling in BIOS. If that's true can this function be disabled while emergency shutdown is still active? Or are these functions tied together?
Edit3: Some pictures.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

BIOS-Version: American Megatrends Inc. V17.15, 28.04.2013
If this is your motherboard;
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/760GM-P23-FX/support
then you have BIOS updates pending. If you think not, use CPU-Z to show us a screenshot of what you see under Mainboard's tab.

You use Imgur or their ilk to host images on then pass on a link to the images on this thread.

When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

Include any other hardware that you've used in the troubleshooting process.

 

[Joypad]

Oh shoot. I was revisiting the site I was referring to and it was not the official MSI website. Thanks for the link! I will edit the starting post accordingly and upload the images. First I wanted to upload dxdiag.txt but this sadly not working here as well.

Regarding BIOS: any chance of solving this issue?

 

[CountMike]

Hello!

I did a lot of reading on this issue but nothing really compares to my specific problem. I hope you guys can help me out here.

The PC:
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P23(FX) (MS-7641)
AMD FX(tm)-8120 Eight-Core Processor, 3100 MHz
BIOS-Version: American Megatrends Inc. V17.15, 28.04.2013

The problem: while in a game or emulator the temperature readings of my CPU is jumping from 52-53°C to 255° (CPUID reading) or 206°C then it starts to count down basically, meanwhile the CPU gets throttled down which causes huge lag spikes and sound distortion. After it reaches about 60°C reading, the throttling stops then, game is resuming as normal. Low demanding games (tested with Citra Emulator) will have this issue about every 20 minutes, high demanding games like Monster Hunter World will have this problem every 2-5 minutes. As long as this weird occurrence isn't triggered everything runs buttery smooth. The idle temperature readings in Windows 10 are 19-28°C, in BIOS it's 30-32°C. There was also never an emergency shutdown. Outside of gaming there are no problems at all with this PC.

Things I did to solve this problem:
- cleaned up CPU and Fan with Iso+ reapplied thermal paste
- cleaned up dusty spots on the motherboard with Iso
- software optimisation such as modding Monster Hunter World to be less CPU demanding, checked if there was any driver updates
- attempting to BIOS update; there is no update for my BIOS and it is infact the most recent version which is not downloadable from the manufacturer! Just this morning I read that BIOS downgrade might even help but I'm not doing that
- no loose cables in the PC case
- leaving the PC case open for more airflow: the 255°C reading from CPUID starts immediately and stays, the throttling won't go down. Restart fixed this

Other problems I encountered while troubleshooting:
- VRAM might not get sufficient cooling and there's probably no easy solution within this specific stock PC case
- most results while searching for 206°C problem lead me to other people using the same motherboard
- CPU might get too much/low voltage, I don't know how to check that (yes I can display that with CPUID I know that)
- while booting the BIOS beeps one time, I looked it up and it leads to either Motherboard or RAM issue

Solutions I came up with:
- using a different AM3+ compatible motherboard+ replacing the stock fan
- replacing the stock fan on its own and somehow allow better airflow

Saying this, additional and better cooling would be just a workaround and might just not work. A different motherboard is the best option but wasted money if this problem reoccurs.

Any ideas what else I can do?

Edit: Sorry, I would have added some screenshots but it won't let me upload from my drive. I'll have to do it later.
Edit2: I forgot to ask; I read that it's possible to disable the throttling in BIOS. If that's true can this function be disabled while emergency shutdown is still active? Or are these functions tied together?

That MB and it's VRM is no match for 8 core FX processor from first version. All kinds of weird things can happen when it power throttles. Normal temperatures for FX processors are 60c core and 90c socket. Over those and it throttles or shuts down. Second versions, FX x3xx are less of power guzzlers but still demanding.

 

[Joypad]

That MB and it's VRM is no match for 8 core FX processor from first version. All kinds of weird things can happen when it power throttles. Normal temperatures for FX processors are 60c core and 90c socket. Over those and it throttles or shuts down. Second versions, FX x3xx are less of power guzzlers but still demanding.

What MB would you recommend? There's like 120 on PCpartpicker, how do I know which one of these has compatible VRM?
Edit: and how does incompatible VRM correlate with wrong temperature readings?

 

[CountMike]

What MB would you recommend? There's like 120 on PCpartpicker, how do I know which one of these has compatible VRM?
Edit: and how does incompatible VRM correlate with wrong temperature readings?

MBs with 990 chipset and which have heat sinks on VRM. Best one I ever had was Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 which let me OC FX 8350 to almost 5GHz with proper cooler.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-990XA-UD3-rev-1x#ov

 

[Joypad]

MBs with 990 chipset and which have heat sinks on VRM. Best one I ever had was Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 which let me OC FX 8350 to almost 5GHz with proper cooler.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-990XA-UD3-rev-1x#ov

I did some digging and this MB looks affordable when bought 2nd hand. Lots of sellers also put their CPU and RAM on top. But for now I have to stick with what I have. I dont know when Im able to afford the replacement I need.

That brings me to next question: Is there a short term solution that might work? I was thinking about underclocking it to 2.1-2.7GHz to see if this could be a workaround. Just a random thought I had today. Edit: after reading into VRMs more, I wonder if lowering the voltage on the CPU and/or additional heatsink for the VRMs could be helpful.

Otherwise this PC is just a power consuming video/music player.

@Lutfij Its been couple years I updated a BIOS. Do you download every version and upgrade step by step or will the last update suffice?

another edit: are these the VRM readings? These are screenshots from CPUID and AMD Overdrive. Something is completely <Mod Edit> with this MB...

 

[Kona45primo]

Might want to consider jumping up to AM4 if you can, would be an easy 2x improvement

 

[CountMike]

I did some digging and this MB looks affordable when bought 2nd hand. Lots of sellers also put their CPU and RAM on top. But for now I have to stick with what I have. I dont know when Im able to afford the replacement I need.

That brings me to next question: Is there a short term solution that might work? I was thinking about underclocking it to 2.1-2.7GHz to see if this could be a workaround. Just a random thought I had today. Edit: after reading into VRMs more, I wonder if lowering the voltage on the CPU and/or additional heatsink for the VRMs could be helpful.

Otherwise this PC is just a power consuming video/music player.

@Lutfij Its been couple years I updated a BIOS. Do you download every version and upgrade step by step or will the last update suffice?

another edit: are these the VRM readings? These are screenshots from CPUID and AMD Overdrive. Something is completely <Mod Edit> with this MB...

Disregard those -290 readings, even theoretically impossible even if they were not negative, It's not on the Moon.

 

[Joypad]

I installed an old CPU fan on the back of the case, that help tremendously and undervolted the core from 1.225V to 1.875V. Much better airflow it seems like, and I won't have to worry that the CPU gets fried. Some games and emulator can run now without issue.

I'll get some raspberry pi heatsinks for these VRMs that should solve the problem for now. I would like to put an additional fan in the front part of the case but I ran out of pins on the MB.

After I have done these tweaks and some testing, I'll report back.

 

[CountMike]

I installed an old CPU fan on the back of the case, that help tremendously and undervolted the core from 1.225V to 1.875V. Much better airflow it seems like, and I won't have to worry that the CPU gets fried. Some games and emulator can run now without issue.

I'll get some raspberry pi heatsinks for these VRMs that should solve the problem for now. I would like to put an additional fan in the front part of the case but I ran out of pins on the MB.

After I have done these tweaks and some testing, I'll report back.

You can daisy chain or use 3 in one cable adapter for up to 3 fans on same header.