CPU idle at 50C ????

[Redd_slayer]

So I have an AMD Phenom x4 965 Black Edition with a Cooler Master Vortex aftermarket CPU cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103084

Help????

[Master Butters]

Is it OC'd?

Did you put the thermal paste on right? You may have to reapply the thermal paste.

[Redd_slayer]

Not OC'd
Pretty sure I put the paste on correctly. Thin spread. Not too much. Full coverage.

[Master Butters]

Maybe the CPU cooler isn't working right then.

[Redd_slayer]

I don't see why that would be the problem though. I just dusted it. It runs at the correct RPM's. Speeds up when it gets too hot. Seems fine to me.

[Master Butters]

Honestly, the only other thing I can think of is that you spread the thermal paste too thin or something. Otherwise, it shouldn't be having any cooling issues I know of.

[Shattered831]

I don't spread it out either, never had an issue with heat from CPU but I also have the heatsink and 2 120mm fans blowing right on it. I also won't use the OEM thermal compound, I've always had good luck with artic silver so I've always used one of their's. I do wish I could cool down my gpu, as I think it runs a lil warm despite it staying at its normal operating temps. Guess I'll solve that when I replace it though lol.

sent from my ip to the nsa

[Mokona512]

For videocards, if you are using a reference cooler, then replacing the thermal compound can improve cooling by making things up to 5C cooler under load, but for many non reference coolers, e.g., the ones used by MSI and asus, will have better thermal compound application.

The main issues that you will run into the stock compound on virtually all GPU heatsinks, is the breaking down/ drying of the thermal compound.

To speed the production process, they use thermal compounds that have no conductive properties or capacitance properties. This allow the production process to be very forgiving when a worker applies the thermal compound like this...


They can be sure that the compound will not short out any capacitors or resistors located on the top of the GPU. The down side is that the compound breaks down and becomes brittle over time and does not make as good of a contact with the GPU.

If you have an older card that does not run as cool as it used to even with cleaning out all of the dust, then that is likely the problem. If the GPU lacks a a heat spreader, then just apply the arctic silver 5 very carefully so that none of it spills onto surrounding components on the package.


Removing a heat spreader, improves cooling performance if you have a good copper base on your heatsink, if you have a crappy heatsink with a surface that is not very smooth, then the heat spreader on the CPU helps lower temperatures, as the heat spreader is quality and does a good job of spreading the heat, thus allowing the CPU to work with lower quality heatsinks which cannot handle a high thermal density, it also protects the caps and other passives surrounding the CPU die, thus less risk of killing the CPU if you make a mistake and apply too much arctic silver 5.

[AOD_Timmee45]

First off, the AMD CPU's from that generation have a fairly high TDP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_design_power) of 140W, compared to my i5 2500K's 95W. This alone means that your CPU, using the stop cooler is going to idle a fairly decent temperature of about 40 or so C. Also, you have to remember that temperatures (especially if all of your core components seem to be warm) are very effected by internal case air pressure and airflow quality. Make sure cables and what not aren't in the way of airflow. I know personally my HAF X case has fairly decent negative pressure (more exhaust than intake) and it keeps my temps pretty low all around. Mine are also fairly low in the fact that I have a small closed loop water cooler on my cpu.

[Shattered831]

@Mokona512 the card stays at temps the manufacturer claims is within is in its normal operating range just seems high to me @ about 68C under load. It's an older card xfx 6870hd, I know someone was building water blocks for um but the cards already dated so I don't see why to waste the money. I could pop it open, but as is with it being dated I already don't get the greatest performance from it. Good info though so thank you, think I might break it open and see what the paste looks like before I stick it in kiddos rig when I get ready to build that one.

sent from my ip to the nsa

[Mokona512]

Those temps are fine, videocards are designed to run hot, as heatsinks become more effective when there is a larger temperature delta. The larger the delta, the more wattage the heatsink can dissipate, which is why many videocards can pull 150-200+ watts and get away with a 2 slot design.


The videocard will not throttle or run into issues until you get to around 90-95C

for example, the stock cooler for a radeon 7870 (a 175 watt videocard)



overall, no need to worry unless you are getting close to 90C at full load.

[Miliroxx28]

As others have said. It is your thermal paste. Try re-seating the CPU cooler. Clean off all of the thermal paste with rubbing alcohol. Put a small rice or pea sized amount of paste on the center of the CPU. Re-attack CPU cooler. Your should be good. Also use good quality thermal paste. Some off-brands may not work as well.

Hope this Helps!