Why is my cpu spiking so much in temp?

Griffsbrown · Oct 24, 2013

So here is the compairson: (You can see what cpu I have in the pictures)
http://imgur.com/4UMiWi2,C5YnOdu#0

First picture is with nothing running but the program itself. Second picture is opening skype. Why does it jump up like 20 degrees just because of skype?

skit75 · Oct 24, 2013

in short.... because it is being used.

A CPU will sit idle without a workload. When you open an application, it will go to work. Some applications ask more of the hardware than others. If you are using a Windows operating system, you can open Task Manager and get a real time visual representation of that workload under the Performance Tab.

Skeefers · Oct 24, 2013

I can't be certain, but I'd guess that the heat from the CPU isn't being efficiently transferred to the heatsink. What cooler and thermal paste are you using? 50C seems quite high for essentially idle temps, and 70C+ under load is extremely high, so you may need to get a better cooling setup, or at the least reapply your thermal paste so the heat is transferring properly.

Griffsbrown · Oct 24, 2013

Skeefers :

I'm not overclocked or anything like that which is why I am concerned. It has preapplyed thermal paste when I bought it. (on the fan/cooler thing that came with it I mean) and I still use the fan/cooler thing that came with it. I always figured it was doing the job fine.

Skeefers · Oct 24, 2013

Griffsbrown :

I can't find anything from AMD that specifically says what the max recommended temps for your CPU are, but in my experience, they don't run that high. I would think you should be seeing idle temps in the range of 30-35C and no higher than 50-55C under full load (all 4 cores at 100% utilization). The stock cooler should be able to keep you at those temps, but it may be faulty. You could try replacing it with a better cooler, and using Arctic Silver thermal paste, but your problem could also be caused by the case fans not venting the hot air out of the case well enough. Is this a pre-built system, or did you build it yourself? I ask because it's possible if you did it yourself that the case fans aren't installed facing the right direction to create optimum air flow and heat removal.

Griffsbrown · Oct 24, 2013

Skeefers :

Griffsbrown :

I can't find anything from AMD that specifically says what the max recommended temps for your CPU are, but in my experience, they don't run that high. I would think you should be seeing idle temps in the range of 30-35C and no higher than 50-55C under full load (all 4 cores at 100% utilization). The stock cooler should be able to keep you at those temps, but it may be faulty. You could try replacing it with a better cooler, and using Arctic Silver thermal paste, but your problem could also be caused by the case fans not venting the hot air out of the case well enough. Is this a pre-built system, or did you build it yourself? I ask because it's possible if you did it yourself that the case fans aren't installed facing the right direction to create optimum air flow and heat removal.

I built it myself. I believe the fans came installed but I did take them out at one point and put them back in when installing the motherboard. I am a little tight on money right now (after buying a new graphics card) so I dont think I can afford any thermal paste or anything right now so I suppose I will be waiting on that

Skeefers · Oct 24, 2013

In that case, you should at least check your case fans to make sure that all of the fans on the front and rear of the case face the same direction. You want the fans on the front to pull air into the case, and the fans on the back to push it out of the case. If you have fans on the side door or top of the case, they should also be exhausting the air out of the case. Try to make sure all of your cables are as out of the way as you can make them also, so that they don't stop the air from moving as much as possible.

Griffsbrown · Oct 24, 2013

Skeefers :

Mabye this help. Here is a stock photo of my case. You can see how the fans are in this. This is exactly how they look in mine. (I only have 2)

http://www.nzxt.com/uploads/product_images/case_source_210_elite/DSC_0004_800x600.jpg

What would I want to do with those 2 fans?

Skeefers · Oct 24, 2013

If the fans came installed in the case, and you haven't replaced them or moved them for some reason, they should all be facing the correct direction. I still think getting a better cooler and some Arctic Silver thermal are a good idea once you can afford it. The thermal paste is relatively cheap ($5 or so) for enough to build several computers, so if you can swing that now, I would do it.

skit75 · Oct 25, 2013

Those should both be exhaust fans(rear & top). I agree with Skeefers. You need to do a disassemble and re-assemble of your CPU cooler. Take your time and be careful. Don't over-apply or under-apply the thermal grease.

@Skeefers - love your avatar =)

Griffsbrown · Oct 25, 2013

Thanks for the help guys. I ordered 2 fans. So I have the 2 exhaust fans in the top left and 2 fans to pull in air in the bottom right. Sound right? I also ordered some of the artic silver thermal paste so I will be applying that.

skit75 · Oct 25, 2013

Sounds good. Let us know how it goes. I suspect the biggest impact will be with re-applying aftermarket thermal grease, correctly.

Skeefers · Oct 25, 2013

That sounds good to me also. Watch the video link below to see how to apply the thermal paste; there are several different methods, but the one shown in this video is what I've used for years and it works wonders. Make sure to clean off your heatsink and CPU first using a soft cloth and some rubbing alcohol. Try not to get thermal paste on the pins on your CPU because it's really hard to clean off and will cause you tons of problems if it's there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gu2359FNDU

Computerfixer · Oct 25, 2013

Are you using thermal paste? if so what brand? (thermal paste has a huge impact on cpu temperature as it ensures the fans are cooling it properly, also do you have enough fans inside your tower? make sure its well ventilated and organised (for enough air flow) .. if this does not work then let me know?.

Computerfixer · Oct 25, 2013

Are you using thermal paste? if so what brand? (thermal paste has a huge impact on cpu temperature as it ensures the fans are cooling it properly, also do you have enough fans inside your tower? make sure its well ventilated and organised (for enough air flow) .. if this does not work then let me know?.

Griffsbrown · Oct 25, 2013

Computerfixer :

I am using the pre applied thermal paste that came on the cpu cooler (that came with the cpu)

Computerfixer · Oct 25, 2013

Griffsbrown :

Okay how long ago did you apply the thermal paste?

skit75 · Oct 25, 2013

it is all in this thread... if you care to read it.... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Skeefers · Oct 25, 2013

Computerfixer, did you seriously make an account just to reply to this thread (way to go on hitting 5 whole posts, btw...3 of them in here) and repeat all the stuff we've already asked and said? Nice...

As skit75 said, try reading the whole thread before you reply...

Why is my cpu spiking so much in temp?

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