Have I damaged my CPU

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

I was running the intel diagnostic tool and it hit 90-100 degrees Celsius for around 30ish secs. Will this damage my CPU? Will it not work as well? I'm really worried and would like to know if it is still safe.

Adamw0611 · Jul 27, 2014

Im not sure what CPU you have, but those temps for a short time, shouldn't have any long lasting effects in my experience, CPU's will throttle themselves back and turn off to try and avoid most damage, but those temps are not good at all. If your overclocking, then your going to high, if it's at stock clocks, change the thermal paste, or get a better cooler. If you mean Intel Burn test, I've found my temps to get around 15-20 degrees C higher than other stability testing software. Mine right now gets to around 86 with intel burn test, but hovers in the low 70's with AIDA64.

RadiKing222 · Jul 27, 2014

I would recommend changing the thermal paste on the cpu or the whole cooler...

hans_pcguy · Jul 27, 2014

It shouldn't have gotten that hot but CPU's will take a hell of a temp and not be hurt a bit. 100 degrees C is hardly a suntan for a cpu.
I remember in old Compaq laptops the solder would melt that held the socket's in and the CPU's would be just fine. LOL true. They made a screw kit so the socket wouldn't lift off WHEN the solder melted.

hans_pcguy · Jul 27, 2014

The bigger problem with higher temps in CPU's is that the CPU will start to drastically lose efficiency when they get up around 100 degrees.

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

I have an intel i7 4770k. For some reason AI suite puts it at 4.3 ghz. It usually hovers around 50 * celcius while idle. and while gaming 55-75. (only hits 80 occasionally). I was only at 100 * for at most 45 secs. So.... did it affect my CPU at all? What is a good temp range for the 4770k?

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

hans_pcguy :

Permanent efficiency or just when it is that hot. I'm just worried that I damaged it while running at that temp. Again it was only for at most 45secs

kira70591 · Jul 27, 2014

The CPU has built in safety features. If it becomes too hot it will either throttle back the speed to reduce temperature or it will shut the system down. For gaming, 55 - 75 is not horrible as they are normally on the warmer side. You did not damage your CPU.

I assume that you are not using the stock cooler as you said that it is at 4.3 ghz?

hans_pcguy · Jul 27, 2014

Heat only effects the efficiency when it's hot. As soon as it's cool it's as good as new.

hans_pcguy · Jul 27, 2014

I have cpu's go over 215 degrees celcius and not hurt them. Feel better?

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

kira70591 :

that is just the thing. it is stock cooler. I have no clue how it is not overheating. My basement is very cool place, but it still can run at 4.3 ghz at around 50-75* cel while gaming. i have no clue how

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

hans_pcguy :

really? Could you explain more. I believe you, I'm just interested how it doesn't hurt them! thanks for the reply

kira70591 · Jul 27, 2014

Something does not seem right. The stock cooler does not even have enough performance to adequately cool a chip like that when running synthetic benchmarks where the CPU is loaded out, let alone handling even a low OC. I would just purchase an aftermarket heatsink such as the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo and call it a day. Just make sure to check the measurements of your case to make sure that an aftermarket of your choice would fit.

hans_pcguy · Jul 27, 2014

I can't remember the exact model BUT It was a last generation Pentium 3 CPU in a Compaq laptop. The solder that held the CPU heatsink bracket had the problem of having the solder melt. The solution they came up with was a set of special through bolts that fastened through the motherboard to hold the bracket on even when the solder melted. I have seen many many (especially laptop's) computers get so hot they would smoke, not fire smoke but you could see heat rising from them. The cpu's would loose about 90% of their efficiency when they were hot and work just fine again when they cooled down. And that was BEFORE they started designing in the safety controls (throttling back and shutting down) that CPU's have in them now-a-days. I have been building and repairing PC's and laptops for 20 years and worked on thousands and thousands of PC's. Heat is the most common problem in the PC world. So I have much experience with it. Need more specific info?

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

kira70591 :

I'm in the intel XTU and CPU-Z software and it says 4.2ghz and I'm at 66* celcius. is that safe? I'm not sure how soon i can get that cooler. Will my cpu be damage/has been damaged? Sorry I'm a noob, i'm just worried

kira70591 · Jul 27, 2014

A 4770k can go up to around 100 C before it starts throttling itself. Not good for longevity but 66 will not hurt it at all if it stays around that.

edgedsword · Jul 27, 2014

kira70591 :

okay I'm sorry but i'm like OCD. To confirm I did NOT damage my CPU for running it at 100* cel for about 2minutes in total? and what is the highest temp I should let it go to keep it safe and running for a long time? Again thank you for bearing with me! you are great!

kira70591 · Jul 28, 2014

As I said before, the CPU has safety measures that help guard against damage. If the CPU becomes to hot it will shut the system down to avoid damage. For longevity, I would say around the 70 degree mark or lower for extended high load use is not bad. This answer will be different for all people and everyone will think that their answer is the correct one. The quality of these products are pretty darn good nowadays. As long as you have adequate cooling they will go for years. Most of the time they will outlive the usefulness of the system.

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