AMD FX 8320+92mm Zalman 2 Ball Heatsink Overheating? HELP!

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

This has happened twice now, and twice I've had to clean and re-apply thermal compound. Here's the issue with all the details I can think of:

At first it runs like a dream, no overlocking, just stock speeds. Idles as low as 8 degrees and never goes far above 35-40 under load (not encoding or anything, just light gaming, with a little FPS thrown in here and there, mostly web surfing etc.). This could last 4-6 months before symptoms set in.

Last time I took it apart and re applied/remounted the heatsink and fan, prime 95's torture test on all 8 threads would not get it above 52. It could run all day at 52. Just now I ran it for less than 2 minutes and it hit 64 degrees before I killed the test for fear of burning my CPU.

Here's the exact heatsink I ordered:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

It should also be known that I have worked in IT (not BS working at a call center taking phone calls for dell, actually working on servers, network equipment, workstations, etc.) for over 10 years and none of my previous builds or any builds I have done for friends or family have ever had heat issues. I am not a beginner and I know how to use thermal compound.

An almost identical build using a stock heatsink/fan assembly (the one that came out of the FX8320 box, actually) has been working and running cool since it was built well over a year ago.

My only theory right now is that there must be a problem with mounting that is causing the heatsink to gradually move over time as the thermal compound heats/cools, reducing its contact and causing less heat to dissipate. I have really been beating my brains over this trying to find a solution.

I am absolutely open to any other ideas.

FYI it's all mounted to this motherboard:
MSI 970A-G46
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130637

Not the best board in the world but it was cost effective and feature rich at my time of purchase. I have no indication that there is a problem with the board itself, just including that tidbit in case anyone knows of any problems mounting heat sinks on it.

Thanks in advance.

RaDiKaL_ · Aug 8, 2014

What program are you using to monitor your temps? right now the only one accurately reporting FX series temps its AMD's own Overdrive, every other program won't give accurate readings. Bear in mind Overdrive will report distance to threshold temp so you can interpret it correctly.

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

I'm using Open HW Monitor and also tried Coretemp. I will check Overdrive. But the relative heat increase over time is still shocking. That is still a problem and is my primary concern.

RaDiKaL_ · Aug 8, 2014

Yeah that's common to see in those programs because of the issue of improper readings on FX series.

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

Even if the temps read differently, it does not explain the gradual increase and relative difference between where it starts off, and where it gets to after 4-6 months. it's still getting progressively hotter, even if the temp is being reported too high.

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

I see we run similar builds - only different video/mobos - What are your temps typically like during heavy gaming?

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

After looking at the newest version of Overdrive, I see that it is not reporting a different temp than Core Temp or Open HW Monitor - It's reporting the thermal margin, which is how much room you have before overheating. It accurately reports that I have 40 degrees of thermal margin when my other apps show that the cpu is at 22 degrees, with a maximum recommended temp of 62 degrees. So that theory is a bust. My temp reading is also accurate according to a heat gun I just borrowed and pointed directly at the base of the heat sink, so that idea is out.

I guess I will attempt to reseat and resecure the heatsink and fan assembly and check it for looseness more carefully this time.

I am still open to other ideas/experiences, if anyone has one.

SlayZombi · Aug 8, 2014

Ok, first of all a 92mm fan is bad for that CPU, I have that CPU and it needs a 120mm fan. The 120mm fans/heatsink combos will push more air out at lower RPM's. Therefore, not only does it cool better, but also it runs quieter and more efficient! I would suggest a Hyper 212 EVO. If I helped you mark this as best answer so others know where to look too!

bmacsys · Aug 8, 2014

sarcafterdark :

This has happened twice now, and twice I've had to clean and re-apply thermal compound. Here's the issue with all the details I can think of:

At first it runs like a dream, no overlocking, just stock speeds. Idles as low as 8 degrees and never goes far above 35-40 under load (not encoding or anything, just light gaming, with a little FPS thrown in here and there, mostly web surfing etc.). This could last 4-6 months before symptoms set in.

Last time I took it apart and re applied/remounted the heatsink and fan, prime 95's torture test on all 8 threads would not get it above 52. It could run all day at 52. Just now I ran it for less than 2 minutes and it hit 64 degrees before I killed the test for fear of burning my CPU.

Here's the exact heatsink I ordered:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

It should also be known that I have worked in IT (not BS working at a call center taking phone calls for dell, actually working on servers, network equipment, workstations, etc.) for over 10 years and none of my previous builds or any builds I have done for friends or family have ever had heat issues. I am not a beginner and I know how to use thermal compound.

An almost identical build using a stock heatsink/fan assembly (the one that came out of the FX8320 box, actually) has been working and running cool since it was built well over a year ago.

My only theory right now is that there must be a problem with mounting that is causing the heatsink to gradually move over time as the thermal compound heats/cools, reducing its contact and causing less heat to dissipate. I have really been beating my brains over this trying to find a solution.

I am absolutely open to any other ideas.

FYI it's all mounted to this motherboard:
MSI 970A-G46
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130637

Not the best board in the world but it was cost effective and feature rich at my time of purchase. I have no indication that there is a problem with the board itself, just including that tidbit in case anyone knows of any problems mounting heat sinks on it.

Thanks in advance.

That heatsink was not made to cool a eight core processor that at stock pulls 125 watts and overclocked can pull 200. That hsf can't dissipate very much heat. As an earlier poster pointed out you need a good cooler with a 120 mm fan. 140 mm is better. A Hyper 212 EVO would be better than what you have but still not great. If you notice the specs list AM2, AM2+ and AM3. No mention of AM3+ cpu's. That is because they produce way too much heat for this little heatsink.

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

I will look at a larger HSF assembly, however, this still does not explain the reason for it degrading over time, or why it worked so beautifully when I first installed it. If it always performed poorly, these explanations would seem to hold more weight. I do like the idea of a larger solution, but it does absolutely nothing to answer why it worked so well at first and then stopped.

I am also absolutely befuddled at the idea that it is too small. The stock HSF assembly is tiny by comparison. It's completely dwarfed by the Zalman, yet it is cooling another AM3+ 125w CPU right now and maintaining far more respectable numbers.

I should have researched more before purchasing the 2-ball, admittedly, I bought it on recommendation from a friend. I am extremely disappointed that I am having such a poor experience with it, especially after it worked so well for almost 6 months at first.

bmacsys · Aug 8, 2014

sarcafterdark :

This has happened twice now, and twice I've had to clean and re-apply thermal compound. Here's the issue with all the details I can think of:

At first it runs like a dream, no overlocking, just stock speeds. Idles as low as 8 degrees and never goes far above 35-40 under load (not encoding or anything, just light gaming, with a little FPS thrown in here and there, mostly web surfing etc.). This could last 4-6 months before symptoms set in.

Last time I took it apart and re applied/remounted the heatsink and fan, prime 95's torture test on all 8 threads would not get it above 52. It could run all day at 52. Just now I ran it for less than 2 minutes and it hit 64 degrees before I killed the test for fear of burning my CPU.

Here's the exact heatsink I ordered:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

It should also be known that I have worked in IT (not BS working at a call center taking phone calls for dell, actually working on servers, network equipment, workstations, etc.) for over 10 years and none of my previous builds or any builds I have done for friends or family have ever had heat issues. I am not a beginner and I know how to use thermal compound.

An almost identical build using a stock heatsink/fan assembly (the one that came out of the FX8320 box, actually) has been working and running cool since it was built well over a year ago.

My only theory right now is that there must be a problem with mounting that is causing the heatsink to gradually move over time as the thermal compound heats/cools, reducing its contact and causing less heat to dissipate. I have really been beating my brains over this trying to find a solution.

I am absolutely open to any other ideas.

FYI it's all mounted to this motherboard:
MSI 970A-G46
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130637

Not the best board in the world but it was cost effective and feature rich at my time of purchase. I have no indication that there is a problem with the board itself, just including that tidbit in case anyone knows of any problems mounting heat sinks on it.

Thanks in advance.

How could it idle at 8 degrees ? Are you using liquid nitrogen? That is only 22 degrees Fahrenheit! That is under ambient obviously! Magic!

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

I seem to remember it being at 8 degrees when i first got everything set up. I have pics i'll have to look through. It's idling at 22 right now, when I first turned it on at sat at 11 for about 30 minutes.

sarcafterdark · Aug 8, 2014

But yes, magic

I forgot to mention in my OP that I am a very powerful wizard. I taught Gandalf all he knew. Too bad I never learned how to create money or heatsinks with magic.

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AMD FX 8320+92mm Zalman 2 Ball Heatsink Overheating? HELP!

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