i5 3750K High Idle/OC temps

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Muhammad Nafie

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Aug 9, 2014
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Hello TH members.

I have recently purchased a new AiO water cooler for my i5 3750K. I suspect I am not that lucky with the chip in there. But first of all, I will list the important things related to my questions.

CPU : Intel i5 3570K OC'ed @ 4.4GHz (1.245V with Ultra High LLC)
Mobo : ASUS Z77-V Pro
Cooler: CM Nepton 140XL (140mm Push Pull Setup / Exhaust at the back of the case)
Case : HAF XM ( 2x200mm Top Exhausts / 1x200mm Front Intake) - Full Duty Cycle all the time
1x200mm Side Intake / 2x120mm HDD cage ) - Controlled via Fan Xpert 2

The cooler fans are connected to CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT headers, while the pump is connected via CHA_FAN3 header (The pump is at half speed/dimmed LED when temps are under 50C using Fan Xpert 2)

Now to the temperatures,
Room Temperature is around 29C

Idle: (CPU % around 12% average @ 1.75~2 GHz)
CPU Temp: 39C~40C
Core#1: 39C Core#2: 39C Core#3: 42C Core#4: 41C

Full Load: Prime95 v2.84 (CPU % is 100% @ 4.4GHz - Fully Stable) - 30mins test
CPU Temp: Avg: 62C Max: 64C
Core#1: 75C Core#2: 79C Core#3: 83C Core#4: 77C

I am not satisfied with these temps at all. The temps at idle doesn't beat Intel's stock cooler, however; the cooler is doing a good job with full load stress.

What should I do? Do I need to reapply the thermal paste? Re-mount the cooler? Is there something wrong with the configuration?

I have applied a small pea size around 3mm in size straight at the middle of the cpu heatsink then tightened the cooler block against the backplate into an X fashion (Top Right -> Bottom Left -> Left Top -> Bottom Right)

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks :)
 
Solution
Darkbreeze
To start with, in my opinion, and that's all it is, that's too much paste. Using that cooler on that small 22nm die you shouldn't need more than a rice sized dab directly in the center. A pea is too large. It might have been ok, although I think even then it was too much, for the 32nm die cpu's but a pea sized amount is likely overdoing it with the smaller die.

Aside from that I'd probably use a splitter for both fans on the cooler so they run at the same speeds. If they are on different headers they are likely running at different speeds and that will actually decrease the cooling efficiency. If you have to have one running faster than the other make sure it's the outer one doing the pulling.
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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To start with, in my opinion, and that's all it is, that's too much paste. Using that cooler on that small 22nm die you shouldn't need more than a rice sized dab directly in the center. A pea is too large. It might have been ok, although I think even then it was too much, for the 32nm die cpu's but a pea sized amount is likely overdoing it with the smaller die.

Aside from that I'd probably use a splitter for both fans on the cooler so they run at the same speeds. If they are on different headers they are likely running at different speeds and that will actually decrease the cooling efficiency. If you have to have one running faster than the other make sure it's the outer one doing the pulling.
 
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Muhammad Nafie

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Thanks for your reply, darkbreeze. I was following the Installation Guide that came with the cooler, and the applied grease was definitely of a pea size. Not sure if I have to re-apply or not though. Yea, there was a Y splitter that came with the package, however, Don't you think that both CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT headers are exactly the same, operation-wise? I will try with the Y splitter and check if there are any improvements. Anyway, do you have any option on the temps shown above? Thanks :)
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Ok, the cpu_opt is a second cpu header, however I can't find any information that definitively says that both headers will receive identical voltages if used simultaneously. It's probably ok but I can't guarantee they're gonna run both fans at the same RPM. I think it should though but if you already have the splitter I'd probably use it just to be certain. There's no down side I'm aware of by doing so.

As far as the instructions that came with the cooler. I'd almost guarantee that cooler was manufactured at a time when the 32nm processors were pretty much the standard across the board and so the included instructions are intended for dies of that size. I'd clean and repaste using a rice sized dab in the center. Prior to doing that though, if you're absolutely certain you have the heatsink block completely tightened down (Obviously, without OVER tightening) and there is no visible paste on any of the four sides, you're probably ok. If you can see any at all, I'd redo it.
 
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Muhammad Nafie

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Alright, not a big problem regarding using the Y splitter or not. I am getting the same temps using Prime95. Core 3 seems to be the highest of all them though. Regarding the block, yea it is completely tightened. I stopped when I found I can no longer screw it gently. About the the visible paste at the side, I can't check really, the block is preventing me to check but from one side, the aluminum socket frame around the CPU seems to be clean, but I can't verify that on the other sides. I think I will keep that thermal paste for some time, till I find myself getting really annoyed with the temps. What just bothers me that most of cpus that are cooled using Water coolers within the performance range of this cooler, have lower idle temps around 33C. I have no clues about their ambient temp though. Thanks a lot darkbreeze. Your replies were informative. :)
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Also, if your radiator fans are on PWM headers, try connecting them to full voltage headers or straight 12v via 4 pin molex coming off the PSU. You'll definitely get better idle temps and probably get better load temps. It will be a bit noisier though.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Hahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa! Oh shit that's funny. Yeah, I said it would be loud. PWM control for those should be fine, maybe you can go into the BIOS and set the target temperature lower or if your cooler came with a utility you might check to see if you can set the target temps lower with that. Then it will have an opportunity to stay cooler but won't sound like a 747 unless you're doing something that creates 100% load or pretty close to it. Perhaps not even then if the setup works well.
 
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