CPU temperature: BIOS vs Windows.

Kilogrape · Dec 20, 2015

I have a problem with weird CPU temperatures. In BIOS it reads 55 Celsius at 100% CPU load. In Windows, however, it can read 100 Celsius with throttling. I use programs like HWMonitor, Core Temp and Intel ETU. This can happen right after I've booted up the PC after it's been turned off for hours, or when I do a stress test with Intel ETU. Playing games also gives me temps around 90 Celsius.

This has started happening the last couple of days, and I don't know what to think. Is the BIOS correct? Or is Windows correct? When I get the high readings the PC does not blow warm air at all, and it is not warm to the touch. It does not smell weird or anything, either. Any ideas?

Some specs:
i7 4790
Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 3
H80i GT

GhislainG · Dec 20, 2015

55°C in the BIOS is too high; it isn't idle, but it also is far from full load. Are you sure the pump is working properly?

Kilogrape · Dec 21, 2015

Ok. Well, I don't really know how to find out if it works properly. Anyway, getting new thermal paste today to see if it changes anything.

GhislainG · Dec 21, 2015

Are the tubes on both sides hot? The manufacturer normally provides a test procedure; if not then contact support and you'll be provided with it. Thermal paste doesn't go bad unless the cooler is dislodged; otherwise it's fine for at least a decade.

Kilogrape · Dec 21, 2015

Not really hot, at least not as hot as they used to be. I will try to find a test, thanks.

Kilogrape · Dec 21, 2015

Ok, so I just changed the thermal paste. But while doing that I noticed that the mounting bracket wiggled alot after I had dismounted the pump. Turns out I had forgot to use the washers (or whatever they're called), which left room between the pump and CPU. Now I have added the washers and also applied new thermal paste. Temps are now 30-40 Celsius in BIOS, and 25-30 Celsius when idle. Also, when doing the same stress test as before, I get temps between 55-60 Celsius. Seems like the problem has been solved!

GhislainG · Dec 21, 2015

It definitely works as expected.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

Well, turns out it wasn't fixed after all. It's back to weird temps now. However, I was in BIOS again where the temps were now 70 Celsius. While doing this, I felt the pump's tubes and noticed that one was cold and the other was warm. After googling a bit I shook the computer, and the temps suddenly sank to about 40 Celsius. Could this mean that the pump is malfunctioning?

GhislainG · Dec 23, 2015

Possibly, but is it connected directly to the PSU? Otherwise it may not be getting enough voltage.

Liquid coolers have more parts that can fail. An i7-4700 doesn't benefit from a liquid cooler; when available and if it fits the case, a cooler like the Cryorig H7 is a better solution and only the fan could fail.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

No, it's connected to a fan hub on my NZXT Noctis 450. It's connected to the white header on this picture, while the hub itself is connected to the CPU_FAN header. I couldn't find any cables that allowed a direct connection, unless I missed something. All I found was an extension cable that I now started using between the pump and the fan hub. The white header has 4 pins, but the pump cable has only 3. The extension cable has 4, so I figured it might help to have contact with all 4 pins.

Arronleeds · Dec 23, 2015

you do realise while in bios the pc is at full load right? my bios temps are high, when my pc boots fully, my temps drop to 20-25c.

but in your case to me it seems like the pump has failed, which is a common issue with corsairs aio coolers.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

Arronleeds :

Well, I was in the BIOS now for about 5 minutes and the temps were hovering around 35 Celsius. When I had the 70 Celsius reading, however, it was colored in orange and I don't think that's a good thing...

I might just buy a replacement, but I haven't seen any high temps for a while. Maybe I'll get something from the christmas sale.

GhislainG · Dec 23, 2015

While in the BIOS the CPU is busy, but it's far from full load. If you run Prime95 Small FFTs, you'll see that it gets much warmer.

GhislainG · Dec 23, 2015

Kilogrape, can't you connect the pump to a motherboard header configured for maximum cooling in the BIOS? SYS_FAN1, 2 or 3 should do it.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

I can do that. Is that what you meant by a direct connection to the PSU? I might've interpreted it too literally, lol...

GhislainG · Dec 23, 2015

Kilogrape :

It's an alternate solution; if running the pump at full speed doesn't help, then it's defective.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

Ok. Well, the high temps were back again after I switched headers. I started the Intel ETU stress test and saw the temps rise very quickly. While they were at about 80 Celsius, I started tapping the pump with my fingers and the temps almost instantly plummeted by around 30 Celsius and stayed there. Also, the headers don't seem to make any difference when I compare temps. So I guess I need a new pump?

Arronleeds · Dec 23, 2015

Kilogrape :

you need a new cooler, you will have to rma it, this is why i wont get a corsair aio, id rather get the kraken x61.

GhislainG · Dec 23, 2015

Air coolers perform very well for that CPU; but they are larger.

Kilogrape · Dec 23, 2015

I'm definitely considering the X61. I also looked at the Cryorig H7, but due to low availability it had 4+ weeks delivery time. Hopefully something nice will be on the christmas sale.

Ok, so, thanks for your help and merry x-mas.

CPU temperature: BIOS vs Windows.

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Share this page