CPU Temperature is a little bit too high

ReeDoK

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I have an Intel Core i5 4460 clocked at 3.20Ghz. While idle the temperature stays at 45 degrees (C) and while gaming reaches even 71 degrees. Is this normal? It reaches 71 degrees even if the CPU usage is 50% and it feels like the performance of this CPU is not the same as before. It could be because I enabled iGPU multi-monitor to use, of course, another monitor?
 

dudmont

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What do you have for a case and what do you have for case fans? What sort of ambient temperature are we talking about? Are you working outside in Antarctica or perhaps the Mojave desert? What do you have for a cpu cooler? What games are you playing? What do you have for a GPU?
Lots of questions, but to ease your mind, those temps aren't too high or in any way outrageous, unless you're outside in Antarctica. When did you notice a "perceived" performance loss? Have you done any benchmarks with before or after numbers to corroborate?
To aid our investigation, give us lots of info, if you could on your system(memory, mobo, GPU, storage and boot drives, and PSU). Also, if you could include a description of the sorts of system maintenance you do, that would also help.
 

ReeDoK

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First, I have only one fan on the back of the case. I'm using a stock cooler for the CPU, I have 8GB DDR3 1600MHz. The GPU is a GTX 1050 Ti which is operating at 50 degrees most of the time. I play a lot of games... from CS:GO, Rocket League to DOOM. The performance loss I was talking about is not a big deal, I just noticed the usage is higher now and the FPS dropped with only 5-10 FPS, but in CS GO for example sometimes I have only 90 FPS, from 300 which is not normal and if I look at the CPU usage in task manager is around 95%. At least it happens on rare occasions, but I'm worried about it. Also the mobo is an Asus B85M-E, the HDD is a Seagate Barracuda 1TB and the case is a Segotep Racing. To be honest this case can be an issue.
 

ReeDoK

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I have been using this CPU for almost one year. I think I should just buy a better cooler and a better case and of course, replace the thermal paste.
 

dudmont

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Temps aren't an issue based on your hardware. They're perfectly normal.
The cpu usage/performance issues are almost certainly software related, so think about any changes in your Windows settings, or any changes in your software state in general, recently. Perhaps a windows update, or a anti-virus update recently? Maybe a new piece of software that loads with Windows every time? Any of things could cause slight system changes that require more cpu usage and can cause a performance hit. One thing I do from time to time is go through my list of things that load with Windows and double check that I want them active. A general system cleanup is never a harmful thing and can do wonders for system performance.
 

dudmont

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If the system, with a little tinkering, is doing what you need it to, then why throw money at it? Save your money, in a couple years build a whole new system with your saved money.
 

ReeDoK

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It may sound weird, but I usually reinstall my OS every 2 months... There is a process called Desktop Window Manager or simply DWM which uses around 100-200 MB of RAM memory and 10-20% of the CPU. This started to appear since I enabled the iGPU multi-monitor option.
 

ReeDoK

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Yeah... You are right. Thanks a lot for your help and sorry if I took your time for almost nothing.
 

dudmont

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Well, as someone who likewise uses 2 monitors. I think you'll agree it's not something you'll give up willingly. I think it's certain that is your culprit, and one that is quite worth the price of admission.
The re-installing of Windows certainly counts as system maintenance(maybe a touch overkill imo, but you certainly don't have maintenance issues).:)
 

ReeDoK

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Thanks again for your time :)