I5 2500K Huge Temp increase and I have no idea why?

Hey guys,

My machine has been running solid for months. All of the sudden today, I am noticing a HUGE increase in CPU temp (up to 80 C) under normal load (i.e. running a game update). It goes back down into normal temp range at idle (around 29-32 C) when just running a web browser or file browsing.

2 things changed on my PC today, I don't know if maybe one of them is affecting it... I downloaded the new Nvidia drivers 295.73 and I also installed a DVI cable in place of my HDMI on my monitor to allow for 120 Hz refresh.

Full system specs below.

I have no clue what is going on. I had moved my case to allow to change the cable, however after I noticed the temp change, I shut down and verified I didn't somehow unseat the CPU fan. It was tight and flush, so no problems. I can also see the RPM s change on the CPU fan as well (I use AI Suite II).

Could either of the 2 above scenarios caused this issue or is there something more insidious going on here? What could cause such a drastic problem in CPU temp like this? If I remember correctly, at full load it typically would only get up to about 54 C, so why now is it spiking so high and scaring the bejeezus out of me?


Core i5 2500K OCed to 4.5 Ghz
Asus P8P67 Mobo
Corsair 8 GB Vengeance Ram
EVGA GTX 570 2560 MB
Samsung S23A950 120 Hz 3D monitor