Trying to lower CPU temps

[asdf12]

I've already posted this once, but I didn't see it show up in the forums. Anywho..

Specs

Case: DIYPC Adventurer-9601R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353010
CPU: i5-4670k
Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO

Right now, I'm getting about 36-41C package temps while idle, and using prime 95 about 68-69C full load. I haven't seen it hit 70 just yet, but that's probably because the ambient temps have been pretty cool. However, I want to lower these because I live in Houston and it gets hot as hell here in the summer time. I've been considering 3 options so far.

1). Buy a liquid cooling system
2). Buy a new case
3). Upgrading the case fans on the case I already have.

If I have to, I'll spend up to the $120 price range, but that's only if it will provide me with the best solution. I'm also open to other suggestions.

 

[clutchc]

With all the fans in that case and a vented top, I don't think the issue is the case. Maybe you don't have the cooler mounted properly. Be sure the X-shaped scissor bracket is right-side up. And that the 4 posts are fully screwed down. The Cooler should have very little side-to-side movement if any. What TIM are you using?

 

[asdf12]

With all the fans in that case and a vented top, I don't think the issue is the case. Maybe you don't have the cooler mounted properly. Be sure the X-shaped scissor bracket is right-side up. And that the 4 posts are fully screwed down. The Cooler should have very little side-to-side movement if any. What TIM are you using?

I'm pretty sure it's screwed down right. Here's some pics. Not sure if they'll help you get an idea.

http://s15.postimg.org/9uu07nf6z/IMG_0273.jpg

http://s27.postimg.org/lahdze2b7/IMG_0274.jpg

http://s29.postimg.org/kyyicyukn/IMG_0275.jpg

It has no side-to-side moment at all. I'm using arctic silver 5. I did the pea sized blob without spreading. I've been trying to cure it and I'm about half way to the 200 hour mark, but I've read that will only drop your temps a few C's.

 

[clutchc]

The pics look good. The X-bracket seems right. Did it center on the pin in the middle and one of the notches lock into the post?
Here is a better guide if you want to double check against the poor instructions that come with it: http://www.overclock.net/t/1322128/guide-installing-cooler-master-hyper-212-evo-plus-x-on-sockets-775-1150-1155-1156-1366-2011-am2-am3-fm1-fm2

If you have to redo the mtg again, I like to tin the surfaces of the cooler and CPU by wiping a small amount of TIM in all 8 directions across the mating surfaces, wiping off all but enough to fill the microscopic pores of the metal. Then proceed with the pea sized dab in the center. Lately I switched to MX-4 instead of AS5 due to the AS5 being electrically conductive. Also, the MX-4 requires no break in time.

Be sure your fan speed isn't hampered by poor manual settings in BIOS. If yours offers the option, leave it at normal or standard or even optimal. Is the cooler's fan picking up speed when the temp increases?

 

[asdf12]

The pics look good. The X-bracket seems right. Did it center on the pin in the middle and one of the notches lock into the post?
Here is a better guide if you want to double check against the poor instructions that come with it: http://www.overclock.net/t/1322128/guide-installing-cooler-master-hyper-212-evo-plus-x-on-sockets-775-1150-1155-1156-1366-2011-am2-am3-fm1-fm2

If you have to redo the mtg again, I like to tin the surfaces of the cooler and CPU by wiping a small amount of TIM in all 8 directions across the mating surfaces, wiping off all but enough to fill the microscopic pores of the metal. Then proceed with the pea sized dab in the center. Lately I switched to MX-4 instead of AS5 due to the AS5 being electrically conductive. Also, the MX-4 requires no break in time.

Be sure your fan speed isn't hampered by poor manual settings in BIOS. If yours offers the option, leave it at normal or standard or even optimal. Is the cooler's fan picking up speed when the temp increases?

Yeah, the fan speed increases when it's moving up to max load. I tried looking through the BIOS but couldn't find any fan control options. It just tells me the rpm's. The center pin on the bracket is screwed down; I tightened it with my fingers. It's snug, not too tight. I guess I could try some new thermal compound. My BIOS temps are reading 40C for the lowest and 70C for the high :/ Is that normal or should they be lower? I suppose I'll retry the mounting process and maybe add an additional fan?

 

[clutchc]

Your i5 shouldn't be that warm stressed out with the 212 EVO. It's not dangerous, but higher than it should be with that cooler. Are your top, rear fans exhausting and your front fan in-taking? I presume the fan was mounted correctly from the factory; blowing into the heat sync? Is your Haswell O/C'd?

I'll run Intel Burn Test on my i5-2500K w/212 EVO (see my sig) and see what it has for a a high temp. It's been awhile.

 

[clutchc]

IBT for std 10 run pass on my i5-2500K... HWM readings showed cores low to mid 30Cs at idle, 212 EVO fan at 1123RPM. Cores at peak of IBT run were between 58C and 61C with cooler's fan at 1717RPM. My processor has a mild O/C on it at 4.0GHZ.
I keep forgetting that Hawells run a tad hotter than the Sandy Bridges. So maybe 70C isn't all that bad at peak.

 

[asdf12]

Your i5 shouldn't be that warm stressed out with the 212 EVO. It's not dangerous, but higher than it should be with that cooler. Are your top, rear fans exhausting and your front fan in-taking? I presume the fan was mounted correctly from the factory; blowing into the heat sync? Is your Haswell O/C'd?

I'll run Intel Burn Test on my i5-2500K w/212 EVO (see my sig) and see what it has for a a high temp. It's been awhile.

All my fans are in working order. I've checked everything, twice now. I haven't done any overclocking, but realtemp tells me it's at 3.6 GHz during a prime 95 full load stress test. Is that normal or should it be a max of 3.4? Also, cpu fan maxed at 1762 rmp at full load.

 

[clutchc]

The turbo speed is 3.8GHZ, so that would be what I would expect to see in Prime95 or any other stress testing pgm.
Intel lists the Tcase temp max at 72.7C for that CPU: http://ark.intel.com/products/75048/
The tCase temp is using a TC embedded in the middle of the heat spreader and will usually read hotter than the TjMax or core temps. But modern processor don't receive the throttle-down signal until well into the 90cs.

 

[asdf12]

The turbo speed is 3.8GHZ, so that would be what I would expect to see in Prime95 or any other stress testing pgm.
Intel lists the Tcase temp max at 72.7C for that CPU: http://ark.intel.com/products/75048/
The tCase temp is using a TC embedded in the middle of the heat spreader and will usually read hotter than the TjMax or core temps. But modern processor don't receive the throttle-down signal until well into the 90cs.

So I'm guessing my temps are normal. Shouldn't they be a bit lower with the 212 EVO? Or is 70 max what I should expect?

 

[clutchc]

Personally... at stock clock speeds with the 212 EVO I would expect lower max core temps. High 50Cs to low 60Cs.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

70C max seems about right for a Haswell chip. They run more that a little hotter than Sandy Bridge. There is a huge difference in temps between the two.

 

[asdf12]

Personally... at stock clock speeds with the 212 EVO I would expect lower max core temps. High 50Cs to low 60Cs.

Hmm. That's a little depressing, but at least my rig is stable for now. I'm going to try some new thermal compound and maybe some new case fans. I appreciate the time you've taken to help me out. Thanks a bunch.

 

[clutchc]

70C max seems about right for a Haswell chip. They run more that a little hotter than Sandy Bridge. There is a huge difference in temps between the two.

That's what I was wondering (above). I hated to use my SB for comparison, because of that difference. But I did anyway for comparison.

 

[asdf12]

70C max seems about right for a Haswell chip. They run more that a little hotter than Sandy Bridge. There is a huge difference in temps between the two.

So 70C is a good max even with the CM 212 EVO? I've read that some people get low 60's for their max temps.