CPU running at really high temperatures

[RogellParadox]

Hi, guys. I have a Phenom II X6 1055T
Idle temperature, depending on time, can get from 36-48ºC(Normally it's around 45). When I play games, like Half-Life 2, it gets 55-62ºC. When I play more recent games, like Bioshock Infinite, X-com declassified, it turns really hot, around 77ºC. I assume the maximum should be around 60ºC, so I don't think it's normal.
I stressed it using Prime95 and it's strange, but the more time passes, hotter it gets. I mean, the numbers just rise, don't stop.
Plus, when I see the Task Manager (and HWMonitor), I usually find the 2nd and 6th cores working a lot more than others (when gaming).
I've been changing coolers to try to get it better, now I'm waiting my hyper 212x to arrive, but I'm afraid it's not just about the cooler, but the CPU...
It has around 3 and half years of use. Maybe it got outworn?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Try clean out dust first.

 

[VirtualLarry]

My experience with AMD CPUs is, that they can get abused, and will run hotter overall as a result. However, the Phenom II X6 has a modified mfg process compared to Phenom II X4, and runs a bit cooler, or should. I have a system with a 1045T that was left running doing DC work, and the fan failed. It kept running, but when I checked on it, CoreTemp said it reached 80C+! Took a licking, and kept on ticking, amazingly enough. Granted, I don't think that was so good for it, but most older AMD dual-core CPUs would have BSODed at that point and rebooted.

 

[RogellParadox]

Try clean out dust first.

of course I did it. I also tried a cooler I already had.

 

[know of fence]

I stressed it using Prime95 and it's strange, but the more time passes, hotter it gets. I mean, the numbers just rise, don't stop.

For how long, important detail. I mean it sure seems that way, Tmax creeps up and up for hours. HWiNFO64 (sensors) shows how long it has been running. But the results seem to be repeatable: after 10 min of prime95 Tmax will be the same every time.
Before you do anything like clean your case, replace TIM, replace/reseat cooler; you should collect some data screenshots or notes for reliable before and after comparisons.
Also undervolting will lower tempertatures and power consumption.

 

[RogellParadox]

For how long, important detail. I mean it sure seems that way, Tmax creeps up and up for hours. HWiNFO64 (sensors) shows how long it has been running. But the results seem to be repeatable: after 10 min of prime95 Tmax will be the same every time.
Before you do anything like clean your case, replace TIM, replace/reseat cooler; you should collect some data screenshots or notes for reliable before and after comparisons.
Also undervolting will lower tempertatures and power consumption.

Less than 5 minutes. My no-break then started beeping, so I decided not to force it. I cleaned the two coolers I have and tested lots of times. It's really strange.

 

[Techhog]

What TIM are you using?