High heat. Would a new fan matter?

[Traxan]

I was having a ton of trouble with my system and for that and one other reason, decided to upgrade from a z87 to a z97. In the process I replaced the heat sink/fan. Now I wonder if I'd made a mistake. The old heat sink kept the CPU well under 40c while idle. Now I'm at 50c idle and haven't stressed it yet.

The heat sink is a typical aluminum tower with a fan stuck to it. Would changing the fan make a difference? I really don't want to go through the rigmarole of a new heat sink because most require installation under the motherboard (this one didn't), which means taking everything out.

So, tl;dr version, would a different fan make a difference on the heat sink?

 

[aigomorla]

too many variables to tell you a proper answer..

Best way to test is take off your side panel, and see how much of an improvement you get.

If you notice a great improvement from just side panel removal -> Your case lacks air flow... a better fan on heat sink wont help you.

If you notice no improvement.. your case is pretty well ventilated, which means air being feed into the sink is lacking... fan replacement is a viable option, or a remount of the heat sink (it sometimes can take more then 1 mount to get the perfect mount.) or something needs to be fixed on the cpu cooling end for better gains.

 

[Traxan]

Ok, case lid is off, let's see what happens. But so you know this is the same case as before, where it was 10-15C cooler and I used the same CPU.

 

[lehtv]

50C at idle sounds ridiculous, even Intel Stock cooler keeps an i7 at 40C at idle. My guess is you have mounted the cooler improperly, if so reseat it thus:
1. remove cooler
2. carefully remove all of the thermal paste from both the CPU and the base of the cooler using isopropyl alcohol and a non-linting cloth
3. apply new thermal paste onto the CPU; and make sure you use the correct amount of thermal paste (a small blob slightly larger than the head of a pin is fine, and there's no need to manually spread it as the pressure from the cooler will do that)
4. secure cooler on top of the CPU and make sure there's a good amount of pressure between it and the CPU as you tighten whatever securing mechanism the cooler uses. If it uses push pins, make sure the pins go all the way through the mounting holes

 

[aigomorla]

Ok, case lid is off, let's see what happens. But so you know this is the same case as before, where it was 10-15C cooler and I used the same CPU.

a lot could of happened in that time..

Especially something i hate with prejudice called DUST.

 

[Traxan]

Ok, I was playing EverQuest and watched the temps pop to 60C and noticed a slowdown. Enough was enough. I got the old Cooler Master from the last motherboard, took the new mobo out, did the install and now the cores are between 31 and 40C idle. Back to normal.

 

[ClockHound]

a lot could of happened in that time..

Especially something i hate with prejudice called DUST.

DUST never sleeps. :biggrin:

 

[MrTeal]

Glad you got it fixed. It really sounds like an installation issue though, if your idle dropped 10-20C with the replacement heatsink. Most places don't see over 10C difference at idle between an NH-D15 and a stock Intel heatsink with a highly overclocked 4790k.

 

[doyll49]

I strongly advise cleaning cooler fins at least once a year and some need it more. Well filtered cases can go a couple of years, but filters need cleaned monthly .. and sometimes weekly. Every couple of years I advise giving the cooler a good wash in the kitchen sink with automatic dishwasher detergent. Slosh the cooler around in sink of hot water, let it soak and slosh some more. After awhile rinse with clean water and dry in a warm place. This usually give 2-5c better cooling because it removes the film that collects on the fins.

 

[Traxan]

That sounds a bit extreme. I blasted the daylights out of it with compressed air and it came out nice and clean. Any time you introduce water to computer parts, you risk problems.

 

[MongGrel]

He did say to let it dry

A lot of people do use water cooling you know, though I do not.

Glad to hear it's running fine now it sounds.

 

[doyll49]

Gotta love how things that have been proven to work are "kinda extreme" to those who have never done it.

I suppose they believe washing windows every year or two is also extreme.

My guess is they have not seen what the inside of a computer looks like after it's spent a year in a room with someone smoking a pack a day. That is what extreme is.

 

[aigomorla]

My guess is they have not seen what the inside of a computer looks like after it's spent a year in a room with someone smoking a pack a day. That is what extreme is.

My PC doubles as a ROOM air purifier...