High temps on new i3-2120 build

[SithSolo1]

So I put together my dad's new computer. This is my first Intel build since the C2D days, but the temps with the stock fan seem crazy high. Its idling 34C on core 0, 40C on core 1. Under Prime95 "Blend" it shoots up into the 80s on both cores in under a minute. I haven't run it for longer than a minute but the temps appeared to still be climbing when I stop it.

All temps are taken from RealTemp 3.7. According to CPU-Z the idle Vcore is around 0.944v and the load Vcore bounces between 1.128v and 1.136v. I checked the cooler and its seated properly and the fan is spinning. I've already ordered an aftermarket cooler but is there anything I should check in the bios?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Idle looks fine. Maybe load too. Remember most use a quiet fan approach.

My 3570K idles at 40C with a 1100rpm fanspeed that first goes up after 70C, peaks at 85C with around 1800rpm. And at no time reaches 100% fanspeed. Maximum fanspeed is 2500rpm if I recall right.

All stock.

 

[SithSolo1]

Ok, just seemed like it should be lower than that.

 

[Termie]

Ok, just seemed like it should be lower than that.

I'd check whether the motherboard is limiting the fan speed at load. Perhaps disable all fan speed controls. If you can find a program that will read fan speed, that would help. HWMonitor sometimes works, I assume SpeedFan would work.

Your idle is definitely fine for the stock cooler. In all honesty, I've found that stress-testing using a stock cooler is a recipe for disaster. My i7-860 would skyrocket to 100C within seconds of using IBT under the stock cooler I had on there temporarily, despite load temps closer to 65C on an aftermarket cooler.

If the system is for your dad, just run the computer for a few hours with a monitoring program in the background and make sure it doesn't heat up too much in general use applications. That's what I did for my mom's new ITX system last week. 2500k using a stock cooler. I wouldn't trust it to stress test with, but for her uses, it will never heat up.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The stock cooler can cool the CPU in any stock situation. We had a thread about IB and stock coolers. It was believed the stock cooler wasnt enough, until it was shown that the Asus MB autooverclocked the turbomodes.

 

[SithSolo1]

Yeah I don't think it will ever come close to full load with him using it but I try to plan for the worst. The fan is set to FULL ON in the bios so I hope its not being throttled. Other thing I forgot to mention is my parents keep their house rather warm, ambient is 80F at best.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

A quick test to make sure that the stock cooler is seated right reach in and pull each of the twist clips straight up. If any of them come up then they werent seated well and that is where your higher temperatures are coming from.

Does the case have good ventilation?

I like the temperatues on HWMonitor better.

 

[Termie]

Yeah I don't think it will ever come close to full load with him using it but I try to plan for the worst. The fan is set to FULL ON in the bios so I hope its not being throttled. Other thing I forgot to mention is my parents keep their house rather warm, ambient is 80F at best.

I'd say you're ok (assuming you check to see the fan is properly seated). Even at 80C it won't throttle, and it will never hit 80C in general use. And 80F ambient - ha, that's nothing...during the day I've often used my rig at 85F ambient, although I'm admittedly a bit skittish about stress testing when it's that hot!

 

[SithSolo1]

A quick test to make sure that the stock cooler is seated right reach in and pull each of the twist clips straight up. If any of them come up then they werent seated well and that is where your higher temperatures are coming from.

Does the case have good ventilation?

I like the temperatues on HWMonitor better.

Thanks for the tips yall.

I gave them a good tug and I tried to wiggle the heatsink, it had no give. Its in an ITX case with a 140mm fan blowing across it and out the back. Just the cpu, a SSD, and the DVD drive; no video card.