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HOT i7 920

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
Hello all !

I just put together a new system and my CPU is running too hot for comfort. The board is a ASUS X58 Sabertooth, core i7 920 (stock no OC), and the HSF is the CM Hyper 212 plus with additional fan for push/pull. I used Tuniq TX-2 TIM. On idle I was initially running 52c, so I took of the HSF, cleaned things up, and reinstalled it. Now I'm at 45c idle, still not close to the results that people are getting. The HS surface looked flat to me.
 

Bartman39

Elite Member | For Sale/Trade
Jul 4, 2000
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What did you use with the reinstall...? AS5 or...? Also I would make sure one of your mounting points has not lifted so its not making proper contact... Check it for firmness of mounting or any rocking of the HS/fan assy...
 

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
yes I used the stock CM TIM at first then switched to TX2. The HS is on there pretty tight, it does slide a little if I give it enough force but other than that its flush. the mounting for the cm hyper uses the screws with the springs, is it better to screw it down uber tight (which is what i did the first time) or to have it down firm but not to put too much pressure ?
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
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45C is low enough for a Hexacore. It really isn't that hot, if it was hitting 60-70 idle, then maybe. You're just fine, no need to worry.
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
45c is not horrible at idle, although its also not great.

I have seen it posted alot about the mounting of the CM 212+ not being the greatest or tightest, perhaps there is a quality control issue there. Idle temps are not the end of the world though what are the load temps after 30 min of prime95?
 

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
45c is not horrible at idle, although its also not great.

I have seen it posted alot about the mounting of the CM 212+ not being the greatest or tightest, perhaps there is a quality control issue there. Idle temps are not the end of the world though what are the load temps after 30 min of prime95?

I will try running prime 95 tomorrow and let you guys know. thx
 

Bartman39

Elite Member | For Sale/Trade
Jul 4, 2000
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At idle and stock speeds and voltage that is plain out of wack... At full load with Prime95 that cpu will look like a cub scouts first roasted marshmellow... :(
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
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I will try running prime 95 tomorrow and let you guys know. thx

If doesn't go well, i would consider another heatskin/fan, AC 7 Pro does a great job. If the AC 7 Pro doesn't go well, then it might be the CPU. RMA it, if that doesn't go well, its your mobo. Gotta troubleshoot bro.
 

jvroig

Platinum Member
Nov 4, 2009
2,394
1
81
If you tell us your ambients, then we can judge if your temps are better or worse.

In summer in hotter climates (e.g., Australia, Asia, etc) it isn't surprising to have ambients ranging at 33-39C, so idling at 45C on an i7 won't exactly be a deal-breaker. If ambients are 23C, however, then 45C idle would certainly look much worse.

Without ambients, everybody else is just effectively guessing how good or how bad your temps are.
 

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
2,677
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^ Yes, ambient (on the same scale) is useful info, because it indicates the delta in temperature the CPU/HSF is producing.
 

Ben90

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,866
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Temperature at idle makes absolutely no difference. Run a stress test and tell us how it does under full load. Does it crash? Errors? Does it begin to throttle itself?
/\

My CPU idles at 60*C. Idles really only tell you if you have a really bad mount or terrible ambients.
 

Sickamore

Senior member
Aug 10, 2010
368
0
0
On a stock cooler it should be at a lower temp. 45c on idle is high for me. It could either be the heatsink not in there properly or the thermal paste or what you can do is check the fan control. I was having the same issue with the stock cooler with my extreme board until i brought it back and got a 3 formula. So far great result. On a stock 41 degrees. Also it depends how cool your case is. With the antec 902 i get good cooling.
 

RavenSEAL

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2010
8,661
3
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In his OP, he clearly said he used a thermal compound. In fact he even quite clearly mentioned the exact TIM he used - Tuniq TX2.


The i7 920 is only a quad core.
I didn't notice about the thermal compound and the i7 is quad dual core cpu. PS= 4 x 2=8
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,273
16,120
136
Which is why i said it was technically a quad dual core...

NO, it is NOT technically a quad dual core, its just a quad core with HT. It can not process more than 4 things at once. The HT keeps the pipes fuller, but there are only 4 cores PERIOD
 

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
Temperature at idle makes absolutely no difference. Run a stress test and tell us how it does under full load. Does it crash? Errors? Does it begin to throttle itself?

OCCT is great for this test because it shows the CPU speed at the bottom.
http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php?Download

thanks for the link ! I will try this today after work and let you know. I did run a prime 95 test late last night (only for about 5 mins though) and the CPU got up to 56c max after 5 mins. Another thing that worries me is the NB temps, the asus utility shows temps in the 50's, this is on the sabertooth board with the fancy shmantzy ceramic HS. Diggin around in BIOS I found another possible cause for the high temps- the rear exhaust fan (Scythe, dont remeber the model but it's low rpm) was running around 550 rpm, a little low if you ask me. Can a low rpm exhaust fan cause the high temps ?
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,273
16,120
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56c after 5 minutes ? That is cool for an I7 under load.
 

cubeless

Diamond Member
Sep 17, 2001
4,295
1
81
so pull off the side panel, get a slave girl to waft the box with a palm frond, and see if the temps are better... yeah, you may need better flow in the case... you didn't mention that you have sli'd 480's adding a little warmth to the inside of the case...

and the nb's run hot unless they have some giant hs (and you have good airflow in the case) on them...

and that p95 temp is nothing to worry about...
 

dmoney1980

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2008
2,471
38
91
56c after 5 minutes ? That is cool for an I7 under load.

i know that it's not bad, but it idles in the high 40's and thats with a coolermaster hyper 212 HS with 2 fans- one chuggin at 1400 rpms and the other at 1200 -at load It's like a leaf blower