i5 vs. i7 fan noise under load

[Majcric]

Just recently upgraded from a i5 2500k to i7 6700k and I'm noticing quite a difference in fan noise when the cpu is maxed. I would almost go as far as saying its louder than my reference GTX 980ti. The cpu cooler I'm using is the Hyper 212 EVO.

I hadn't had much of a chance to check my CPU fan setting etc.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Temperatures? Could be a bad seated heatsink.

 

[Majcric]

Temps seem to be fine. In fact, my temps seem to be excellent. I just don't recall this much noise from my old i5. I've noticed the difference mostly under a stress test when the processor is pegged.


I'm starting to wonder if its the way my MB has the fan profile set.

 

[bystander36]

If it is a MB fan setting, you can likely change it in the BIOS. An i7, under full load, is going to be a bit hotter, so the fan may need to work harder for the same temps.

 

[Ketchup]

What board? With the stock fan, the 212 evo makes some noise, but never gets to what I would consider extremely loud (you should hear one of my old Delta fans). Use your finger to make sure you know which fan is bothering you.

 

[ehume]

My main rig has an i7 4770k OC'd to 4300. I kind of lost out in the silicon lottery, so it is thermally limited, not clock-limited. When it is doing useful work, the fans on the Armageddon spin up into the 900's (RPM). That's how you get an audible signal that the machine is working. For example, I know that the current version of Firefox has something wrong with it because it makes my fans spin.

The system did this with Rosewills and it is doing the same with Noctuas. It's one of the little joys of PWM. The key is making your rig quiet when gets working. Then you can relax and enjoy hearing your fans spin up

 

[coercitiv]

Temps seem to be fine. In fact, my temps seem to be excellent. I just don't recall this much noise from my old i5. I've noticed the difference mostly under a stress test when the processor is pegged.


I'm starting to wonder if its the way my MB has the fan profile set.

You start by acknowledging your new CPU is using considerably more power than the old one (though it does that for considerably more performance as well). Here's what Anandtech reported in their initial Skylake review. See the difference between Skylake i5 and i7 in terms of power usage, but take notice of the power delta for Sandy i7 2600k as well.

Now, the absolute values in the graph above don't matter - in the sense that we shouldn't start a discussion about actual TDP etc. (the graph shows system power delta, not measured CPU power usage) What matters is we know for sure your new CPU is likely to consume considerably more power under load.

So it seems to me it should be normal to witness more stress on the cooler than you're used to, but you will hear the extra noise mostly while using stress programs, since during normal usage your new CPU will likely need less power than your old one. You can always calibrate fan settings a bit better, to make sure fan spins up only as much as needed to keep temps in check.

One other thing that may have some influence in your current situation is CPU voltage: could you check and report your CPU voltage while the system is under load? I'm asking because in some cases (mine included) auto voltage settings apply a generous voltage offset for the CPU (mine was +70mV). That might contribute to the effect.

 

[Majcric]

Thanks to the poster above for your contribution. Something I will take into consideration

And couple that with environmental factors and I think I might have my conclusion. Some obvious factors I need to consider is I haven't taken the take to put the side covers back on my PC. Another thing is time of testing late in the night one when things have really quieted down.

On a side note, The 212 EVO can definitely move some wind when it's fully stressed.

 

[Ketchup]

...I haven't taken the take to put the side covers back on my PC....

Why did you take them off? Your computer will run hotter and obviously louder with the panels off.

 

[ehume]

Why did you take them off? Your computer will run hotter and obviously louder with the panels off.

If it was built correctly with good airflow that's true. But if not, he probably gets better cooling with the cover off.

 

[Majcric]

Why did you take them off? Your computer will run hotter and obviously louder with the panels off.

Anytime I do a new build I like to thoroughly check things over. if I need to move something around its much easier than taking the side panels off and on.

I guess you could say I just haven't put them back on yet.

 

[Ketchup]

Anytime I do a new build I like to thoroughly check things over. if I need to move something around its much easier than taking the side panels off and on.

I guess you could say I just haven't put them back on yet.

Gotcha. Well, put the covers on, then evaluate noise. If it is still more than you like, take one off and find out which fan it is. If it is on a motherboard fan header, see if your motherboard came with software and/or BIOS options to adjust fan speed manually.

As coercitiv pointed out, your new CPU is putting out as much heat as mine. During normal gaming, the fan doesn't get that loud (less noise than under an artificial load, such as a stress test). If I do a stress test, it will get full speed. As I said, the stock fan on this unit isn't incredibly loud at full speed, but I could see some wanting it quieter.

The EVO also isn't the best for "heaters" like we have. It was a great cooler when it came out, but it can't cope as well with the increased heat output of the latest Intel CPUs.

 

[ShintaiDK]

If temperatures are good, just change the fan profile.

I use a TS15A on my 6700K. And my profile is set to 25% until 70C, 40% until 85C 70% at 90C and 100% at 100C. (Curve based profile).

Never been over 75C. And regular gaming etc its usually around 50-60C.