Max healthy cpu temps

[tutuava]

I just got a new computer with a 3770 which I'm really happy with. But the cpu cooler was pretty noisy at default which was around 2500 rpm so I went into bios and checked the settings and it doesn't allow me to change rpms directly, but I can set a temperature ceiling instead which suits me well. I tried putting it at 45 C and the fan speed dropped to around 2000 rpm and much less noisy. Now my question is what is the max temperature ceiling I can put it at with no risk of decreasing cpu life? I got settings for 5 degree steps starting from 40 C (it seems to run around the low 30s for regular desktop work, but when I use default settings the fan automatically revs up to 2500 rpm).

The cooler is a Cooler Master Hyper TX3.

 

[Turbonium]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you asking what minimum temperature you want it to rev up to 2500 rpm at (from the much less noisy 2000 rpm)?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

40c is okay. So is 45. As long as its not like 60c on idle

 

[Turbonium]

40c is okay. So is 45. As long as its not like 60c on idle

I would tend to agree with this, based on my own 5 minutes of research on your CPU. What's really important for CPU longevity (at stock anyway) is your temps at load. As long as your idle temps are "low enough", it shouldn't really make a difference.

Even say 50°C at idle is technically fine, but the problem is that it is likely indicative of very high temps with any load, which is the problem.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[tutuava]

Turbonium - I'm asking what is acceptable as a constant temperature without reducing the cpu's life span. If it's ok to keep it at 45 C more or less permanently then I should be fine.

edit - ah you already posted again; I figure the fan will kick in under load since the bios setting is a ceiling temperature that it should try to keep it under.

 

[MrK6]

Ivy Bridge has a Tj max of 105C (that's the core temp). Tcase is probably lower, but most programs read the core temps, not Tcase. What are you using to measure your temperatures?

Also, load temps are what matters, not idle temps. Run a program like Prime95: http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/ to get your CPU 100% loaded and then see what the temps are like. I'm also not sure how the "ceiling" affects the fan's behavior. If it's that the fan kicks in full speed once the ceiling temp is exceeded, then just set it to something like 50C and you're golden (as in, once the CPU hits 50C, the fan kicks on full).

 

[Turbonium]

I figure the fan will kick in under load since the bios setting is a ceiling temperature that it should try to keep it under.

If that's what it is, set the ceiling to like 52°C or something (arbitrarily at 15°C lower than the stated Tcase on the link below).

http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/

 

[tutuava]

Yeah, that's what I'm expecting it to be, that the fan kicks into max once a certain temperature is reached. I'm getting my temps from the bios, also tried SpeedFan, but it seems a little confused.

The weird thing is that when I don't set a ceiling it seems to automatically run at max (at least 2500 rpm is kind of noisy), then if I set a ceiling it goes down to 2000 rpm, but never below that even though the temps are much lower than the ceiling. It's still ok because it's much more quiet, just kind of strange.

I'm not too worried that load temps will be high because it's not overclocked and the fan should kick in once a ceiling temperature is reached, but if you can recommend a program I can monitor temperatures with during load I'll try to see if it works as expected.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Ivy Bridge has a Tj max of 105C (that's the core temp). Tcase is probably lower, but most programs read the core temps, not Tcase. What are you using to measure your temperatures?

No program at all read Tcase. You need to add a thermal sensor between the IHS and the heatsink to measure Tcase.

For the OP, anything below 105C is considered healthy and garanteed by Intel. 40-45C is normal with the stock cooler for example in idle. Usually a 100% heavy load ends around 80-85C.

 

[Ferzerp]

If that's what it is, set the ceiling to like 52°C or something (arbitrarily at 15°C lower than the stated Tcase on the link below).

http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/

There is no sensor present to read Tcase. The only sensors available read junction temperature (which needs to remain below 105C though I'd not really be confortable with it 90 or more ever, but that's just me). To read Tcase would require placing a thermistor between your IHS and the heatsink. This is not really feasible.

edit: boo, beaten while typing.

 

[MrK6]

No program at all read Tcase. You need to add a thermal sensor between the IHS and the heatsink to measure Tcase.

For the OP, anything below 105C is considered healthy and garanteed by Intel. 40-45C is normal with the stock cooler for example in idle. Usually a 100% heavy load ends around 80-85C.

You can read socket temps, which more or less are in the ballpark of Tcase. Many programs put out both numbers.

 

[ShintaiDK]

You can read socket temps, which more or less are in the ballpark of Tcase. Many programs put out both numbers.

Ballpark as in +/- 10C or more? Sure.

 

[postmortemIA]

my stock fan is at 1100rpm, temp 40-45C in idle.

 

[bononos]

You can read socket temps, which more or less are in the ballpark of Tcase. Many programs put out both numbers.

Socket thermistors were well known for being inaccurate since you had to do some bending and twisting to make sure the probe touches the backside of the cpu. Depending upon whether it is actually touches the cpu or is simply measuring the air temp around the socket and what temp offset the mb is set to, temps could vary alot for the same config.

 

[Turbonium]

I'm not sure what you're asking.

Ikr? I got confused too. The OP isn't too clear.

Pretty sure he's asking what idle/near idle temp is safe for his CPU. We're all telling him his temps at load are what are important (he's concerned about CPU longevity/lifespan).

 

[tutuava]

Thanks for all the info everyone! And sorry about not being too clear, Turbonium puts it well in his last post.

 

[Ed1]

Is that cooler have PWM fan on it, AFAIK you need a PWM fan for auto-rpm to work correctly in newer chipsets .
does the fan header for the cpu have 4 pins ? , if so its PWM fan header and your cooler fan needs same 4 pin plug to support it AFAIK .

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

For the OP, anything below 105C is considered healthy and garanteed by Intel. 40-45C is normal with the stock cooler for example in idle. Usually a 100% heavy load ends around 80-85C.

+1 for ShintaiDK

When it comes down it these are the important numbers. Also another option if you are trying to keep the system quiet is to replace some of the fans with quiet models.

 

[Ed1]

not so sure i would say tjmax an below is safe per Intel . that is just temp the chip starts throttling which is hot .
When it comes to cpu temps you can not talk w/o going into case and ambient temps , cause cpu will never be lower than internal case temps .

That said 30-40 idles is not bad I would try and keep load temps under 80c and preferably 70's (this again will depend on cooler, fan speed and case venting flow .

 

[ShintaiDK]

not so sure i would say tjmax an below is safe per Intel . that is just temp the chip starts throttling which is hot .
When it comes to cpu temps you can not talk w/o going into case and ambient temps , cause cpu will never be lower than internal case temps .

That said 30-40 idles is not bad I would try and keep load temps under 80c and preferably 70's (this again will depend on cooler, fan speed and case venting flow .

Tjmax is not some random number Intel threw in. Its what Intel will garantee you. Even if run at that throughout its warranty.