MCP temperatures

[Juddog]

I ran everest last night after running a burn in test using OCCT for about 6 hours.

I noticed that my MCP temp reading seems a bit high - 71 degrees C under stress testing. My SPP only reads 45 degrees C and my "motherboard" reading reads about 37 degrees C.

Is it possible I have a defective MCP thermal reader, or does that indicate that something is majorly wrong? I tried removing the mounting and redoing the thermal paste but the temps still seem high.

 

[PCTC2]

It's your "passively" cooled southbridge = MCP. It's only connected to the actual heatsink by that plate. Mine is always hot.

 

[Juddog]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
It's your "passively" cooled southbridge = MCP. It's only connected to the actual heatsink by that plate. Mine is always hot.

So then is 71 degrees C an ok temperature or should I try to re-apply the heatsink grease? I'm debating whether to pull the whole thing apart again since it was a pain in the ass to put together, and doing so would involve probably 2 hours worth of work disassembling everything.

 

[Juddog]

Hmm looking through the specs on the 790i chipset, I noticed that the first two PCI-express lanes go through the SPP while the third goes through the MCP. I had plugged in my two SLI'd geforce 8800GT's in the first and third slots; I'm wondering now if putting the second card into the second PCI-express slot will reduce traffic (and heat) on the MCP. I'll have to test when I get home.

 

[Juddog]

Ok I have been reading through some of the other forums for 790i owners and it appears the MCP being super hot is a normal thing.

Other people have reported temperatures of 80 degrees C plus... so mine hitting 71 degrees C after stress testing (and on a hot summer day in an apartment with no AC, and the side of my case off temporarily) isn't as bad as I thought, it still seems high though.

I did actually go through and replace the thermal paste compound for the MCP. The SPP remains fairly cool in comparison, 45 degrees C under stress testing.