[SOLVED] Intel i5-3450 Temperature Issues

[tom59593]

Hi guys,

I searched around online a bit and it looks like my i5-3450 CPU is definitely overheating somewhere. It's currently running at about 67 degC while my motherboard temperature is only running at about 22 degC. Here's a picture I took with my cell phone of my BIOS temperature displays:



It's a brand new CPU with the stock fan assembly in a brand new ThermalTake case. I've got 4 x 200mm (2 exhaust and 2 intake) fans running in the machine as well as a single 120mm exhaust fan. So, there is plenty of airflow (which can be seen by the fairly low motherboard temp).

I initially assumed this meant that my CPU heatsink/fan assembly might not be seated correctly, but I've since double-checked the connections and everything seems tight and solid.

Any thoughts on where I might start to try and get this fixed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Tom

EDIT: Not sure why the image is rotated...the image I uploaded is vertical when viewed on my display. I'll try and upload another copy soon.

 

[dma0991]

You can't compare the temps between the motherboard and CPU and come to a conclusion that the CPU is overheating. At BIOS, the CPU isn't idling and the only way to accurately measure the idle and load temps of the CPU is by using temp monitoring programs like RealTemp GT or HWMonitor. If it is 67C max at 100% load, you're safe.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

You can't compare the temps between the motherboard and CPU and come to a conclusion that the CPU is overheating. At BIOS, the CPU isn't idling and the only way to accurately measure the idle and load temps of the CPU is by using temp monitoring programs like RealTemp GT or HWMonitor. If it is 67C max at 100% load, you're safe.

I concur

 

[Eureka]

Use RealTemp GT to monitor your temperature in Windows. Monitor it at idle for around 5 minutes. Then run Prime95, or any other loading software for 10 minutes and monitor the temperature. If it never peaks above 90C you are fine. If you are seeing consistently high temperatures, recheck your build. Go to youtube, watch and re-watch a build, and make sure that you did it 100% correct.

 

[tom59593]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice. Per a couple of your recommendations I ran a couple of tests:

1. RealTemp 3.70 @ Idle for 5 minutes:

• Minimum Temp: 61 degC
• Maximum Temp: 64 degC

2. Prime95 + RealTemp 3.70 for about 25 seconds:

• Minimum Temp: 65 degC
• Maximum Temp: 107 decC
• Computer shut down mid-test...overheat error I would assume.

From this, it's clear that it's running too hot. I'll try to re-seat the fan/heatsink assembly, but like I said I've done that multiple times already. There is already thermal paste applied, so I don't think that's the issue.


I'll also re-check the all of the other components of the build and how they are connected, though I'm almost 95% sure everything is ok. I'll check back in after I look into these issues.


Is there anything else I should be looking at? Settings in my BIOS perhaps? I looked through it last night and I didn't see anything that seemed to be relevant, but I may not know what to look for. I've built over 100 machines and never had this issue, so it's kind of new territory for me.


THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!!

 

[dma0991]

Looks more like a problem with an improperly installed heatsink. If all 4 push pins are not locked in place properly, the heatsink base could be floating. Try removing the preapplied TIM and use thermal paste.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Your temps are way too high. Idle should be around 40C and around 80-85C under prime95.

Try reseat the heatsink.

 

[tom59593]

Looks more like a problem with an improperly installed heatsink. If all 4 push pins are not locked in place properly, the heatsink base could be floating. Try removing the preapplied TIM and use thermal paste.

I'll be attempting to re-seat the heatsink this afternoon. If that doesn't do the trick, I'll apply some thermal paste. Thanks for the advice!

Your temps are way too high. Idle should be around 40C and around 80-85C under prime95.

Try reseat the heatsink.

That's what I'll do! I'll report back once I get that done!

THANKS FOR THE HELP GUYS!!!

 

[Eureka]

Might sound dumb, but check to make sure your heatsink fan is plugged in and spinning. Leave the case open and visually make sure it's spinning up. Also, might be worthwhile later, to actually take out the motherboard, set it flat, and peek into the contact point and check for a gap. If nothing else, time to warranty.

 

[tom59593]

Hey all,

So I've had a chance to look into these issues again, and here's the steps I took and the results:

1. Re-seat the fan/heatsink assembly. This brought my idle operating temp down to about 52 deg C.

2. Since this was still a bit hot compared to ShintaiDK's suggested ranges, I removed the thermal paste that was already on the assembly and applied my own. The thought here was that if there wasn't a flush connection previously, the thermal paste would no longer be consistent across the area.

This brought my idle operating temp down to about 41 degC, which is far better than I was achieving before. After running Prime95 for a few minutes, the tasks were peaking at maybe 93 or 94 degC but that was very sporadically. For the most part, the temperatures were in the 85-88 degC range.

These numbers seem pretty consistent with ShintaiDK's suggested ranges, though mine are just a tad on the warmer side. Do you think I need to be investigating anything further or can I mark this solved?

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!!

 

[ShintaiDK]

Yep, your numbers are fine now

Good to hear it solved it.

 

[Eureka]

Sounds about right. Chips all run differently, and not all heatsinks are the same. You can probably get even better temperatures by doing everything perfectly but you're only looking at maybe 2-3 degrees drop. The stock coolers just aren't very good; I didn't even put the stock cooler on mine. If you want cooler temperatures keep an eye out for sales of basic cooler master or corsair coolers; I got my CAFA50 for $5 if the rebate returns, and I don't go above 70 C, ever.

 

[tom59593]

Cool (crappy pun intended)

Yeah perhaps someday I'll look into a better aftermarket cooler. I've always used the stock heatsink/fan assembly but like I said I've also never had any issues with them.

Anyways, thanks everyone for the help and I'll mark this as solved!

w00t!

THANKS!!!

-Tom