Question throttling CPU (13600KF) when gaming (CS2), high temps in other games

[Turbonium]

When I play CS2 LT/beta, I'm pretty sure my CPU throttles here and there:



Worrisome.

Cooler is a Noctua NH-D15S, with an RTX 4070 snuggled underneath it (high 60s C when gaming). Mobo is mATX, which is why I had to get the S version of the Noctua.

Should I bother reapplying thermal paste? I did the small bit in the center method, with the HSF and heat itself spreading it across the heatspreader.

CPU fan runs at full RPM all the time (~1500 RPM), so there's no problem there. And I'm fairly sure I have a bit of negative pressure in the case.

Short of getting watercooling or something, I don't know what else I can do here. Cramped parts means limited options.

 

[Turbonium]

I just e-mailed Noctua support. I'll see what they say.

 

[Turbonium]

Ended up disabling Intel Adaptive Boost Technology in BIOS to get temps down a bit.

 

[Turbonium]

So I went from this:

https://imgur.com/a/CHMQlkr

To this:

https://imgur.com/a/LfZb6Cx

Even with Intel ABT on, I have an almost 20 degree Celsius drop in peak temps while gaming. Huge improvement.

 

[BoomerD]

Dang...that's a tight fit. Any way to reroute those PSU cables to open up the airflow?

 

[Turbonium]

Dang...that's a tight fit. Any way to reroute those PSU cables to open up the airflow?

Not that I can see, practically speaking.

The PSU cables on this Super Flower are also more rigid/less flexible than your average PSU cables.

 

[BoomerD]

Not that I can see, practically speaking.

The PSU cables on this Super Flower are also more rigid/less flexible than your average PSU cables.

If that was mine, (I dislike tiny cases, so it wouldn't be, but...) I'd figure out a way to get those cables out away from the CPU cooler...and try to fit a second fan to it. Make the two fans work together. Is there no room behind the motherboard tray to run cables?

 

[Turbonium]

If that was mine, (I dislike tiny cases, so it wouldn't be, but...) I'd figure out a way to get those cables out away from the CPU cooler...and try to fit a second fan to it. Make the two fans work together. Is there no room behind the motherboard tray to run cables?

It's not exactly a tiny case, but perhaps outdated (Antec Sonata Solo II).

Honestly, the airflow seems fine. Front intake (soon to be 2 intakes) drawing air in at low rpm. Rear exhaust at high rpm drawing air out, creating some negative pressure.

The CPU fan is drawing air towards the exhaust, too. It's all going in one general direction.

My temps seem really good tbh.

 

[Hans Gruber]

What made you think north/south was going to work out for you? The east west approach is the way to go. The back of case fan is your exhaust fan. I know heat rises but it doesn't work well in a normal airflow setup. Nice (quality camera) pics though.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Even with Intel ABT on, I have an almost 20 degree Celsius drop in peak temps while gaming. Huge improvement.

Can you post your new HWmonitor screenshot please?

 

[MrPickins]

This is an excellent example of how HSF orientation can affect temps (I'll probably save a link for future discussions). Airflow is king, and sending it straight to the exhaust is even better.

I'm happy you got it sorted.

 

[Brainonska511]

What made you think north/south was going to work out for you? The east west approach is the way to go. The back of case fan is your exhaust fan. I know heat rises but it doesn't work well in a normal airflow setup. Nice (quality camera) pics though.

Yes, heat rises, but fans will quickly swamp any convection effects. In nearly ever case, it's best to think and plan based on fan-induced airflow.

 

[aigomorla]

Yes, heat rises, but fans will quickly swamp any convection effects. In nearly ever case, it's best to think and plan based on fan-induced airflow.

More like Fans needs space to pull air or exhaust otherwise you choke or backwash the air, which both can lead to bad temps.

I would think of getting a larger case...
Something which would allow you to mount the GPU in a vertical position like this:



Seeing how i think you have a MATX board, and are pretty much locked in those pci-e slots unless you use a type of riser.