I've recently been getting an increasing number of game hangs, black screen hangs and BSODs. The various bug check codes came up with both driver and hardware failure a possibility. So, I've tested the RAM (7passes/5hrs memtest). I've replaced the gpu driver 3 times and am currently back to 14.4 Via HWinfo64 the PSU ...inparticular the 12v seems solid. GPU temps move from 34c to 75c ...no problem. But what I am seeing is the cpu temps report under load. the 0.1.2.3 core temps are topping out at 99c with 0 and 3 going passed that and reported as thermal throttling. Strange thing is, since going back to 14.4 ...no crashes. Am I right in thinking that the cores are getting too hot ...and that a re-seating of the cooler with some fresh TIM should sort it? The system is the one below with the cpu/cooler/mobo being completely unmolested since build.
Nope, those are definitely high. Intel list the 920's Tcase Max temp as 67.9°C. The Tj (internal temperature, the one you can measure) will be higher than that, but not all that much. Keeping Tj below 80-85°C is generally a good idea. Either your HSF has come loose, the thermal compound has degraded, or the heatsink is too small (unlikely but possible. It would need to be worse than the stock heatsink).
run a temperature monitor and check how big a gap is launching Prime 95. if temperature increase of over 20 C within one second it means heat can't reach the heatsink (TIM- bad seat related)
I used to have a i7-920 in a really starved desktop/media centre case, and that never got nearly that hot at 3.6. I would reseat the hsf with new thermal paste as my first port of call. You might find the thermal paste has turned hard/cracked/old and thus not working great.
Not wanting to argue or anything, but is it even possible to measure the Tcase without using a thermal probe, isn't Tcase the temperature in the middle of the IHS ? I thought most measurements use TJmax, or in other words the readouts from each core.
No, it's not possible to measure Tcase without an embedded probe, which makes it quite annoying that Intel do not specify a Tjmax rating.
Just to update... New TIM and a real good clean! = Idle temps @ 40-42c Gaming temps @74c max Prime95 a steady 85c across all 4 cores. I think there might be a software issue still what with all the crap I downloaded to help try and find the issue ...lots of bits of drivers etc everywhere ...so I'm thinking an OS re-install might be a good idea.... otherwise all is good
What's the ambient room temp like as 40 idle/85 load still seems a little high to me for what is supposedly a decent cooler. Although it might not be too far up the scale by the looks of this.
You think? Ambient is about 20-21c. The paste is brand new ...temps should drop a few degrees as it cures ...or so I'm given to understand. Either way... idle temps are down 20% and load temps 25%. I think I'm happy with that.
I must agree that it's still a bit high - are you recirculating any hot air? What voltage are you pushing for 3.6?
