12900k TDP
12900k TDP
Hello! I recently upgraded my 12900k to a few months ago. I left everything at the default settings except XMP. Today, while running some tests, I observed that under heavy, multi-threaded tasks the temperatures reached around 100°C. It throttles but never shuts down, suggesting my cooler is still functional up to a certain limit. After checking, I realized the cooler might need reseating and I confirmed the film was intact when purchased with the CPU. During gaming, temperatures stay within 70-80°C. On checking the hardware info, the chip’s power draw is reported as 240-260W, which is higher than the default 125W shown by CPU-Z. The Intel spec lists a maximum TDP of 125W, but MSI Z690-A has a base power of 125W. Is there a BIOS option to adjust this value to match the Intel recommendation? Thanks and best regards,
Intel's guidelines generally apply, though they often align closely with the advertised numbers. The stated maximum turbo output of 241W is typically maintained across their latest processors unless overheating occurs. However, MSI tends to override these limits by default, so adjusting power settings requires navigating the BIOS. Access it via F7 if needed, then explore the advanced overclocking options. Within there, you'll find choices like "Stock," "Air," and "Water," each displaying different constraints. Water effectively disables those limits, Air matches the 241W ceiling, and Stock caps the chip at its base rating of 125W. Select one that fits your setup. For deeper control, revisit the advanced menu to tweak power thresholds, current limits, and timing details specific to your CPU model. This process provides more precise adjustments than just choosing a cooling solution.
I updated the cooler type to a 'Box' model as shown in the BIOS. It restricted power down to 241W, which was still too high, so I switched to advanced mode. After some research, I found a setting for 'long and short duration power limit.' I set it to 125W and confirmed it draws 125W during rendering. Thanks!