Assistance with constructing challenges
Assistance with constructing challenges
ASUS TUF Z370-Plus Gaming features a Corsair iCUE H115i RGB Elite Liquid CPU cooler mounted high. The case includes a Corsair 4000D with airflow and two fans—one front, one rear. I have two 120mm fans included for testing. Running an Intel Core i9 9th Gen (or 9900KF) on this system works fine, but I’m having trouble with BIOS settings. I want to confirm the CPU stays stable without overheating. In Windows it shows 5GHz performance, but during stress tests with Intel XTU the temperatures spike from 35°C to around 90°C without any throttling. That’s normal, but I’m worried about thermal throttling around 1-2 minutes into the test. Did I miss anything in the BIOS, or is this just a problem with my 370 board? I’ve been building PCs for ten years and need to brush up on this.
It's high, but by 9900K terms not that high. I wouldn't really worry about it. This is a problem, but it's a problem with the motherboard. 9900Ks draws quite a bit of power, so at full load the motherboard VRM will be pushing quite a lot of current. Most mid to lower end motherboards like the TUF Z370 aren't really designed to handle that amount of current, so they will run very hot and have to rely on throttling the CPU to prevent it from dying. That sounds like what's happening here. Pointing a fan directly at the VRM should help as direct airflow helps quite a bit with temps.
That’s what I assumed, so a budget motherboard swap should resolve this issue. I probably added it to my shortlist for affordable options. Since it’s not the latest setup?
The i9-9900KF can automatically boost to 5GHz without needing an overclock—it's the standard configuration. Have you modified the fan or pump speed in the BIOS? As a relatively powerful CPU, the 9900KF tends to run hot on its own. You might also consider tweaking the voltage settings to manage temperatures more effectively.
It’s not worthwhile replacing the motherboard unless you locate a solid one at a reasonable cost. LGA 1151 models have been discontinued for several years, leaving you with limited choices—either outdated stock at steep discounts or used units priced far above their value. Sometimes you stumble upon a decent option at a fair price, but most quality boards come with a high price tag that justifies upgrading to a 12400F combo instead. Consider testing the fan first; it’s far more affordable and can make a noticeable difference.