Can't keep CPU temp down
Can't keep CPU temp down
Hi all,
I own an ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo with an i5 2500k processor. I'm attempting to overclock it to about 4.6, but I'm facing some problems.
The biggest issue is that my temperature spikes significantly when using stress testing software on the CPU. Usually it stays low to mid 30°C, but during those tests it jumps into the high 80s.
I have an aftermarket CPU fan, a ZALMAN CNPS9500, and since my PC is nearly five years old, I cleaned the thermal paste and applied a new batch of Arctic Silver 5.
This unit shares the same motherboard and CPU as mine, so I adjusted the settings quite closely to his configuration. Any advice on why the temperature remains so high?
The same motherboard and CPU don't consider your cooler, which is essentially a low-cost budget cooler. It gets easily surpassed by other affordable budget coolers. You might be able to perform some light overclocking, but for more serious attempts—such as pushing it to 4.6GHz—it would require a better cooling solution, probably.
The same motherboard and CPU don't consider your cooler, which is essentially a low-cost budget cooler. It gets easily surpassed by other affordable budget coolers. You might be able to perform some light overclocking, but for more serious attempts—such as pushing it to 4.6GHz—it would require a better cooling solution, probably.
Would everyone suggest a suitable cooler to consider? Should I opt for a self-contained liquid cooling solution like the Corsair Hydro Series, or would a standard heat sink with fans be more practical? AiO coolers typically don't surpass well-constructed air coolers until you reach radiators of 240mm or bigger. However, such larger units will add considerable weight to your setup.
I’d prefer a more affordable air system such as a cryorig H7 and allocate the remaining funds toward upgrading to the latest models. At this stage, with architecture nearly six years old—especially since Sandy Bridge launched in Q1 2011—it makes sense to invest in newer technology rather than spending excessively on an older setup to keep it current.
Compare the coolers with your case compatibility. Verify the maximum CPU cooler height for your case and ensure it matches the cooler's height before purchasing.
I don’t have enough money to upgrade everything. I’m planning to swap out some components—like RAM and GPU—and then boost my current CPU’s speed to keep the PC running better. Following the advice from someone who helped me in another discussion.
Just wondering, what could be causing the issue with my CPU cooler? It feels like it should be fine, but it’s been five years now.
Thanks!
I’m not recommending you do it immediately, but I believe you should consider transferring the money to a good aftermarket cooler. You might also reduce the price by half and opt for a more affordable budget model. Keep your CPU overclocked and save the savings for a later upgrade, rather than spending now. As weber mentioned, these heatsinks are smaller compared to others in this price range—like the H7, 212 Evo, and Gamma X 400—and they have fewer fans. This could lead to slightly more noise or uneven cooling, but it’s not uncommon with many CPU coolers. The outer edges of the heatsink aren’t actively cooled like in other setups.