CPU is running at about 70% usage and restarts when reaching 90%.
CPU is running at about 70% usage and restarts when reaching 90%.
Over the last few months I've been searching for consistent random restarts. I set up a tool to track CPU temperatures and discovered the issue. My processor stays at around 70°C and can hit 90°C before shutting down and restarting. I owned a Cooler Master Hyper 212 before switching to a Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 5. The machine has never been overclocked, used mainly for office tasks and light gaming.
Once the new CPU cooler was put in, temperature changes were minimal. Sometimes it drops to 50°C during idle but jumps to 85°C with almost no activity. During boot into Windows it reaches 88°C then stabilizes, only to rise again to 85-87°C without any load. The fans run at full speed, yet temperatures still fluctuate.
I've repositioned the CPU, replaced coolers, upgraded the cooler and applied Corsair XTM70 paste. No visible damage was seen on the heatsink. I used a very fine honing stone to smooth out any rough spots, which didn’t reveal much issue.
Any suggestions?
Computer details:
MSI MEG X570S ACE MAX
-BIOS: 7D50v1C
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
MSI Radeon 6950XT
NVME Samsung 980 2TB
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws (4 x 16GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3600 Model F4-3600C18Q-64GVK
PSU Corsair RM850x
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
After installing the new CPU cooler, temperatures didn’t drop significantly. Sometimes at idle it drops to 50°C but then jumps to 85°C with almost no activity. I see it boot into Windows and reach 88°C before settling, then it spikes again to 85-87°C without any load. Have you tried using Ryzen master's Curve Optimizer? Maybe undervolting the CPU and GPU?
The CPU fans are running at full speed—forced. Still, temperatures fluctuate.
Could you share the make and model of your case, the fan arrangement inside, and the room temperature?
To confirm, I used a very fine honing stone to smooth out any high spots—I didn’t notice much issue here.
Please send over photos of your PSU Corsair RM850x.
How long has your PSU been installed?
Whenever you purchase a motherboard with a name reminiscent of a fifteen-year-old, you should verify the BIOS configurations carefully. It’s likely the board activates overclocking by default; if PBO is active or set to auto, turning it off would be the initial step. Other settings might also require adjustment.
I understand you've already replaced the cooler, but running at 70°C definitely suggests issues with seating or thermal paste. If you're certain it's still idling, what does your CPU activity appear to be in Task Manager at that temperature?
The TIM beneath the IHS might be damaged or no longer functional. To verify this, you need to remove the CPU. This component should be replaced or you might consider direct die cooling, though all these options carry potential risks. The process also requires no mistakes during installation of the cooler, CPU, and TIM.