CPU temperature hitting 100 degrees
CPU temperature hitting 100 degrees
Hey everyone, my whole setup has been heating up a lot since I swapped my GPU from GTX 1070 to an RTX 3080 before the upgrade. Before that, temperatures were normal. When I play games like CS:GO or less intense titles, temps stay around 70°C. But with more demanding games after about half an hour, the 3080 hits high 80s and my CPU reaches 100°C. After turning it off, it cools down a bit.
Specs: Mobo: Z170 Pro, CPU: i7-7700K (not overclocked), PSU: Cooler Master 600W (planning upgrade), GPU: MSI RTX 3080, CPU fan: Hyper H412R, case fans: 3 intake, 2 exhaust, 1 at rear.
I removed the glass front panel thinking it was blocking airflow, replaced it with a mesh, which helped a bit but still got high temps. Then I added two exhaust fans at the top, but they didn’t make much difference. I’m planning to reapply thermal paste tonight and might consider a better case if needed.
I’m not sure if the case airflow is the main issue or if other factors are involved. I’m thinking about getting branded fans but want to confirm it’s not something obvious. Thanks for any advice!
Taking off your sidepanel might resolve the temperature problem, which means your fans aren't working well or the case isn't doing its job. The cooler feels average, and the 7700k is a hyperthreaded quad-core processor, so it should handle the workload unless you're running heavy tasks.
If you're not aiming to upgrade your CPU right now, I'd opt for an AIO and position it at the front in a pull setup. Possibly Arctic Liquid Freezer II 120 or 240 would be ideal—120 offers better airflow over the GPU. Either option would outperform your current configuration. You might also think about removing the CPU and retaining your existing cooler. One more thing from the photo: the rear fan is directing air into the case.
The i3 CPU from 2-3 generations is causing significant performance limits for the RTX 3080. This suggests the power supply has more headroom, the GPU operates at reduced capacity, and you're experiencing frequent frame drops, stutters, and timing issues. The case setup remains adequate. Consider replacing the cooling fans with a model like the Arctic Cooling P12 PWM PST (ranging from 0 to 1800 RPM). Switch your platform configuration to utilize the GPU for better efficiency—this would allow it to perform closer to an RTX 2060 on a 3060, and also resolve PSU-related problems.
I share the fans' opinion...definitely suggest replacing them with branded models. I realized something important: Avoid cutting corners on cooling systems AND power supplies. That leads me to another recommendation—swap your PSU as soon as possible. If you can, opt for at least 850W or better (especially if you find a discount). The 600W unit you currently use might be contributing to the issues you're experiencing because your CPU and GPU are demanding more power than your existing PSU can provide. This could cause instability in other parts too. It’s worth checking if the thermal paste is still intact—brands like NZXT, Corsair, and QuietZone have helped me a lot. Just remember, this is based on my own experience.
Wow, I didn’t even notice that was sucking air out. Thanks a ton! I was considering swapping it for a better fan setup and an AIO.
Thanks for your response. I'm planning to upgrade my system because I didn't get a suitable PSU and learned a valuable lesson. I intend to install a 1000W PSU, an air conditioner, and better fans—possibly costing around £600, which might be a bit extra but could last a long time. What are your thoughts on these components?
It's not an i3, it's actually an i7 unless that was a mistake. Do you think it's really limiting its GPU performance on GPUZ? It mentions my GPU is working fine, with only occasional PSU issues I’m aware of, and no CPU bottlenecks.