F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop CPU usage capped at high levels, causing unusual temperature reduction.

CPU usage capped at high levels, causing unusual temperature reduction.

CPU usage capped at high levels, causing unusual temperature reduction.

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MiniYBallY
Junior Member
30
11-13-2022, 02:42 PM
#1
Hello everyone! I just finished assembling my new gaming setup. It includes a Core i9-13900K and an RTX 4090. I’m comfortable with computers, but this was my first time putting one together from scratch. The cooling system uses a Corsair H150i RBG Elite 360mm AIO, with the case housing three Noctua NF-A12X25 fans front, one on the back, and three more on the radiator. The thermal paste is Arctic MX-6. During idle, the CPU temperature stays around 42-45°C. After a 30-minute stress test, it never hit 5.8GHz and the voltage stayed stable. The CPU throttles about 4% during the test and was limited by power usage for most of it. It sometimes drops to just a few milliseconds at a time. That’s unusual—can a PC guru clarify if this is typical? Or should I worry? Also, could you please share a 30-minute performance log from XTU in CSV format? Edit: Case fans are controlled by Asus Fan Xpert AI (standard speed) and the pump/radiator fans are managed by iCue (balanced). MonitorLog2023-04-01_17-35-39-041.csv
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MiniYBallY
11-13-2022, 02:42 PM #1

Hello everyone! I just finished assembling my new gaming setup. It includes a Core i9-13900K and an RTX 4090. I’m comfortable with computers, but this was my first time putting one together from scratch. The cooling system uses a Corsair H150i RBG Elite 360mm AIO, with the case housing three Noctua NF-A12X25 fans front, one on the back, and three more on the radiator. The thermal paste is Arctic MX-6. During idle, the CPU temperature stays around 42-45°C. After a 30-minute stress test, it never hit 5.8GHz and the voltage stayed stable. The CPU throttles about 4% during the test and was limited by power usage for most of it. It sometimes drops to just a few milliseconds at a time. That’s unusual—can a PC guru clarify if this is typical? Or should I worry? Also, could you please share a 30-minute performance log from XTU in CSV format? Edit: Case fans are controlled by Asus Fan Xpert AI (standard speed) and the pump/radiator fans are managed by iCue (balanced). MonitorLog2023-04-01_17-35-39-041.csv

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EckigesEi
Member
136
11-22-2022, 03:36 PM
#2
Intel CPUs can overheat and throttle briefly, which is normal. I’m not sure if your CPU mount is secure with enough thermal paste.
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EckigesEi
11-22-2022, 03:36 PM #2

Intel CPUs can overheat and throttle briefly, which is normal. I’m not sure if your CPU mount is secure with enough thermal paste.

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VenomousCoCo
Junior Member
8
11-25-2022, 09:02 AM
#3
I've aimed to use less thermal paste, as I've experienced too much in the past when applying it excessively. I'll look into the AIO pump later this evening and add a picture to the post then.
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VenomousCoCo
11-25-2022, 09:02 AM #3

I've aimed to use less thermal paste, as I've experienced too much in the past when applying it excessively. I'll look into the AIO pump later this evening and add a picture to the post then.

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ISY_0815
Senior Member
566
11-25-2022, 03:15 PM
#4
You rarely need too much thermal paste since most of it doesn’t conduct heat well. A small amount spreading everywhere isn’t too problematic beyond creating a mess.
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ISY_0815
11-25-2022, 03:15 PM #4

You rarely need too much thermal paste since most of it doesn’t conduct heat well. A small amount spreading everywhere isn’t too problematic beyond creating a mess.

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WZ_Galaktiik
Senior Member
251
11-27-2022, 08:37 AM
#5
The spoiler indicates the toothpaste question is resolved.
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WZ_Galaktiik
11-27-2022, 08:37 AM #5

The spoiler indicates the toothpaste question is resolved.

3
3Edge
Senior Member
718
11-27-2022, 02:12 PM
#6
Searching online suggests that a 13900k CPU can overheat even with a high-quality cooler in a well-ventilated case within a cold environment. Some adjustments might help improve efficiency, though I’m not certain. Updated April 1, 2023 by podkall edit
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3Edge
11-27-2022, 02:12 PM #6

Searching online suggests that a 13900k CPU can overheat even with a high-quality cooler in a well-ventilated case within a cold environment. Some adjustments might help improve efficiency, though I’m not certain. Updated April 1, 2023 by podkall edit

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diyu_
Member
123
11-28-2022, 08:44 AM
#7
I understand these 12th and 13th generation Intel CPUs are really powerful. I wasn't expecting them to be this high performing. I recently switched from an i7-8700K with a 240mm AIO that never throttled, and I've discovered undervolting. Right now I'm testing Cinebench with both multi-core and single-core at stock settings, a -0.1 voltage offset, and some settings I found on YouTube for 13.7GHz. I'll post the results once I finish the testing.
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diyu_
11-28-2022, 08:44 AM #7

I understand these 12th and 13th generation Intel CPUs are really powerful. I wasn't expecting them to be this high performing. I recently switched from an i7-8700K with a 240mm AIO that never throttled, and I've discovered undervolting. Right now I'm testing Cinebench with both multi-core and single-core at stock settings, a -0.1 voltage offset, and some settings I found on YouTube for 13.7GHz. I'll post the results once I finish the testing.

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ImKonePvP
Junior Member
48
12-03-2022, 09:15 PM
#8
Operate at full capacity, yet that’s essentially the only option available apart from adjusting the voltage curve within the XTU. 13900K is extremely close to being unmanageable.
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ImKonePvP
12-03-2022, 09:15 PM #8

Operate at full capacity, yet that’s essentially the only option available apart from adjusting the voltage curve within the XTU. 13900K is extremely close to being unmanageable.

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q_viktor_p
Member
112
12-17-2022, 11:40 PM
#9
I have some information to share! Cinebench R23 BIOS settings: 37299. CPU package temperature at 99°C, throttling begins after the first render cycle. CPU voltage offset is -0.1V (threshold 37959), temperatures hovering in the high 90s, though I've noticed "Thermal Throttling" in XTU only a few times. CPU voltage offset ranges from -0.11V to -0.14V, with temperatures around 38359–37619°C. Overall stability improved as I continued undervolting the CPU. During the latest stress test, I copied settings from a Reddit thread about undervolting a 13900K. Ratios were P-cores 52, E-cores 43. Core voltage stayed steady at 1.23V, and system voltage adaptive at the same level. The Core frequency remained consistent, but "Power Limit Throttling" appeared at the end of the test—shown by the grey line on the graph. I'm using an ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E board and didn<|pad|>'s decision to skip waiting between tests, so I kept going back-to-back.
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q_viktor_p
12-17-2022, 11:40 PM #9

I have some information to share! Cinebench R23 BIOS settings: 37299. CPU package temperature at 99°C, throttling begins after the first render cycle. CPU voltage offset is -0.1V (threshold 37959), temperatures hovering in the high 90s, though I've noticed "Thermal Throttling" in XTU only a few times. CPU voltage offset ranges from -0.11V to -0.14V, with temperatures around 38359–37619°C. Overall stability improved as I continued undervolting the CPU. During the latest stress test, I copied settings from a Reddit thread about undervolting a 13900K. Ratios were P-cores 52, E-cores 43. Core voltage stayed steady at 1.23V, and system voltage adaptive at the same level. The Core frequency remained consistent, but "Power Limit Throttling" appeared at the end of the test—shown by the grey line on the graph. I'm using an ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E board and didn<|pad|>'s decision to skip waiting between tests, so I kept going back-to-back.