Discussing the 6700k sudden high temperatures
Discussing the 6700k sudden high temperatures
Hey there. There seems to be a problem with my 6700k getting too hot without any clear cause. Previously it would stay between 35°C and 45°C during idle, but now it idles at 70 to 78°C, which leads to annoying stutters in games. I've cleaned the whole system, replaced the CPU, moved the AIO to the top, reset the BIOS, and even tried undervolting to -0.100mV, yet the issue persists. Something odd is happening with the CPU usage—software reports different numbers when idle versus when running. Task Manager shows 2%, while HWinfo and XTU display 50-65%. I've also set all fans to maximum speed manually, but it doesn't help. Occasionally the temps drop back to normal for a few minutes, around 5 to 10 minutes. I've tested with the case open on the sides, but nothing changes. The PC is about 8 years old (built in 2016). There are times when everything works fine, but this overheating only happens sporadically. The games I play—GTA V, Mafia series, FiveM—are unaffected. I've attached a photo as proof that my system is idle yet still showing such high temps and usage. Updated October 13, 2024 by ThePunisher6969
Consider returning the AIO to its original spot. It could be affecting airflow or pump performance. Examine the thermal paste and ensure the pump module is secure. If that doesn’t resolve it, reset the BIOS to defaults and reinstall Windows—this may fix any software-related problems. If you don’t have a backup for important data, run a full antivirus scan with your chosen protection tool.
I'd verify if your AIO ceased functioning, particularly focusing on the pump. Additionally, I'd run the pump at full capacity if you've been adjusting its speed based on temperature changes.
Your CPU is about 6.7 thousand years old. The thermal paste between the die and IHS has been used since this model, whereas previous versions had soldered connections. Over time, the paste will lose effectiveness and conduct less heat, so you might want to open it up and replace it. A recent post showed that switching to liquid metal paste achieved stable temperatures around 67°C, which is a significant improvement compared to older setups. This kind of upgrade would be necessary for optimal performance.
I wouldn't simply suggest opening the IHS of the CPU without proper caution, since this step isn't entirely secure and shouldn't be taken if the problem isn't the root cause.
Thank you for your message! I attempted to relocate it to the back side, but the issue persisted, so I moved it back to the top. I’ve already performed a BIOS reset several times, but I haven’t completed the full system scan yet—this will happen now. I’ll update once I determine if there was a potential virus and whether it resolved.