Does the core temperature stand out compared to others?
Does the core temperature stand out compared to others?
Hello,
I have a few questions and concerns regarding my setup.
I'm currently running a stress test in AIDA64 using an i5-4690k to achieve a stable 4.3GHz overclock across all cores.
The only unusual observation is the rising package temperatures, especially for Core #1.
Cores #2, #3, and #4 are operating between 60-70°C, while Core #1 is at around 70-80°C, spiking to nearly 90°C every few seconds.
I also re-mounted my CPU cooler (Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3) yesterday and reapplied some MX-2 thermal paste, as I had previously done poorly. I’m not sure if this was a problem before or after the cooler change.
I’m curious about why this is happening—whether it’s within normal limits or if it signals an issue that can be resolved.
Additionally, I noticed temperatures in AIDA64 fluctuating every 4-5 seconds.
As a beginner in overclocking, I’m unsure how long to run the stress test to confirm stability. Should I keep it for 15 minutes, an hour, or longer?
Here are my specs for reference:
CPU – i5-4690k
RAM – 24GB DDR3 HyperX Fury 1600MHz
GPU – GIGABYTE G1 GTX 1060 6GB rev.2
Motherboard – ASRock Z97 Anniversary
Power Supply – Rosewill Capstone 1000W 'Gaming' (80 Plus Gold)
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards.
If the temperature difference is under 10C, I wouldn't be concerned. But if it's more than that and remains consistently the same core getting hotter in repeated tests or re-mounts, the main fix would likely be to delid.
Variance of up to 10°C may follow a normal distribution and remains within the acceptable range between cores as per Intel specifications. This does not guarantee a normal condition; it might result from an uneven paste application or mounting, where coverage or pressure isn't uniform across the heat spreader's surface. It could also stem from inconsistent use of thermal interface material inside. Knowing whether this issue existed before repaste would have been beneficial. What application method are you using and how much paste is applied? How do you secure the heatsink during installation—gradually or in steps?
I mounted the Cooler accordingly to this
YouTube video
.
It would be very, very difficult for me to mount it according to the Manual as that was what I did last time when mounting and resulted in a bad job due to it's complexity and.. 'finickiness'.
I don't exactly remember if this is true or not but I think this high temperature Core thing
may
have been happening before the re-mount.
My thermal paste application was an estimated pea-sized dot in the middle of the CPU cooler's contact point (since I was pretty much mounting the Motherboard to the cooler, instead of vice versa). I tried not to move the motherboard and cooler around too much while sitting them together.
When tightening the screws, I did increments on each corner, moving from one to the other until what I felt was a decent amount of equal force when trying to tighten again on all the corners.
I see that in the YouTube video linked above, the person mounts the cooler with what seems to be tighter screwing.
Should I try tightening the screws more? When would I know when to stop?
Edit: Fixed Typos
If you struggle to tighten using wrist strength, then it's sufficiently tight. If you need to involve your arm and shoulder to achieve the desired tightness, then it's already optimal. In essence, if it feels tight, that's enough. It doesn't require further reduction. As long as the hardware is uniformly tight around the entire circumference and you can sense the consistency, it's correct.
Describing this sensation in words is difficult; you'll need to rely on your own judgment. However, it's clear that over-tightening is detrimental. It may lead to issues like CPU shorting or damage to the motherboard. Therefore, tighten carefully and consider it satisfactory.
Finding the perfect fit can sometimes require several tries, particularly with large or heavy coolers. As with any skill, repetition improves accuracy.
So, here's an Update.
I tightened the cooler on a bit more, the temperatures didn't change at all.
Then I loosened them a bit, same result.
I painstakingly re-mounted the CPU cooler and now the temperatures are higher - peaking to 81.c while playing Battlefield 1 and reaching 96.c in a stress test.
I can't put my finger on what I'm doing wrong - Thermal paste application was the same, made sure there would be no air bubbles when mounting, tightened each corner in increments, moving from one to the other with equal force, made sure none were over-tightened, completely cleaned out the cooler, dusted off the motherboard, completely cleaned the top of the CPU (checked for anything on the bottom too) and socket and set both fans on the cooler to spin full speed, case fans too.
The fan configuration is push/pull for the whole PC. Room temperature is pretty cool.
Turning down the overclock to 4.2GHz (1.2v) doesn't show any improvement - temperatures still hot at around 80.c while gaming and about 92.c in a stress test.
This 4.2GHz OC, I've used it before and the temperatures have never EVER been this high. Something's wrong but I don't know what it is.
This is really, really frustrating me. I have no idea what is going on.
Update Update:
I've tried less tightening some of the bottom screws on the cooler and the temperatures on Core #1 (and package) have decreased substantially, peaking to 75.c with an average of 61.5.c in a stress test (yet to test gaming, I imagine it's fine), but it's still slightly hotter than the other cores regardless of the tightening of the cooler. Maybe this is normal, after all?
There will consistently be one central component that operates hotter than the rest on most CPUs, particularly if it isn’t built with internal solder rather than a liquid TIM inside the device between the die and heat spreader.
I haven’t encountered any unit where all cores matched in temperature. There’s usually a 2-5 degree difference, sometimes up to ten degrees. Temperatures above ten degrees become an issue, often needing repairs like reapplying paste or replacing the cooler. A variance greater than ten degrees may indicate a problem that requires manufacturer intervention.
Your memory speed might influence core temperatures.
Could you share your case model, the number of fans installed, and their orientation (intake or exhaust) in each area?
Are your CPU cooler’s mounting directions correct—should it blow from front to back as intended—or is it reversed, blowing from bottom to top?
Your motherboard might be a contributing factor. It isn’t an outstanding model for overclocking; motherboard quality and design significantly impact CPU temperatures.
What voltage settings are you using for your core?
Memory speed is configured at 1600MHz.
I have two front fans for intake, two top fans for exhaust, and one rear exhaust fan for outflow. All are running at full speed using a Corsair 270R.
The cooler orientation is front to back.
Core voltage stands at 1.229v and appears stable. Lower values trigger a BSOD with "WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR" after short stress tests.
LLC is activated.
You're using a Haswell CPU, and there are several factors to keep in mind during overclocking. The VID should stay close to 0.05v, adjusting slightly above or below the vcore. Ring voltage must remain between 1.1v and 1.2v, while the ring cache speed should match the CPU's performance. You shouldn't rely heavily on LLC until reaching around 4.5GHz; either keep it auto or set it to medium. Excessive LLC can be just as problematic as insufficient. It's also important to turn off many eco settings, such as c-states (c1-e is fine), phase controls, and similar features.
You should avoid exceeding 1.2v until around 4.4 to 4.6GHz, since stability depends on more than just the vcore. Increasing the vcore generally improves stability but may raise temperatures.
My i5-3570k at 4.3GHz with 1.108v under Prime95 stress tests on a small 120mm H55 AIO reached 70°C, never going above 55°C during gaming.
Don't worry too much about exact temperatures until you address the causes of overheating. At 4.2GHz, you should aim to stay below the 1.14v threshold.