High temperature performance during low load Strong package output even when not running
High temperature performance during low load Strong package output even when not running
Hey everyone, I’m new to Ryzen, so don’t worry if this seems a bit odd. About a month ago I assembled a pretty high-end rig with a Ryzen 9 5900XT and Corsair H150I Elite 360mm AIO cooler. The airflow matches what most recommend—radiator on top of the case, three front fans and one rear fan blowing out. From what I remember, each fan is around 120mm and was pre-installed in my MSI case. The machine sits right on my desk with nothing blocking it. After about 20 minutes of boot time, the CPU temperature hits 60-70°C according to hwinfo64, and it’s running almost empty—only a few programs open. I’m using hwinfo64, Task Manager, and a Microsoft Edge tab to write this post. The power draw tops out at around 110W, yet Task Manager shows under 5% CPU usage!
I used to have AMD PBO and other stuff on, but someone told me Ryzen Master could cause this kind of behavior. So I reset everything to defaults and cleared my BIOS settings—especially those related to booting and graphics cards (like PCIe power management and Secure Boot off). I just wanted to share and see if anyone has any tips.
I live in a small room, so this PC is running nonstop at night when I’m not using it. I usually keep it powered on to do steam updates while away for work or school. But when I’m not around, it’s idle. There’s also a light docker container running in the background that powers a machine learning Discord bot—when you don’t interact with it, it uses almost no resources.
I checked my startup list and turned off some apps like hardware control tools. I set the cooler to device memory mode too, because every time I restarted it would crank up the fans and pump. Without that setting, it stays balanced. Any advice, guys? Thanks in advance!
The power level is generally set to a balanced value. I considered running background tasks like Discord, but even with them off and only having hwinfo64 active, it still displays the same temperature readings—it’s really not under any strain. I’m not sure if this would make a difference, though. In hwinfo, the CPU CCD1 is showing the highest temperatures around 65-70°C when you check core temps; CCD1 is the only one with elevated readings, while the rest are normal.
I notice some liquid when the computer starts up, which suggests there might be moisture inside. The pump seems to work well and helps remove heat, so replacing it wouldn’t be necessary unless you’re concerned about long-term reliability. Since it’s only a month old, you may want to consider reapplying a quality thermal paste rather than repasting the entire unit. You can find suitable noname options at local electronics stores.
Make sure to reinstall the cooler. The problem likely isn't with the paste unless you forgot to secure the plastic cover on the cold plate.
You were correct! One of the mounting screws was in the wrong position. I fixed it and reattached the cooler—now the problem is resolved! It’s running at 50°C with hwinfo64 active and Microsoft Edge open on one tab. The cooling profile remains balanced. The thermal paste looks a bit tacky near the corner that wasn’t seated properly, but I believe the paste in that spot will spread to the CPU. Thank you both @podkall and @PDifolco for your help—it really made me happy!