High temperature performance of the i7 9700
High temperature performance of the i7 9700
Hello! Your temperatures seem within typical ranges for both the CPU and cooler setup. At 80-85°C average and up to 92°C max during intensive tasks, it’s quite normal depending on workload. The Noctua NHU 14S and NT H1 paste should help maintain stability. The NZXT H500 with ambient room temps around 24°C is also a good configuration. Your thermal Grizzly Kryonaut could provide extra cooling if needed. Let me know if you need more details!
It's running warmer than expected, but not excessively so. These chips are famous for generating a lot of heat even with solid cooling, which isn't unusual. Since the NZXT H500 isn't praised for strong airflow, that's likely the cause. Upgrading the thermal paste won't make much difference because Noctua offers excellent options. The real issue might be the mounting pressure or how the thermal paste was applied. I'd try removing the cooler and reapplying the paste with Noctua, making sure the entire IHS is covered and the pressure is centered. I anticipate around 92°C under heavy load, but probably not above 80°C during idle or Cinebench.
The paste should be applied evenly without exceeding the safe temperature range.
Ensure sufficient paste is applied and spread uniformly. The line technique works well for me, though it’s been tested and the chosen method doesn’t significantly impact performance as long as enough paste is used. These chips are designed to operate up to 105°C, so staying below that temperature is safe.