I want to know about CPU
I want to know about CPU
The amount of time a CPU can operate continuously at high temperatures depends on various factors like the specific component, cooling system, and workload. At 100–150°C, most modern CPUs will likely throttle or fail within minutes to hours, not years. Precise duration varies widely—often measured in minutes rather than years.
What temperature unit is being used? If it's Celsius, this processor likely doesn't exceed 100°C.
Did your 2600x or 9600k reach 100°C or higher? They shouldn't, right? Usually they stop immediately once they hit their thermal limit.
Look at the Westmere 1st gen I3/i5 models similar to the i3 540. They feature a 105°C TJMax that I discovered while testing an i3 540. When I tried to push it to 4.6GHz at 1.55V, it exceeded 100°C and immediately shut down because I didn’t want to damage the chip. With a less reliable cooler, I confirmed the TJMax is around 105°C at a more stable 1.3V, achieving a p95 of about 10 minutes. Attempting to run at 5.2GHz with 1.86V in the BIOS caused it to fail completely, suggesting a higher thermal limit than its 1366 counterpart. Some laptops have the same 105°C rating but aren’t researching it enough.
@filpo has a good point. Most CPUs and motherboards include a safety feature that cuts power if temperatures exceed around 100°C. Trying to push a CPU nonstop for extended periods is essentially gambling with its lifespan—some might last longer, others not at all. Other factors matter too, such as the stability of your power supply and the health of your motherboard.
Unclewebb referenced that point earlier. I believe the 4570 and 4770(k) models also feature a 105°C maximum temperature, and he shared some screenshots at that level. It seems fitting to include them in the discussion about the 540’s 105°C max. Having a 105°C or 115°C max would be helpful. At least it allows smoother operation on older boards, especially when you have a low voltage option that can make use of the extra headroom. Cooling stays just below that threshold, preventing throttling. Obviously, this isn’t suitable for voltages above 1.35V where voltage rollover occurs. I think you’ll only encounter real issues beyond around 125-130°C at lower stock voltages—typically the CPU would shut down. That’s why I wouldn’t worry much about running at 115-120°C if it’s only at 1 or 1.1V, especially with GPUs like the RX 6000 series that have a 110/115°C max.
Look for the small metal plates or clips beneath the cover, they often hold the CPU in place.