i7 13700K paired with Noctua NH-D15, recorded Cinebench performance metrics
i7 13700K paired with Noctua NH-D15, recorded Cinebench performance metrics
Hello! I just put together my PC with an i7 13700K and a Noctua NH-D15 cooler paired with Arctic MX-4 paste. I planned to run a stress test using Cinebench R23 to check performance. After a few seconds of testing, the temperatures plummet back to normal almost instantly. It seems the stress values are unusually high for this setup, and I’m worried the thermal paste might not have been applied properly. Though the temps returning quickly suggests the cooler might struggle with the i7’s heat, I’m unsure if I made a mistake during installation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I own a 13600K with an HDI-15, but I keep experiencing those temperatures during cinebench runs even after adjusting my cooler and reapplying thermal paste. Since your temps drop noticeably once the test ends, it suggests the TDP has dropped considerably, resulting in less heat being pushed out from the CPU.
You might also consider undervolting for better temperature control. I lowered my 13600K and saw a big drop in temps, even breaking my previous record on Cinebench. Begin with a -25 offset if you're worried about heat, and keep the system stable so games and bench runs run smoothly without any issues.
Thanks for reply ! I actually not expecting to have such high and consistent load, so I, if you say that this looks all right, I'll spare some of my time and nerves by not bothering with undervolting I just wanted to actually figure out if I screwed up with thermal paste application.
I experience maximum draw of 285W for 10-15 seconds before it stabilizes near 255W. My main worry is overheating—some cores reaching 100°C—and I’m unsure if applying thermal paste or a tower cooler would be safe. I’m also hesitant about running a full test for an hour, fearing potential damage to the CPU.
The issue isn't about the cooler or speed; it's mainly because Intel's 13th generation processor consumes a lot of power and aims for high performance. For improved heat management, consider an LGA 1700 contact frame, as part of the thermal constraints on this chipset is the uneven force from its socket latch. While not mandatory, investing around $20 for an upgrade could be worthwhile. Thermal Grizzly Intel 12th Gen CPU Contact Frame (available on amazon.com) offers a straightforward installation with proper torque handling—follow the instructions carefully to ensure secure fastening, avoiding just a quick YouTube tutorial.
What kind of motherboard do you own? If it's a Z board, you can lower the voltage if it's a B board—your setup is pretty risky. I moved from 1.38 stock voltage under load to 1.15V under load and saw the temperature drop from 100°C to 66°C on the hottest core after one minute with a 13600k.
R23 performs poorly under stress, suitable mainly for checking thermal limits. For a more accurate evaluation, run Prime 95 for several hours before gradually increasing the voltage. This approach helps achieve stable results quickly.