i7 4790k Voltage Help
i7 4790k Voltage Help
Hey, I see your CPU temperature is around 60 degrees even when using a low percentage of usage. Could you let me know what adjustments you can make in your BIOS to help reduce those temps? I've installed a True Spirit 90MM fan earlier, which is not the best aftermarket option but improves on the stock setup and I'm not aiming for overclocking. How can I set a constant CPU fan speed and what voltage settings are available? My motherboard is Maximus Ranger vii with an i7 4790k. Thanks!
I have concerns about liquid cooling: there is minimal thermal mass connected to the CPU, which results in almost no cooling if the pump stops, slows down, or if air gets trapped inside the CPU. Even with a model like the 212, you still receive standard cooling performance once the fan fails.
If the fan is in contact with the DIMM, you can adjust its position on the heatsink—remove the fan and raise it slightly if space permits. Alternatively, relocate it to the opposite side of the heatsink and reposition the clips to redirect airflow as needed. As long as the pipes and bottom fins are free from obstructions, you can maintain effective cooling.
60C isn't a cause for concern and a 25% load doesn't matter much. Perform a CPU stress test to check the temperature rise, then worry only if it exceeds 75C - even the stock cooler should handle better with proper installation. If you need the CPU fan to run steadily at low temps, the only choice is to keep it at full speed always. Otherwise, you'll have to accept higher temps and fluctuating fan speeds.
I just began using Prime 95 and in under ten seconds my CPU reached over 90 degrees. When I turned on the fan earlier, I was worried about tightening the bracket too much if I applied too much pressure to the CPU—should I do that or not? Also, my VCORE is rising to about 1.9.
When operating above 90C it strongly suggests a problem with the heatsink attachment. For the 1.9V, confirm you're measuring the accurate voltage. Intel's Haswell model includes an integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) and the expected voltage is near 2V. Unless BIOS VRM adjustments were made, your core voltage shouldn't surpass approximately 1.3V. Consider using alternative monitoring tools to verify if any software might be providing incorrect data.
I'm not sure how the mounting system functions on your HSF, but over-tightening is definitely not advisable. For heatsinks such as the 212+/EVO/X, the screws use springs and the threads only reach a certain depth to compress them, making it very difficult to over-tighten. On more affordable CM heatsinks, the threads connect directly to the base, allowing you to tighten until the motherboard or heatsink edges break off, which could damage the CPU and/or socket. If the screws thread into the plate of the heatsink, ensure you tighten them evenly before further adjustments. You shouldn't need to go much further than necessary to let the excess thermal paste escape. If you tighten evenly, the extra paste should ooze out uniformly from all sides. Trying to adjust screws diagonally opposite can help improve accuracy.
Thanks for the assistance.
I plan to distribute the heatsink more uniformly, but I just paused when I began noticing a stream on one side and repeated the process on the other.
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When screws are inserted directly into the heatsink's plate, ensure you tighten everything uniformly before applying more. You won’t need to over-tighten beyond what’s necessary; this helps the excess thermal paste drain evenly from all sides. For better results, gradually tighten screws at diagonally opposite corners.
Thanks for tightening the screws this morning—it’s definitely much closer now. The temperatures have fallen significantly. During the AIDA test this morning, the peak temperature was 85°C, averaging between 79–82/83°C. I only ran it for 5 minutes, but it’s noticeably better than last night. Also, flipping the fan on the heatsink created a negative pressure in my setup.
One more point: in the CPUID report, your RAM speed showed 1066MHz, even though you set it to 2133 on your motherboard. Any suggestions for resolving this discrepancy?
Considering an upgrade, I was thinking of buying a 212, as that’s what was on my old machine. However, there’s no space around the CPU—two heat sinks are blocking it. It might be possible to remove those and install a 212.
80C is still pretty hot for something that you thought should be better than stock. Before thinking of removing VRM heatsinks, you may want to re-check clearances. I haven't had to touch my 212+ for a while but the first fins are a fair distance away from the motherboard, it might still fit. Since you already own one, you may want to try a test-fit. Unless you have already tried that and could not get it to work in either horizontal or vertical orientations.