Intel core i5 3470S at 102°C temperature
Intel core i5 3470S at 102°C temperature
I recently upgraded my PC from i3 3210 to i5 3470S. The i3 ran at 75-80°C peak, while the i5 reached 102°C. Is this normal? Should I install a fan in the back for better cooling? Also, I’m using the built-in cooler, but only two plastic grips have fins and one is firmly mounted. I’ve applied thermal paste following the recommended pattern. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Indicates poor adhesive application or inconsistent installation force.
Verify the mounting force; it appears it isn't making contact.
I’d upgrade to a cooler with better performance than the standard model—55W versus 65W TDP is definitely noticeable. Based on what we discussed, it might be due to mounting pressure. Thermal paste aids heat transfer by filling gaps between the CPU and cooler, but relying too much can actually raise temperatures. I’ve used Cooler Master T20 and it stayed under 67°C during a 30-minute stress test. My Xeon E3-1225 v2 is similar, so it could work if you find something comparable. A smaller tower cooler would be better than the stock, and adding an extra back fan could help dissipate more heat from the CPU.
Why matter the units? We’re discussing Celsius or Fahrenheit? Since 102 degrees Fahrenheit equals 39°C, which are typical working temperatures. If you reach 102°C, it’s clear something is amiss. You might want to share a photo of your cooler. The i5 has only 65W TDP, so an aftermarket option like the Artic Alpine 12 costs around $13 on Amazon. It features 4-pin clamps similar to the original Intel cooler but operates more quietly and performs slightly better. There are different models depending on whether your motherboard supports PWM. I own the Alpine 12 CO version in my bedroom PC—it’s noticeably quieter than the stock unit. For extra cooling, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 handles even an i7-4790K smoothly and remains quiet under load. Also, on standard Intel coolers, the mounting pins or legs should be turned clockwise roughly to lock them in place, then press firmly in a crisscross pattern. You should hear a click when each pin is secured. If you shake the cooler, it should sit evenly without shifting. Linus has a helpful video breaking this down.
I'm discussing this with @RaptorPudding regarding both accounts. It seems the heatsink isn't properly connected or the measurements are incorrect. The issue might be related to unit settings—possibly using imperial units instead of Celsius. Did you unintentionally switch to Fahrenheit? (For example, 102°F equals 39°C.) This aligns with what I'd expect if using Fahrenheit: my i5-3570K runs in a compact HTPC case with a Noctua PASSIVE cooler. At idle it stays below 50°C (113°F), and under stress testing it peaks around 90°C (195°F). There are a couple of exhaust fans that increase airflow above 60°C (140°F), though they rarely reach that temperature under normal usage. * The 3570K model should be significantly hotter: 3.4GHz base, 3.8GHz turbo, 77W TDP versus 3470S (2.9GHz base, 3.6GHz turbo, 65W TDP). I believe the earlier temperature readings were taken before installing a discreet GPU. The GT1030 won't absorb much of the load, and I suspect the actual temps will be higher because airflow through the PSU is reduced—exhausts are still fine, but they now draw more air over the PSU instead of directly outside. This matters a lot on a passive cooler! I remember mentioning this about five years ago.
I received a steady positive airflow from the 1 outtake and 2 intakes. I replaced the thermal paste, which appeared to resolve the problem. The paste just seemed to disappear.