Low CPU performance despite new AIO setup
Low CPU performance despite new AIO setup
I bought a new iCue Link H100i RGB from newegg, but it isn't cooling well. I've reapplied thermal paste multiple times, tightened the installation, and ensured good contact with the CPU. It's connected to the AIO pump on the motherboard (Asus ROG Strix B650-A gaming wifi) with PWM enabled at full speed. Temperatures are still high—idle temps range from 49°C to 70°C, hovering around 55°C on Windows. They change every few seconds, jumping up or down by 5-10°C or even 20°C. When using iCue software, it never drops below 50°C. Playing Fortnite caused extreme spikes, reaching 90°C. Even with low-demand games, temperatures stay high, especially on BIOS settings like 50°C. Watching YouTube and Steam in the background kept things around 60°C. Please advise!
Hey there! You're not specifying your CPU model, but since you're using a B650, it's likely a Ryzen 7000 or 9000. This is typical for these chips. They tend to run hotter than other CPUs, aiming for around 95°C before they cap on speed or power. Their design targets steady 95°C operation without interruption. It might seem odd, but that's the point. These processors are built to handle continuous high temps—50°C or 93°C won't stop them. My 7700x works just fine like yours. They can fluctuate a lot and often spike during idle or light tasks. The cooler recommendations from GamersNexus still apply; they'll show you how these AM5 chips manage heat better. Jay also covers this in his own video, which helps with tuning for lower temps and higher boosts using PBO tools. You can follow that to adjust settings and get better performance without overheating.
At first, when AM5 was just introduced, many people shared daily updates about temperatures and performance changes with the Ryzen 7000. Those used to Intel and AM4 setups were surprised and worried by the higher heat output of the Ryzen 7000. But don’t worry—this isn’t a cause for alarm. If you’re using an ASUS motherboard, I strongly suggest updating your BIOS if you haven’t already. Some older BIOS versions had problems with the 7000 X3D burning due to increased voltage, and those issues were resolved in a BIOS update. Updating can also help bring temperatures down slightly, setting the X3D CPU limit to 85°C instead of the default 95°C on non-X3D CPUs. As seen in all the videos I linked, the Ryzen 7000/9000 are naturally hot by design.