Low CPU usage in games, but high and unsafe during stress tests—what options are available?
Low CPU usage in games, but high and unsafe during stress tests—what options are available?
Using a solid case, two intakes, three exhausts
Windows 10
Ryzen 5 2600 OC @ 3.7GHz with stock cooler (yes, I understand overclocking on stock cooler is not ideal, but fine)
1660ti OC as much as possible, never exceeds 60C, no temperature issues there
b350m DS3H BIOS version f32
16GB RAM
Here’s the situation:
After assembling my new PC, I opted to overclock it and successfully reached 3.9GHz without exceeding 80C for a while. Everything seemed fine at first.
Later, my motherboard started having issues, so I had to reapply thermal paste. I’m unsure if it was my technique or the low-quality brand I chose—I can’t reach 3.9 anymore; it begins to hit around 85C at 3.7GHz.
Right now, I’m only using the PC for playing Breath of the Wild on a Wii U emulator (cemu) and Minecraft. Of course, Minecraft works fine before the overclock, no issues there.
With 3.7GHz at 85C it remains stable, and my Ryzen stays around 50-55C during BOTW. I’m wondering if I can safely push the overclock further since I won’t be running intense games. No other tweaks seem possible at the moment to improve performance in BOTW.
TL;DR: My games never exceed 55C, can I safely overclock past 85C?
If your voltage and other parameters remain unchanged except for a reduced clock speed, yet temperatures rise, there may be an issue. I’d verify that the thermal paste quantity was correct and that the cooler was properly positioned. You can allow the CPU to reach 90°C during a stress test, as it’s intended for stability testing of your overclock and won’t occur under regular use.
not every motherboard and VRM are created the same, as you've discovered firsthand. Review your overclock configurations regarding any attempts to fully auto for aspects like voltage. Maintain control of your voltage, and if it allows manual settings without auto adjustments, then proceed manually and adjust accordingly.
If your voltage and other parameters remain unchanged except for a reduced clock speed, yet temperatures rise, there may be an issue. I’d verify that the thermal paste quantity was correct and that the cooler was properly positioned. You can allow the CPU to reach 90°C during a stress test, as this is intended for stability testing of your overclock and won’t occur under regular use.