Temperature is high, but could the sensor be inaccurate?
Temperature is high, but could the sensor be inaccurate?
I've recently upgraded my computer and am seeing solid performance. The CPU wasn’t replaced, so I thought it might be the limiting factor, though the passmark scores seem a bit low. What are your thoughts? My machine uses an Intel i7-8700, Asus ROG Strix Z390-E, paired with an RTX 2070S and a Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4 16GB at 2666MHz. The PassMark results show Memory=3384, 3D=21332, 2D=1122, CPU=13313 (global rating 7281). Is a 70th percentile score reasonable for this model? I planned to upgrade to the 9700K later.
What concerns me most is the CPU temperature. Idle temps sit around 45°C, and when the processor runs at full load it reaches up to 90°C. These numbers aren’t extreme, but I’m unsure how to improve cooling. I own a Noctua NH-U14S with an extra fan—one spinning and one pulling. I’ve tested the thermal paste several times and everything looks fine. However, after removing the nozzle for a short while, the paste seems to spread toward the edges of the heatsink, leaving gaps in the center. When I reapply it, the paste spreads evenly. I’ve also tried different pastes, including Arctic.
I’m also curious about the backplate of the RTX. It feels very hot to the touch, and the GPU temperature is around 60°C even when idle. Does this heat transfer affect the CPU sensor? Since the airflow from the fan stays close to room temperature (about 35°C now), it doesn’t seem to be a major issue. I’m not sure if all this makes sense.
You're experiencing elevated readings—45c idle and 90c load seem excessive. The 60c idle for the GPU is also quite high. If both CPU and GPU run at these warm levels during idle and under load, it likely points to your room temperature or case conditions.
The case isn't fully closed yet, and at 60°C the fans aren't running. Would adding a custom fan curve help?
The paste spreading is normal and expected—it helps fill any hidden gaps evenly. I’d make sure the cooler is properly mounted and verify the temperature readings. It’s also helpful to know the source of those temperature data, as some CPUs can give inaccurate readings.
You're correct about the monitoring setup. I was hoping for built-in tools in the ASUS motherboard, but the available options don't seem ideal. The airflow appears quite effective. Mounting pressure seems stable—just double-checked the screws. To verify, you could measure fan speeds with a multimeter or check the system logs for any anomalies.
People are moving quickly, yet temperatures remain high, hitting 100C even under full CPU use. The cooling system includes extra fans at both front and back, and I've confirmed the airflow is properly directed. I might tighten the heatsink for improved contact, but I don't have any other options right now.
These chips are known for overheating, especially when the thermal paste under the IHS plate isn't up to par from the start. A solid upgrade in thermal paste could easily save 10-15°C. Another option is placing a fan facing down on the VRM area of the mainboard.
Delidding isn't something I'd want to take chances with. The VRM fan seems intriguing, the motherboard actually backs it up so setup should be straightforward, but might it affect my CPU temperature? I've used MSI Afterburner and changed my GPU fans from semi-active to active, now keeping them at 50% speed constantly—definitely helping. They're still very quiet, and the GPU temps have dropped to around 40°C, which is a significant improvement of about 20°C. As a result, the backplate feels cooler to the touch, and my CPU is running 10°C lower.