Temperatures are excessively high in PBO-ECO mode and it's restricting the power usage rating!
Temperatures are excessively high in PBO-ECO mode and it's restricting the power usage rating!
I own a PC that took some time to assemble and have been operating it for a few weeks now (roughly 2-3). I recently adjusted certain BIOS profiles in an attempt to lower the heat output, particularly from the GPU leaving the left-side panel. Now I'm even more worried about the performance outcomes I've achieved. Here are the specifications:
- MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi (BIOS version 7D70v1I)
- AMD R7 7800X3D
- Noctua NH-U12A Chromax.Black
- AMD 7900 GRE Nitro+ (Sapphire)
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz (with EXPO1 enabled)
- Seasonic Vertex GX-1000
- 990 Pro 2TBx2
- Fractal North (standard size, 2 front fans)
My CPU was reaching around +80°C during Windows Defender scans on my drives or while playing Halo Wars 2 at 1080p (MS Store game) with factory settings. To address this, I modified the MSI BIOS settings to try and control temperature and power consumption: PBO set to Thermal Point 65; Config TDP at 65W (with options up to 88W/75A/150A); RAM enabled EXPO1.
I read that some AMD V3D CPUs could overheat last year, not just from ASUS parts, so I hoped these changes would keep things stable. Unfortunately, the CPU is still nearing 80°C during Halo Wars 2 at 1080p, especially when ALT+Tab is used to view temperature sensors (possibly because the game runs hotter in the background).
I'm concerned about potential risks and would appreciate any feedback from anyone reviewing HWiNFO 64. Please share your observations if you notice any issues. Thank you ahead of time.
The first image shows default factory settings, while the remaining two display changes made in the BIOS. I regret sharing this on mobile—it feels quite restricted.
I believed reducing the limit to 65W would cause a clear temperature drop and that the 65°C maximum would prevent it from exceeding that point :/! Isn't the VDDCR_SOC at 1.393V too high for the 7800X3D? I expected it to be "undervolted" in the restricted modes, not overvolted as HWiNFO 64 shows. Edited August 2, 2024 by HunterBird67
Here, Core1 and Core3 seem to be underperforming, raising the average temperature. PBO2 can help offset this issue. The problem might stem from impurities in the indium solder between the IHS and die or simply from silicon variability. Consider running a Cinebench R23 test to evaluate performance. Expect scores between 17.5k and 19k. A 4.8-4.9GHz boost is needed across all cores, with 19k for 5GHz—only achievable via direct-die modification. Avoid setting PBO2 at 65F, as it could severely impact the 7800x3D. It should handle up to +80°C, which is acceptable. Also, check your CPU fan curves; a well-tuned setup with PBO2 (adding +200MHz and adjusting voltage by ±15mV to -30mV) will likely yield the best results in UEFI mode.
The processors are built to operate hot, with AMD boosting them significantly even when lightly loaded to enhance speed. Thermal capacity is often viewed as lost efficiency instead of a useful margin. On average, the 7800X3D stays under 65 watts, while typical TPU tests recorded around 49 watts for both uses and games: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-r...3d/23.html
Would you like me to capture images of the cooler’s front and back sides for your review?
I didn't even see the core 1 and core 3 running 30°C hotter than the rest on factory settings—that's pretty alarming given those are the default options. Direct-die would be too intense for me, especially since my aim is to lower temperature and power use while cutting noise by avoiding overworked fans without fancy fixes. I'm thinking adjusting VDDCR_SOC from 1.3V to 1.2V (maybe 1.15V would be perfect).