The i5 11400 operates close to 88°C during maximum stress (99% to 100% load).
The i5 11400 operates close to 88°C during maximum stress (99% to 100% load).
It seems you're expecting a lot from the thermal mass, but the stock cooler handles it fine. The unit performs adequately under heavy loads, though it may struggle slightly in the 80s when all-core is active. Most people would agree it's normal for the stock cooler, so you're not likely to see major issues.
it looked mostly liquid and damp with no solid or dry sections. I didn’t think it needed changing. I’m unsure if the one I have is genuine, but here are some photos for reference: https://ibb.co/k01sd1N https://ibb.co/BCsDYYk https://ibb.co/THh4ntf I also noticed the idle temps dropped from 48-49 to 38-39, which is a 10-degree change. Even during heavy gaming it stayed the same. In fact, I think it goes up about 2°C—sometimes reaching 86. I don’t know, maybe overthinking made me feel this way.
You don't need to reapply the thermal paste again since Intel's stock cooler mounting ensures it will either work or not if installed incorrectly. Remember the loads aren't excessive for a standard cooling setup. If throttling occurs, it points to a more serious issue. This becomes especially critical in poor cases where the thermal mass is reached faster. Edited April 11, 2023 – CommanderAlex
If thermal throttling happens, it indicates a more serious issue.
Thermal throttling occurs when I experience abrupt stutters and delays, but that hasn't happened. I also observed idle temperatures ranging from 45 to 48 degrees while using the high-performance power plan. Switching to Balanced (recommended by Intel) has brought my idle temp down to 37.
Thermal throttling occurs when CPU core temperatures reach the maximum safe limit, causing clock speeds to drop to avoid overheating. High performance mode maintains boost frequencies, while balanced mode lets the frequency return to base or lower, resulting in reduced temperatures.