These readings definitely don’t match what we expect under these conditions when most of the processors are idle.
These readings definitely don’t match what we expect under these conditions when most of the processors are idle.
temperatures have been steady around 62-68 lately, gaming on Valorant feels fine but GTA V spikes to 88 average and 95-103 peak (celsius). My usual temps weren’t this high before. Recently, my PC has shut down or slowed down a lot—probably due to high CPU temps and the summer heat (average outside 35-40°C). I’m using the stock cooler on my 5600x, three intake fans, and two slower exhaust fans. Could it be the age of my CPU affecting cooling? I’m considering an AIO setup with two new fans and three good exhausts. Is that a smart move or just a safe option? Updated June 5, 2024 by YOLO1882
Refresh and reapply the cooler, checking for any dried thermal paste.
The thermal paste needs about three months to fully set. That’s why its performance has dropped noticeably. You might want to purchase a replacement tube for around eight dollars, or consider a much better tower cooler from ThermalRight for roughly fifteen dollars. I’d go with the second choice. No issues with the CPU, just the basic thermal paste drying out.
It's a bit high, but you're still keeping your stock cooler. You might want to re-paste or try something better, it'll likely cost the same, but one option is cheaper. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
8 dollars for a tube? I can get 7 grams of gd007 for 1 dollar. I don’t think even Arctic MX4 is that costly for a 4-gram tube if the thermal paste is that pricey. Going with option 2 would be a mistake—don’t skip the extra upgrade (which includes thermal paste).
Remember when I faced a comparable problem a year ago? I tried using some thermal paste and reapplying it after reseating the cooler—it helped somewhat. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked in the moment. I’m not sure if the paste wore out, but having the tube means I could reapply it if needed. Do you think a new cooler is really required?
I chose a 2 fan rad model from Deep Cool, likely the LE520. It seems to be well-received, with reviews mentioning it's effective and balanced. It's available on Amazon locally, described as good quality—some say it's overkill, others think it's just right or a bit too much.
would improve performance, though the 5600 box cooler barely meets requirements but still works. If temperatures drop below 90°C there’s no issue, though it remains suboptimal for the CPU. More concern lies with consistently high temps potentially affecting the paste. Replace the old paste thoroughly, apply fresh one, and if your case supports, consider mounting coolers like Deepcool AG400 or Thermalright models. Assassin King 90 or Peerless Assassin are solid options for future upgrades if priced between 35-40€.
The 5600X generates relatively little heat, so the built-in cooler should suffice. However, with ambient temperatures climbing into the 40s, it might be the issue. In such cases, a solid single tower aftermarket cooler could be a better choice. The Arctic Freezer 36 is reasonably priced and offers a significant improvement over the original cooler.
Sure, I'll give it a shot—I've done this before, so it shouldn't be too tough.