Why does my CPU temp Spike?
Why does my CPU temp Spike?
Hey everyone,
I’ll keep it short if I can.
In short...
My CPU is OC’d to 4.5 GHz.
It runs like this:
- i7 6700K (Stock 4.0GHz & 4.2GHz Boost)
- H100i with Push/Pull fan setup
- EVGA 850w P2
- ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura MoBo
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
I’ve experimented with different voltages and stress tests to ensure stability before using it for daily tasks.
Currently, I’m at 1.33V with 4.5GHz, achieving about 50°C (±3°C) during gameplay.
On Witcher 3 at ultra settings with around 50% CPU usage, I get roughly 60°C (±2°C).
With AIDA 64, it’s around 60°C (±2°C) when CPU is at full load.
But the odd part is that during games like Witcher, I often hit between 40 and 50°C, sometimes dropping to 39°C. My monitors show spikes to 70–75°C for a brief moment—both in-game and after checking stats.
When I ran it at 4.7GHz (1.4V), the spikes reached 78°C, which is why I lowered it to 4.5GHz and 1.33V.
These spikes are fleeting, happening every few seconds, but they still concern me.
Additionally, my temperatures fluctuate a lot, sometimes going up and down rapidly.
I’d love any advice or feedback—this helps me understand why the temps vary so much and whether it’s something to worry about.
Thanks, everyone!
Andy
Hello... Is the Boost feature of the CPU turned off? The thermal sensor is located inside the CPU, and the optimal location for a reading is there. The cooling system or thermal transfer doesn't react as quickly or recover as effectively. In short, you can heat the CPU electrically more rapidly than water cooling can in your setup.
Align with Ironsounds, the CPU surge is typical, these spikes happen due to a brief demand for peak processing capacity from the CPU. Greater power generates more heat. The CPU has built-in thermal safeguards and will alert or shut down if overheating (slow performance, blue screens, shutdowns). Don’t worry, everything functions correctly.
Hello... There are internal shutdowns in the Intel CPU... I've seen around 100°C... I'm not worried about peaks above 70°C.