Why is my CPU running so hot?
Why is my CPU running so hot?
I bought a used i7 4770k as a budget upgrade from my previous i5 setup. I also got a Hyper 212 Evo cooler because it’s affordable and I’m familiar with them. After upgrading to Ran Heaven, Furmark, and RDR2, I didn’t notice much improvement in benchmarks. When I ran Prime 95 for a short time, the CPU cores were consistently reaching around 100°C. Could this be why there wasn’t a noticeable boost? I suspect the processor is throttling due to heat, trying to protect itself from damage. Since I’m new to PC building, I’m wondering if the cooling solution isn’t sufficient. My room temperature is usually between 72-74°F, so that seems unlikely. I also forgot to check the thermal paste before anyone asked, and my case has six fans (including an extra one I added). Could I have over-tightened the cooler? That’s a possibility I wasn’t sure about. Another thought is that the old thermal paste might need replacing. Just seeking advice from someone more experienced would be helpful.
The Hyper 212 is a highly promoted cooler. It gets more credit than it deserves. Adding another fan would help move air through it. No, I didn’t notice you included a fan already. These 4770k chips are known for low-quality thermal paste under the IHS label, and replacing it usually makes a big difference—around 10-20°C lower temps possible. Skip the fake test results; this chip outperforms GPUs significantly. I’ve seen some cards fail with that software in the past.
Reset the CMOS, but your BIOS might still assume an i5 is present. Test the connection by removing it and observing the thermal paste distribution.
I wasn't aware that Farkmouth had previously targeted GPUs. Finding a reliable delidding tool can be tricky, especially since some Amazon reviews mentioned severe damage to the CPU.
Because the plate is still being glued, your tool feels like a sharp edge. Make sure to watch tutorials and videos. You'll see which tools are recommended. Oh, FurMark is quite demanding. That's why it's called a stress test—people would overheat and damage their GPUs. I wouldn't recommend it at all. Instead, play your favorite AAA game and enjoy the experience in real time.