CPU GHz Dropping When TMPIN0 hits 54*C

[Ruk]

Hello all,

 

CPU: AMD FX-8300 3.3 GHz 8-Core Processor 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3 Micro ATX 
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR3-1600 Memory 
Storage: Crucial BX500 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply 

 

I recently put a new motherboard din my PC to try out overclocking. I've ran into an issue when benching. The CPU runs great for a while until something called TMPIN0 hit 54*C in HWMonitor and GHz drop to 1.4 (Clocked to 4.1)

Can anyone tell me what that is reading? And why it would be reading so low? From what I understand the GHz drop is my CPU thermal throttling but 54*c doesn't sound that bad?

 

Stressing my CPU with CPU-Z

Actual CPU temps look fine, never getting north of 45*C

 

Confused as to why my CU would be thermal throttling? Is that readout possibly my VRM? It has a heat-sink and good airflow

 

[Jurrunio]

Does HWinfo report more temperature sensors?

[Ruk]

7 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Does HWinfo report more temperature sensors?

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Yes in the screenshot it shows another TMPIN1 but it does not get the temps TMPIN0 gets. Aswell When the drops occur my CPU temps drop weirdly low, around 23*C while being 100% usage and stressed. so weird

[Jurrunio]

1 minute ago, Ruk said:

in the screenshot 

HWmonitor is not HWinfo, HWinfo imo is the detailed one, HWmonitor is the "free edition" (even though both are freeware).

 

Anyways it's likely cheaper Asus boards dont report VRM temperature directly. Try open the case and use a desk fan to blow straight onto the motherboard. If that helps, I suppose it's throttling because the VRM is overheating. VRM btw is responsible for delivering power to the CPU and stuff that do not run on 12V or 5V or 3.3V directly.

[Ruk]

13 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

HWmonitor is not HWinfo, HWinfo imo is the detailed one, HWmonitor is the "free edition" (even though both are freeware).

 

Anyways it's likely cheaper Asus boards dont report VRM temperature directly. Try open the case and use a desk fan to blow straight onto the motherboard. If that helps, I suppose it's throttling because the VRM is overheating. VRM btw is responsible for delivering power to the CPU and stuff that do not run on 12V or 5V or 3.3V directly.

Woops! Sorry about the mix up. Checked out out HWInfo (SO much better than the other one btw)

 

Screenshot attached

 

Looks like the temp listed (the 50*C one) as CPU correlates with the TMPIN0 to the dot. 

What exactly is that temp reading? Since its the CPU temp read off the MB and not the one off the actual CPU. Also still confused as to why its throttling at 53*C? That isn't that hot is it?

[Jurrunio]

3 minutes ago, Ruk said:

Looks like the temp listed (the 50*C one) as CPU correlates with the TMPIN0 to the dot. 

What exactly is that temp reading? Since its the CPU temp read off the MB and not the one off the actual CPU. Also still confused as to why its throttling at 53*C? That isn't that hot is it?

Guess CPU at 50C means socket temperature, whereas motherboard can be a random sensor in god knows where.

 

What PSU is this? I know boards usually read them wrong but 12V rail at only 10.5v is worth looking into.

 

Does raising the fan speed keep the 50C reading go lower?

[Ruk]

2 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Guess CPU at 50C means socket temperature, whereas motherboard can be a random sensor in god knows where.

 

What PSU is this? I know boards usually read them wrong but 12V rail at only 10.5v is worth looking into.

 

Does raising the fan speed keep the 50C reading go lower?

I'll double check BIOS but I believe I saw the 12V running at 12V (A bit above actually)

 

Do you mean the CPU fan specifically or case fans in general? I've got one 120MM intake through the front and another 120MM exhausting out the back. Both are connected to a fan splitter. The CPU cooler run directly in this path aswell, should be pretty cool in there. Pic below 

 

 

FYI: That CPU temp at idle is around 43*C is it possible too much thermal paste is the answer (Please call me an idiot if this is not the case at all)

[Ruk]

Checked out my 12V and it is doing great. Turned on Turbo mode for CPU and Chassis fans. Not sure this will do much, but better than standard mode I guess. Also turned Turbo Core to Auto instead of disabled incase this was the issue.

[Ruk]

1 hour ago, Jurrunio said:

Guess CPU at 50C means socket temperature, whereas motherboard can be a random sensor in god knows where.

 

What PSU is this? I know boards usually read them wrong but 12V rail at only 10.5v is worth looking into.

 

Does raising the fan speed keep the 50C reading go lower?

I'm a dumbass! I'm not sure why its reading 10.5V there but 12V on BIOS. Not sure which to trust but obviously thats not a good thing.

[Jurrunio]

41 minutes ago, Ruk said:

is it possible too much thermal paste is the answer

you need a disgusting amount of too much paste to have worse performance. Otherwise it's usually just paste all around the socket which will be a mess to clean up.

 

CPU cooler mounting pressure is something to check though

23 minutes ago, Ruk said:

I'm a dumbass! I'm not sure why its reading 10.5V there but 12V on BIOS. Not sure which to trust but obviously thats not a good thing.

definitely trust bios more than software. bios is meant for your board specifically, not so much software.

[Ruk]

1 minute ago, Jurrunio said:

you need a disgusting amount of too much paste to have worse performance. Otherwise it's usually just paste all around the socket which will be a mess to clean up.

 

CPU cooler mounting pressure is something to check though

definitely trust bios more than software. bios is meant for your board specifically, not so much software.

Sadly, I believe I've solved my issue. Reset my OC settings and it will now sit around 47*C. Going to try a 3.8GHz clock at least to get some power out.

[Ruk]

Okay, so I’m going to double check this later today. May have found the issue

 

When I was installing my MoBo this past day I was plugging stuff in and felt something go on my VRM Heatsink (Yes I was using heatsink as a handle)

 

I felt the VRM heatsink under load and that must be the CPU temp on the mobo. It does feel loose and moves back and forth.

 

When I get home today i’m going to check on the push pins make sure that it is fully seated.

[Ruk]

In the case that anyone still cared, or runs into this with the same issue; I've resolved it.

 

When installing my M5A78L-M PLUS I used the VRM heat-sink as a handle. This caused it to shift and feel much looser. When I attempted a small overclock, 3.8GHz the temps would go up to 54 and throttle my CPU. This was happening  even though the actual CPU was running at 30*c.

 

To resolve this I went investigating. Opened up my PC and removed the GPU for better access to my VRM heat-sink. It was able to wobble back and forth.

I attempted to remove the heat-sink. It has small push pins that you have to squeeze from the back. (I was able to do this without removing the mobo from the case)

 

After removing the heat-sink I immediately found my issue; not only was it loose but the thermal paste was rock hard. It is strange because I bought this mobo brand new and it was only released in 2016.

 

Cleaned the old thermal paste off with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Reapplied a small amount of thermal paste, Arctic MX-4 2019.

I put the heat-sink back on and it sat much more snugly.

 

And that's it, looks like I just received a semi-defective board. All is in working order now and I am able to run on a 4.0GHz clock with no problems. Going to try the 4.2GHz sometime.

 

Here is a picture of under the heat-sink. If anyone can confirm this is the VRM?

 

Anyways, setting myself as the one who figured it out! Incase you notice my 12V showing as 10.4V in HWInfo I'm not sure why it does that, but BIOS says 12V is fine.

[Eddy Couvreur]

This picture is the IGP (integrated graphic processor).