i7 4790K Overheating

[LazarusLong]

Hello all. 

 

This is my first post on the LTT forum. Hopefully, I will find a solution to my problems here.

 

RECAP:

So I recently built a new rig featuring the Intel Core i7-4790k and the Asus Z97-A. I've been experiencing what I perceive as a overheating problem, probably because my CPU is a lemon. 

 

Now, before I begin the tedious and hassling process of RMAing, I just wanted to get some insight from you guys. Maybe I'm missing something, cos after all, I'm a noob builder. 

 

DISCLAIMER:

1. This was my first time EVER time building a rig by myself. Although it took me a while, I didn't face any hiccups and nor did I have that much of a hard time of it. It was a bit nervy and intense though.

2. I live in India and it's summer time currently and so I understand that that would affect the temperatures a fair bit. But still, I do not feel it should be contributing THIS much to the amount of heat output. Anyway the ambient temperature in my flat is around 24C, with the air conditioning on(which it almost always is). 

3. With that outta the way, the cabinet I'm using is a CM Storm Enforcer. Not the best in terms of airflow. (1x200mm intake; 1x120mm exhaust)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

4. I'm also using a non-modular PSU.

5. The cooler is a CM Hyper 212X. The heatsink is mounted in such a way that it is leveraging the rear exhaust fan. I added a Corsair Static Pressure 120mm fan to run it in a push-pull configuration.

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/hyper-series/hyper-212x/

 

Now all things considered, I was still expecting to see better temps than this, owing to the fact that the Haswell series processors were built with better thermal efficiency in mind. And not to mention the fact that I bought the 'K' series for overclocking, but with these temps, I'm not seeing any headroom. 

 

I have tried re-seating the heatsink twice now, to no avail. Oh, and I'm using the stock thermal paste that came with the cooler.

I stress tested using Prime95 at first(version 26.6), but the temperatures skyrocketed to around 95C within seconds. Then I tested using the OCCT software, which yielded relatively better results, only for a minute or so, after which it stopped automatically having crossed the threshold temperature of 85C, which I had manually set. 

 

Now, I'm not sure what to think at this point, so I'm also attaching a couple of screenshots I took while idle and while stress testing. I would appreciate any feedback.

 

 

Thanks in advance

Cheers

[thekeemo]

did you take the plastic tab off the CPU cooler?

[m2rt]

Seems you have your vcore Voltage on AUTO in Bios. You are running almost 1.29v @ 4ghz so what do you expect? That cooler is good for 1.2v  max.

[m2rt]

Seems you have your vcore Voltage on AUTO in Bios. You are running almost 1.29v @ 4.3ghz so what do you expect? That cooler is good for 1.2v  max.

[LazarusLong]

did you take the plastic tab off the CPU cooler?

Yup, I did. Would have been pretty embarrassing if I hadn't.

[thekeemo]

Yup, I did. Would have been pretty embarrassing if I hadn't.

@m2rt has a point at 1.3 I have to have the fan on my 212 at max at load to stay under 85c

[dnkgaming]

While you have your temp monitor open try pressing on the heatsink itself and press firmly for 10 seconds or so and see if your temps drop. My first install with the 4790k had the same issue. It was an easy fix for me. On the heatsink theres 4 push pins. make sure there pressed in all the way until you hear all of them click into place. Theres arrows on the legs you can use as a guide to make sure there all the same. Try it and see if it helps.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Well, to be fair your CPU is within operating temps so it's safe. Did you A. Remove the plastic from the CPU and clean it with isopropyl alcohol and B. Apply a not so liberal amount on there? You want a grain of rice-sized drop in the middle of the CPU.

 

Also, check your voltage to stock settings. 

[dnkgaming]

While you have your temp monitor open try pressing on the heatsink itself and press firmly for 10 seconds or so and see if your temps drop. My first install with the 4790k had the same issue. It was an easy fix for me. On the heatsink theres 4 push pins. make sure there pressed in all the way until you hear all of them click into place. Theres arrows on the legs you can use as a guide to make sure there all the same. Try it and see if it helps.

[LazarusLong]

Seems you have your vcore Voltage on AUTO in Bios. You are running almost 1.29v @ 4ghz so what do you expect? That cooler is good for 1.2v  max.

How do I rectify this?

 

@m2rt has a point at 1.3 I have to have the fan on my 212 at max at load to stay under 85c

The fans are running at max RPMs.

 

While you have your temp monitor open try pressing on the heatsink itself and press firmly for 10 seconds or so and see if your temps drop. My first install with the 4790k had the same issue. It was an easy fix for me. On the heatsink theres 4 push pins. make sure there pressed in all the way until you hear all of them click into place. Theres arrows on the legs you can use as a guide to make sure there all the same. Try it and see if it helps.

I believe on my cooler, I have turn screws with tension springs. Anyway, thanks I will try pushing down on the heatsink for 10 seconds and see if that makes a difference

 

Well, to be fair your CPU is within operating temps so it's safe. Did you A. Remove the plastic from the CPU and clean it with isopropyl alcohol and B. Apply a not so liberal amount on there? You want a grain of rice-sized drop in the middle of the CPU.

 

Also, check your voltage to stock settings. 

A. Yes, I did.

B. I used "pea sized ball" in the center of the IHS. 

As I have mentioned in my first post, I have removed and re-installed the cooler twice. The thermal compound spread looked even.

[STRMfrmXMN]

 

A. Yes, I did.

B. I used "pea sized ball" in the center of the IHS. 

As I have mentioned in my first post, I have removed and re-installed the cooler twice. The thermal compound spread looked even.

Well, I got nothing then.

[thekeemo]

How do I rectify this?

 

The fans are running at max RPMs.

 

I believe on my cooler, I have turn screws with tension springs. Anyway, thanks I will try pushing down on the heatsink for 10 seconds and see if that makes a difference

 

A. Yes, I did.

B. I used "pea sized ball" in the center of the IHS. 

As I have mentioned in my first post, I have removed and re-installed the cooler twice. The thermal compound spread looked even.

go into the bios and set the vcore 1.265

[m2rt]

Go to BIOS . Under AI Tweaker you should see CPU Core Voltage currently it set to AUTO. Set it to 1.2v first and see if it boots

[LazarusLong]

go into the bios and set the vcore 1.265

 

Thank you, I will try that.

Go to BIOS . Under AI Tweaker you should see CPU Core Voltage currently it set to AUTO. Set it to 1.2v first and see if it boots

Thanks, will do that.

 

@Everyone thank you for your prompt replies, I've got something to work with. 

I will update here and tell you if it worked.

[LazarusLong]

@m2rt has a point at 1.3 I have to have the fan on my 212 at max at load to stay under 85c

 

 

Go to BIOS . Under AI Tweaker you should see CPU Core Voltage currently it set to AUTO. Set it to 1.2v first and see if it boots

 

It seems voltage was the issue! Now, I've manually set the VCORE voltage as @m2rt and @thekeemo suggested. Got MUCH better load temperatures. Thanks a ton, guys!

Should I change anything else?

Attaching screenshot after 6 minutes of stressing: