i7 6700 Randomly Started Overheating

[pete6274]

Hi all, I'm afraid I'm in need of some help. I have just recently built my first PC and it has been working perfectly for the past few months. However I have just noticed the fans spinning much faster than usual. When I noticed this I installed NZXT's Cam software and found my CPU (Intel Core i7 6700) to be running at over 90C while only under 40% load! I can't seem to find the problem. My cooler is a Cooler Master Nepton 120XL and my mother board is an ASUS Maximus VIII Hero. Any ideas as to what could cause my CPU to all of a sudden start running so hot?

[Natsoup]

I think the first step here would be to look at your cooler and reapply thermal paste. 

[BrinkGG]

5 minutes ago, Natsoup said:

I think the first step here would be to look at your cooler and reapply thermal paste. 

I second this. 

Also listen to the pump. if it sounds quiet or isn't making noise it might have died (doubt it though) 

Have you changed any other hardware since this temp jump?

[pete6274]

I was worried I might hear that... thanks for the advice... unfortunately my current work situation is going make reapplying thermal paste a bit of a challenge... I haven't changed any hardware since building the PC. As for the pump, this is probably a nood mistake but I have no idea what it should sound like under normal operation. It does seem to be running though.

[pete6274]

Is there by any chance a way I can check the pump is functioning other than listening to it? 

[Energycore]

Not related to the issue, but you could overclock that 6700 if you don't mind flashing a custom BIOS

[knightslugger]

10 minutes ago, pete6274 said:

Is there by any chance a way I can check the pump is functioning other than listening to it? 

just touch the cold plate. you should feel a slight vibration.

[pete6274]

There does seem to be the vibration you described and in the bios the pump is listed as running at around 2500-RPM.

[pete6274]

21 hours ago, Energycore said:

Not related to the issue, but you could overclock that 6700 if you don't mind flashing a custom BIOS

I'm afraid I don't quite have the know how for that just yet... but that is something I'm keen to look into if I can just get the thing to cool properly.

[knightslugger]

It's possible that there is an airpocket trapped in the impeller causing a hydrolock type of situation... or the impeller broke. otherwise for sure check into getting the TIM replaced and the coldplate remounted.

[SpaceGhostC2C]

21 hours ago, pete6274 said:

Is there by any chance a way I can check the pump is functioning other than listening to it? 

You can try touching both hoses and the radiator (if you have push-pull, check the air exhaust with your hand), and see how they feel to the touch. If I'm not mistaken, a large temperature difference between the hoses could mean a dead pump.

[pete6274]

30 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

It's possible that there is an airpocket trapped in the impeller causing a hydrolock type of situation... otherwise for sure check into getting the TIM replaced and the coldplate remounted.

How would I remove an air pocket?

[pete6274]

17 minutes ago, SpaceGhostC2C said:

You can try touching both hoses and the radiator (if you have push-pull, check the air exhaust with your hand), and see how they feel to the touch. If I'm not mistaken, a large temperature difference between the hoses could mean a dead pump.

There was that temperature difference in the pipes yesterday but I'm not having the same issue now... could the temperature difference also be related to an air pocket?

 

The air coming out the radiator is cool.

[knightslugger]

5 minutes ago, pete6274 said:

How would I remove an air pocket?

tipping the rad/hoses/coldplate to get the air to move through the area. sometimes a tap tap tappy tap on the components will get it to move (stiction).

[pete6274]

Thanks a lot, that seems to have worked. I am now idling at 25 - 30 and at 60% load I am running at 40.