Sudden spike in CPU temps

[Deftee]

Hi guys,

I'm currently running an i7 920 (No OC for reasons as follows!) in a Rampage 3 Mobo with a Corsair H60. My temps were idling at 60c, so I decided to give it a new coat of thermal paste, as well as taking the opportunity to replace the stock H60 fan with a Gentle Typhoon. I figured I could at least drop of 5c or so from this, but alas, my temps are now idling at 80c! o_O

After some fiddling with setup, changing the fan headers, fan position, recleaning and reapplication of thermal paste, it still sticks at 80c. Any advice as to what may be going wrong? I'm upgrading reasonably soon anyway (3770k, H80i) but it'd be nice to prolong my 920 a bit longer, it's treated me well

[kalniel]

Definitely removed any protective covering from the base of the cooler? Is the base flat? How thickly are you applying the paste?

[scaryjim]

Sounds to me most likely that the cooler isn't (and probably never was) properly seated. 60C at idle is very high anyway, and 80 is ridiculous (and probably damaging). Check that the cooler is sat properly and isn't catching on any components around the CPU socket or anything, that the contact plate isn't being pulled off-true by the pipes, and that the fitting brackets are all secured properly. Also, make sure you're only using a minimal amount of thermal paste. Describing what you've put on as a "coat" is a little worrying The thermal paste wants to be in a *very* thin layer - too much and it actually acts as an insulator, preventing efficient transport of heat.

Alternatively (and more worryingly), the pump might be knackered on your H60. If you turn your computer on I imagine you should be able to feel the pump humming as it runs...

[Deftee]

The cooler definitely seems seated, that was my immediate worry when I saw the idle temps but it's pretty solid! As far as I can see, no components have caught, the plate is flush and the brackets are on there solidly (though this is subject to a second opinion)

Bad choice of wording on the paste, don't worry it's only the standard pea sized amount! It makes a very thin layer, I double checked it before I re-applied the paste again.

I didn't listen for the pump.. I'll give it a listen later when i'm home from work, but I'm hoping that's not the case

Thanks for the swift replies by the way! Much appreciated ^^

[phil4]

Even pea sized might be too much. Remember the thermal paste is there to fill in the the tiny peaks and troughs in both sufaces so that no air is trapped.

Other thing to try is going back to the old fan that was on the cooler.... to see if it's related to that.

[Deftee]

I was half tempted to put the old cooler on there, but I figured if I'm upgrading within the next month I should be okay.

I have a laptop that happily runs most games on high so it's not of any urgence, I'll try the old cooler on it once my competition chassis arrives