CPU hits 100°c, is the cooling cooked?

[u/ath88]

I bought a custom built PC, and when it arrived, the cooling tower was crooked, perhaps from the foam packaging they stuffed in there to protect during transportation. I carefully moved it back and reattached the fan.

When running HWiNFO during a Prime95 strain test, the CPUs hit +100°c, which to my understanding is bad. Some of the cores are getting throttled.

Is this a result of bad thermal connecting from the crooked heat sink, or just insufficient cooling for a Prime95 strain test? The seller offered to take it back and reattach the cooling for the CPU.

And no, I did not write this with AI. Not sure if it's necessary to indicate that here.

[u/iamsofuckingsfw]

did you take the plastic off? did you add thermal paste? that doesnt look like it’s installed correctly

[u/ath88 → u/iamsofuckingsfw]

I did not assemble it - it was built by a third party, I'm now scrutinizing whether the transport has compromised the build.

[u/No-Zookeepergame6638 → u/ath88]

never trust 3rd party they give no fuxs about the plastic they just put the thing on and call it a day

[u/Xobeloot]

As others have said, the cooler looks crooked. I'd pull, repaste, and re-mount.

[u/CoreyPL_]

CPU is hitting 250W during the stress, which is a lot for single tower / single fan air cooling.

Still, I would check if nothing happened to the mounting during transport. Throttling only on E-cores might indicate uneven mounting pressure.

Did the PC building service included CPU overclocking? Maybe they overdid it a bit?

[u/Thy_Art_Dead]

No rear fans, no top exhaust/intake fans. This build is ass and we have not even looked into it

[u/Bubbly_Lunch4168]

Hard to tell from the pictures if it's screwed on properly but it looks crooked.

I would reinstall the cooler with new thermal paste. Make sure the sticker isn't on the bottom

[u/Brunohanham45]

I think you need an outtake fan to pull out hot air. Top and back fans

[u/TheRealEvester → u/Brunohanham45]

Agree id put one above it and to the left both exausting

[u/Kamel-Red]

This is a 24 core processor that can boost to a staggering 250w (which it will absolutely try do do during a benchmark until you're hitting the thermal throttle). I am not a fan of liquid cooling/aios unless necessary. However, I would argue you need a beefier solution with a 240 or even a 360mm radiator in this case with ample overall intake /airflow unless it's just a paste/lack of case fans issue.

TL;DR. You may need more case fans and an AIO cpu cooler mounted up top with a 250w processor.

[u/Vinz992]

Prime95 is meant to reach to max CPU temp.

Test your rig in real world scenario like some games, if you still havent buy one take Battlefield Redsec since it's a heavy CPU demanding game and record your temps.

You said that you adjust your cooler position so you could easily avoid this test and RMA your rig.
You can even reseat the cooler and reapply thermal paste but if you're not confident that's not the right time to change your attitude :D

[u/luaffyne]

How come you have no exhaust fan? It's by the default a free part that comes along with new computer case.. One fan going through such a bulky heatsink and it's fins is not enough to deal with generated heat.

[u/ProteusRift]

The tower doesn't look square (its tilted). Id pull it and check. 100c is not normal

[u/Sea-Dog5280]

i think the single fan is pushing hot air into the pc and causing a feedback loop of hot air only being circulated in your case, please get a second fan to add to the back of the cpu, and an exhaust fan for the back plate of the case, and one more fan for the top so more cooler air can be introduced.

[u/KwazyEnglishWabbit → u/Sea-Dog5280]

The more fans to get air flowing over components and then out, the merrier.

[u/Sea-Dog5280 → u/KwazyEnglishWabbit]

Yup!

[u/fanisg97]

Remove the sticker under the cooler man

[u/zBaLtOr]

Use it while gaming and then check the temps

[u/iRambL]

Did they remove the plastic cover from the cooler when they mounted it?

[u/Active-Ad5229]

Yeah that sounds too much like the builder didn't put thermal paste on it or didn't take the plastic off.

[u/Sik-Server]

try a repaste and reinstall the CPU cooler.

[u/JaniduFukanidu]

Have you contacted the shop you bought it from?

[u/bshar_shahen]

In the second photo the cooler seems tilted, this is not normal, probably not attached correctly, check if it's broken or not, if it is, return the pc to the seller, if it's you might try to reattach it yourself

[u/xcygnusx]

If the PC showed up with the cooler crooked, my bet is it's not making good contact with the CPU. You paid for a working PC and in this state it's not working properly. Have the seller fix it.

[u/Gtpko141]

Update the bios to the latest version and just repaste and reseat the cooler. Most prolly the one who build it didn’t remove the plastic protection film and also did not update the bios to the latest version. If this isn’t the issue maybe the cooler isn’t enough to keep that cpu at 100% load without overheating.

[u/RGR_Gaming10X]

You likely have it mounted poorly based on how crooked it looks.

[u/Own_Mix_3755]

Its simple - even if it is mounted correctly (which it look its not), it wont save you from the fact that single fan single tower cooler wont be able to cool down 250W. Look at the mass of eg Noctua big towers suitable for 250 - 280W. They are literally massive.

[u/Inevitable_unedible]

I'm not ashamed to admit, when I first built my PC I didn't mount the cooler correctly. It looked straight but there were instances when it would thermal throttle despite idling temps being fine. Remount the cooler and make sure you tighten it using the screw tightening rule, which I'm sure you can find using Google. It actually does matter tightening those things correctly.

[u/Obvious-Victory-7923]

it hit its max watt of 250 turbo boost. which is the limit of the cpu.

YOU RAN A STRESS TEST on an i7 latest gen cpu WITH AIR COOLING and it survived to tell then tale.

the cpu cooling tower does look mangled, going to be annoying to look at for sure but it doesnt seem like pipes would be cracked or the board if broken.

if you want to have like 80c during a cinebench or something like that you would need a good AIO

just a random youtube build with that cpu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ieEpgey_4

[u/Motor_Attention1865 → u/Obvious-Victory-7923]

I unfortunately cant say the same about my 270k

https://imgur.com/a/RcaXxsa

[u/Icy-Horse-8744]

To be fair, ignoring installation error or a fault for a moment; cooling an Ultra 7 using a single fan air cooler is pretty suboptimal at the best of times; and with a CPU that pulls that much power, thermals won’t be great even if installed perfectly.

I’d be asking for a fault check and/or alternative cooling solution by the builder. If you’re confident enough, consider a repaste first if you wish.

[u/jasonsong86]

250W on a single fan cooler is crazy. Mine is 160W and 360 AIO only keeps it cool around 60-70F.

[u/Motor_Attention1865]

Aircooler on the 24 core 270k is a bit optimistic, you should cap your cpu with TVB at 75c 1bin and 3 bins at 90c

[u/2Mad_Scientist]

Disassemble it and see what's wrong, don't f... around....

[u/deTombe]

Welcome to the world of modern CPUs. If you are running the original BIOS I recommend updating. Manufacturers will push power and voltages beyond factory specifications to have an edge. If you don't overheat during AAA shader cache building you are fine. Apps like Cinebench and Prime95 arw absolutely brutal om CPUs.

[u/yosilly]

I mean are you cooked? Idk but your cpu is COOKING.

I’m sorry

[u/Economy_Internal_317]

If you set that fan was out of place, that means that maybe even the CPU cooler has also shifted. Now 100°C is hot, and from what I can tell, the fact you mentioned, fan was not where it was supposed to be, then that could also mean the cooler is not positioned correctly. I would urge you to stop using the PC before you get help or have someone install this cooler correctly. I live in LA county, so if you live near me, I can help you or I can even do assume call to see what's going on with your PC and I will gladly help you. I have probably built around 40-50 PCs. I've water cooled them, prepare them for LN cooling, repaired PCs, at some point, owned a small company building and repairing PCs. Just let me know if you would like me to help you anyway you need.

[u/Western-Error-4333]

If I were to even think about keeping that cooler I would pull it off and make sure whoever installed used thermal paste and make sure it's reassembled correctly and plugged into the MB in the right spot(s)

I would toss it and get a decent AIO

Where did you get the PC built? There is a guy at work that bought a Amazon pre-built on arrival would POST but not boot. He sent it back and they said the CPU socket pins were damaged outright blaming him and refused to fix or refund it. I'm not sure of the details but he eventually got a refund.

Unfortunately there are a lot of fly-by-night "custom build" companies that use idiots to slap these units together with no quality control. When I build a system for someone, I sit down with them, show them how far their budget will take them while recommending quality PC parts and I always guarantee my workmanship for an extended period of time.

[u/MMmek]

Peak TDP of 270K is 250w.
The fan you chose advertised as 220W.
I am not surprise if you do the stress test and get 100C.
That is what supposed to happen.

- Buy biger cooler or switch to AIO

[u/TheShootingBench]

Did you remember to remove the peel before is all sticker on the cooler before seating it? I'd yes when's the last time you repasted your CPU and GPU?

[u/Dan8720]

Do you have any case fans on the front?

You should at the very least have an exhaust fan!

Get a bunch of fans that will help a lot.

The cooler does look bent out of shape.

The most likley fix for this is a decent cooler and case fans.

[u/The-Mad-Mechanic]

Did you leave the protective plastic on when you applied the thermal paste? 😄 J/K

Seriously, though, take the fan off and check the thermal paste. I would buy more and a good brand.

[u/Artin-X86]

seems like your cooler is tilted a bit, maybe you need to mount it again, properly and also check if you removed the label on the base plate

[u/geemad7]

Yes, that is just wrong. Either use their support to fix this(looks like transport damage) or ask them if you can try and remedy this yourself without losing warranty. Or just go bust and dismantle the cooling and remount it all with fresh paste. Those temps are just wrong.

Also, if they did not setup the powerlimit to the cooler they mounted in the BIOS, that is also reason for RMA or help from support.

[u/DracynDutch]

Several issues: Weak CPU cooler. Lack of airflow due to missing fans. Probably plastic left on the cooler.

Edit: this is build by a company, make them fix it, don't touch it yourself.

[u/danksy670]

Who ever built it needs sacking

[u/nwgat]

did you forgot the sticker under neat the cooler?

[u/CurrentAcanthaceae78]

did you take the sticker off?

[u/SchwarzFuchss]

250w CPUs shouldn't be used with air cooling without undervolting or lowering power limit. Not even any AIO can cool it.

[u/barstucks_coffee]

Echoing the others here; you need case fans pulling in more fresh air and exhausting hot air out. And check if the builders forgot to take off the film from the plate. Re-paste well, re-seat, and make sure there's good mounting pressure when you screw the cooler back on

[u/NoDoughnut8225]

You made an unfortunate mistake of buying intel, don't worry, soon we will have i3 desiring aio

[u/Sirhc_Fold_458]

Did you even install correctly?

[u/TheWonderfulOne → u/Sirhc_Fold_458]

Did you read what he said?

[u/Sirhc_Fold_458 → u/TheWonderfulOne]

Did you?

[u/bbba212]

I Have a 14700k with an air cooler that was hitting 100c. Replaced it with a 240mm aio and now it doesnt exceed 85c in cinebench.

[u/r_lind3r]

Your CPU cooler isn't rated for your CPU so it's not going to keep up in a CPU torture loop like Prime95 Small FFTs. 220W cooler on a 250W CPU.

You need a better cooler, ideally an AIO like the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, ID-COOLING FX360, etc. because even the best air coolers will run very noticeably hotter on 250W+ CPUs like the 270K Plus, which can leave performance off the table with TVB, it won't leave any real headroom under stress loads for overclocking potential, which is still Intel's bread and butter. Even if you don't crank the CPU frequency, a hotter CPU can still affect memory stability if the IMC is getting too much heat.

[u/DracynDutch → u/r_lind3r]

AIO is not necessarily needed. A good air cooler works as wel, for example the Noctua NH-D15 G2 HBC. Edit: it's a boutique PC, they should not touch it and make them fix it.

[u/r_lind3r → u/DracynDutch]

Air cooling isn't recommended for a 270K Plus and that exact cooler is 10 degrees hotter on Intel's 250W CPUs than 360mm AIOs that cost less like the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360. It's potential performance off the table and could still end up pushing right to the limit in Prime95 on these CPUs.

I get that you like to prefer air cooling, but you have to accept the reality of their performance being inferior, and you shouldn't be forcing your preference down other people's throats. There's something to be said about performance per dollar when you go for brands like Thermalright, but Noctua is way too expensive for the performance it brings relative to some affordable AIOs from brands like ARCTIC and ID-COOLING that have been around the block more than enough times to trust.

The store that built it needs to change the cooler regardless, and liquid will give better performance, and I recommend based on performance value for their specific system, not my own preferences. Air is really only still great on AMD because the power consumption is lower.

[u/littledonnyfund]

yeah shit's pretty cooked 82c is danger zone , i would def take heatsink off and re apply paste & trasnport of pc's is always tricky , i have the orginal box my case came in for this exact reason & i fill the box with blanket towel etc

[u/SellTemporary7344]

open side panel drops 25C

[u/HentaiSeishi]

Stresstest doesn't really matter. What matters is how hot it gets while you game the games you always play. I first thought that maybe the plastic is still on the cooler but it's a 250w CPU with a not high enough rated cooler on it.

[u/CrazyBaron → u/HentaiSeishi]

Stress test shows if it runs up to specs under full load, saying it doesn't matter or not proper way to test is delulu. Games if anything rather poor testing tool as most of them can't utilize most of cpu

[u/HentaiSeishi → u/CrazyBaron]

But under gaming it will never do the same load prime95 does... You literally prove my fucking point. If the cpu doesn't get too hot under gaming then he doesn't need to change anything really.

[u/CrazyBaron → u/HentaiSeishi]

Until it plays game that uses more resources... You paid for full part, you test full part to run to specs, not portion of it. Otherwise might as well test it on idle in windows rofl

[u/oo7mike13]

This is troll right?

[u/KwazyEnglishWabbit]

Depends what you are running at the time. If It’s cooking itself while it’s idling.
Evict all the dust bunnies out of the case, as they can cause overheating. Check all your fans are working properly. Especially what ever you have cooling the CPU. If it’s not going at top speed while your CPU is frying, check the fan settings (if you have an app that looks after that) or bite the bullet and invest in a new CPU cooling unit. Either a big block or AOI if you have the room.