i7 920:Inadequate Coolering or something else?

TallTexan · 11-06-2009, 05:36 AM

I recently built a new PC and I'm having issues with CPU cooling. I'm running a Zalman CNPS9500 AT that I had laying around on my i7 920. Processor temps are running pretty high. While I know the CNPS9500 AT is not ideal for the i7 920, I can't see why it is performing so bad at this point. I bought the 1366 adapter for it, and the reviews on Newegg were overwhelmingly positive for this heatsink/i7 combo, so thats why I'm kind of scratching my head here. Here are the temps I'm getting:

You'll also notice that under little or no load, the CPU multiplier goes down to 12. It stays there until the processor has a significant load applied, then jumps up to 21 (turbo). I disabled CPU Temp Throttling and the result was that instead of just jumping between 12 and 21, the CPU multiplier hits a whole range of numbers between 12 and 21(15, 16, 18, 20, etc) but still settles down at 12 at little/no load. That could be related, or a whole different issue by itself.

I know I have plenty of air circulation in the case. I'm running a Cooler Master Cosmos 2. Intake fans: 1 200mm, 1 120mm. 4 x 120mm exhaust fans. The whole front of the case is mesh, as well as the side panel with the 200mm fan.

Ambient temp in the room is 75*F (24*C), air temp coming out of the top of the case is 78*F (26*C). I would think that with the CPU so hot, the temps coming out of the top of the case would be a little warmer. While under 100% load the exhaust air temp only went up to about 81*F (27*C).

I've already tried lapping the heatsink contact and the temps didn't change at all. I'm using Artic Silver and getting good contact.

Motherboard is ASRock x58 Extreme.

So whats the deal here? Am I just looking at putting in a new heatsink/fan set up? I supposed I could just try that and see if the temps go down, but there are just a few things that leave me wondering if it's something else. If I do go with a different heatsink/fan, I need to be aware of the space limitation due to the 200mm fan on the inside of the side panel.

Bodaggit23 · 11-06-2009, 05:43 AM

With adequate airflow, and a decent aftermarket cooler, it could only be
that the cooler doesn't seat right, or you're using too much/little paste.

To be honest, 40c isn't terrible for idle temps. 70c is safe for loads temps also.

TallTexan · 11-06-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodaggit23

With adequate airflow, and a decent aftermarket cooler, it could only be
that the cooler doesn't seat right, or you're using too much/little paste.

To be honest, 40c isn't terrible for idle temps. 70c is safe for loads temps also.

I thought it could have something to do with the thermal paste. I originally used some 4yr old Arctic Silver left over from my last build. When I removed the heatsink the paste was spread out evenly to all 4 corners of the heatsink contact and the processor. I went out and bought a fresh batch of AS5, and after I lapped the heatsink, I spread a very think layer of paste on to the entire surface of the heatsink with a piece of plastic. I then put a small dot of paste on the center of the processor. After tightening down the heatsink I check and there was just a small bead of paste visible where there heatsink and the processor meet (I can see all 4 edges of the heatsink/processor). I'm fairly confident its not the application/amount of thermal paste at this point.

I also checked to make sure it was seated properly and it is.

What worries me somewhat is the difference in temperatures between cores. Even when all 4 cores are at 0%, Core 0 is 5-7 degrees hotter than core 3.

Gooberman · 11-06-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallTexan

I thought it could have something to do with the thermal paste. I originally used some 4yr old Arctic Silver left over from my last build. When I removed the heatsink the paste was spread out evenly to all 4 corners of the heatsink contact and the processor. I went out and bought a fresh batch of AS5, and after I lapped the heatsink, I spread a very think layer of paste on to the entire surface of the heatsink with a piece of plastic. I then put a small dot of paste on the center of the processor. After tightening down the heatsink I check and there was just a small bead of paste visible where there heatsink and the processor meet (I can see all 4 edges of the heatsink/processor). I'm fairly confident its not the application/amount of thermal paste at this point.

I also checked to make sure it was seated properly and it is.

What worries me somewhat is the difference in temperatures between cores. Even when all 4 cores are at 0%, Core 0 is 5-7 degrees hotter than core 3.

I don't know if i'm right but isn't it just 1 pea size of thermal paste onto the processor none on the heatsink?

TallTexan · 11-06-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooberman

I don't know if i'm right but isn't it just 1 pea size of thermal paste onto the processor none on the heatsink?

I compensated by putting less on the processor. The layer I spread on the heatsink was just thick enough to hide the metal underneath.

Motoxrdude · 11-06-2009, 05:46 AM

eh 70c is a little toasty for me, i'd definitely work on bringing that down.

TallTexan · 11-06-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoxrdude

eh 70c is a little toasty for me, i'd definitely work on bringing that down.

I agree. I wouldn't have used the CNPS9500 AT if people weren't claiming in the reviews on Newegg (for the 1366 adapter) that they were getting idle temps in the low 30's and load temps in the 50's. on the 920. I know not everyone leaving reviews there is a genius, but you don't have to be when all you're doing is reading temperatures. So why are my temps so bad?

Gooberman · 11-06-2009, 07:00 AM

I still think you have to much, idk though

Ethan3.14159 · 11-06-2009, 07:26 AM

Yeah, sounds like too much to me. When there is too much it insulates quite a bit. About a pea size drop or less on the cpu alone should be plenty.

linkin93 · 11-06-2009, 08:07 AM

Use a small (a little less than pea sized) amount only on the CPU, then use the HSF to spread it out. don't take the HSF off or move it around too much afterwards or you'll get air bubbles.

11-06-2009, 05:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
TallTexan New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7	i7 920:Inadequate Coolering or something else? I recently built a new PC and I'm having issues with CPU cooling. I'm running a Zalman CNPS9500 AT that I had laying around on my i7 920. Processor temps are running pretty high. While I know the CNPS9500 AT is not ideal for the i7 920, I can't see why it is performing so bad at this point. I bought the 1366 adapter for it, and the reviews on Newegg were overwhelmingly positive for this heatsink/i7 combo, so thats why I'm kind of scratching my head here. Here are the temps I'm getting: You'll also notice that under little or no load, the CPU multiplier goes down to 12. It stays there until the processor has a significant load applied, then jumps up to 21 (turbo). I disabled CPU Temp Throttling and the result was that instead of just jumping between 12 and 21, the CPU multiplier hits a whole range of numbers between 12 and 21(15, 16, 18, 20, etc) but still settles down at 12 at little/no load. That could be related, or a whole different issue by itself. I know I have plenty of air circulation in the case. I'm running a Cooler Master Cosmos 2. Intake fans: 1 200mm, 1 120mm. 4 x 120mm exhaust fans. The whole front of the case is mesh, as well as the side panel with the 200mm fan. Ambient temp in the room is 75F (24C), air temp coming out of the top of the case is 78F (26C). I would think that with the CPU so hot, the temps coming out of the top of the case would be a little warmer. While under 100% load the exhaust air temp only went up to about 81F (27C). I've already tried lapping the heatsink contact and the temps didn't change at all. I'm using Artic Silver and getting good contact. Motherboard is ASRock x58 Extreme. So whats the deal here? Am I just looking at putting in a new heatsink/fan set up? I supposed I could just try that and see if the temps go down, but there are just a few things that leave me wondering if it's something else. If I do go with a different heatsink/fan, I need to be aware of the space limitation due to the 200mm fan on the inside of the side panel.

11-06-2009, 05:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bodaggit23 Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aperture Science Posts: 4,535	With adequate airflow, and a decent aftermarket cooler, it could only be that the cooler doesn't seat right, or you're using too much/little paste. To be honest, 40c isn't terrible for idle temps. 70c is safe for loads temps also. __________________ Team Stats @ ExtremeOverclocking.com Team Stats FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 CPU: i7 920 Batch#3841A525 (@3.43Ghz) Board: EVGA E758-A1 Memory: Dominator 3x2GB DDR3 1600 Hard Drive: 300GB VelociRaptor GPU: EVGA GTX260 SC Core 216 Optical: Sony Optiarc 22x DVD/CD Burner PSU: Corsair TX850W CPU Cooling: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 Primary OS: Windows Vista x64 SP2 Case: Coolermaster HAF 932

11-06-2009, 05:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Motoxrdude Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nor Cal Age: 19 Posts: 7,924	eh 70c is a little toasty for me, i'd definitely work on bringing that down. __________________ Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?

11-06-2009, 07:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gooberman Diamond Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hastings, Michigan Age: 17 Posts: 1,410	I still think you have to much, idk though __________________ Compaq Presario SR5130NX AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+ 2.01 GHz 2GB DDR2 667 MHz Evga GeForce 8500GT 22" Acer monitor Asus MB (don't know what one :) ) 200 GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 250W PSU probably made by chinese workers making like a couple dollars a week

11-06-2009, 07:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ethan3.14159 Diamond Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Age: 19 Posts: 1,692	Yeah, sounds like too much to me. When there is too much it insulates quite a bit. About a pea size drop or less on the cpu alone should be plenty. __________________ CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9950 BE MB: Asus M3N-HT 780a RAM: 4GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 800 GPU: XFX GTX 260 55nm PSU: Silverstone DA650 650 watt HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200.12 Case: Cooler Master CM 690 Pure Black Edition (1 of only 300) OS: Windows 7 Ultimate Other: Logitech G15, Microsoft Sidewinder, Logitech X-230 PM me for a Lockerz.com invite Folding for the good of mankind: Team 44358

11-06-2009, 08:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
linkin93 Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NSW, Australia Age: 16 Posts: 2,330	Use a small (a little less than pea sized) amount only on the CPU, then use the HSF to spread it out. don't take the HSF off or move it around too much afterwards or you'll get air bubbles. __________________ System CM Storm Scout - Asus P5N-E SLI - Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 3.02Ghz - 2x1GB Corsair XMS2 @ 900mhz - Sapphire HD 3870 - WD 250GB Caviar SE16 - SHAW 860W - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Perhiprials Logitech G5 Mouse - Logitech R-10 Speakers - Targus Keyboard - HP L1470 17" 1280x1024 Monitor

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