i7 920:Inadequate Coolering or something else?

T

TallTexan

New Member
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:

temps.jpg


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.
 
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.
 
Bodaggit23 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Motoxrdude said:
eh 70c is a little toasty for me, i'd definitely work on bringing that down.
Click to expand...
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?
 
TallTexan said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
Gooberman said:
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?
Click to expand...
I compensated by putting less on the processor. The layer I spread on the heatsink was just thick enough to hide the metal underneath.
 
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.
 
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.
 
only went with a rice grain sized amount on the processor to compensate for the thin layer I spread on the heatsink.
 
Ethan3.14159 said:
What part of "only a bit on the CPU" don't you get?
Click to expand...
Lemme see. I put a "pea size" blob of thermal paste on the CPU, attach the heatsink which spreads it out evenly (hopefully), or I apply a much smaller than "pea size" amount to the heatsink, spread it evenly until it's a thin film, and then apply an equally much smaller amount to the CPU knowing it spread out and knowing that combined I've used less than a "pea size" amount. And the difference is? Keep the attitude to yourself, thanks.
 
the 'Pea size' technique is a bit flawed:
timbeforespread.jpg


if you put a layer on the cpu and another on the heatsink even though you compensated it might still be too much since its 2 layers. Just reseat the heatsink just incase
 
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