Hey folks! I recently built a new PC in March with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and I'm facing a major issue: my CPU temperature spikes above 90°C during gaming at 4K and even when using Handbrake for video conversion. My GPU, which is an RTX 4080, stays quite cool, rarely hitting 80°C. I've monitored the temps using different software; MSI Center shows normal readings (around 60-65°C), but HWMonitor indicates much higher values (90°C+). I've attached some screenshots of the temperature readings while playing 'The Alters' at maximum settings. Previously, I used a Ryzen 5 5600X with the same GPU and never had this overheating problem. My current CPU cooler is the Cooler Master Masterliquid Atmos 360, but I'm wondering if I should switch it out, replace the thermal paste, or adjust my case fan setup. Living in a hot climate with temperatures around 33°C lately and expected to rise, I'm a bit worried about how to keep my CPU cool. Any thoughts on what I should do?
5 Answers
Start by confirming the high temps with multiple monitoring tools. If they all show similar high temps, check your pump's connection and functionality—sometimes the fans are working, but the pump isn’t!
It's possible your AIO setup might be pushing hot air back into the CPU cooler. Maybe try to set it as an intake rather than exhaust. While you're at it, double-check your BIOS settings for any voltage overrides. Sometimes these settings can lead to overheating!
I've dealt with that before! Ensure the mounting bracket is secure and reapply the thermal paste properly. Checking that plastic cover on the heatsink is a good idea too! If you really want to bring those temps down, consider undervolting your CPU and tweaking the expo voltages. It works wonders!
Thanks for the tips! I've never tried undervolting, but I'll definitely look into it. And do you have any recommendations for good thermal paste?
It sounds like you've got some overheating issues going on, especially with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D paired with a 360mm AIO cooler. Make sure you properly connected the pump and that it's set to run at maximum when the CPU heats above 75°C. Also, did you remove the protective plastic film from the cooler's heatsink? That could cause issues with heat transfer!
I did remove the plastic before installation and used the thermal paste template. I'm hoping it's just a thermal paste application issue.
I definitely recommend repasting your CPU. Use a decent application method for the thermal paste. Each time I've had high temps, repasting helped significantly!
Not sure that's a great idea! Generally, you want the AIO to exhaust hot air out of the case.