I've got an Intel i9-13900K paired with a Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L AIO cooler, which I believed would keep temperatures under control. However, while playing CS2, I notice my frame rates start strong at over 400 FPS but then crash down to around 50 FPS after some time. Checking the temperatures, I'm seeing the CPU hit about 95-100°C, which I suspect means thermal throttling is happening, leading to noticeable stuttering. I've ensured the cooler is correctly installed, the pump and fans are functioning, thermal paste looks good, and my case has adequate airflow. Is this typical behavior for the i9-13900K under heavy load? Should I consider undervolting it or adjusting the BIOS power settings?
2 Answers
You might want to clarify what 'a bit of time' means. Water cooling can struggle during long gaming sessions, as it can take too long for the liquid to dissipate heat once it gets hot. For intense sessions, a larger radiator really might be necessary as it can perform great in short bursts but can fall short over extended gaming periods.
It sounds like an AIO with a bigger radiator could help. If you feel comfortable, undervolting could also be a good approach. Another idea is using tools like ThrottleStop to limit your CPU's clock speed as a temporary fix, though that will impact performance. Also, ThrottleStop can help you undervolt your Intel CPU if you decide to go that route.
Would getting a Ryzen 9 9950X3D instead just eliminate these problems altogether?
I typically game for about 1-2 hours at a time. That could definitely explain the issues.