Hey folks! I've got a setup that I'm hoping to optimize a bit. Here are the specs:
- **Case & Fan Setup**: H7 Flow with 10 Fans (4 Arctic P14, 6 Arctic P12) — top and back fans are set to exhaust, the rest are intake.
- **CPU Cooler**: Dark Rock 5 using Arctic MX6 thermal paste.
- **Environment**: My room stays around 26-31°C.
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Currently, my CPU idles around 50-60°C, and when I run Prime95, it hits about 80-82°C after 5-10 minutes. I'm not looking to switch to AIO just yet since my CPU isn't super powerful.
I'd like to get my idle temperatures a bit lower if possible. I'm aware that overly low idle temps aren't great either, but any tips for reducing my CPU temperatures would be appreciated. I'm planning to reapply thermal paste since I had trouble with the cooler installation which might have affected it, but I'm hoping to knock off a few degrees overall!
3 Answers
Your idle temps seem fine considering the environment you’re in, but Prime95 is known for pushing CPUs to their limits. You might want to try reapplying the thermal paste first. There are lots of high-quality pastes out there if you decide to switch. Just be mindful that the Dark Rock series has been criticized for not delivering the best cooling for the price. If you're open to alternatives, the Thermaltake Peerless Assassin 120 SE is around $30-50 and often gets great reviews for performance.
Honestly, the Dark Rock 5 isn’t the best big air cooler out there, as you’ve already noticed. It's often outperformed by cheaper options. Your temps are actually in a reasonable zone, so don’t sweat it too much!
Right?! I think it’s good to always look for options, but your current temps aren't alarming. Just keep an eye on things and consider tweaking the cooling setup if you really want those extra degrees!
Honestly, hitting 82°C under Prime95 is pretty impressive, especially with your room at 26-31°C. For idle temps, you’re pretty much at the ambient temperature of your room. If you want to lower the idle temps, you might consider remounting your cooler and checking the paste spread. If that doesn’t help, trying a different thermal paste could make a difference. Some good options are Noctua NT-H1 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, which are excellent for regular users too. Just keep in mind that your Dark Rock 5 might not be the top performer among air coolers. You might want to check out more budget-friendly coolers like the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE.
The load temps were just for Prime95? That makes sense. I’d definitely recommend checking the paste. I’ve had good experiences with MX6, but looking into pricier options can’t hurt! Also, I've heard the Arctic Freezer 36 does well; I’m curious if anyone has long-term feedback on that.
Exactly! The load temps in Prime95 are useful, but I was primarily concerned about those idle temps. I didn’t know the DR5 had a Pro version! Has anyone had experience with the Arctic Freezer 36? I’ve heard decent things!