I've noticed that my Intel Core i5-12400F is consistently running at 100°C, which seems pretty high. I recently checked the clock speed on MSI Afterburner, and it shows my CPU running at around 1997 MHz. Given this info, I'm wondering if I should invest in a better cooler or if the performance increase wouldn't be noticeable compared to using the stock cooler I have. What should I do?
3 Answers
You should definitely be getting better temps from the stock cooler. How's your case airflow? Do you have intake and exhaust fans set up? If it's throttling hard, your cooler might need better air circulation, or it could be mounted improperly. A new cooler may be necessary if the issue persists.
The Intel stock cooler is rated for 65W, which is suitable for a 65W CPU. But your 12400F can boost up to 117W, which means a better cooler is a must if you want it to perform optimally at higher speeds—like reaching that boost of 4.4 GHz. You might want to consider an upgrade if you plan on pushing your CPU's capabilities.
Wow, 100°C is really high for a CPU, even when idling! What cooler are you using right now? Sometimes it's just something simple like forgetting to remove a protective layer from the cooler. If that's not the case, I'd recommend checking out the Thermalright Peerless Assassin. It's highly rated and affordable, especially if you're considering an upgrade.
I'm using a stock Intel cooler, and I did make sure to remove any protective covers when I re-pasted it.
I've got three fans at the front for intake and one at the rear for exhaust. I ran them all at 100% yesterday to ensure there's enough airflow.