I'm having a tough time getting the temperatures of my Intel CPUs under control. I've been using a 240mm Corsair AIO cooler for about two years now, and it's been acting up recently. I recently swapped out my 13700K for a 12900KF after facing stability issues. Although the stability is better now, I've noticed the CPU temperatures spike dramatically under any load. For instance, it jumps from around 30°C at idle to 60-80°C in no time. I even saw it hit 91°C during boot-up, but it quickly dropped back to idle temperatures.
I've been testing games to see how they impact the CPU temperatures, and most of them start around 70°C, so I'm worried that once the liquid in the AIO heats up, it'll always stay above 80°C. I've tried undervolting and adjusting the CPU settings in my MSI motherboard BIOS, which has helped slightly, but I'm not entirely sure what else to tweak.
Additionally, I've felt the AIO tubes while running and noticed they have a slight vibration, and only part of the radiator seems to be working effectively. This has led my friends to think my AIO might be faulty. I'm curious if this really points to an AIO problem, or could it be a thermal paste or mounting issue? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Keep an eye on your PL1/PL2 settings; if they’re set too high, your AIO might not cool effectively. Start with lower values like 253/253 to reduce thermal throttling, then play around with undervolting. And definitely check the AIO mounting and fluid condition while you’re at it!
Those temperatures you're seeing are pretty common with Intel i9 CPUs, which can draw a lot of power. If you're really pushing it, a 360mm AIO cooler might be a better fit. Many people use that setup to keep their temps down during heavy loads.
Have you thought about bumping up the pump speed in BIOS? Sometimes the setting can be a bit wacky. It's strange that it shows 0 RPM in BIOS but runs at 2800 RPM in Corsair's software. That might be worth investigating further.
Check if your AIO's screws are properly tightened. If they have springs, don’t overtighten. Also, ensure the thermal paste spreads evenly across the surface. If you have an old stock cooler, try using that for a comparison. It might help narrow down the issue.
Your temps could be within the normal range depending on your room’s ambient temperature and your case's airflow. The TjMax for the 12900KF is 100°C, so hitting around 80°C won't throttle it just yet. Do keep in mind though, consistently pushing above 85°C for long periods might not be good.
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