I've been dealing with an overheating CPU for a while without realizing it. Recently, I applied some new thermal paste (Arctic MX 6) and cleaned everything up, ensuring that all components were seated properly and that I used enough paste. After this, the CPU temperature dropped to around 60°C initially, but then it surged back up to 85-95°C again while idle. I even turned off turbo mode in the BIOS, which helped a bit, but it's still too hot. I don't have much knowledge about PC hardware, so I'm looking for advice on whether I need a new CPU or if there's something else I should check.
4 Answers
Update! After following some suggestions, my temperatures are much better now—40°C at idle and 83°C under load instead of hitting 90°C while idle. Thanks so much for all the help! Hopefully, I won’t need to revisit this issue!
You should definitely check the cooler you're using. It's important to know whether it's properly mounted and what model it is. If you're having trouble identifying it, maybe look up the model number on the Thermaltake website. Also, updating your BIOS could help improve temperatures if your motherboard supports it!
It sounds like the CPU cooler might be the problem. Have you checked if your CPU cooler is working properly? Sometimes, it's not just the thermal paste; the cooler itself might not be making good contact, or it could be ineffective. Also, make sure your case has good airflow! You need proper circulation to keep those temps down.
The fans are working and airflow seems adequate!
Reviewing your setup, try to ensure that your cooler's mounting hardware is secured well. If there's any looseness, it could affect thermal performance badly. And if you can, consider borrowing another cooler to see if that helps with the heat issue, especially since your i7-11700K is powerful and needs effective cooling!
It's a Thermaltake cooler, but I’m not sure of the exact model yet. I'm still searching for that info.