I'm having a serious overheating issue with my Intel i9-10900K processor. Under load, all cores are hitting 95–100°C, which is activating thermal throttling. The setup includes a Corsair H150 RGB 360mm AIO, running at full speed but failing to cool things down. During light use, temperatures are around 45–50°C but spike disproportionately under load, hitting 100°C even at moderate power levels like 60–70W.
I've had a couple of technicians look at it without conclusive results, so I started troubleshooting on my own. I noticed the pump was set to DC mode in BIOS, and switching to PWM helped drop the temp from 99°C to 56°C. I also fixed the pump cable connection, applied thermal paste several times, and adjusted various BIOS settings but the issues persist.
My current readings show temps around 97–100°C with high loads and only moderately better temps during idle or light gaming. I'm wondering if there's something I'm overlooking or any other solutions anyone might suggest?
4 Answers
Sounds like those technicians missed a few crucial points. First off, I recommend swapping your cooler out for something like the Peerless Assassin 120. It's super affordable and could solve the problem right away. Also, don't forget to apply fresh thermal paste, as that can make a huge difference!
Have you considered testing a different cooler? Your current AIO might be clogged or defective. It could lead to the high temperatures you're seeing.
That’s on my list! I’ll try swapping it out as a last resort.
The MSI MPG Z490 Carbon EK X has a unique layout. If you’re using a standard AIO, there could be mechanical interference affecting cooling. Make sure the pump isn’t hitting any VRM components—and when you check the paste after removing the cooler, confirm it’s evenly spread. Also, don’t forget to connect the USB cable to control pump speeds properly.
Great insight! I actually checked the thermal paste—it's spread perfectly and not too thick. Also, I just realized the USB cable was never connected to the motherboard. I’ll plug that in and retest.
Check that thermal paste application! It should be even and not dried out. If you’ve done that already, a new cooler might be necessary.
I did mention that I reapplied the thermal paste several times, so I don’t think that’s the issue.
The cheapest I've found that cooler for is $63 in my area, so I’m exploring other fixes first.