I have a gaming PC that was built in 2023. It handled games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Farming Simulator 19 without problems, although a few months ago the games started lagging and the whole system became sluggish. Running updates helped for a while.
The last time I used the computer, I restarted it after printing, and a warning briefly appeared saying something like "CPU hot." It only stayed on screen for about 10 seconds. I assumed the unusually warm weather might have caused it, but the same warning appeared again today when I restarted the PC after cleaning it with an air blower and uninstalling an anti-piracy application.
The warning seems to appear only during that restart stage. Monitoring software also showed the CPU reaching around 88°C while I was only running updates, which makes me concerned that it may get dangerously hot during gaming. I'm not sure what type of CPU cooler is installed because a friend built the PC. Should I replace the thermal paste, reseat the cooler, or check something else first?
3 Answers
A warning that appears during startup should not be ignored, even if the computer seems usable afterward. Enter the firmware hardware-monitor screen and watch the CPU temperature at idle. If it climbs rapidly toward the high 80s or 90s without doing anything, shut the PC down and fix the cooler before continuing. Also avoid blowing compressed air while allowing fans to spin freely, since overspinning them can damage the bearings; hold the blades still while cleaning.
Around 88°C during updates is definitely warmer than expected, and the CPU could be reaching its thermal limit under gaming load. Stop gaming until you identify the cause. First check that the CPU cooler fan or pump is running, that the cooler is firmly mounted, and that no protective film was left on the cooler base. Replacing the thermal paste and reseating the cooler would be a sensible next step, but make sure the temperatures are measured with a reliable monitoring tool rather than relying only on the brief startup warning.
The correct fix depends on the cooler. With a standard air cooler, dust buildup, a loose mounting bracket, or dried-out thermal paste can cause this, so cleaning, reseating, and repasting may solve it. With an all-in-one liquid cooler, check whether the pump is detected and whether the radiator fans are spinning. A failed pump or air trapped in the wrong part of the loop can also cause rapid overheating.
I don’t know which cooler is installed, since a friend put the system together. I’ll need to inspect it and check whether it has a fan or a pump.