I've been using an i7-14700K for gaming, and I've noticed that it gets really hot, especially when playing CPU-intensive games like Helldivers. My 360mm AIO cooler ends up sounding like a jet engine! The temperatures are generally in the 80-90°C range, which is acceptable for this CPU. However, I'd prefer to limit turbo mode since I don't think I need it running at its full 5.5 GHz. When I switch off turbo mode, the CPU stays below 40°C for any game, but as soon as I turn it back on, it overheats. I'm currently using a Corsair H150I Cappellix cooler and a Thermalright contact frame, plus I tried some Arctic MX-6 thermal paste hoping to improve the cooling. I understand these CPUs are hot by nature, but I'm struggling with the noise of the fans being really distracting. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
The i7-14700K uses over twice the power of its competitors while gaming, often delivering fewer frames in return, which contributes to those high temperatures. Also, don't forget to update your BIOS if you haven't yet; a recent update addressed some degradation issues while on low power/idle that could help with temps.
It’s expected for Intel CPUs to run hot, especially the i7 series. If your AIO cooler sounds like a jet engine, you might be dealing with contact issues. Make sure it’s seated properly and double-check if you removed all the plastic peels. Bad fan curves or even a pump issue could be the culprit too. It could help to tweak those settings to keep things quieter while gaming.
The AIO is fairly new, so I doubt it's a contact issue. I applied the thermal paste accordingly, and if there was any plastic, it would heat up all the time, not just in certain games.
Intel CPUs tend to run hotter than AMD, which is why I switched to AMD for my builds. You may want to tweak your fan curve settings to lower their speed, which may help with noise, but keep in mind it might throttle the CPU performance sooner. Your system will find a balance between performance and temperature.
I’m definitely considering switching to AMD for my next build, but I don’t have the funds for a new motherboard and CPU right now.
I updated my BIOS recently, the last one was back in May, so I’m good there.