I've been struggling with my CPU temperatures for a while now, and it's really frustrating. I've made sure everything is updated, including my BIOS, chipset, and graphics drivers. I've even undervolted my CPU to -0.135v. Still, my 12th gen i7 12700k won't sit below 50°C, and when I run any demanding processes, like games or Cinebench, the temps shoot up past 90°C! I've also reapplied thermal paste twice and remounted my cooler, which is an Enermax Liqmax III 360. I'd appreciate any advice on troubleshooting this issue!
5 Answers
I noticed reviews for the Enermax Liqmax III 360 indicate possible pump failures after a couple of years, which could lead to degraded cooling. Since you've remounted it multiple times already, it could be time to consider getting a different cooler.
It sounds like you may need to apply new thermal paste and reinstall the cooler properly. Have you tried that yet?
If your CPU never drops below 50°C, it sounds like your cooler might not be installed correctly. Make sure it's mounted tightly against the CPU. If it's loose at all, you won’t get effective cooling.
My 9800X3D idles in the high 40s and only hits low 60s while gaming. Shouldn’t yours be lower?
I've already reinstalled it and reapplied the paste twice.
You might want to reapply the thermal paste again.
I’ve done that already.
What CPU cooler are you using? Also, hitting 90°C on Cinebench isn't overly surprising, but if your idle is always above 50°C, there might be an issue with the cooler's installation.
I love how this is the only comment asking about the CPU cooler!
Yes, I've reinstalled and reapplied the paste.