I'm experiencing really high CPU temperatures; my Intel i5-12400F is hitting 88 degrees Celsius even when it's idle. I've had my PC for a couple of years and haven't changed the thermal paste, which I'm assuming could be the issue. I still need to use my PC, though, so I'm looking for advice on how to lower the CPU temperature. Any help would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Instead of just throttling your CPU, focus on fixing the cooling issues. The best route is to replace the thermal paste and consider getting a better cooler if you're still facing problems afterward. Throttling could lead to performance issues you probably want to avoid!
Try to limit your CPU's power settings using ThrottleStop; it can help bring down those temps. Also, check the cooling setup inside your PC to see if everything's functioning properly. High CPU usage can also cause overheating, so check for any processes that might be running in the background.
How do you actually limit the power with ThrottleStop? I'm not familiar with it.
You should consider a couple of things to cool down your CPU. First, make sure your fans are running at optimal speeds and that you've got good airflow in your case. If you haven't changed your thermal paste in years, it might be time to do that too—it can really affect cooling performance!
What exactly should I look for when checking the airflow?
Yeah, I’m planning to get some thermal paste soon and maybe a better cooler after that.