Hey everyone! I just built a new PC and I'm having some trouble with the CPU temps. I've got a Corsair 3500X case (with an extra rear fan), an i7-14700KF, an RTX 5070, a Corsair RM750e power supply, and a Cooler Master 360L AIO cooler on a Gigabyte Z790 DDR4 motherboard. However, my CPU temperatures while idling are between 50-60°C, which feels way too high for a case with good airflow. I also noticed that the fan speeds spike up randomly. When I tried playing Fortnite, the temps shot up to nearly 100°C, forcing me to shut down the PC for safety. I've heard stories about the 14th gen i7 and i9 having throttling issues, but I thought they were exaggerated with proper cooling. My main concern is with the AIO installation since it's my first time. Could there be something I missed? Any suggestions or checklists to help troubleshoot this? By the way, I noticed on boot the CPU heats up to around 68-70°C, then cools down to about 50°C. Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
Yeah, the rumors about the 14th gen CPUs having throttling issues are definitely true, especially since they have a high power draw. First thing you should do is update your BIOS. Then, double-check your AIO installation for any issues like loose fittings or incorrect thermal paste application. If everything checks out and you're still having issues, consider undervolting your CPU a bit. You definitely want to avoid hitting crazy temps during gaming.
Your temps do seem way too high. It sounds like an installation issue, possibly with your cooler. A lot of AIO coolers have a protective film on the contact surface that you need to remove before installation. Check that first! Also, make sure you applied enough thermal paste and that the cooler is properly secured. If that doesn’t help, there might be a problem with the cooler itself.
Thanks for the help man. I realized I’m just a d1 idiot and left the protective film on.