I have an MSI pre-built desktop with a 3060 12GB graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and an Intel i5 11400F processor, all air-cooled. When I'm playing my main game, BeamNG, and other demanding games, the CPU temperature reaches up to 80 degrees Celsius. I've noticed that the system reduces the CPU's performance to keep it from getting too hot, with the boost frequency dropping from around 4.2GHz to about 3.6-3.7GHz. Should I be concerned about this temperature, or is it normal? Should I consider changing the thermal paste?
2 Answers
Running at 80 degrees during heavy use is pretty typical for many systems, especially with stock coolers. If you're planning to change the thermal paste, it might not hurt, but it's not the top priority unless you're consistently hitting 90°C or more. Keeping an eye on the temperatures with a monitoring tool is always a good idea!
The i5 11400F can handle temperatures up to 100°C, so hitting 80°C shouldn't cause the CPU to start throttling itself. It might be worth checking if your BIOS settings have been adjusted by the manufacturer. Also, what kind of cooler are you using? If you can find out, it could help determine if it's performing as it should.
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