I've been using my Ryzen 9700X since I got it, and it consistently runs at around 90-92°C when it's at 100% usage. I have an Arctic Freezer 3 280 cooler, but it doesn't seem to bring the temperatures down significantly. Is this temperature harmful for my CPU in the long run, and should I consider undervolting it?
3 Answers
Running at 100% load is fine long-term as long as you're hitting the expected clock speeds, but those chips do get hot when pushed to their limits. Just keep an eye on it and don't hesitate to look into better cooling options if you want a little peace of mind.
Something feels off here because, with a decent cooler, I rarely see my 9700X hit above 85°C even under heavy loads. It's good that you're under 95°C, but better cooling is always preferred. Maybe evaluate your case airflow and see if that could be a factor!
According to specs, Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series CPUs are built to handle up to 95°C without significant damage. So technically, 91°C is fine. However, with your cooler, you might expect better temperatures. Have you checked the thermal paste application? It's important for effective cooling!
I checked the thermal paste and made sure the plastic cover was removed from the cooler. The only potential issue is that I installed the radiator a bit crooked due to space constraints in my case.