Hey everyone! I've been facing some serious heat issues with my CPU (i7 13700KF) lately, especially with this hot weather we're having here in the UK. It reaches around 100°C when I'm gaming, like while playing War Thunder and STALKER 2. I've ordered new thermal paste and an AIO cooler because my current Peerless Assassin 120 isn't cutting it. My question is, can I still play these games for the next couple of days while I wait for that new gear to arrive, or is it better to just hold off? Also, what should I check to make sure my CPU hasn't suffered any damage from these high temperatures? I've got HWiNFO to monitor it. Here's a link to my CPU stats: [HWiNFO](https://imgur.com/a/eRATsnr).
5 Answers
Definitely look into undervolting or downclocking your CPU during these hot months. There are plenty of guides on YouTube that can help. Sure, you’ll sacrifice a bit of performance, but it’ll really help with temperatures and prolong the lifespan of your hardware.
You should be okay to use your PC at 100°C for a short time, as your CPU has built-in protections that will throttle performance to prevent damage. While it won’t cause immediate harm to your CPU, you might notice a drop in performance, especially in intense gaming sessions. Also, the Peerless Assassin 120 isn't the best cooler for your 13700KF, so that's something to consider for future upgrades. By the way, are you using any software to limit frame rates? V-Sync can help reduce CPU workload and keep temps down.
Wow, I didn’t know the Peerless Assassin wasn’t enough. I’ve got one for my 12900K and it does the job well!
The 13700KF has a maximum junction temperature (TjMax) of 100°C, and it’s designed to throttle performance at that point to protect itself. Running at 100°C regularly could accelerate degradation, especially if you don't have the latest BIOS. Consider setting a lower TjMax in your BIOS to help with throttling at cooler temps.
I dealt with an i7-8700K running at 100°C for over six months and nothing bad happened. CPUs are tougher than we think, but it’s still not ideal to run at such high temps.
Yeah, I’ve had a similar experience with my older CPU – sometimes they just keep going!
Are you serious? Six months? That’s bonkers!
Using it at those temps can definitely affect the lifespan of your CPU in the long run. Sure, it may not fail immediately, but spending extended periods at 100°C isn't ideal. It seems to be a cooling issue from your current setup, so your decision to upgrade to an AIO is wise! Just make sure to keep an eye on it while you wait.
Yeah, I feel your pain! I try to keep mine below 90°C and just take breaks when it gets close.
I can totally relate; my setup makes my whole room heat up, which makes it hard to keep the temps down!
I used my laptop at 95°C for months without issues, but I wouldn't recommend it. Just saying!