I recently upgraded my girlfriend's PC with new components, including the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and SSD, while keeping some parts from her old build. Everything seems to be running smoothly, but the CPU temps are hitting 70-85 degrees under load, especially while she's playing WoW. It has shut down unexpectedly during gameplay without any warning. I'm wondering if the high temperatures are the cause of these shutdowns. Here are my main questions:
* Could the high CPU temperature be the issue?
* Is the cooler I chose sufficient for this CPU?
* Should I try reapplying thermal paste or invest in a better cooler—she'd love a nice looking AIO cooler!
3 Answers
Did you remember to remove the plastic wrap from the cooler? Also, double-check if the pump is actually working. If it's an old cooler, it might not be functioning properly. You can usually feel for vibrations or listen for noise—if it's silent, it might need replacing.
Yeah, those temperatures could definitely lead to shutdowns, especially if it goes over 85C. Check your fan and pump settings to see if they're running at max speed; if not, you might want to adjust the curves. Reapplying thermal paste could help, too, but make sure the cooler is doing its job first!
I've got a steep fan curve set, and they often hit max speed, so I think they’re doing fine. Maybe it’s time for some new paste!
I’d suggest trying a good air cooler instead of a closed-loop setup. They sometimes have issues where the liquid doesn't cool effectively by the time it cycles back to the CPU, especially if the radiator is not placed well.
The cooler is old, so I cleaned it and can confirm there's no plastic left. But how do I check if the pump is working?