Hey everyone! I'm having a bit of a temperature issue. After upgrading to a new CPU and RAM in the AM4 generation, my CPU is idling at a pretty high temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius. My old CPU, the 1700, rarely exceeded 35 degrees at idle. I understand that the 5800X might draw more power, but this increase seems excessive.
Here are my specs:
- CPU: 5800X
- Cooler: Kraken X63
- RAM: 64GB DDR4 3200 MHz
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Gaming 5 AX370
- GPU: Gigabyte 2080Ti
- PSU: Corsair RM750x
- Case: NZXT S340 Elite
- Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 500GB
The liquid temperature in the Kraken sits at about 30 degrees. The cooler isn't new, so I've already removed any plastic that could have been left on. It's clear that the cooler isn't performing as it should.
I'm also curious if there's a way to track process usage over time to see if anything might be causing this issue, as the CPU doesn't stay at those high temps constantly—maybe about 75% of the time. When I run Cinebench, the temperatures peak around 90-93 degrees. Thanks for any insights!
6 Answers
60-70°C while idling is quite high, and even 90°C under load isn't great. It might be time to check your thermal paste because that can really impact cooling performance. Have you undervolted your CPU at all? That could also help with temperatures.
The 5800X is known to run hotter, but it shouldn't idle that high with a good cooler like the Kraken X63. If the thermal paste is okay, double-check that the pump is seated properly. Sometimes one of the corners isn't snug, which can cause overheating.
Those idle temps are not good. When you hit 93°C during stress tests, that could mean your cooler is failing. If the pump has issues, you might need to replace your cooler altogether. Any tips on repasting would be helpful; take some good photos if you do this!
A good option could be the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 Evo; it does a fantastic job without being too pricey.
That temperature difference between idle and liquid suggests you might have trapped air or a mounting issue with your cooler. Also, 90°C is quite high for load. Try repositioning the radiator a bit to clear any air bubbles—this has worked for me in the past!
Check if your pump is actually working—NZXT's software should be able to help with that. Moving the radiator might also solve any air trap issues. Don't forget to reapply your thermal paste; it can't hurt!
If you still have issues, consider disabling PBO in the BIOS. It can sometimes push your CPU too hard and generate unnecessary heat, especially if your cooling isn't optimal.
Yeah, that might explain the difference between coolant and CPU temps. I'll check it out tomorrow and if it doesn't improve, I'll consider getting a different cooler.