I've been thinking about upgrading my GPU, but I noticed that my Ryzen 9 5900X CPU is maxing out at 100% usage in some games. I've also observed my CPU is reaching its throttling point at 90 degrees Celsius, which seems like a potential issue. When I ran Cinebench 2024, I got a single-core score of around 90, which is about average, but my multi-core score was only around 600. Most online scores show I should be getting much better results. Could the thermal throttling be causing my low scores, or is there something else at play? I'm considering getting better cooling for my CPU, or maybe cleaning my existing cooler, but I've heard mixed reviews about its design. For context, I'm using a CyberPowerPC DEEPCOOL Castle 120EX ARGB 120mm AIO cooler, and I've got an adequate case setup. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
It’s a good idea to check your task manager to spot any background processes hogging your CPU. If you haven’t done that yet, give it a shot while running Cinebench to see if anything pops up. Sometimes, unexpected processes can lead to these performance drops.
It sounds like your 120mm AIO cooler just isn't cutting it. A lot of users have issues with those, especially under heavy loads. Have you considered switching to a larger air cooler? The Thermalright Phantom Spirit is a great option and should fit well in your build. You might see a significant improvement in your temperatures and performance.
That's a good suggestion! Larger coolers generally have better heat dissipation, which could help with your throttling problems.
Honestly, a 120mm AIO can often cause more problems than it solves. If you can, upgrading to a more robust cooler would likely do wonders for your CPU performance.
I just did a Cinebench test with a couple of background apps running, and it looks like nothing else was using up my CPU apart from Cinebench. I'm still seeing those low numbers though.