Windows 7: Intel Q9650 temperature fluctuations.

Intel Q9650 temperature spikes.
I have a striker II formula socket 775. I just bought the CPU listed, and I put too much thermal paste and coretemp clocked my high at 80-90c. So I did it properly this time, "Thin, Grain, Horizontal"... I got a mild temperature reduction and it still spikes within 80-90C in high end games IE Metro 2033, BFBC2.

So any suggestions would be more than appreciated.



Also, I haven't updated my BIOS not once. Scared to frankly. Could my out of date BIOS be giving off wrong temperatures? If so, should I even bother flashing the BIOS?

If the processor came out after your mobo did, I'd update the bios to make sure it's understanding the processor's readings right. 80 to 90c is near boiling point of water; your processor would be toast at that temperature.

Take a look at this Q8/Q9000 series spec sheet: http://download.intel.com/design/pro...hts/318726.pdf. More specifically, page 79 Table 5-4. At maximum TDW, 74.1C is the highest safe operating temperature.

If a BIOS update doesn't help, you have a defective heatsink. Regardless if it came with the processor or not, look into getting a new one. Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 is a crowd favorite over at NewEgg.

Thank you very much Jelyman. I appreciate your help, I thought these might be the reason(s). So I'm going to Best Buy to get a temp heat sink and have the flash my BIOS. If anyone is to brick my mobo, it will be them.

If you're willing to pay for it, go ahead. Just remember they'll try to sell you an s-ton of other services. They may even tell you a virus is causing it. :P

If it isn't too late whatever you do, please DO NOT let those half trained monkeys at Geek Squad touch your computer. First they will charge you way too much for it, and second if you do make good and sure that you have anything and everything backed up as they have a bad habit of re-installing Windows for no reason.

As for flashing the bios on your motherboard, it couldn't be more simple. First go here,

Welcome to Republic Of Gamers

and download the 2402 bios. Next get out the motherboard manual (or download the PDF from the above link) and go to the section dealing with "EZ Flash 2". Flashing the bios on Asus boards is about as easy as it gets using the bios' own built in utility, all you need is the bios file and a USB key.

LOL I used to be a half-trained monkey :P (At Staples, however).