my phenom ii 965 is idling at about 46C and up to 50C. It's overclocked to 3.8Ghz with 1.47v, but still was about the same at stock. I'm using Asetek 550LC Liquid CPU Cooling System or a very similar model (I got it from Ibuypower about 3 years ago.) After looking around this seems pretty hot for it and I was wondering if I should just replace the cpu cooler?
Overclocking is extremely riskful. Could also cause some major problems. I suggest reseting the overclock to default settings. Also make sure your cooler system is on the CPU all the way. Just some simple suggestions.
-Justin
I'm aware of the risks, I'm going to check the thermal paste (if it has any?) and if it's not that I'll get a new cpu cooler
If there was no thermal paste at all, then it would freeze at the BIOS loading screen. Because it would be overheating so much. Atleast that is what happened to me on my old computer.
-Justin
yeah normally it would, but I read somewhere that you don't use thermal paste with this since it's liquid cooling, but that doesn't sound right to me
When my brother was using liquid cooling he said you do still need thermal paste. So yes use thermal paste.
-Justin
YES, YES you still need thermal paste, The metal in contact, (the cpu and cooler) have no idea if you are water cooled or air cooled. All the know is if their is proper full contact and is heat being transfer. Have you load tested using Prime 95 and see what temps you get? Don't do this if you don't have thermal paste applied properly.
Take a look here.
Arctic Silver, Inc. - Instructions
The thermal paste lost its effectiveness when I got my new motherboard a few days ago. I replaced it with a True Spirit 140 with Arctic silver 5 paste and since then them temps rarely go over 35c under load.
I have a 2500k but I'm sure it'll just as effective with your AMD.
Highly recommend proper removal and a re-application of quality thermal paste and I stress quality. Please remember less is more and to wiggle and squeeze it into place and then tighten with equal pressure. Also allow the new compound to seat for at least a day at regular temps before hitting it with a full OC. I used to use the single lentil size drop in the center but it always caused a oblong smear. I now prefer to use a small single dot with four dots in a square around the center dot, squeeze it into place with some twists and then tighten with nice even pressure.
That is a pretty high idle temp for an AMD CPU. I have never used one, but have heard that Asetek makes some fairly good coolers. I believe they make the Corsair Hydro series coolers. I would suggest following some of the advice given above and completely clean the CPU and heatsink of old paste and re apply a good quality paste in a proper manner. If that does not solve your problem, I would consider a better cooler or air flow set up in the case. And as has been said above, liquid or air need the same thermal paste, it makes no difference.
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