Windows 7 - i5 2500k NH-D14 temperatues - Are they too high?

hopelessitguy · 09-03-2011

Ok i have recently built my new, and first, rig. Had a little trouble with some software issues but the great guys here helped handle that. So i thought i would see if more help could be recieved.

With i5 2500k, nh-d14 and a corsair 600t white case i am experiencing idle temperatures of about 36/37 to about 40 ( C ). Now i am new to the whole thing but thought they would be lower as i had people telling me it would be kept very cool. When i ran Prime 95 for 10minutes the temp was at 51-53.

So are these normal, or is this high? I was wanting to OC, but these are just stock temps. Im trying to know if i have installed it correctly (more about the paste part as i had not done it before. i dont believe i put too much paste on.

Any advice would be much appriciated.

Sardonicus · 09-03-2011

Those are pretty good temps, well within the safe range.
You may be able to get temps lower, depending on fan placement and setup, thermal compound and how it was applied, and other variables like room temperature.
But, well within the safe range.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_ap...on_method.html

linnemeyerhere · 09-03-2011

Those temps fall inline with what I've heard and read.

Punkster · 09-03-2011

Hello there, Mate!

Well, let me explain something first: the CPU temps are really (i mean, REALLY) variable and it takes a lot of factors to realize if it is a cool temperature. These are the most important variables:

1) Room/Ambient temps. These temps are really important in your investigation.
2) Airflow inside your case. Front and side of the case = intake, rear and upper side of the case = exhaust
3) NH-D14 configuration. right fan = intake, left fan = exhaust.

Did you check all those?

hopelessitguy · 09-03-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by p5bdkw

Those are pretty good temps, well within the safe range.
You may be able to get temps lower, depending on fan placement and setup, thermal compound and how it was applied, and other variables like room temperature.
But, well within the safe range.

Arctic Silver Incorporated - Home

I am fine with it if it is said to be fine. my concern was obviously that of a new builder that i didnt want to cook my stuff.

Also i ran CPU-Z and it says that my cpu is only running at 1605.5Mhz (x16 100Mhz). is this because its ina idle power saving mode or something, or will it always be like that?

Quote: Originally Posted by Punkster

Hello there, Mate!

Well, let me explain something first: the CPU temps are really (i mean, REALLY) variable and it takes a lot of factors to realize if it is a cool temperature. These are the most important variables:

1) Room/Ambient temps. These temps are really important in your investigation.
2) Airflow inside your case. Front and side of the case = intake, rear and upper side of the case = exhaust
3) NH-D14 configuration. right fan = intake, left fan = exhaust.

Did you check all those?

1 - my clock says its 24/15 degrees in my room (i dont know how reliable that is tho, but weather outside house is 19 apparantly)
2 - Air flow isall stock fans for 600t (200mm fan intake at front, 200mm top exhaust, 120mm rear exhaust)
3 - the noctua fans seem like they are installed correctly. front facing, the right fan is sucking in, the middle fan seems to be pulling in same direction to blow out the back.

Punkster · 09-03-2011

Quote:

Also i ran CPU-Z and it says that my cpu is only running at 1605.5Mhz (x16 100Mhz). is this because its ina idle power saving mode or something, or will it always be like that?

Yes. Intel SpeedStep causes this, it's ok, you can disable it but it won't give you any increase in performance.

Well, apparently everything is ok, so... as linnemeyerhere said: those temps should fall inline with time. do you have a lot of time with this configuration?

hopelessitguy · 09-03-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Punkster

Quote:

Also i ran CPU-Z and it says that my cpu is only running at 1605.5Mhz (x16 100Mhz). is this because its ina idle power saving mode or something, or will it always be like that?

Yes. Intel SpeedStep causes this, it's ok, you can disable it but it won't give you any increase in performance.

Well, apparently everything is ok, so... as linnemeyerhere said: those temps should fall inline with time. do you have a lot of time with this configuration?

Does this mean do i intend on using these parts for a long time? yes i do have alot of time to spend with this set up

Sardonicus · 09-03-2011

Heat kill components. The cooler they are, the longer they'll last.
People drop temps a few degrees more by applying AS5 and using their instructions.
It's a good thing that your processor idles running at 1.6 Ghz. That saves power and produces less heat.
When the processor needs to kick up to 3.3 GHz, it will.
When I play a game, mine jumps to and stays at 3.4 GHz.

Seems like you can get the CPU temps lower considering the room temps you posted.

Punkster · 09-03-2011

Nono, what i meant was:

When did you put the Noctua NH-D14 in your case? because it normally takes up to 200hrs of PC use for the Thermal Paste/Compound to break in correctly.

Sardonicus · 09-03-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Punkster

Nono, what i meant was:

When did you put the Noctua NH-D14 in your case? because it normally takes up to 200hrs of PC use for the Thermal Paste/Compound to break in correctly.

Punkster, has a good point. You do have to allow time for the paste to cure.