CPU Temps

[Sean1082]

This is not so much a thread about my cooling, as I know I am fine in that area, this is more a question about safe / comfortable operating temperatures.

The reason I say this is because right now, with it being summer, my room can get rather warm. While running games such as Bad Company 2, or any other graphically intensive game, I run just under 60, with the occasional spike to 62. Idling and doing basic tasks keep me at around 35-40.

While I know the 35-40 degree range is good, I am wondering if 60 is a reasonable operating temperature while under load, or if I should be stepping up my fan speeds.

I have a 2600k clocked at 4.4 GHz.

 

[Maguscreed]

I would keep an eye on it but the chip should hold into the 70+ range without damage. If you ever push 80 I would just shut it down or reduce the clock, then you're pushing it too far.
If 60 is as high as you are going the chip should be fine though.

 

[Sean1082]

Ya, ever since I upgraded to this new system I keep SpeedFan open when I run any game, as well as my graphics card monitoring software.

I have never seen it go above 63. It's just that SpeedFan shows little flames (if you have ever used it, you know what I mean) next to the temperature when it gets that high.

Thanks for the input!

 

[LiquidSnak]

On an intel chip 60 degrees doesn't strike me as too high. As long as it doesn't start creeping up more and more, I think you should be ok

 

[Maguscreed]

Might not hurt to stress it with prime95 or something for a bit just to make sure it's not going much higher. I've heard of people running them at 75c but I would consider that the absolute cap personally.
Aiming for right about 60 should keep you safe and keep the chip life decent.

 

[Sean1082]

It usually is 50-55 if I turn my air conditioning on. I'll look into a stress test. Thanks!

 

[Maguscreed]

yeah 50 under load is about normal for that chip.
You're overclocked so we expect it to be a bit higher.

 

[stormy13]

I have never seen it go above 63. It's just that SpeedFan shows little flames (if you have ever used it, you know what I mean) next to the temperature when it gets that high.

Just bump the top temp a couple of degrees in the config settings,



then you won't see the flame until it actually does start to get too hot. For your CPU set it to somewhere around 72°C or so,

Intel® Core

 

[Phone Man]

The I7-2600k Tcase temp is 72.6c which is the max safe running temp. Anything above that will activate the Thermal Control Circuit and it will start backing off to lower its temp and at about 130c do a Thermal Trip and shut off to avoid damage

Jim

 

[Sean1082]

Thanks for the info guys. And thanks for that info Phone Man, glad to know it has safety features like this.

 

[Maguscreed]

keep in mind the higher a constant temp you expose it to, the less it is likely to last as long. You don't really want to push those limits unless you just don't care and can replace the chip easily.

 

[Britton30]

Keep the A/C on too and speed up your fans a bit if possible for you. Cooler is always desireable.

 

[TBoyd]

This is not so much a thread about my cooling, as I know I am fine in that area, this is more a question about safe / comfortable operating temperatures.

The reason I say this is because right now, with it being summer, my room can get rather warm. While running games such as Bad Company 2, or any other graphically intensive game, I run just under 60, with the occasional spike to 62. Idling and doing basic tasks keep me at around 35-40.

While I know the 35-40 degree range is good, I am wondering if 60 is a reasonable operating temperature while under load, or if I should be stepping up my fan speeds.

I have a 2600k clocked at 4.4 GHz.

Is Intel still incorporating those nylon/plastic push-pins to secure the heatsink to the CPU on the 1155 socket motherboards? I don't trust them.

Although your temps are decent considering your overclock speed, I would consider getting one of the 3rd party heatsink/fan combinations that mounts with screws via a "X" bracket that is placed on the backside of the motherboard. It results in a more solid/tight contact between CPU & heatsink. I've had issues with the plastic/nylon pins weakening over time & my core temps began climbing. After installing the screw/bracket-type heatsink, my temps were even lower than before I started having the higher temp problems. - And they have stayed that way.

 

[Sean1082]

This is not so much a thread about my cooling, as I know I am fine in that area, this is more a question about safe / comfortable operating temperatures.

The reason I say this is because right now, with it being summer, my room can get rather warm. While running games such as Bad Company 2, or any other graphically intensive game, I run just under 60, with the occasional spike to 62. Idling and doing basic tasks keep me at around 35-40.

While I know the 35-40 degree range is good, I am wondering if 60 is a reasonable operating temperature while under load, or if I should be stepping up my fan speeds.

I have a 2600k clocked at 4.4 GHz.

Is Intel still incorporating those nylon/plastic push-pins to secure the heatsink to the CPU on the 1155 socket motherboards? I don't trust them.

Although your temps are decent considering your overclock speed, I would consider getting one of the 3rd party heatsink/fan combinations that mounts with screws via a "X" bracket that is placed on the backside of the motherboard. It results in a more solid/tight contact between CPU & heatsink. I've had issues with the plastic/nylon pins weakening over time & my core temps began climbing. After installing the screw/bracket-type heatsink, my temps were even lower than before I started having the higher temp problems. - And they have stayed that way.

They do still use the push-pins. This, and the fact I have it overclocked, is exactly why I went with this CPU cooler.

 

[TBoyd]

Way to go, Sean! Intel makes great CPUs, but their heat sink mounting system could be improved.

 

[Britton30]

That's a nice HSF Sean!

 

[pparks1]

And when the tCase temperature is mentioned, be sure to remember this isn't the core temp that all of the software applications are showing. Unfortunately, we as consumers, cannot actually monitor the tCase temp. Generally speaking, the core temps can go about 15-20 degrees over the tCase max before the tCase is reached. So, low to mid 60's on your chip is just fine as it's likely safe until 80-90.