CPU Temp Jumps: Problem?

[Infaustium]

Since changing sinks from the Thermalright Ultra 120 to the Scythe ZIPANG, I at first noticed great temps. However, I am noticing what seems to me to be slightly higher temps and temp "jumps" that I never remember seeing.

I've been building systems for many years, but I'm not sure what the issue is here. I know the sink is mounted perfect (I double-checked), with AS5, though the sink does use push pins but it's on tight. The weather just warmed up, so that's got to be part of the idle/load temp increase, but the "jumps" seem a bit excessive.

I'm running an E6700 (stock) and idling at about 34-35C in the now hotter weather.

When loading a prog that takes more CPU power, like booting up Steam to play HL2, my temps will go up 1C every second, upwards of a 7-8C rise in temp, reaching about 42-44C max while it's loading.

I might be nuts, and that might not sound like much, but I don't remember ever seeing that kind of jump. Usually my temps were always around 35-36C max while loading anything, as far as I remember.

Could the "jumps" be due to the sink not sitting flush (even though it appears to be fine)?
Somehow not making total solid contact?
Perhaps it's the nickel plated base or the sink itself that's not cooling as well as it seemed at first, allowing for these jumps?

I'm using an Antec 120mm fan on high on the sink itself as well, with plenty of cooling in an Antec 1200 case. I never remember seeing jumps like that, upwards of 7-8C while loading anything, then slowly dropping back down.

Under load in general, I'm hitting about 44C max, but that's also higher than when using the Ultra 120, though perhaps the weather could account for this. My ambient temps are good with this case (around 38C idle, and 41C when gaming etc.).

Any ideas/suggestions?

If these jumps in temp don't really seem excessive or unusual, please let me know as well, but I never remember seeing that kind of jump, and I'm always paying attention to those types of things, using RightMark, RivaTuner etc.

Thanks!

 

[Zero82z]

The jumps are probably due to the Zipang's lower cooling ability. When you were using the Thermalright, since you're running at stock it was probably able to keep up with most of the load so you saw very small changes in temperature while under load, whereas now, this heatsink can't deal with the heat as efficiently as the Thermalright so you're seeing larger increases. It looks like perfectly normal behaviour to me.

 

[Infaustium]

Interesting... if this cooler is not as efficient as the Thermalright 120, then I suppose you could be right.

So are fast temp jumps like that something to be concerned about at all? "Harmful" at all?

Since it can jump upwards of a full 8C in seconds, even though it's max temp is not extremely hot, it's hotter than I've ever seen my E6700 get, and fast spikes like that concern me a bit.

If little spikes of that much aren't really a concern, and those temps don't seem a little too hot for an E6700 (never had a C2D get quite that hot, especially not that quick), then I wont worry about it, but I'm definitely not used to seeing this happen.

Perhaps I should switch coolers if this is a little much or abnormal, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for your input. Any more is appreciated.

 

[Zero82z]

Temperature jumps are insignificant and perfectly normal for a properly functioning CPU as its load rises and falls. The only thing you need concern yourself with is the actual temperature level and making sure it doesn't go too high, but dangerous levels for your CPU would be something like 85C which is way above what you're hitting. Basically, your PC is completely fine.

 

[evilcartman]

The jumps are probably due to the Zipang's lower cooling ability. When you were using the Thermalright, since you're running at stock it was probably able to keep up with most of the load so you saw very small changes in temperature while under load, whereas now, this heatsink can't deal with the heat as efficiently as the Thermalright so you're seeing larger increases. It looks like perfectly normal behaviour to me.

That makes sense. I notice it with my Ultima-90....if I have the Panaflo attached to it undervolted (with a fan controller), I see more temperature spikes (because the HS is not running as efficiently, I would imagine). But if I have the fan at 100%, I see less temperature spikes overall. Take it for what it's worth....

 

[Nenu]

Fast rising temps dont mean much unless your CPU is overheating and then it helps point towards cooling thats not effective enough or a sudden increase of power used by the CPU.
Theres better things to worry about