• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Processor temperature question..

Magicskrew

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
89
So, I've been over clocking my core i7 920 processor and so far I have it at 3.4g.

However, just idling it is sitting between 54c-56c.

My friend suggested that this is a little hot for just idling and that it could be a possible heatsink issue.

My question is, is this hot for an i7 920 processor??
 
1. What is your ambient temperature?
2. What is your Vcore voltage set to?
3. Are you using the stock fan or an aftermarket heatsink?
 
Sounds like he has the stock cooler still.

55c does seem a little hot for idling, but it's still way below the thermal limit of the CPU, which means that worrying about idle temps is a bit pointless. How hot does it become under load? THAT is what you need to worry about.
 
You could have a dust bunny or intermittent short at the back of the board or a loose wire in the power cable that flickers from vibration
 
You could have a dust bunny or intermittent short at the back of the board or a loose wire in the power cable that flickers from vibration

very doubtful.. mid 50's is about right with the stock cooler.. the only temp that really matters is the full load temp..
 
My C0 i7 at 3.6GHz, 1.32Vcore does around 65 on full load with a TRUE, about 35C above ambient.
 
The OP is using a stock heatsink. For that I would not be surprised to see 75C to 80C full load temps at 3.5GHz
 
I'm actually using the cogage tru-spirit heat sync. I have remounted it like srsly 5-6 times and its extremely solid on there...however, i have OC turned off and at 2.6g its running anywhere from 48-53 degrees idling.. Is it a possible thermal compound issue?

At first I thought it was too much but then I evened it out so maybe now i have too little?

The entire rig is brand new

I just want it OC enough to stop the bottle neck on my 5870

Edit: Just ran prime95 under stock settings and temp got into the 100s..
 
Last edited:
Your idle temps are really high. We need to know your ambient temps to determine what is at least a realistic idle temp for you, but I don't think your room is at 40C's either.
Shoot some photos of how you're applying the thermal paste and how you're mounting it. However, your load temps tell me that it's just not getting good contact. See if you can move the heatsink just be pushing with your finger.
 
Last edited:
Sorry for that mistake. Too many similar threads. 100C is definitely bad. Are you running at stock voltage?
 
I'm actually using the cogage tru-spirit heat sync. I have remounted it like srsly 5-6 times and its extremely solid on there...however, i have OC turned off and at 2.6g its running anywhere from 48-53 degrees idling.. Is it a possible thermal compound issue?
What thermal compound are you using? The True spirit is (sort of) comaprable to the TRUE, yet I get about 10C above ambient on idle.

Edit: Just ran prime95 under stock settings and temp got into the 100s..
Not good. Not good at all.


Just a question, what are you using to monitor your temperatures?
 
What thermal compound are you using? The True spirit is (sort of) comaprable to the TRUE, yet I get about 10C above ambient on idle.


Not good. Not good at all.


Just a question, what are you using to monitor your temperatures?

I'm using core temp to monitor atm
 
50C on a TRUE spirit is way off from what it should be.. idle should be in the mid to high 30's or low 40's at the worst.. either the thermal compound is not spreading across the entire cpu or there is something else wrong like the motherboard setting the voltages way to high..


also just to see if its coretemp thats wrong.. try running real temp and see if its showing different numbers then coretemp..
 
ok so for core temp im anywhere from 45-48. Real temp im 43-45 and speed fan 30-35. I redid the thermal compound with artic silver 5.

According to CPU-Z my core voltage is varying from .96 - 1.1
 
What is a normal full load temp for a core i7 920 @ 3.5??

It depends on the 1) heatsink 2) ambient temperature 3) Vcore voltage.

That being said, my C0 overclocked to 3.8GHz shows load temperatures of ~75-77*C underneath a TRUE-120.
 
Try laying your PC down on its side and pressing down on the top of the heatsink (not too hard) to give it some extra mounting pressure. See if that improves your temps.
 
Anyone know have any ideas?
1) Reseat heatsink
2) Make sure you use good-quality paste
3) Get a bigger fan which pushes a lot more air.
4) Run it without a case, or alternatively, make sure your case has good airflow
5) Make sure the temps are correct, and CoreTemp isn't lying to you.
 
ok so for core temp im anywhere from 45-48. Real temp im 43-45 and speed fan 30-35. I redid the thermal compound with artic silver 5.

According to CPU-Z my core voltage is varying from .96 - 1.1

go with real temp then.. that one i know for sure is correct..

also id go with what zero said.. are you using the bolt thru kit or are you just using the standard push pin mounting?
 
I just looked up that Cogage True Spirit, it looks like a knock-off of the original Thermalright Ultra-120, which should be more than adequate to get a decent overclock out of an i7 920. There is no way you should be getting temps in the 100s. I agree with Zero82z's suggestion, definitely test the mounting pressure. How is the heatsink mounted? By pushpins into the motherboard or does it have a backplate? If you're using pushpins, grab one of these bad boys - http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-LGA1366-Bolt-Thru-Kit-Retail-BOX-pr-4323.html (they're compatible) as well as a 1" washer from your local hardware store and re-install the heatsink. Unfortunately, because tower heatsinks like these are so big, you really need a ton of mounting pressure to get a good fit, especially in an upright case.

Also, a few other things to check:
How much AS5 are you using? You only need less than a bead of rice.
Is the fan on PWM? How's the flow? Have you tried it on full blast?
What Vcore are you running? Try it on stock.
What are temps like on the stock chip (stock speed/stock vcore)?
 
I just looked up that Cogage True Spirit, it looks like a knock-off of the original Thermalright Ultra-120, which should be more than adequate to get a decent overclock out of an i7 920. There is no way you should be getting temps in the 100s. I agree with Zero82z's suggestion, definitely test the mounting pressure. How is the heatsink mounted? By pushpins into the motherboard or does it have a backplate? If you're using pushpins, grab one of these bad boys - http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-LGA1366-Bolt-Thru-Kit-Retail-BOX-pr-4323.html (they're compatible) as well as a 1" washer from your local hardware store and re-install the heatsink. Unfortunately, because tower heatsinks like these are so big, you really need a ton of mounting pressure to get a good fit, especially in an upright case.

Also, a few other things to check:
How much AS5 are you using? You only need less than a bead of rice.
Is the fan on PWM? How's the flow? Have you tried it on full blast?
What Vcore are you running? Try it on stock.
What are temps like on the stock chip (stock speed/stock vcore)?

its not a knock off.. its actually designed by thermalright but sold under the cogage name.. hence the TRUE label in the name..
 
Ok so I turned my case on its side and pushed down on the heat sink. Nothing changed temperature wise. I even, for a 5th time, re did it including artic silver. I followed multiple videos protocol on this. Same temperature.

So I decided to try something different. I installed the stock heat sink that came with the core i7 920. temperatures are now from 32-38degrees and when i run prime 95 hottest it gets is 55-57..

So I guess that means this heat sink is bad right? I am 90% sure I installed it right.

What are the chances of getting decent temps with the stock cooling and OC to 3.3 or 3.4??

Also any other suggestions would be great

I should add that I do intend to upgrade this as fast as possible.

EDIT: When I put my comp back upright with the stock cooling it is now 40-43 degrees. It's still better than the cogage.. I am baffled tbh
 
Last edited:
i just put together a similar setup, i7 920 and same cooler, using the bolt through kit . i am getting 38-42 idle and 68-70 under prime 95. i would think temps should be better as well (no OC yet) here is a pic of how its setup, top and rear case fan are Scythe S-FLEX medium, cpu fan is at 100% and antec tricool on low for intake. going to redo thermal paste when i have time ( did the line like on arctic silver site but i think i may have moved it around too much during install )




Mr. K6 - why do you need a 1" washer with the bolt thought kit ??
 
Mr. K6 - why do you need a 1" washer with the bolt thought kit ??

For pressure, to make sure the back plate/cooler is on tight and stays tight.

I think around 3.1 - 3.3 with stock cooler is possible, if not pushing it. I would recommend getting the Corsair H50, or a true True <---hehe pun intended.
 
Ok so I turned my case on its side and pushed down on the heat sink. Nothing changed temperature wise. I even, for a 5th time, re did it including artic silver. I followed multiple videos protocol on this. Same temperature.

So I decided to try something different. I installed the stock heat sink that came with the core i7 920. temperatures are now from 32-38degrees and when i run prime 95 hottest it gets is 55-57..

So I guess that means this heat sink is bad right? I am 90% sure I installed it right.

What are the chances of getting decent temps with the stock cooling and OC to 3.3 or 3.4??

Also any other suggestions would be great

I should add that I do intend to upgrade this as fast as possible.

EDIT: When I put my comp back upright with the stock cooling it is now 40-43 degrees. It's still better than the cogage.. I am baffled tbh


sounds to me you have more of an issue with the cooling in the case.. or theres something up with the pushpins not fitting correctly and are quite loose.. are you using the push pins with the cogage? or using the bolt thru kit?



i just put together a similar setup, i7 920 and same cooler, using the bolt through kit . i am getting 38-42 idle and 68-70 under prime 95. i would think temps should be better as well (no OC yet) here is a pic of how its setup, top and rear case fan are Scythe S-FLEX medium, cpu fan is at 100% and antec tricool on low for intake. going to redo thermal paste when i have time ( did the line like on arctic silver site but i think i may have moved it around too much during install )




Mr. K6 - why do you need a 1" washer with the bolt thought kit ??



your temps are perfectly fine.



For pressure, to make sure the back plate/cooler is on tight and stays tight.

I think around 3.1 - 3.3 with stock cooler is possible, if not pushing it. I would recommend getting the Corsair H50, or a true True <---hehe pun intended.



obviously you failed to read the review about the cogage TRUE spirit.. theres almost no difference between it and the TRUE temp wise..
 
I can't tell from the pictures, but if you are mounting it with the pushpins, it could be that one of them is not pushed in all the way, which severely hampers the thermal interface between the CPU and heatsink. Check to make sure that when you're mounting the cooler, all the pushpins are firmly in place (check the back of the motherboard). I'd still go for the bolt-through kit though. The washer goes on top of the heatsink, but under the clamp for the bolt-through kit. It adds more pressure to the mount, which keep the heatsink firmly in place, especially in a vertical case.
 
I can't tell from the pictures, but if you are mounting it with the pushpins, it could be that one of them is not pushed in all the way, which severely hampers the thermal interface between the CPU and heatsink. Check to make sure that when you're mounting the cooler, all the pushpins are firmly in place (check the back of the motherboard). I'd still go for the bolt-through kit though. The washer goes on top of the heatsink, but under the clamp for the bolt-through kit. It adds more pressure to the mount, which keep the heatsink firmly in place, especially in a vertical case.

using bolt through, i have a feeling me and the op need to do the washer mod. Thanks :)
 
so i did the washer mod, seems to have more pressure, attempted mild oc:

33.png


idle is 43-48, prime95 seems ok around 80c or so but occt will get to 87c and shut off ( i set that temp)

shouldn't i be getting much better temps ? im no OC pro but i had my e7200 at 3.16 with a crappy thermaltake cooler and it never got much over 43c or so
 
Ok also just installed the bolt through kit.

Only slight decrease in idle temps

it idles anywhere from 38-42

Under a full load it is 73-77

This is NOT over clocked. This is also with the cogage truspirit. are these numbers high? or typical?? Any ideas?
 
Ok also just installed the bolt through kit.
Only slight decrease in idle temps
it idles anywhere from 38-42
Under a full load it is 73-77
This is NOT over clocked. This is also with the cogage truspirit. are these numbers high? or typical?? Any ideas?
What kind of fan are you using? Unless it's some kind of ultra low speed (<1000RPM) variant, it sounds like the heatsink is shit. Thermalright Ultra-120 knock off or not, it should not be getting those high of temps.
 
I am just using the stock fan that it came with. Air flow is actually pretty good. I dont get it either. Other people who have this heat sink get idles in the 29-33. Could it be my ram or maybe a bad processor?? I'm out of ideas
 
the fan moves alot of air, i had mine set to 100% in the bios, im pretty much at my wits end with this HS. it barely gets better temps (if at all) then the stock HS. i may just order the noctua i really wanted instead of this POS

even with the bolt through and washer mods i think its just not getting good contact, the HS doesnt feel as warm @80C as my IOH HS @ 40-50 C. I refuse to lap my cpu and HS just to make sufficient contact.
 
the fan moves alot of air, i had mine set to 100% in the bios, im pretty much at my wits end with this HS. it barely gets better temps (if at all) then the stock HS. i may just order the noctua i really wanted instead of this POS

even with the bolt through and washer mods i think its just not getting good contact, the HS doesnt feel as warm @80C as my IOH HS @ 40-50 C. I refuse to lap my cpu and HS just to make sufficient contact.
Lapping only slightly improves an already great heatsink. It's done to squeeze that last bit of cooling performance out of your set-up. It sounds like in both of your cases you got bad heatsinks. Like I said, I don't know if it's an actual bad design (they cut corners somewhere and it shows in the performance) or you just got unlucky and there was a bad batch coming from the factory. Either way, try a better heatsink. A great, cheap alternative is the Xigmatek 1283.
 
the fan moves alot of air, i had mine set to 100% in the bios, im pretty much at my wits end with this HS. it barely gets better temps (if at all) then the stock HS. i may just order the noctua i really wanted instead of this POS

This might be a few days late but the CoGage TRUE Spirit beat out the Noctua NH-U12P in the [H]ard Heatsink Roundup. I'm actually using a cogage with a bolt through kit, and getting an average of ~41ºC idle (using realtemp 3.0) with a 3.7Ghz overclock using 1.27vcore. My ambient/room temps are about 21-24ºC(70-75ºF). I'm not sure if this was already mentioned or you stated, but try using different thermal paste, ie Artic Silver or what I'm using, ShinEtsu.

Are you throughly cleaning off the cpu and HS before adding the new paste? Use some 70+% Isopropal Alcohol (I use some 91% I found at walgreens) and if it takes 10 cotton ear swabs to get rid of all the old paste...then so-be-it. Make sure you get them both, completely clean, and as stated, use less then a grain of rice then squish down the HS (I usually twist it and move it around a bit to evenly spread around the cores).

If nothing thus far has worked, you quite honestly have a defective HS (maybe bad contact with heatpipes/fins in manufacturing) or you have obstructions in your case that you need to fix the airflow. Try cable management, make sure an octopus of cables aren't blocking airflow.

Also, make sure the orientation on the fan is right so your not fighting intake airflow. Here is my setup. I have the cpu fan blowing though the fins to the back where I have another 140mm fan blowing that hot air outside the case.
IMG_1672.jpg


You may have already reviewed everything, but just incase, these are things to definitely consider.
 
Back
Top