Is something wrong with my processor?

[sapped1]

Hey guys, I've built a new gaming system recently and these are the specs:

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card
EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Fractal Design Define R5 ATX Mid Tower Case

However there seem to be something wrong with the temperature as it's unusually high, I'm not sure whether there's something wrong with my processor or not. Basically after turning my computer on and let it sit idle for 5 minutes, while monitoring using the tool HWMonitor PRO. The temperature for the CPU frequently hits 39°C, occasionally even spikes up to 50°C for a second. This is when I'm using Balanced power profile while doing absolutely nothing!

Also I've tested it in a military simulator game while running an intense large scale battle, the temperature frequently stays at 79°C. This is while using the High Performance power profile. Switching XMP on or off in BIOS doesn't seem to change anything.

Is this normal for this processor or is something definitely wrong? I'm all new to system building and this is the first one I've ever built. Should I run other benchmarks or stress tests to provide better results, if so which one should I use? And this is for all components as well not just the CPU. I've heard about Prime95 a lot but it seems to intentionally run at really high temperatures, is it safe to do so?

I'm really lost at the moment and don't know what to do since everything seems so overwhelming, so would really appreciate any help you guys can provide!

Best Regards,

 

[newtekie1]

Are you using the stock cooler? That is pretty normal for the stock Intel cooler.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Be certain Your heatsink is properly seated....Also, if Your OS is NOT new...try running in Safe mode, with Minimal services, but be certain You allow the monitoring software to run, and be certain there isn't something ramping up Your CPU with out You knowing. Cant hurt to try.

 

[Jetster]

Without a standard benchmark there is now what of knowing. Idle temps don't mater. Run OCCT and see what load temps are.

 

[jsfitz54]

Intel has this: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19792

 

[Caring1]

The most accurate temps and voltages are recorded in the BIOS.
Boot into the BIOS and let it idle for 5 minutes then check the temps in there.
You may have to reapply the thermal paste to the CPU and check again if the temperature is still showing as high.

 

[Noobpwner]

I have the same cpu and on stock cooler 80 C is normal in games.

 

[Toothless]

Check your voltage and make sure your BIOS is updated. I had the same issue and it was the voltage being too high. 80c is very high even for gaming.

 

[Noobpwner]

What's normal voltages for this cpu? Just wanting to know so I can check if my voltages are high cause my cpu ran at 80 C in games.

 

[Jetster]

The most accurate temps and voltages are recorded in the BIOS.
Boot into the BIOS and let it idle for 5 minutes then check the temps in there.
You may have to reapply the thermal paste to the CPU and check again if the temperature is still showing as high.

Like I said idle temps mean nothing. You need to load test the CPU so you can't do that in the BIOS. Until he test it with a known benchmark this thread is going nowhere

Here is another one https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=xtu

 

[Caring1]

Like I said idle temps mean nothing.

Idle temps will at least give an indication if the thermal paste and fan is applied correctly, running a CPU under load can only be done once it is stable at idle.

 

[qubit]

Are you using the stock cooler? That is pretty normal for the stock Intel cooler.

You'd think that Intel would provide a warning on the box that the stock cooler can only be used for light loads, wouldn't you? I remember my shock with me E8500 when I first discovered just how inadequate it is.

 

[Toothless]

What's normal voltages for this cpu? Just wanting to know so I can check if my voltages are high cause my cpu ran at 80 C in games.

Shouldn't be above 1.3v

 

[sapped1]

Thanks for your replies guys, really appreciate them!

Sorry I forgot to mention this previously, yeah I'm running the intel stock cooler.
However those temperatures I've posted above are for the system when it's NOT
overclocked at all.

Is this high degree of heat normal for non overclocked system? Just reached 87°C
while testing around in ArmA 3...

 

[sapped1]

And regarding benchmarks, yeah this is where I'm really confused with.
Which one should I use since there's so many options like Prime95, AIDA64, Intel's etc.

Also how should I run them? Let them sit there for an hour while doing their test?
Do I need to switch them off if it reach a certain temperature?

Sorry guys I'm all new to system building and really overwhelmed at the moment,
are there any good guides you guys recommend to follow? So I can post the results
in a way which you guys can easily understand to determine if something's wrong or not?

 

[Jetster]

Just pick one and run it. If it goes about 90 then shut it down. Otherwise 5 min if fine. If it does ok then longer up to an hour or so. DO not overclock that CPU with the stock cooler
Use Intel extreme tuning software
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=24075&lang=eng


The benchmark just allows you some consistent comparability. Also make sure your system is getting air. The stock coolers needs fresh air. But with a stock cooler 84c is tops. Anyway with a K version your going to want an aftermarket cooler anyway. Idle temps will change with ambient temps and the fact that the CPU stays running is an indication that the paste is working

 

[XSI]

you have a nice system, just get aftermarket cooler, cooler master EVO 212 is recomended for ~30$. will do for stock + mild OC.
if you want high OC get something better.

 

[sapped1]

Ehh guys, I really don't know how to say this. So I've removed the whole middle HDD cage from my system, hoping to allow better airflow
from the front to blow directly to the mobo. Switched the fans from 7V to 12V with the fan controller that my case have.
And all the mobo setting at default with XMP off.

I've ran the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, while running its benchmark, it frequently hit 100°C, probably even off the chart too.
And when doing the CPU stress test, it hit above 90°C in just 2 min, and I had to stop the test.
While in idle mode it stays around 37°C with just 1% CPU utilization.

I'm not even sure what to do now, I'm afraid any other benchmarks will fry my system. Is this even normal with the stock cooler or something
definitely wrong? Anyways how can I upload the test results so you guys can take a look?

 

[sapped1]

I've also tried to look at the temperature reading in my BIOS/UEFI like Caring1 suggested.

My room temperature is just 19°C and after opening my motherboard BIOS/UEFI, After 5 min it shows the CPU temp to be 55°C while the M/B is 35°C

I don't even know what to think of it now, either the sensor is being whacky or something seriously wrong with my system...

 

[Aquinus]

Sorry I forgot to mention this previously, yeah I'm running the intel stock cooler.
However those temperatures I've posted above are for the system when it's NOT
overclocked at all.

The stock cooler is terrible. 80*C full load is not unrealistic without an overclock with the CPU fully taxed. Get a new cooler if you want lower temps. It's as simple as that. Intel didn't make the stock cooler thinking that every user was going to be running it at 100% all the time. It's half of the reason Intel's TDP is not max power at full load but average power.

 

[Jetster]

Pull the heat sink of reapply some thermal compound after cleaning the old off and put it back on making sure its fully seated. Rerun the test

Intel heat sinks are tricky to get seated. Its probably the problem.

 

[Aquinus]

Intel heat sinks are tricky to get seated. Its probably the problem.

Those plastic feet also wear out every time you remove it which leads to the cooler not mounting as tightly as it did the first time. The OP should just replace it with... just about anything.

 

[GeForce Junky]

Please treat your CPU to a proper cooler. If you do a google search for '4790K overheat' you will see the number of people having issues with them overheating whilst trying to use the silly stock cooler. Intel shouldn't really include a cooler at all as they are not up to the job. I'd get a Phantek PH-TC14PE or Noctua DH15 or similar large air cooler.

 

[XSI]

some one should close the thread: reason
YOUR CPU IS FINE, YOUR COOLER IS NOT msg after msg gives you solution: get a new cooler.

 

[Aquinus]

Please treat your CPU to a proper cooler. If you do a google search for '4790K overheat' you will see the number of people having issues with them overheating whilst trying to use the silly stock cooler. Intel shouldn't really include a cooler at all as they are not up to the job. I'd get a Phantek PH-TC14PE or Noctua DH15 or similar large air cooler.

Once you have a half decent cooler, airflow means more than the kind of cooler you have from my experience. Don't just buy a large cooler for the sake of buying a large cooler. The Zalman CPNS9900MAX I have is tall but is very skinny so it doesn't cover any DIMM slots. Because of how the fans are setup in my case, I can turn off the CPU fan and still not have to worry about my i7 overheating. A decent cooler will do you little good if the case can't remove that heat, that's my point.