i7 13700k Getting 100º at Gaming

[dgianstefani]

If OP wants to be able to get to it's RAM sticks without the CPU cooler removed, the only option is the U12A....

Yep, difference isn't meaningful enough to justify the much larger cooler the D15 is.

The refreshed model with next gen 140 mm fans will probably change that, but the U12A is easily the best all around cooler when you consider it's convenient size too.

 

[warriorunited]

D15 is out of question, too big and RAM gets blocked. My doubt was between D15S or U12A (both Chromax), and since i can get both for the same price more a less, i probably pick U12A, as i like it more and in Noctua page is slightly rated higher than D15s

 

[JustBenching]

The U12A will perform better cause it has better fans.

 

[dgianstefani]

The U12A will perform better cause it has better fans.

And a smaller heatsink... They perform about the same, the difference is noise and size.

 

[warriorunited]

Thermalright contact frame and Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Ordered, decision made.

 

[kahn_flo]

Hello! Same problem here with the i7_13700k on a Gigabyte B760M DS3H DDR4 MB and air cooled by a SilentiumPC (Endorfy) Fortis.

Right off the bat, I was shocked to see the CPU hit 100 degrees and thermal throttles almost immediately in Cinebench (and also in 3ds Max rendering, the main task I built this system for)!

I read a lot of discussions and advice on this matter, but none of them fit.
No matter what I do, my motherboard doesn't seem to agree with undervolting. The changes that I made in bios (Adaptive Vcore and different offset values from -50 to -150 mV) had no effect in Windows (10). Also, no effect in Throttlestop, and Intel XTU vCore offset is grayed out.
And, unfortunately, no Undervolt Protection option or similar in bios!

I've also tried to obtain an undervolting through AC/DC loadline, by modifying the Auto values of 70/90 to lower ones and, indeed, I succeeded... but at the cost of a severe loss of performance (even to 13k points in Cinebench 23!).

So, the last solution was to try playing with the PL1/PL2 values, which I did in IntelXTU (more convenient than in bios).
Soon, I found it better to keep PL1 to the default value of 125 W and only to lower the PL2 value and, finally, I found the "sweetspot" at 180 W (despite my cooler's TDP being advertised as 220 W).

At this value, the P-cores frequencies are limited to about 4.9 GHz, but the CPU temps don't surpass 85-90 C and the performance is still good - around 28K points in Cinebench 23.
This means about 10% less than the maximum performance of 31K (afaik, for this CPU), which may seem a bit disappointing, but I doubt that in real life will matter too much - for example, 66 minutes for rendering a scene, instead of one hour!

Nevertheless, I'm a bit upset, because I bought this CPU (at its bigger price) with the expectation that it would meet its performance specifications under normal working conditions, without the need for an expensive Z790 motherboard to control it or for expensive cooling systems, as if it were factory-overclocked.

I understand the tough competition but don't think this is the good way to go!

 

[AusWolf]

Hello! Same problem here with the i7_13700k on a Gigabyte B760M DS3H DDR4 MB and air cooled by a SilentiumPC (Endorfy) Fortis.

Right off the bat, I was shocked to see the CPU hit 100 degrees and thermal throttles almost immediately in Cinebench (and also in 3ds Max rendering, the main task I built this system for)!

I read a lot of discussions and advice on this matter, but none of them fit.
No matter what I do, my motherboard doesn't seem to agree with undervolting. The changes that I made in bios (Adaptive Vcore and different offset values from -50 to -150 mV) had no effect in Windows (10). Also, no effect in Throttlestop, and Intel XTU vCore offset is grayed out.
And, unfortunately, no Undervolt Protection option or similar in bios!

I've also tried to obtain an undervolting through AC/DC loadline, by modifying the Auto values of 70/90 to lower ones and, indeed, I succeeded... but at the cost of a severe loss of performance (even to 13k points in Cinebench 23!).

So, the last solution was to try playing with the PL1/PL2 values, which I did in IntelXTU (more convenient than in bios).
Soon, I found it better to keep PL1 to the default value of 125 W and only to lower the PL2 value and, finally, I found the "sweetspot" at 180 W (despite my cooler's TDP being advertised as 220 W).

At this value, the P-cores frequencies are limited to about 4.9 GHz, but the CPU temps don't surpass 85-90 C and the performance is still good - around 28K points in Cinebench 23.
This means about 10% less than the maximum performance of 31K (afaik, for this CPU), which may seem a bit disappointing, but I doubt that in real life will matter too much - for example, 66 minutes for rendering a scene, instead of one hour!

Nevertheless, I'm a bit upset, because I bought this CPU (at its bigger price) with the expectation that it would meet its performance specifications under normal working conditions, without the need for an expensive Z790 motherboard to control it or for expensive cooling systems, as if it were factory-overclocked.

I understand the tough competition but don't think this is the good way to go!

It meets its specifications. It's specified to run up to 100 degrees, and it does exactly that.

But seriously... old CPUs ran cool, but you could overclock them to the sky. Modern CPUs are factory overclocked, and you'll have to find the setting that fits your cooling. Everyone buying a high-end CPU these days has to keep this in mind.

 

[unclewebb]

Gigabyte B760M

Does the ThrottleStop 9.6 FIVR window show that Undervolt Protection is enabled?

Many Asus B760 boards have an option in the BIOS to run the early microcode version, 0x104. This allows undervolting which helps keep these CPUs under 100C. Big difference in usability including reduced fan noise.

Search Google for a BIOS version for your Gigabyte board that includes the early microcode, before Undervolt Protection existed.

 

[Hervon]

@kahn_flo hope you fix the Undervolt issue. I shoved many degrees by undervolting -0,05. More over I suggest you get a lga 1700 contact frame 13th gen. It can reduce temperature up to 10C.

 

[chrcoluk]

I posted a lump of text in the review thread, I found undervolting cache was more profitable than undervolting vcore.

My cheapo cooler, in cooler ambient temps was able to avoid thermal throttling with 175w load, but I do have the thermalright bracket installed.

Typically I play games with vsync, and most games I play are 1-2 threaded, the chip is way more efficient than my 9900k at low load so dont expect cooling issues, but I can update this thread after more testing with my noctua.

 

[kahn_flo]

It meets its specifications. It's specified to run up to 100 degrees, and it does exactly that.

Yes, but if I keep the factory settings, it throttles very quickly and automatically drops its power/frequency, so the maximum result I could get in Cinebench was around 28.7k.
In this case, I'd rather have "only" 28k and not see all the temps in red, which makes me anxious

Search Google for a BIOS version for your Gigabyte board that includes the early microcode, before Undervolt Protection existed.

So do you think if I downgrade my bios to F4a (now I have the latest, F11a) will this problem be solved?
I don't quite understand what "Supports and powers up Intel next generation processor" (which is specified for the F11a version) means, and whether dropping this "support" won't make the system unstable...(please see the attached screenshot)

 

[DarkDreams]

So do you think if I downgrade my bios to F4a (now I have the latest, F11a) will this problem be solved?
I don't quite understand what "Supports and powers up Intel next generation processor" (which is specified for the F11a version) means, and whether dropping this "support" won't make the system unstable...(please see the attached screenshot)

The 3. point in the newest bios probably refers to support for the upcoming raptorlake refresh cpus.
If I understand this correctly you should be able to select uCode version 0x104 in both your current bios and in F4a which should remove undervolt protection for all K-sku processors (which yours is).

 

[unclewebb]

@kahn_flo

BIOS F4a says,

2. Add CPU microcode 0x104 select option...

BIOS F11a does not say that this option was removed. Have you thoroughly searched your current BIOS version to see if the microcode 0x104 option still exists?

Trying to downgrade the BIOS version may not be possible and if it is possible, there may be some risk that you brick your computer. Have a real good look in your current BIOS before thinking about installing F4a. The ThrottleStop FIVR window will show what microcode version your BIOS is using.

 

[kahn_flo]

you should be able to select uCode version 0x104 in both your current bios and in F4a

No, unfortunately they seem to have removed this option in the newest version, because I can't find it anywhere

 

[unclewebb]

Gigabyte used to use a not so secret keyboard key combination when in the BIOS to unlock the advanced BIOS menu. Do some Google searching. Maybe your board and BIOS F11a has an advanced menu hiding somewhere.

 

[Chomiq]

Gigabyte used to use a not so secret keyboard key combination when in the BIOS to unlock the advanced BIOS menu. Do some Google searching. Maybe your board and BIOS F11a has an advanced menu hiding somewhere.

F2 for Gigabyte. You enable it once and it stays that way.

 

[Regeneration]

6 pages, 140 posts for a basic cooling question.

No. 100c isn't normal. Unless you're overclocking or removed power limits.

Make sure the fan(s) are spinning fast, thermal paste is in place, the cooler is seated properly with 1000% tight contact between the cooler's base and CPU.

LGA 1700 was launched after the cooler and it might be not fully optimized to it (no tight 1000% contact).

The solution is to contact Be Quiet! support, either RMA the cooler or try another brand like Noctua.

 

[AusWolf]

Yes, but if I keep the factory settings, it throttles very quickly and automatically drops its power/frequency, so the maximum result I could get in Cinebench was around 28.7k.
In this case, I'd rather have "only" 28k and not see all the temps in red, which makes me anxious

The best solution I've found with any modern CPU is to decrease your power limit until it doesn't overheat and throttle anymore.

 

[pressing on]

The best solution I've found with any modern CPU is to decrease your power limit until it doesn't overheat and throttle anymore.

I quite like the system that MSI use in some of their latest motherboards where there is a BIOS choice between Boxed, Tower and AIO coolers. A simple interface to achieve the same thing.

 

[claes]

6 pages, 140 posts for a basic cooling question.

No. 100c isn't normal. Unless you're overclocking or removed power limits.

Make sure the fan(s) are spinning fast, thermal paste is in place, the cooler is seated properly with 1000% tight contact between the cooler's base and CPU.

LGA 1700 was launched after the cooler and it might be not fully optimized to it (no tight 1000% contact).

The solution is to contact Be Quiet! support, either RMA the cooler or try another brand like Noctua.

Great advice from someone who clearly read the thread and isn’t just regurgitating the first 15 posts

 

[AusWolf]

I quite like the system that MSI use in some of their latest motherboards where there is a BIOS choice between Boxed, Tower and AIO coolers. A simple interface to achieve the same thing.

I just don't like the wording. When I first saw it, I had to look up in the manual what it meant. They (MSi) do it a lot better on my B650 board. It has TDP adjustment levels in AMD's official increments. I prefer direct values in Watts, compared to "Tower cooled" which can mean whatever you will.

 

[P4-630]

Just don't buy a crappy motherboard with a K CPU and oh, buy a high-end cooler if you have a K CPU.

 

[warriorunited]

Guys, my feedback about Noctua NH-U12A Chromax with Thermalright Contact Frame: Running cinebench at 5.3Ghz turbo speed (all BIOS default settings at full power), the results are just amazing, the CPU never went over 78-80º and 32º at idle... AMAZING!

Dunno if it was just the cooler that made the difference, and the contact frame is helping too, but what i know is that the CPU is finally running at very good temps, no more 100º and thermal throttling and i can keep him running at full power very happy with my choices!

Oh and btw, for those that are scared about installing the contact frame, don't be, it's so easy to install if you just follow the videos around YouTube.

A big thanks to everyone that helped me on this situation, specially @P4-630 @unclewebb and @AusWolf

 

[JustBenching]

Guys, my feedback about Noctua NH-U12A Chromax with Thermalright Contact Frame: Running cinebench at 5.3Ghz turbo speed (all BIOS default settings at full power), the results are just amazing, the CPU never went over 78-80º and 32º at idle... AMAZING!

Dunno if it was just the cooler that made the difference, and the contact frame is helping too, but what i know is that the CPU is finally running at very good temps, no more 100º and thermal throttling and i can keep him running at full power very happy with my choices!

Oh and btw, for those that are scared about installing the contact frame, don't be, it's so easy to install if you just follow the videos around YouTube.

A big thanks to everyone that helped me on this situation, specially @P4-630 @unclewebb and @AusWolf

Don't think the contact frame does much, tried it with a u12a both on a 12900k and a 13900k, the difference was negligible. Im not even sure there was a difference, maybe 2-3c, basically random variance.

 

[P4-630]

Enjoy your hardware and Game on!