CPU overheating under low load?

[MacchiatoLatte]

Right away, sorry if this fits better in General Hardware


I've had overheating issues for a couple weeks now, with my CPU running into high 70s or low 80s (Celsius) before my computer shuts down on its own. It was fine before this, running smoothly and never overheating, and now I can't even run games like Minecraft or early 2000's flash games. Hell, it overheats when updating Steam.

I've tried updating drivers, cleaning my case, reseating my heatsink and replacing thermal paste, resetting BIOS, redoing my cable management, checking the direction of my fans, but nothing seems to be helping. If you have other ideas for what I could do, I'd appreciate it!

Hardware:

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 Super
Asus m5a99x EVO r2.0
AMD FX 8350 w/ stock cooler
16 GB RAM
Let me know if you need more info!

 

[dirtyferret]

In the last few weeks has anything changed? Room temp? New hardware? BIOS update?

Assuming the heatsink is properly seated; have you checked to make sure all the fans are running properly (case, gpu, cpu, PSU)? Other options are trying to undervolt your CPU, more case fans (if possible), better airflow case, and/or aftermarket CPU cooler.

 

[moproblems99]

How long has it been running? What changes occurred a few weeks ago? Are you sure the load is low and other processes aren't using the cpu?

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

In the last few weeks has anything changed? Room temp? New hardware? BIOS update?

Assuming the heatsink is properly seated; have you checked to make sure all the fans are running properly (case, gpu, cpu, PSU)? Other options are trying to undervolt your CPU, more case fans (if possible), better airflow case, and/or aftermarket CPU cooler.

No, nothing's changed. Last thing that changed was the GPU, but that was way back in October.

I've checked all the fans, and while the GPU fans aren't running now, they begin when they're heating up. I have three case fans, an intake in the lower front and two output across the top. Maybe I should move them around somehow?

How long has it been running? What changes occurred a few weeks ago? Are you sure the load is low and other processes aren't using the cpu?

I make sure to shut it off every day when I'm done using it. I almost never keep it on overnight.

According to the Task Manager the load on the CPU is around 20% with two Chrome tabs open, and aside from the game launcher, I don't have anything else open while playing. Nothing's changed in the last few weeks, the most recent change was installing the GPU, but that was months ago.

 

[dirtyferret]

No, nothing's changed. Last thing that changed was the GPU, but that was way back in October.

I've checked all the fans, and while the GPU fans aren't running now, they begin when they're heating up. I have three case fans, an intake in the lower front and two output across the top. Maybe I should move them around somehow?

I'm not sure of what case you have. Personally I would use one fan in the front as intake. One fan in the rear as out and one fan in the top back as out leaving the top front open for the CPU to pull cooler air in. That said it should not be a major difference from what you have (maybe 3-4c lower if lucky). Are you looking to move on from the current set up anytime soon?

I would definitely look into a cpu cooler upgrade as well even something cheap like a gammax 400

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

I'm not sure of what case you have.

I'm going to be honest, neither am I. It's on the smaller side, but it's served me well for a couple years now, though the airflow might not be fantastic.

Personally I would use one fan in the front as intake. One fan in the rear as out and one fan in the top back as out leaving the top front open for the CPU to pull cooler air in. That said it should not be a major difference from what you have (maybe 3-4c lower if lucky). Are you looking to move on from the current set up anytime soon?

I'd like to keep this setup alive as long as possible, but if not possible, I have some money set aside for upgrades. I'm thinking of replacing CPU, and by extension, MOBO, before long, especially if the overheating issue can't be fixed.

I would definitely look into a cpu cooler upgrade as well even something cheap like a gammax 400

Getting a new CPU cooler is definitely a good idea, I'll make sure to look into that ASAP.

 

[moproblems99]

No, nothing's changed. Last thing that changed was the GPU, but that was way back in October.

I've checked all the fans, and while the GPU fans aren't running now, they begin when they're heating up. I have three case fans, an intake in the lower front and two output across the top. Maybe I should move them around somehow?


I make sure to shut it off every day when I'm done using it. I almost never keep it on overnight.

According to the Task Manager the load on the CPU is around 20% with two Chrome tabs open, and aside from the game launcher, I don't have anything else open while playing. Nothing's changed in the last few weeks, the most recent change was installing the GPU, but that was months ago.

Does it look like the cpu is getting normal voltage and isn't abnormally high? It's really hard to say unless the CPU fan Isn't spinning fast enough. If you set the CPU fan to 100%, how does it react? Any Windows updates around the time the temp increase happened?

Getting a new CPU cooler is definitely a good idea, I'll make sure to look into that ASAP.

I don't think that is necessary if you were running with good temps previously. It is possible that the GPU is just dumping too much heat into the case though.

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Does it look like the cpu is getting normal voltage and isn't abnormally high? It's really hard to say unless the CPU fan Isn't spinning fast enough. If you set the CPU fan to 100%, how does it react? Any Windows updates around the time the temp increase happened?

I don't think that is necessary if you were running with good temps previously. It is possible that the GPU is just dumping too much heat into the case though.

It's at 1.345V right now.​

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HWMonitor says my CPU fan is spinning around 3400RPM at 100%, but I've seen it up at 5000RPM in the past. It doesn't go that high anymore, though.​

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I don't think there were any Windows updates back then, but I'm not entirely sure. Is there some way to check?

That could be it. It's releasing heat towards the CPU, but it seems strange the problem wouldn't have happened sooner if that was the case (pun intended)?​

 

[dirtyferret]

It is possible that the GPU is just dumping too much heat into the case though.

It was one my initial thoughts but he said he got it in October and there was no noticeable temp increase then.

It's at 1.345V right now.​

​

HWMonitor says my CPU fan is spinning around 3400RPM at 100%, but I've seen it up at 5000RPM in the past. It doesn't go that high anymore, though.​

​

I don't think there were any Windows updates back then, but I'm not entirely sure. Is there some way to check?​

​

That could be it. It's releasing heat towards the CPU, but it seems strange the problem wouldn't have happened sooner if that was the case (pun intended)?​

5k RPM? off the top of my head I thought that cooler peaked at 3400rpm...

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

5k RPM? off the top of my head I thought that cooler peaked at 3400rpm...

It probably does since that's what it peaks at now. Though, I don't know how often it happened. I remember reading it once on HWMonitor while playing Subnautica, so maybe it was a software glitch and not a hardware error?

 

[dirtyferret]

It probably does since that's what it peaks at now. Though, I don't know how often it happened. I remember reading it once on HWMonitor while playing Subnautica, so maybe it was a software glitch and not a hardware error?

So the FX8350 came with two coolers. The stock cooler used a 80mm fan @ 4700rpm+ (it sat plainly on top of the heat sink) with a sleeveless cable. The wraith cooler used a 92mm delta fan @ 3200rpm (the fan had a plastic cover along its outside) and a sleeved cable. I'm guessing you have the former but only you can tell.

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

So the FX8350 came with two coolers. The stock cooler used a 80mm fan @ 4700rpm+ (it sat plainly on top of the heat sink) with a sleeveless cable. The wraith cooler used a 92mm delta fan @ 3200rpm (the fan had a plastic cover along its outside) and a sleeved cable. I'm guessing you have the former but only you can tell.

Judging by the cable, yes, it's the former. Wonder why it stays on 3400 despite the temperature increasing, then.

 

[eidairaman1]

What power supply?


Do a clear cmos and save optimized settings.

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

What power supply?


Do a clear cmos and save optimized settings.

It's a Corsair CX750m.
Sorry for stupid question by the way, but what's the difference between factory resetting BIOS and clearing CMOS?

 

[xvi]

Have you physically checked to see if the heatsink itself is getting hot? If the heatsink is getting nearly as hot as the processor, you should be able to feel the heat coming from it without touching it. You could try touching the metal parts of the heatsink too, just be cautious not to give yourself a heatsink-shaped burn.

If the heatsink is hot, the fan is spinning, and it's not chock full of dust, then I'd say check your CPU voltages with CPU-Z, AMD Overdrive, or HWMonitor/OpenHardwareMonitor just to make sure it's not accidentally running it at 1.8v or something.

If the heatsink is cold and you have fresh thermal paste, have you tried reseating the heatsink? I'd like to make another vote for an inexpensive aftermarket heatsink but I don't think that's the problem. I've always changed mine out for aftermarket but that was mostly for looks as well as performance. The stock one should obviously perform well enough to keep it from overheating.

Do thermals change if you power it up on its side? Kind of reminds me of an issue I had back in 2010. I had a Radeon HD 4850 that would overheat unless I laid my PC down on its side (with the card facing straight up and down). I chalked it up to a failed heatpipe and replaced the cooler.

what's the difference between factory resetting BIOS and clearing CMOS?

Shouldn't be much. Pulling the battery will actually power everything down and reset rather than just stamping default settings on top of something that may have a glitch or quirk. Sort of like a full, cold shutdown rather than a warm reboot.

Edit: Tons of revisions adding and changing stuff around.

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Have you physically checked to see if the heatsink itself is getting hot?

Just checked, it's around room temperature immediately after the computer almost overheating again.
I'll try reseating the heatsink and then booting on its side just to see if it'll change something.

 

[moproblems99]

Just checked, it's around room temperature immediately after the computer almost overheating again.
I'll try reseating the heatsink and then booting on its side just to see if it'll change something.

Just curios but is it summer or winter for you?

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Just curios but is it summer or winter for you?

It's late winter right now.

Do thermals change if you power it up on its side? Kind of reminds me of an issue I had back in 2010. I had a Radeon HD 4850 that would overheat unless I laid my PC down on its side (with the card facing straight up and down). I chalked it up to a failed heatpipe and replaced the cooler.

Double-checked heatsink and it was attached properly. CPU still gets extremely hot even when booted on the side. I'll try to find the MOBO battery for a CMOS clear and get back to the thread in the morning since it's getting way too late for troubleshooting. Thanks for the help so far, though!

 

[Durvelle27]

Was the CPU new or used ?

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Was the CPU new or used ?

It was new when I got it, but it's a couple years old by now.

 

[Durvelle27]

It was new when I got it, but it's a couple years old by now.

Has it ever been overclocked

 

[joemama]

Computers shutting down on its own doesn't seem like a overheating cpu problem, and also 70~80 degrees celsius isn't too high of a temperature to a cpu

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Has it ever been overclocked

It hasn't, no.

 

[moproblems99]

It's late winter right now.

Double-checked heatsink and it was attached properly. CPU still gets extremely hot even when booted on the side. I'll try to find the MOBO battery for a CMOS clear and get back to the thread in the morning since it's getting way too late for troubleshooting. Thanks for the help so far, though!

Is the ambient temperature significantly different compared to before the overheats?

Computers shutting down on its own doesn't seem like a overheating cpu problem, and also 70~80 degrees celsius isn't too high of a temperature to a cpu

I believe it could if the thermals aren't reduced by throttling. In any case, it wasn't overheating previously.

Actually, @MacchiatoLatte , was it not overheating previously or just not shutting down?

 

[MacchiatoLatte]

Is the ambient temperature significantly different compared to before the overheats?

Yes, actually. With no load except HWMonitor, it can stay down near 20-30°.

I believe it could if the thermals aren't reduced by throttling. In any case, it wasn't overheating previously.

Actually, @MacchiatoLatte , was it not overheating previously or just not shutting down?

It didn't overheat at all. To be exact, it still got to low 70s, but the CPU fan would kick in at that point and keep it from rising more.