Temperature Spikes Reported on Intel's Core i7-7700, i7-7700K Processors

[Raevenlord]

Reports around the web (and posts on Intel's forums) speak in hushed, strained and horrified voices at how some users with Intel's Core i7-7700 processors are seeing strangely random temperature spikes on their processors, which prompts their cooling solutions to spin to the rescue. The report only mentions Intel's 7700 (non-K) processor; though it would seem this issue is more prone to happen with the K version of the processor, according to Intel's forums.

Apparently, some users are seeing temperature spikes that reach as high as as high as 90°C (out of a recommended 100ºC.) Some users even go as far as admitting to have replaced Intel's fabled TIM, and running the CPU under a water cooling solution, only to find those temperature spikes still happening - and their cooling solutions rev up in response. "My own chip suffers from it, (without any overclocking) which is quite an annoyance," a user wrote. "This despite a delid modification and a proper water loop, resulting in the fans ramping up and down very frequently, and the temperature appearing to frequently spike near the danger zone." Intel, naturally, deployed a sanitized response, saying that "the reported behavior of the 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700K Processor, showing momentary temperature changes from the idle temperature, is normal while completing a task (like opening a browser or an application or a program)." Business talk all the way, but to be honest, we don't even know if there is a real problem here, though there are so pretty interesting OCCT graphs being posted on the forum page. What do you say? Any of our users have seen similar issues?



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[HD64G]

It's a new game for a "gaming" processor: How much time can those CPUs stand those temps...

 

[Frick]

Sensor errors? How long do the spikes last? What is defined as "random" here? As Intel says, CPU time spikes are normal, but temperatures accumulates.

 

[Deleted member 50521]

More reason to RyZen up!

 

[BarbaricSoul]

The 7700 and 7700k are not exactly "new" CPUs (meaning they have been available for a few months). Why haven't we heard of this before now?

 

[zAAm]

I mean, it cannot be "because you opened a browser", because it's also seen when OCCT is running the CPU at 100% utilisation? Maybe a sensor error?

 

[Liviu Cojocaru]

Yes I myself have this issue, it is really frustrating. This is a known issue for a while now I think and I am not sure why a lot of people are not talking about this...

 

[davidm71]

My 7600K hit 86 degrees with Prime95 ver 28.1. Tried two different coolers and using a high quality thermal paste. Not even overclocked. Not going to replace the TIM but this is scary and the highest temps I've ever noticed in any computer I have ever built. Maybe Intel should issue a recall.

 

[FR@NK]

The graphs look fine....the spikes are not random but adjust to the load from OCCT.

 

[Indurain]

Mine does the same thing, even when idling it will momentarily spike a single core to near 90°C then back to normal. Does this even when idle, it is a 6700K. So far I have ignored it since it is only momentary.

 

[Liviu Cojocaru]

The graphs look fine....the spikes are not random but adjust to the load from OCCT.

Trust me I have this cpu and this thing is not "fine". I also have a potent cooling solution and at 4.8Ghz with 1.3v I am getting really high temps in load whereas with my previous i5 4690K at 4.6Ghz and 1.23v with a less potent CPU cooler (Corsair h80i GT) I was not reaching the 65 degrees mark very often

 

[Kursah]

It's a new game for a "gaming" processor: How much time can those CPUs stand those temps...

Quite a while actually. Haswell chips ran hot and K-series were able to hit TJMAX 100C on stock cooling under stress testing. I've seen chips run for years near 90C with no issues. IIRC Haswell was actually started as a mobile CPU, which are generally built to withstand constant heat cycles at or near thermal throttle limits. To me that part of it would be a non-issue. The real issue is these temp spikes, when and how they occur and if they're legitimate or a bug/issue with sensors. Surely wouldn't be the first time (looks at RMA'd Core2 E8600 from 8 years ago...).

Still doesn't make the issue any less annoying though for those folks going through this.

I'm pretty damn content with my 4790K atm, it stays cool under air even with a decent OC to 4.8GHz.

 

[ironwolf]

How has this only become news? Seems something like this would have been before now. Or at least gotten a bit more exposure on the hardware sites. All the ones I frequent, have not seen mentions of this.

 

[birdie]

In the second graph spikes are exactly one pixel width, so, considering the test took 50 minutes and the width of the image is 720 pixel, each spike lasted under 4 seconds and the instant temperature delta is over 22% which is way too much for a fan to have enough time to negate.

In other words this picture lacks resolution and I'm inclined to believe it's a sensor malfunction, so the owners of the said "faulty" CPUs may feel safe. Besides, last time I checked, Intel offers a three years warranty.

 

[Manu_PT]

Is sad how techpowerup is being so biased lately. Was my fav website. If you read rx580 review you will understand.

As for this "issue", do your research and you will find that making drama news from this is totally biased.

Quick tip: these cpu were launched almost 6 months ago.

Good luck techpowerup with your new direction. Thanks for everything. Cheers

 

[phanbuey]

Mine does the same thing, even when idling it will momentarily spike a singe core to near 90°C then back to normal. Does this even when idle, it is a 6700K. So far I have ignored it since it is only momentary.

The problem is that if thats happening to 90C at idle, it may go erroneously to 100C causing a false throttle during a game/program.

 

[Captain_Tom]

Yeah but the 7700K is 5% better at 1080p gaming than the R7 1600X, so it's worth it.

 

[Manu_PT]

Is not 5%, is up to 35% in some games (rottr) and at stocks speeds, and up to 50% when both max overclocked (on cpu and ddr4).

 

[FR@NK]

Trust me I have this cpu and this thing is not "fine". I also have a potent cooling solution and at 4.8Ghz with 1.3v I am getting really high temps in load whereas with my previous i5 4690K at 4.6Ghz and 1.23v with a less potent CPU cooler (Corsair h80i GT) I was not reaching the 65 degrees mark very often

My post was referring to the graphs posted.

Also please understand that heat output increases exponentially when you increase clocks and voltages....so of course a chip running slower and at lower voltage and without hyperthreading will probably run cooler.

 

[newtekie1]

Seems like a sensor error. Not surprising it is more prominent when idle, we know the built in sensor are less sensitive the lower the temperature. Idle load means less heat and lower temperatures.

I'd guess the sensors on the silicon are starting to have issues with the smaller node size. Intel might need to think about redesigning the sensors in the silicon.

 

[P4-630]

If I'd upgrade my CPU now, I'd take a i7 6700K....

 

[Captain_Tom]

Is not 5%, is up to 35% in some games (rottr) and at stocks speeds, and up to 50% when both max overclocked (on cpu and ddr4).

I can cherry pick too! Wow it sure is worth almost double the cost for less performance than a $190 CPU:

If I'd upgrade my CPU now, I'd take a i7 6700K....

But then you would be missing out on that 1% IPC increase!!! How could you leave that much performance on the table?!

The i7-7700K is like Listerine, the burn means it's working!

 

[P4-630]

But then you would be missing out on that 1% IPC increase!!! How could you leave that much performance on the table?!

Don't care about that 1% lol.

 

[Gasaraki]

In the second graph spikes are exactly one pixel width, so, considering the test took 50 minutes and the width of the image is 720 pixel, each spike lasted under 4 seconds and the instant temperature delta is over 22% which is way too much for a fan to have enough time to negate.

In other words this picture lacks resolution and I'm inclined to believe it's a sensor malfunction, so the owners of the said "faulty" CPUs may feel safe. Besides, last time I checked, Intel offers a three years warranty.

Agreed. Heat takes time to work in to and out of a heatsink. A temperature spike of 4 secs to 90C out of a max of 100C is nothing.

 

[kenkickr]

I had this issue with the 7700k on a Asus Strix Z270i. Discovered it with having the voltage set to auto would randomly kick the voltage up over 1.45v and would hit 90+ sometimes 100 Celcius with a H100. Set it to stock voltage and didn't see over 55 Celcius at stock settings Now have the proc @ 5GHZ using 1.35v and haven't seen over 76 Celcius.