CPU running hot even when idle

193 Views 12 Posts PC Hardware

Kudos: 4,327

So basically I had a new computer built about 10 months ago and I haven't really had any problems with it until a month or so ago when the monitor would lose signal while playing Skyrim.

I had a look around and initially thought it was just a game bug, as my computer had no problems running it, even at max settings. Then I considered it may be overheating and so I installed CoreTemp and SpeedFan which indicated the cores were getting up to around 65-70 degrees.

Since I'm still fairly new with computer stuff I had a look around and decided it was probably just a case of my computer needing a clean. Today, I finally got around to giving it a good clean out with some compressed air. Unfortunately I had lost the nozzle since buying it, so I couldn't clean it as thoroughly as I would've liked. However, I did clean a decent amount of dust off the case and CPU fans even the little GPU fans.

Unfortunately, once that was all done and I booted it up again, it was still running at around 60 when idle as it was before (i.e. no improvement). It seems to run fine, but I figure running at such a high temp can't be healthy for the system, not to mention it heats the room up quite a bit which makes my room quite uncomfortable; especially on a hot day.

I'm not sure if my CPU fan just needs a more thorough clean, or if maybe the place where it sits doesn't allow for good enough ventilation or whether I just need to get a good cooling system for it. Only problem is, I wouldn't be able to put it in myself and when I went to pick up a new rig today, they quoted around $50-$100 to put in a 2nd GPU and a CPU cooling system (not including part costs). If I could do it myself, i'd definitely give it a go but because of the extra cost i'd like to consider other solutions first.

So, if anyone has any suggestions that'd be great!

Oh. And it's an i7-2600k.

08/02/2012

Perth

Kudos: 28,757

Doles

60 degrees is a little high, but only a little. You would probably benefit from redoing the thermal paste and making sure the cooler is on properly. Is it just a stock cooler? You be surprised at how easy it is to put a different cooler on, especially if it's the Intel style clip ones

08/02/2012

Western Australia | /dev/null is already 98% full

Kudos: 4,327

FireStrife

Yeah, just the stock cooler. Do alternate coolers make much of a difference though? I guess the main problem is I really have no experience with computer parts so I'm always a little hesitant to try anything even something like reapplying thermal paste :/

08/02/2012

Perth

Kudos: 66,482

Doyl

10 months is an awful lot of time to get a dust buildup.
Check the cpu cooler for dust and hair and the like.

08/02/2012

Perth - pew pew

Kudos: 1,782

iSR

Doyl said: 10 months is an awful lot of time to get a dust buildup.
Check the cpu cooler for dust and hair and the like.

Pffft dust. Never happens. :P

08/02/2012

Perth, WA |

Kudos: 66,482

Doyl

iSR said:
Doyl said: 10 months is an awful lot of time to get a dust buildup.
Check the cpu cooler for dust and hair and the like.

Pffft dust. Never happens.

Never

08/02/2012

Perth - pew pew

Kudos: 1,782

iSR

They're called blankets. They keep it warm during cold nights. ;)

08/02/2012

Perth, WA |

Kudos: 21,084

maxiboy

FireStrife said: Yeah, just the stock cooler. Do alternate coolers make much of a difference though?

Yes! They're so much more efficient that stock coolers that's why there's a market for them. you don't even have to spend a heap to get a good one too,

08/02/2012

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 4,327

FireStrife

Sounds like that's what I need then. I actually wouldn't mind going for water cooling but I don't it's all that necessary, not to mention it'd be much harder to install. I would imagine a new CPU cooler would simply go where the current one is? And i'd just have to detach the fan and cable, then replace the new one and re-connect it?

If anyone could recommend a cooler it'd be much appreciated ^_^
I'm willing to spend up to $100 or so.

08/02/2012

Perth

Kudos: 21,084

maxiboy

Cooler master hyper 612 is good I believe its like $50-60, there is a thread for this somewhere that has more information than I can give you.
For $100 you could probably get a sealed water cooler.

08/02/2012

Sydney, NSW

Kudos: 4,327

FireStrife

Ah. So sealed ones don't require any maintenance? That sounds like it would be worth it then. Found this: www.hardwaresecrets.com/... in the CPU cooling thread, so I'm looking at this now: www.pccasegear.com/...

Should I move over into the CPU cooling discussion thread?

08/02/2012

Perth

Kudos: 21,084

maxiboy

They could give better advice than I can.

08/02/2012

Sydney, NSW