q9550@3.4ghz temp high?

[Snicla]

Hey again, I've just started overclocking this cpu and I've got it at 3.4ghz. I want to push it further because I know it's possible from reading online, but after running Prime95 and recording the core temps, it seems to be running unusually high, at least one of the cores is.

Real Temp 2.0 Core Temp 0.99.3

C0 66C 67C
C1 54C 58C
C2 58C 62C
C3 58C 62C

I've read up on the discrepancies between Core Temp and Real Temp because of the Tj. Max so I know RT is probably the correct one, however 66C still seems unusually high for such a low OC (relatively speaking). Could it be that I haven't properly applied the thermal compound? Or is it that my heatsink is inadequate (doubtful)? I'm using a CM Z600 with one NF-P12 on it and another case fan right beside it so that it's almost a push-pull system.


Anyways, help extremely appreciated. Thanks :)

[willy]

Is the heatsink hot to touch ? At 60C+, it should ...

[Oversized Rooster]

For 3.4GHz those temperatures are about 5-7 degrees higher than they should be. You can safely operate the Core 2 Quad up to around 75.

I have my Q9450 at 3.8GHz using 1.33V. I'm using a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme cooler with a 1600rpm Scythe 120mm fan.

At full load the cores heat up to between 57 and 63 degrees.

Consider improving your case airflow, getting a higher speed fan and lowering CPU voltage.

Also, although your CM heatsink is OK, it is NOT one of the models which you should be attempting max air cooling OC on. CM has always made mediocre products all the way through the 90s and continues the trend today.

Consider a Thermalright Ultra 120, Scythe Infinity/Mugen, Scythe Ninja 2 or Orochi, OCZ Vendetta 2 or Zalman CNPS 9900.

[Snicla]

For 3.4GHz those temperatures are about 5-7 degrees higher than they should be. You can safely operate the Core 2 Quad up to around 75.

I have my Q9450 at 3.8GHz using 1.33V. I'm using a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme cooler with a 1600rpm Scythe 120mm fan.

At full load the cores heat up to between 57 and 63 degrees.

Consider improving your case airflow, getting a higher speed fan and lowering CPU voltage.

Also, although your CM heatsink is OK, it is NOT one of the models which you should be attempting max air cooling OC on. CM has always made mediocre products all the way through the 90s and continues the trend today.

Consider a Thermalright Ultra 120, Scythe Infinity/Mugen, Scythe Ninja 2 or Orochi, OCZ Vendetta 2 or Zalman CNPS 9900.


The airflow is ok, one fan on the bottom front sucking in, one on the side beside video card sucking in, one on the heatsink sucking air through, one on the top sucking out, one on the rear sucking out, if I had more time I'd draw a diagram :D. So I don't think that's the problem.

Is the heatsink hot to touch ? At 60C+, it should ...

Heatsink is not hot to the touch at all, leading me to believe that I just got a semi-******** cpu which is no biggie. I would have liked to OC more but it's not a huge issue for me.

I actually took the entire thing apart today and re-applied the thermal paste thinking that that might have been the problem, I even used different thermal paste ( NT-H1) but unfortunately the core temps stayed the same.

It runs well enough and it's stable after 6hrs of Prime95, so I am not happy, but I will say I am satisfied.

At idle the cores are 40 26 35 35 @3.4ghz, since nothing that I'm currently running even remotely touches the capabilities of this chip I can't complain. However my e-peen has shrunk by at least 3 inches.

[infamouskid]

try lapping your cpu that should drop the temps by about 6 - 10 c

[xtr_trek]

That seems very high. I've got the older Q6600 (2.4ghz) overclocked to 3.4 and the highest I see it go is 50c on all cores under a heavy load.

Might be worth investing in a quality heatsink or a bigger case.

[Snicla]

That seems very high. I've got the older Q6600 (2.4ghz) overclocked to 3.4 and the highest I see it go is 50c on all cores under a heavy load.

Might be worth investing in a quality heatsink or a bigger case.

The CM Z600 is a very good heatsink according to reviews. Not the best but it should do the job, especially with a fan on it.

try lapping your cpu that should drop the temps by about 6 - 10 c

That's a little too risky for me, I'd rather not try that. Maybe in a few years when the prices for it drop. If anything I'll try lapping the heatsink.

[jazzzjackrabbit]

im getting 33 C on my q9550 but im using watercooling.