4790K, are these temps normal?

[guy93]

Hey guys!

Got all setup with my build the other day, all parts ordered from NCIX and was assembled by them and tested.

Case:NZXT Phantom 530 White
Power Supply:EVGA 750 Watt Supernova
OS:Windows 8.1 64-Bit
Motherboard:ASUS Z97-A
CPU:Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.4GHZ(I am sure this is because of the Turbo Mode but my CPU-Z/Task Manager show it as 4.3/4.4Ghz constantly, which I am not complaining about but I figured it would be @ 4ghz unless I OC it myself. Unless the NCIX assemblers tinkered with it)
Memory:Corsair Vengeance 16GB @ 1600Mhz
Storage:Seagate 1TB HD/Crucial 250GB SSD
Video Card:Gigabyte GTX 970


I was looking at my temperatures and during idle it hops all over the place. Idle temps are between 37C-50C(3rd core only hits 50C, others are generally 45C or lower) with a Noctua D14 CPU Cooler. I have 2 120MM fans on the top for intake, 200mm in the front, and a 140mm in the rear as exhaust I believe. Plan on adding more.

The weirder thing is that under load, it is generally 65C or lower. So that didn't bother me too much, it was simply the idle temps.

Is this normal?

 

[OlyAR15]

CPU speed should drop to around 1GHz or so, so something is amiss. If it is indeed idling at over 4GHz, then that would probably explain the temps. Are you running in max performance mode?

 

[guy93]

Last I checked the BIOS I am farely certain it was set to Optimal settings under EZ Tuning, not max performance. But my Task Manager I know for a fact always sits showing 4.32Ghz while my CPU-Z & Core Temp shows 4.4Ghz. I may have to go back into the BIOS and look over everything. On the bright side, the performance is amazing haha.

The CPU Voltage is currently set to, according to CPU-Z, 1.259V as well, so it isn't exactly overvolting either.

 

[OlyAR15]

Sorry, I meant in Windows (I'm assuming you are running a version of Windows as your OS). In your control panel, under Power Options, I notice that if I run it in Balanced mode, the computer idles properly, but if I put it in High Performance mode, it tends to run the CPU at near max speed constantly. Also, check in the BIOS that enhanced speedstep is not disabled.

 

[guy93]

It is currently set to High Performance, but don't those settings refer to how long until display turns off/computer sleeps?

I will check BIOS when I get the chance.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Dont disable speedstep/C1E/EIST etc.

 

[BSim500]

It is currently set to High Performance, but don't those settings refer to how long until display turns off/computer sleeps?

"High Performance" simply disables SpeedStep which makes it run hotter and draws more power than necessary when idle. It doesn't actually run any faster. Set it to Balanced. You can manually override monitor / sleep timeouts, etc, under "Change Plan Settings -> Change advanced settings" -> "Sleep after..." and "Turn off display after..." under any plan.

 

[flexy]

Yes this is normal, the hopping around and also the differences between cores.

It hops around and can reach high temps within fractions of a second since unlike earlier CPUs, their sensor is right on the die. (Correct me if I am wrong). This means any temp change is immediately displayed, unlike with CPUs where the temp sensor was off the actual die.

Also, in "idle", load and multipliers are usually jumping around, there is always something going on nevertheless and the slightest load immediately increases temps of course. Otherwise nothing to worry.

Those CPUs in general have so crazy temps especially if you overclock, start worrying once the CPU exceeds the mid 90s, eg stress-testing.

Edit: With speedstep and all power savings settings to default in BIOS, I am seeing 23C - 30C at idle, when no browser window is open etc.

 

[ShintaiDK]

It hops around and can reach high temps within fractions of a second since unlike earlier CPUs, their sensor is right on the die. (Correct me if I am wrong). This means any temp change is immediately displayed, unlike with CPUs where the temp sensor was off the actual die.

Its been so for ages with Intel

 

[Ketchup]

It is currently set to High Performance ...

There's your answer. If you like it, keep it. If not, switch this to Balanced. Honestly, I doubt you will notice a difference between the two, just lower heat output/ power usage on the Balanced setting.

AS BSim500 mentioned, it is going to jump to full speed when hit with any type of load.

 

[guy93]

Ah okay, jeez I feel dumb haha, I forgot about how I could manually change the sleep timer, etc on the power plans. Temperatures def went down during idle, and load temps are great overall from the start. It's now on balanced.

Thanks guys! Cheers