Is something wrong with my processor?

[sapped]

Hey guys, I've built a new gaming system recently and these are the specs:

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory
Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card
EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Fractal Design Define R5 ATX Mid Tower Case

However there seem to be something wrong with the temperature as it's unusually high, I'm not sure whether there's something wrong with my processor or not. Basically after turning my computer on and let it sit idle for 5 minutes, while monitoring using the tool HWMonitor PRO. The temperature for the CPU frequently hits 39°C, occasionally even spikes up to 50°C for a second. This is when I'm using Balanced power profile while doing absolutely nothing!

Also I've tested it in a military simulator game while running an intense large scale battle, the temperature frequently stays at 79°C. This is while using the High Performance power profile. Switching XMP on or off in BIOS doesn't seem to change anything.

Is this normal for this processor or is something definitely wrong? I'm all new to system building and this is the first one I've ever built. Should I run other benchmarks or stress tests to provide better results, if so which one should I use? And this is for all components as well not just the CPU. I've heard about Prime95 a lot but it seems to intentionally run at really high temperatures, is it safe to do so?

I'm really lost at the moment and don't know what to do since everything seems so overwhelming, so would really appreciate any help you guys can provide!

Best Regards,

 

[Burpo]

The new Haswells run warm. Nothing to be alarmed about..

 

[Enigmoid]

Using the stock cooler don't be surprised about high temperatures.

 

[Ketchup]

Stock cooler? Those temps are fine. The chip won't start throttling until you hit 100 C.

 

[sapped]

Thanks for your reply man, really appreciate it!

Sorry I forgot to mention this previously, yeah I'm running the intel stock cooler.
However those temperatures I've posted above are for the system when it's NOT
overclocked at all.

Is this high degree of heat normal for non overclocked system? Just reached 87°C
while testing around in ArmA 3...

 

[McGraw]

Yes it's normal.

My temps were about the same at stock, with the stock cooler.

If you use balanced profile it will down volt and be cooler at idle.

 

[Gikaseixas]

Very normal behavior like other stated. The slight load while using a stock cooler will result in sharper spikes. Your chip runs at fairly high speeds and has aggressive turbo clocks too.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Thanks for your reply man, really appreciate it!

Sorry I forgot to mention this previously, yeah I'm running the intel stock cooler.
However those temperatures I've posted above are for the system when it's NOT
overclocked at all.

Is this high degree of heat normal for non overclocked system? Just reached 87°C
while testing around in ArmA 3...

THe 4790K is basically factory overclocked.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Make sure the mobo isnt autooverclocking the turbobins as well so it runs 4 threads at 4.4Ghz.

But again, Tjmax is 100C.

 

[ShintaiDK]

THe 4790K is basically factory overclocked.

No its not. Its stock speed tested and guaranteed like any other chip.

 

[flexy]

79C for those CPUs is actually "cool" ...wouldn't worry if that's all you see in gaming/work...in fact w/ those CPUs, especially the old Haswell you can be happy if it stays below 85.

I wouldn't worry about Prime, temps *WILL* get insanely hot with Prime but those are temps you will never see "in real life", it's really pointless. So if you stay below 85C w/ gaming etc. you're fine. (I am getting mid 90s here with prime but gaming, BF4 etc. it doesn't go higher than maybe 75).

A good "real life" stress test is ASUS "Real Bench 2", the stress test, you can run this and if it stays below 85C you are ok. Just accept that Haswell doesn't exactly run cool under heavy load.

 

[sapped]

Ehh guys, I really don't know how to say this. So I've removed the whole middle HDD cage from my system, hoping to allow better airflow
from the front to blow directly onto the mobo. Switched the fans from 7V to 12V with the fan controller that my case have.
And all the mobo setting at default with XMP off.

I've ran the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, while running its benchmark, it frequently hit 100°C, probably even off the chart too.
And when doing the CPU stress test, it hit above 90°C in just 2 min, and I had to stop the test.
While in idle mode it stays around 37°C with just 1% CPU utilization.

I'm not even sure what to do now, I'm afraid any other benchmarks will fry my system. Is this even normal with the stock cooler or something
definitely wrong?

 

[sapped]

I've also tried to look at the temperature reading in my BIOS/UEFI.

My room temperature is just 19°C and after opening my motherboard BIOS/UEFI, After 5 min it shows the CPU temp to be 55°C while the M/B is 35°C

I don't even know what to think of it now, either the sensor is being whacky or something seriously wrong with my system...

 

[ShintaiDK]

I've also tried to look at the temperature reading in my BIOS/UEFI.

My room temperature is just 19°C and after opening my motherboard BIOS/UEFI, After 5 min it shows the CPU temp to be 55°C while the M/B is 35°C

I don't even know what to think of it now, either the sensor is being whacky or something seriously wrong with my system...

I dont see anything wrong with it. May be you expecting something unrealistic? Being in BIOS isnt equal to idle.

 

[ShintaiDK]

While in idle mode it stays around 37°C with just 1% CPU utilization.

I'm not even sure what to do now, I'm afraid any other benchmarks will fry my system. Is this even normal with the stock cooler or something
definitely wrong?

Thats normal temp. And you cant fry the CPU at stock setting with stock cooler. Intel gives you a 3 years warranty.

Also the shutdown temperature is 130C. While it starts to throttle at 100C. Even without a cooler I doubt you reach 130C.

You seem to focus on an issue that isnt there.

 

[Gikaseixas]

Intel usually sets their thermal limits a bit high but they know what they're doing. The system will shutdown whenever the temps are way too high. If anything, high voltage is more dangerous.

If you're not comfortable just get a good aftermarket cooling solution. Case solved

 

[daveybrat]

Your temps are normal. Of course the cpu is going to get much hotter under stress testing benchmark programs.

If you're really concerned about it, just buy an aftermarket cooler like the CM Hyper EVO for $30-$35 range or a closed loop water cooler.

 

[bononos]

...
Is this normal for this processor or is something definitely wrong? I'm all new to system building and this is the first one I've ever built. Should I run other benchmarks or stress tests to provide better results, if so which one should I use? And this is for all components as well not just the CPU. I've heard about Prime95 a lot but it seems to intentionally run at really high temperatures, is it safe to do so?

I'm really lost at the moment and don't know what to do since everything seems so overwhelming, so would really appreciate any help you guys can provide!

What is your room temp like? Prime95 is commonly for stress testing and also checking to see if the heatsink/thermal compound are applied properly.

 

[sm625]

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility benchmark is going to load your cores in ways most other apps wont. While gaming, your temps should stay under 85 for most games, maybe 91 for the worst of the worst. This is "normal".

 

[flexy]

>>
So I've removed the whole middle HDD cage from my system, hoping to allow better airflow
from the front to blow directly onto the mobo. Switched the fans from 7V to 12V with the fan controller that my case have.
>>

hehe...fractal design arc midi 2?

 

[flexy]

sapped, did you overclock the CPU or changed something in BIOS, *mainly* Vcore?

Even if those temps (sadly) are still common/normal (tell Intel about their grandiose idea to put VRMs on die.....), get a cooler like a EVO 212 and some MX-4 thermal paste.

You just can't expect Haswell (even your Devil's Core) and stock cooler "run cool" at least not on stock cooling.

Solution:

a) As said, get aftermarket cooler
or
b) Delid and apply CLU inside CPU and risk destroying your CPU (hardcore approach)
or
c)
Say "*** it" and don't bother about high temps in stress-testing since you won't ever see those temps in real life.

There are some stress tests (like latest prime, or Aida FPU stress-test) which use AVX instructions in a loop, those instructions ADD EVEN MORE VOLTS to your CPU than set in bios, causing insane heat on your CPU. (It is my personal opinion that nowadays a lot of those synthetic tests have become unsuitable to "test" systems for various reasons, unlike 10 years or so ago). This is why I now tend to say tests like Asus Real Bench 2 etc. are much better.

Running AVX calculations "to heat up your CPU to the max" has nothing in the slightest to do with any real life apps or games. So in other words, if you hit 100C in those silly tests and only 75C even in heavy gaming, why bother?

 

[Ketchup]

As others have said, this is still not a big concern. My testing shows that Intel starts downclocking this processor once you hit 100 C, which I encountered when doing some stress testing with OCCT while overclocked (wanted to see what she would do). This is with the heatsink in my sig. I will also say that OCCT and the Intel Burn test will push the CPU much harder than your average game. If you are hitting 100 while actually playing any games, I would recommend a better cooler, as you obviously want full power 100% of the time. If the stress tests are the ONLY things that kick it up this high, an aftermarket heatsink would be more of a personal preference.

 

[Techhog]

Since you refuse to listen to people here saying that it's fine, you need to buy a new cooler. You seem extremely uncomfortable and alarmed by your temps, so go out and buy a high-end cooler (Hyper 212 will still go pretty high in Prime).

Next time you come to a forum asking for advise, actually listen to the advice.

 

[Cerb]

Even a good sample is going to exceed the capabilities of the stock cooler, under a sustained load from a stress-testing program. I have a substantially slower CPU (3.3/3.7), and Prim95 can get it using 93W, if I let it (80W stock), with a -100mV offset (always stays under 1.1V; will break 100W w/o the undervolt). If you want all the power your CPU has available to you all the time, a new cooler is necessary. Normally, it's not a problem, since it only happens in stress-testing apps, though. It's unlike applications you use will ever go past 70W, if they even go that high.

 

[Majic 7]

"Something is weird. I just switched from my Corsair H70 to the stock cooler. Idles around 30, new Prime blend runs around 80, topped at 93 on second test of five, small ffts- immediate 100 and throttle. Games at around 40 to 60. This is with everything at stock, no XMP. With XMP Prime blend hovers around 90 to 100 with frequency going from 3700Mhz to 4200Mhz. Still idles 30 to 35 even after shutting down Prime."
This is a quote from me from another thread with a similar problem. Is there this much variance between different systems/CPUs? Don't think I have a golden chip, got it as soon as MicroCenter got them in and just accepted it as is.