New CPU Cooler - CPU overheating

[ganons]

I have an Asus Maximus VI Impact motherboard and I fitted the Zalman CNPS8900 cooler http://www.zalman.com/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=468 and when I boot it, immediately coretemp reads 80+ going upto 95+. Sometimes it wont boot because it of temp and asks to go in bios. It was a real tight fit, the screws didnt go down all the way but its tight when trying to screw in. It felt like the heatsink did sit on top of the cpu and applied a pea style themal paste.

I set the fan speed to Turbo in bios but not making real difference. Thinking a reseat of the cooler again?

 

[MongGrel]

Would be the first thing I'd do.

Yeah that isn't good.

That and look at how flat the bottom is on the cooler.

 

[doyll49]

What MongGrel said. Bottom of cooler should be slightly convex. Make sure the cooler sets flat onto CPU and does not get any air into TIM after you set it down on CPU. it can be twisted a little, but do not tilt it at all.

 

[ganons]

OK got it on now but if I thighten it too much I get a post 55 error and the nearest ram slot wouldn't work. Little more research reveals that if the cooler is too tight then this happens as it did the same with the stock cooler.

I would like to screw it a bit tighter but the post error was doing my head in so had to test about 15+ times. Now its working but not as good as it did when I tested outside the case, was idle at 31, no fluctuations.

Now in the case it the temp fluctuates from 32-47. Guessing because of having removing cooler numerous times to avoid post error and not reapplying paste?

 

[doyll49]

You should never R&R cooler without wiping clean and applying new paste. Air gets trapped which decreases heat transfer.