CPU Temps --- Again

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 (3.2GHz) (Quad Core) (Black Edition) (8 MB Cache) AM3 Socket
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-890XA-UD3 (AMD 790X Chipset) (USB 3.0) (Socket AM3)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM)
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 1x ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H70 Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With LED Performance Fans (Blue) (Up to 6 Fans)
CPU Boost: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Cooling Upgrade Recommended)
OS Boost: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)

I posted here over a year ago after I got a new PC from you guys with some concerns about my CPU temperatures. Here's a link to my OP:

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=14157&PID=162494#162494

Also, you should know my CPU was overclocked to 3.84ghz.

Since then, my temps have progressively gotten worse. I now idle at 50-55c (sitting at 59c right now after a gaming session), and I'm consistently at 75c when gaming. My TjMax is 79c.

This seems WAY too high. I realize my video card isn't the best out there, but I've been noticing my fps isn't ideal in some games and I'm starting to wonder if I'm having heating problems.

Also, why have my temps just constantly gotten worse since I bought the machine? I remember when I first got it I was getting 28c-30c idle, and 40c-45c MAX when gaming. I spent extra money on fans and water cooling so that overheating would NEVER be an issue and I wouldn't even have to think about it.

I'm not here to complain, I'm here to find out if it's time to take the computer in and get a new case + fans + cooling or something. I'm worried I'm not getting enough cooling for an overclocked CPU and I don't want anything to start melting. Had it happen in the past and don't want to go there again.

I can't afford to have this PC die on my because I killed it from overheating from gaming. Appreciate any help I could get with this. Thank you.

I clean out the dust as best I can with compressed air. I'm not sure what you mean when you say heat-sinks though. Do you mean the heat-sink on the CPU? Is there a way to clean that without removing it?

Can I assume by your response that these temps are indeed too high? Are they dangerous considering my comp is on all the time and I game a lot at 75c?


Edited by Lonewolf - 07 Apr 2012 at 6:01am

Thanks a lot for the response and suggestions bprat.

There was a pretty good amount of dust, but not a huge amount. I think I see the heat-sinks on the mobo you are referring to --- they look clean to me. Doesn't really even look like they could really get dusty, unless I'm looking at the wrong thing (strip of metal "fins" on the motherboard.)

My radiator is indeed mounted to my back wall. Both fans look to be turning. I'm going to blow some air through them a little later today when I have better light in my computer room.

However I find it hard to believe that if my comps critical limit is 79c, and it will start automatically shutting down at that temp, that being a mere 4 degrees shy of that is safe...

Also is the PC on the floor?

I highly recommend keeping it off the floor.  Does it have space to vent?  Is the room itself that the PC is in cool?  Id recommend a room below 75 degrees.


Edited by xii - 07 Apr 2012 at 9:29am

   So glad it' s fixed.     By the way.....everything I've read says that chip should stay below 65c.