Overheating Due To Low CPU Fan RPMs?

[baycrzn]

Hi,

I just built a new HTPC system and I'm currently experiencing extremely high CPU temps under load. Here is my system:

Silverstone Grandia Series GD05B micro-ATX case (3 Case Fans)
Intel Core i5 2500K Quad w/ stock CPU cooler
Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H-B3 motherboard
8 GB G.Skill Sniper DDR3 RAM
Using Artic Silver.

I currently have the BIOS set to load optimized defaults.

At idle BIOS reports the following:

CPU Fan - ~1935 RPMs
Sys Fan  - ~640 RPMs
CPU Temp - 63 degrees C
Sys Temp - 36 degrees C

Smart Fan is disabled in BIOS for maximum RPMs at all times. I had this BIOS option enabled and it never increased past~1700 RPMs (idle or under load)

When I run any applications that put this system under load (ie. Freemake Video Converter) all 4 core temps shoot right to ~90 degrees C at which time I have to quit the application. I've been monitoring the temps with Core Temp.

Should I suspect the motherboard is not putting out enough voltage to drive the CPU fan or maybe the stock fan is broken? It seems to me the RPMs are rather low at idle (1935 RPMs). After googling it seems I should be seeing between 2500 - 3000 RPMs at max for the CPU fan. I found this post earlier and it sounds like this person is having the same problem as I am. Same motherboard and CPU.

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,7126.0.html

Any help is appreciated!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

I would really advise you to get an aftermarket cooler even though these chips are not as hot running as some of the prevoius series. There are numerous heatsinks and fans out there that would knock spots off the bundled cooler. The thing is regardless of whether the present fan is running at the full 100% it isn't going to make that much difference anyway. A good cooler like the Noctua will keep the temperature down to a reasonable level regardless. I suspect that maybe the stock cooler isn't working properly but as I say it is kind of irrelevant.

[baycrzn]

Thanks for the feedback. Turns out one of the push pins wasn't fully seated. Now my idle temps are ~31 C and under load in the mid to high 70s C. Much more reasonable.

Still be taking your advise to get an aftermarket cooler.  I was just waiting to assemble the HTPC to figure out how much clearance I had under the optical drive before I bought one. Turns out I have about 70mm of room to spare. I looked at Noctua, unfortunately didn't see much in my range.

Probably be settling for a Cooler Master Vortex 211P

Thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

That makes sense, glad to hear you managed to find the root of the problem anyway. This series of chips are much cooler running than a lot of the ones previously and so the performance of the cooler that you pick is not so important and that gives you a better spread to choose from. Just read a few reviews before deciding if I were you.