causes of potential cpu oveheating and solutions

[Grouch]

Some years ago my brother bought like a 500 gram tub of "Cooler Master" thermal paste for like $20, it's for automotive use. Shortly after we were cleaning up one of our PC's and needed some new paste, he looked at his random tub which was still 90% full, and we slapped that stuff in there... There was no discernible change in temps from the fancy Arctic Silver whatever I was running before. We've slapped that random paste into a half dozen builds since with no issues.
My conclusion is all thermal paste is basically the same. Better kinds might only cause a change of like one degree. Proper application would be far more important than what kind it is.



Yeah that seems high. But not the end of the world if on heavy loads, a CPU is designed to take that. Modern CPUs will automatically throttle themselves if they run too hot... But you shouldn't ever hit throttling, assuming it's properly cooled.

a little update after I shut it off for the day yesterday I checked the heatsink again and found one of the posts was loose so I think I might have accidentally loosened it the last time instead of tightening it as this morning my temps are lower by about 10 degrees there's no change in the outside temp it's about the same as this time yesterday morning.
I did a little looking on newegg yesterday the artic mx-6 line has a lot of overall positive reviews but the thermal grizzly has more overall reviews but lower overall score so from what I'm seeing it seems it's more about brand quality then the paste itself this was comparing the low cost suggested brands.
I think I'll go with the artic mx-6 because of the positive feedback and low price unless I can find something else that's cheaper but still has good reviews I am however seeing a lot of conflicting reviews as well so it's difficult to judge.
one of the heatsinks I'm looking at buying comes with it's own thermal paste but I'm not sure what kind it is so it may be worth using that instead of buying some or at least as a temp solution.

[Slacker Magician]

Paste might make a few degrees difference but another cooler should be much more effective.

Something like this, for example, should be a significant improvement: https://www.newegg.com/cooler-master...SoldByNewegg=1

[Grouch]

Paste might make a few degrees difference but another cooler should be much more effective.

Something like this, for example, should be a significant improvement: https://www.newegg.com/cooler-master...SoldByNewegg=1

I was looking at this one https://www.newegg.com/enermax-ets-n...82E16835214072

[Slacker Magician]

The CM is a couple bucks less with the promo code, either should work. Both are listed as compatible with LGA1150.

[Grouch]

The CM is a couple bucks less with the promo code, either should work. Both are listed as compatible with LGA1150.

the coolermaster has some pros over the enermax but I don't know about the fan clips that hold the fan to the radiator they don't look reliable.

[Ragnar]

the coolermaster has some pros over the enermax but I don't know about the fan clips that hold the fan to the radiator they don't look reliable.

Looking at those two, IMO the Cooler Master is better. Clips over screws for fan mounting. They're a bit springy, so they'd absorb a minute amount of vibration on a thing that may generate some. They aren't weak or anything like that.

Edit: Oh crap. Looked a little more at that second one and it isn't screwed onto the heatsink. It's screwed onto a weird plastic housing that snaps onto the heatsink, that's waaay worse.

Edit 2: Not to disparage it entirely, I'm sure it *works*. But metal springy clips over plastic clips

[Grouch]

I guess if it's still available by thursday I'll get it. coolermaster is a better brand I really don't want or need the rgb crap though but that's a minor thing.

[Till]

I guess if it's still available by thursday I'll get it. coolermaster is a better brand I really don't want or need the rgb crap though but that's a minor thing.

You might want to look into evaporative cooling for your computer room, can be done with household items and there are inexpensive products for sale.

[Grouch]

You might want to look into evaporative cooling for your computer room, can be done with household items and there are inexpensive products for sale.

never heard of that before. is that like dehumidifying?

[Till]

never heard of that before. is that like dehumidifying?

It's using physics to cool the air with water evaporation.

[Grouch]

It's using physics to cool the air with water evaporation.

I will have to look into that as it sounds like it could be helpful in the summer this house sucks for heat retention in the summer my room in particular.
I haven't done too much looking as of yet but what would a good low price 120mm case fan be? I have looked at 2 or 3 one in particular I was looking at was scythe kaze flex 2.