i7-950 running really hot?

[idata]

Hi everyone,

I have a i7-950 @ 3.06 GHz being cooled by a Zalman CNPS9500. I use a gigabyte x58-UD3R Rev 2.0 mobo. When I am idling I am getting core temperatures around 67, which for idle is very hot. I have reseated my heatsink several times in hopes of it just being a bad connection. Sadly, I have temperatures around this high no matter what I do it seems. I am not overclocking at all. When I play some games it reaches 100C and starts throttling down. This pretty much ruins any gaming that I am doing and renders it useless. Worse yet, it has gotten to the point where the heat from my CPU has started crashing my graphics cards ( two GTS 550 ti's in SLi) when I play. They are reaching temps of 80C and 60C respectively. This being said, I had also purchised the CPU with the mindset of overclocking it to make it last longer, but there is no way that will happen at these temperatures. It's not incredibly cool in my apartment, but it is about 80F. I do not know what else to do. My only thoughts were to either my mobo and processor and get a newer generation in hopes that it runs cooler or buy water-cooling I do not think my case (LianLi PC-k7B) can support water cooling so that would force me to buy a new case and a water cooling system. I have already bought more high powered case fans and am running those which only seemed to help around 3 degrees. Everywhere I turn to try and fix this appears to cost a lot of money. Is there anything you guys can think of that might save my computer? Honestly I am losing hope.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

Hello Richard,

What about if you use the Intel® fan instead of the Zalman?

When properly installed, the heatsink should not wiggle or shake if you attempt to move it; the pins should not come up if you try to pull them up.

Please refer to the following links:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030860.htm http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030860.htm

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-032036.htm http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-032036.htm

Try monitoring the fan speed as well. The fan should be connected to the motherboard's CPU fan header. You may want to make sure the BIOS is running with default settings and the memory should be not higher than 1066 MHz, 1.5v.

Finally, run the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool available in the link below:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-031726.htm http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-031726.htm

[idata]

I used the intel OEM heat-sink originally, but the processor ran even hotter with that heat-sink. I tried multiple installations with that heat-sink as well and I installed it properly with each try which was about 3 times.

I will check the Bios here in a bit, but the settings should be default. I will let you know when I can take a look.

I have run the diagnostic tool which says everything is "good" but the temperatures are still way too high.

[idata]

I checked the Bios settings and they are all correct from what I can interpret in regards to the voltages. I am beginning to think it may be a bad processor unless I can find some other culprit.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

You may need to actually reset the BIOS to default and verify if your memory is compatible.

If the issue persists, test with another CPU or motherboard if possible.

[idata]

I have reset the bios and my memory is compatible.

I have also RMA'd my mobo and it was completely replaced and the heat issue still persists with the new one. I do not have and cannot afford a new CPU to test.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

Try contacting Intel® technical support for assistance with your processor

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone

http://www.intel.com/support/feedback.htm?group=processor# processor http://www.intel.com/support/feedback.htm?group=processor# processor

[idata]

My i7-950 is running hot also. and I have the same mobo too. Whenever I'm playing codmw3 it hits 100° and throttles down.

I cleaned and reapplied thermal compound, cleaned out my case, fans, nothing works.

I have 2 radeon hd7750 graphics cards w/24 gigs of ram.

I ran the diag tool and passed(not sure why when the cores reached 100° during the test)

My computer hasn't shut down yet because of it but play gets so bad that I quit in disgust.

[idata]

I understand your frustration John. I wish there was a fix for all this, but so far I have yet to receive any information that has lead to a change in my temperatures.