Thermal Throttling on HP Z400 with X5680
I've upgraded the processor to a X5680 and I'm finding the CPU is being throttled when running a benchmark like Cinebench R20. The machine has the stock performance cooler. Does anyone have any suggestions on improving the cooling in this workstation?
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Hi Steve, the stock cooler should be fine for that CPU. Have you updated the BIOS before adding the new CPU? Sometimes BIOS updates can fix this as they have updated info on handling newer CPUs.
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The latest BIOS I could find to ensure it had the codes for the upgraded processor, v3.61. HWINFO64 is showing the cores hit 100 degrees and thermal throttling is active during a cinebench20 test. Is this normal?
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Steve no, 100c isn't normal, even 85C is pushing it. Is your cooler the one with the fan?
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stormson weathers It is. I was wondering about upgrading it but I've seen talk that alternative fans don't run at a high enough RPM and that upsets the machine's management of the fans. The minimum temps are from 41 to 47. Do you know what they should be? Could the processor be at fault somehow?
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Steve it could be a number of factors; the cpu itself being one. Then you have thermal paste and even an old bios or the cooler. Double checking your thermal paste wouldn't hurt. As for the x5680, it should be around 75c with your default cooler or lower with a more performance based one.
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stormson weathers If you cooler has the dual copper pipes then it's the regular cooler rated for 95w CPUs. The x5680 is rated at 130w
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stormson weathers It came with a W3550 which appears to be a 130W processor but I will check the cooler as it was bought as a refurbished machine. Are you aware of any cooler upgrades that will fit? Would HP's water cooler be a good choice or are there better options now?
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Steve there is a company called "Noctua" that makes some pretty cool aftermarket heatsinks. I've heard they work really well. However, your install may require some mods. https://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-workstation-server
Before upgrading your heatsink, you should consider cleaning off your existing cpu and heatsink, and applying some fresh heatpaste. My guess is that the refurbisher that you bought it from didn't do this when they sold it to you. I would bet that this will bring you down to some much better temps. I really like this heatpaste: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEMTRONICS-CHEMPAD-CP400-WIPE-WITH-SHINETSU-MICROSI-THERMAL-GREASE-TUBE-COMBO/332758270956?epid=2293504397&hash=item4d79f043ec:g:tHsAAOSwuBhbbb3g
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Jbigticket23 Thanks for the suggestions.
I applied the thermal compound myself but it's only the second time I've tried it so I'll give it another go before looking at other coolers.
I know Noctua coolers are highly rated but they cost as much as the second hand PC!
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