Hi

I have built a new PC around an Intel Core i9 13900K processor. I am having issues with keeping it cool at 100% load.

Using Intel Extreme tuning Utility I can get graphs of package temp, CPU utilization and Max Core Frequency. Running the stress test CPU utilization reachs 100% but the Max Core Frequency is reduced when the temp hits 100 degrees celius.

Currently using a Noctua NH-D12L Dual Tower cooler with dual fans which according to Noctura's web site is compatible with the Intel Core i9 13900K, but my results show it does not keep below the temperature at which the CPU is thermal throlled.

Any advice welcome.

Liquid cooling is the way to go, the only other option is keeping the room temperature at or below 15°c and plenty of air flow though the case.
Also limiting it's power usage will help a lot. Running unlimited gives maximum performance, and maximum heat. Limiting it's power usage may drop performance by 10%, but with the lower power usage the temperatures can be dropped by up to 40% (with a capable cooler).
The simple fact is that they use such huge amounts of power in order to provide the performance they do, and the end result is they run extremely hot, and even high-end water coolers can struggle to cool them when they are run without a limit on their power usage.

Testing Intel's Flagship With Budget Air and Big AIOs

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Grant
Darwin NT

I agree with Grant, but there is 1 thing that I'll mention that many do miss doing, did you remove the clear protective plastic covering from the base of the cooler?

Cheers.

Thanks for the info.

One thing I was going to do was remove the cooler and redo the thermal paste, not expecting it to help, but need to do that to eliminate this as a cause. Pretty sure I removed the film from the base of the cooler as I clean the processor and cooler surfaces, but will check when I redo the thermal paste.

How would I limit the power usage? I have tried this in the UEFI / BIOS: Global SVID > offset mode -ve > offset voltage 0.5. Intel Extreme Tuning app with stress test now shows Core package temp at 96 degrees Celius and Power Limit Throttling turns red rather than Thermal Throttling turning red. A -ve 0.25 was minimum BIOS would allow and had no effect. - 0.5 gets the CPU package temp just below 100 is this the besy way to limit the power?

Motherboard is an ASUS Intel Z790 ProArt Creator

How would I limit the power usage?

No idea- it will depend very much on the motherboard being used.
Extreme high end ones will probably have an option to set the PL2 value directly (just a case of finding where that option is hidden).

With others it'd be a case of undervolting it and adjusting the multiplier, or just setting a maximum temperature.

If the motherboard manual isn't of much help, i'd do a search for forums for that particular motherboard.


Edit-

Motherboard is an ASUS Intel Z790 ProArt Creator

Page 38 of the manual, Internal CPU power management.
Long Duration Package Power Limit looks like the option- set it to 200, save & see how things go.

That sets the PL1 (base value), it can still go higher than that, but only for short periods of time. If it's still too high, drop that value down a bit, or set the Short Duration Package Power Limit to 220 or something like that and see how things go.

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Grant
Darwin NT

Hi David,

Perhaps this video will help. I watch his JayzTwoCents videos all the time.

Have a great day!

Siran

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CAPT Siran d'Vel'nahr - L L & P _\\//
Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath

I've got a i7 13700 same trouble. I had to disable the E-cores on the bios to be able to run boinc (einstein@home)

By default it seems that boinc only run on E-cores (windows 11), and the P-cores remain idle.

Is there a way to make boinc use all cores (p-cores + e-cores) without throttling?

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It's raining here so had time to play with the BIOS settings.

Setting long duration power does reduce the CPU package temperature which is good news.

Overall I am wondering if I should get a better CPU cooler although I doubt a better air cooler would give me much more improvement. I don't have spae in the case for a water cooler so that is kind of ruled out.

* Update *

I found a setting that by default used ASUS overides, I set this to enforce defaults and that is sufficient to keep temps around 80-90 when under load. I think the motherboard by default was providing lots of power. Seems better way for a novice overclocker like me to manage the temps. My new PC is still 350% faster than my old one so short of spending a lot on better cooling this looks the best option.

hi, no bending issue with this CPU ?

https://www.tomshardware.com/features/intel-core-13900k-cooling-tested

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Maybe, I did look into this when buying all the parts. Only the thermal grizzly solution had any kind of torque setting. The rest just used normal screw tighening and the results on the web were often worse when using a replacement clamp. I think because they did not use the correct torque.

In case anybody else has Intel i9 cooling issues I have sorted out why my PC was running so hot.

Turns out it was due to the "bending issue". I took the PC apart installed one of these

http://thermalright.com/product/lga1700-bcf-black/

put everything back togther and Intel Extreme Tuning Utility benchmark has gone up from mid 10,000s to high 13,000s and CPU temperature is well under control. I am a happy bunny.