Question:

I have recently replaced my Ryzen 3700x with a Ryzen 5800x3D CPU and reused my Corsair H115i Pro 280mm liquid AIO cooler. I removed the old thermal paste and applied a new line of paste on the CPU before mounting the heatsink. However, I noticed that my CPU temperature reaches close to 90°C when under full load, while the coolant temperature remains around 35°C. This suggests that there is a poor thermal contact between the CPU and the cooler. Is this a normal behavior for this CPU-cooler combination, or do I need to re-install the heatsink with more or different thermal paste?

Answer:

How to Cool Your Ryzen 5800x3D CPU with a Corsair H115i Pro AIO Cooler

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800x3D is one of the most powerful desktop processors on the market, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 3D V-Cache that boosts gaming performance. However, this also means that the CPU generates a lot of heat, especially when running at full load. To keep your CPU cool and stable, you need a reliable cooling solution, such as the Corsair H115i Pro 280mm liquid AIO cooler.

But what if you notice that your CPU temperature is still too high, even with a high-end AIO cooler? Is this normal, or do you need to re-install the heatsink with more or different thermal paste? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide some tips on how to optimize your CPU cooling performance.

According to AMD, the maximum operating temperature (Tjmax) for the Ryzen 5800x3D CPU is 90°C. This means that the CPU will start to throttle or shut down if it reaches this temperature. However, this does not mean that you should let your CPU run at 90°C all the time, as this can reduce its lifespan and stability.

A more reasonable temperature range for the Ryzen 5800x3D CPU is between 60°C and 80°C, depending on the workload, ambient temperature, and cooling solution. Under normal usage, such as browsing, streaming, or office work, the CPU should stay below 70°C. Under heavy load, such as gaming, video editing, or rendering, the CPU can reach up to 80°C, but should not exceed it.

How Does the Corsair H115i Pro AIO Cooler Work?

The Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler is a closed-loop liquid cooling system that consists of a pump, a radiator, two fans, and a cold plate. The pump circulates a liquid coolant through a loop of tubes that connect the cold plate and the radiator. The cold plate is attached to the CPU with thermal paste, which transfers the heat from the CPU to the coolant. The radiator is mounted on the case, where the fans blow air through it, dissipating the heat from the coolant to the environment.

The Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler also features 16 RGB LEDs on the pump head, which can be customized with the iCUE software. The iCUE software also allows you to monitor the CPU and coolant temperatures, adjust the fan and pump speeds, and create cooling profiles. One of the profiles is the Zero RPM mode, which stops the fans entirely at low temperatures, eliminating fan noise.

Why is My CPU Temperature Still High with the Corsair H115i Pro AIO Cooler?

If you have installed the Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler correctly, but still notice that your CPU temperature is close to 90°C when under full load, there are several possible reasons:

• Your CPU is overclocked. Overclocking your CPU increases its performance, but also its power consumption and heat output. If you have overclocked your CPU beyond its specifications, you may need to increase the voltage and the cooling capacity to keep it stable. However, this also increases the risk of damaging your CPU and voiding your warranty. Therefore, we recommend that you only overclock your CPU if you know what you are doing and have adequate cooling.
• Your thermal paste is insufficient or degraded. Thermal paste is a compound that fills the gaps between the CPU and the cold plate, improving the heat transfer. However, thermal paste can dry out, crack, or lose its effectiveness over time, reducing the cooling performance. If you have reused your old thermal paste, or applied too little or too much thermal paste, you may need to re-clean and re-apply it with the proper amount and technique. A general rule of thumb is to use a pea-sized dot of thermal paste in the center of the CPU, and let the pressure of the cold plate spread it evenly.
• Your fan and pump settings are too low. The fan and pump speeds of the Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler can be adjusted with the iCUE software, depending on your preference and needs. However, if you set them too low, you may compromise the cooling performance and cause your CPU to overheat. If you want to achieve the best balance between noise and cooling, you can use the Balanced profile, which automatically adjusts the fan and pump speeds according to the CPU temperature. Alternatively, you can use the Extreme profile, which sets the fan and pump speeds to the maximum, ensuring the lowest CPU temperature possible, but also the highest noise level.
• Your case airflow is poor. The Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler relies on the case airflow to remove the heat from the radiator. If your case has insufficient or obstructed intake or exhaust fans, the hot air may accumulate inside the case, raising the ambient temperature and affecting the cooling performance. To improve your case airflow, you can add more fans, remove any dust or debris, and optimize the fan orientation and configuration. A common setup is to have the front and bottom fans as intake, and the rear and top fans as exhaust, creating a positive pressure and a smooth airflow.

How to Re-Install the Heatsink with More or Different Thermal Paste?

If you suspect that your thermal paste is the cause of your high CPU temperature, you can try to re-install the heatsink with more or different thermal paste. Here are the steps to do so:

• Turn off your PC and unplug the power cord. This is to prevent any electrical damage or shock.
• Remove the side panel of your case and locate the Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler. You may need a screwdriver to do so.
• Disconnect the fan and pump cables from the motherboard and the PSU. Be careful not to damage or lose any connectors or wires.
• Unscrew the cold plate from the CPU and lift it gently. Do not twist or pull the cold plate, as this may damage the CPU or the cooler.
• Clean the old thermal paste from the CPU and the cold plate. You can use a lint-free cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to do so. Do not use any abrasive or corrosive materials, as they may scratch or damage the surfaces.
• Apply new thermal paste to the CPU. You can use the same or a different brand of thermal paste, as long as it is compatible with your CPU and cooler. Use a pea-sized dot of thermal paste in the center of the CPU, and do not spread it manually.
• Re-attach the cold plate to the CPU and screw it securely. Make sure that the cold plate is aligned and covers the entire CPU, and that the screws are tightened evenly and firmly. Do not over-tighten the screws, as this may damage the CPU or the cooler.
• Reconnect the fan and pump cables to the motherboard and the PSU. Make sure that the cables are routed neatly and do not interfere with any other components or fans.
• Replace the side panel of your case and plug the power cord. You can now turn on your PC and check the CPU temperature with the iCUE software or any other monitoring tool.

Conclusion

The Ryzen 5800x3D CPU and the Corsair H115i Pro AIO cooler are a powerful combination that can handle any task or game. However, to ensure the best performance and longevity of your CPU, you need to keep it cool and within the safe temperature range. By following the tips and steps in this article, you can optimize your CPU cooling performance and enjoy a smooth and stable PC experience.

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hope this article draft is helpful to you. If you have any feedback or questions, please let me know. 😊