940XM Overheating AGAIN :(

I have no idea why it does this. I've replaced the heatsink. I've used different TIMs. I've checked that the fan's RPM is at an appropriate speed. I mean I have OC'd it 5% in the BIOS, but I haven't had to increase the voltage at all, and it was fine for months and months before this started happening. Anyone know what this might be? CPU idles at like 60 and gets to like 80+ in games and applications, and starts downclocking.

Edit: Just played Smite for 5 minutes and top temps were 96 degrees. Not so good...

 

How do you apply the paste?
Maybe something going wrong there, i always used the drop/line method.

 

i was using the rice method the first 3 times I applied it. That didn't fix the issue, so I tried spreading it with a razor blade the next time and nothing changed. Let me know if anyone knows what might cause this: Every time I remove the heatsink, the thermal paste has not reached the middle of the die. The heatsink isn't making full contact with the surface of the CPU. When I reapply the heatsink however, I very meticulously place it on top of the cpu and make sure it's set in the correct place. I then go in a crisscross pattern with the screw tightening until I can't go any further.

 

When removing old thermal compound use rubbing alcohol to leave the CPU and heatsink shining like a mirror. Then just put a drop of good thermal compound, like Arctic cooling MX-4 or Arctic Silver 5, in the middle of the CPU. Please see the video below how the thermal paste spreads applying it differently.

 

Unfortunately I already do that I gently remove the heatsink, clean the die and the copper surface of the heatsink until they're spotless with 99% rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter. I then put my Noctua NT-H1 right on the middle of the die in the form of a grain of rice / small line. Maybe it's the TIM? Has anyone had bad luck with Noctua's stuff? I've heard MX-4 / IC Diamond / Noctua pretty much all yield the same results.

 

That could be your problem, the heatsink probably is warping and not making contact in the middle. You should repaste, place the heatsink and thighten it about 2 turns for each screw. with the laptop still open, power it on and use some stress tool to load your cpu. Then fine tune the heatsink over the cpu monitoring temperatures untill you are satisfied with them

 

sorry for the double post, internet connection problem

 

I have same with my 920XM when OC'ed by 5% without changing the voltage settings.
I have Noctua's paste as well.

I simply stopped OC this CPU and so far is working perfectly.
I did not really go down the road and check why in idle I have around 60C and when gaming this CPU is getting up 90C.
Just no bother any more as I am happy with the performance I have right now.

I may try Arctic Silver 5 paste later this week to see if I can drop by few degrees.

 

try what CptXabaras said as it sounds like your tightening the heatsink to much and this is what is causing the issues.

 

Ya I'm going to do this as soon as I get home. Good idea As I was typing it I was like, gee, I'm pretty sure I've read before that tightening these things all the way was a bad idea. Fingers crossed

 

I always tighten them complete, only just do it wise, I always screw the bolts 1 by one in cross.
You should be fine but just do carefull.

 

That's unfortunate sounding. I would keep the CPU at stock to be honest. I've just gotten problems when I try to OC my 920XM. The highest temps I get in most games are around 80*C and that's in a rather tepid room.

 

Okay, I finally solved the issue. The problem was the heatsink was rocking back about maybe an eighth of an inch. This made it so the forward part of the CPU die wasn't getting proper contact with the heatsink. Basically what I had to do was just place the heatsink on top of the CPU, then keep my index finger pressed on it until I got the first half turns done on the screws. When the heatsink is angled properly in this way, there is no need to worry about overtightening. The spring-loaded screws stop completely when they are fully tightened (which is not incredibly tight) to prevent warping and such. Thanks for the suggestions guys

 

You usually do have to fully tighten heatsink screws in notebooks as they have stops to prevent tightening too far, just don't use excessive force.....