How hot is too hot for a CPU?

I got my MSI GE62 Apache-002 a few hours ago and have downloaded every windows update I can find.

Even when only browsing text posts on reddit, my CPU temperatures are anywhere from 50°C to 65°C. When I play CS:GO, my CPU temperature gets up to 75°C. The fan is running (I feel warm air coming out of the left side) and the fan speeds definitely pick up as the temperature goes over ~60°C. The only time I've seen it go under 45°C is when I have the fans on at max while doing nothing.

I'm using my computer on a hard, flat surface, so there shouldn't be anything blocking any of the vents.

My CPU is the i7-4720HQ which I know has a 100°C Junction Temperature.

Should I be concerned with these temperatures? What's a safe sustained temperature for my computer? Do I need to return my computer/get it fixed?

Is this even the correct forum to be posting in? Should I have posted in the MSI section instead?

 

Your temps are fine. You never get close to T-junction so overheating isn't an issue. Laptops tend to run hotter than desktops anyways.

For reference here's a review of another gaming laptop: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9177/the-gigabyte-p35x-v3-review/7

Note how the temps start around 60 and go up to 85 during gaming. No problem at all

 

Thank you! If the temperatures do start getting closer to the T-junction, are there any steps I should be taking? How close is too close? I'm I just getting too worried?

 

No, your computer will throttle down around 95-98c and will shutdown if temp still go up despite throttling (broken fan for example) around 101-105c, if it doesn't blue screen before. I think I remember seeing somewhere, absolute max temp of 135c where damage could happen if ever exceeded for some strange reason, but don't quote me on that.

 

Modern CPUs and GPUs will throttle themselves before they reach damaging temperatures, and if that doesn't work you laptop will just power off. There's really no short term danger to running you laptop near T-junction.

The problem with thermals is longer term. Higher temperatures wear out components faster (fans, hard disks, batteries, capacitors, etc.) so having sustained elevated temperatures will shorten the life of your laptop.

The best thing is to play it by ear. If your fans continuously run higher than the lowest setting your components may be getting too hot. But if you're really worried, powering down when not in use is a great way to keep everything cool.

 

It may shorten the life of your laptop, but you'll likely replace the laptop before any real negative effects take place.

 

This, the processor is usually one of the last things that can die in a laptop. as a personal rule, as long as I'm 10 ^oC below T[sub]j[/sub] I consider it alright, not ideal, but alright. If I can be 15 ^oC or less below T[sub]j[/sub], then I consider that all is well. If you see temps increasing slowing, it's time to take out the air can and dust those heatsinks!

 

Thank you for the great responses, I really appreciate it!

 

Yeah. Generally, TRY not to sit at like 92c for 8 hours, but theoretically nothing is wrong with it.

If you're thermal throttling (95c+) all the time though, you should clean/repaste/etc.