Hot processor - safe if it's throttled..?

[neeb]

Hi all,

Just over a year ago I got a new desktop from PC Specialist - it was intended fpr intensive home use with occasional gaming (actually more virtual cycling, Zwift etc). I've been very happy with it (spec. below).

I wanted something compact and atttactive to sit in my livingroom so intentionally compromised on cooling, given that I'm not gaming much.

However, I have been using it for some work-related tasks that are highly processor intensive - basically, number crunching (Bayesian statistical MCMC chain analyses if you want to know). This involves running multiple processor cores at full-pelt for many hours on end (occasionally days on end). I've been using the Ryzen Master app. to look at the processor temperatures. Bascially, whenever around half of the total processor capacity (I guess 6 out of 12 logical processors, or 3 out of 6 cores) is being used continuously (and I do mean continuously), the processor temp. is throttled at pretty much exactly 95C. If I drop the load to around 1/3 of the total processor capacity the temperature sits at around 90 - 92C, which I'm much more comfortable with.

My question is: is it safe to run the machine continuously with the processor throttled to 95C? I'm not doing this all of the time, but maybe once every month or two I might do it for a day or three. I don't mind that it's throttling, the drop in speed isn't so significant as to make a huge difference, it just means the analyses take slightly longer to run. I just don't want to damage the processor. But presumably the reason it's designed to throttle at 95C is because this is the upper limit of the safe temperature range?

Or do I need to invest in a new case with better cooling? (I've noticed if I place a big floor fan beside the machine I can cool it down, ha ha).

Spec:

Case	THERMALTAKE CORE V1 GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 I AORUS PRO Wi-Fi AC (DDR4, USB 3.1, 6Gb/s)
Memory (RAM)	32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card	6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060 - HDMI, DP - VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive	2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive	512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W) Change to: 500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive	NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply	CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable	1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling	Noctua NH-L9i Low Profile AM4, Super Quiet CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste	ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card	ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless Network Card	GIGABIT LAN PORT + Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi excluded on H310I-PLUS)
USB/Thunderbolt Options	MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System	Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]

 

[B Poot]

The good news is that you are highly unlikely to break it just by running at full capacity, as most modern components have safeguards built in to stop you from going too far. However, like with any machine, if you run it at full capacity for extended periods of time, you are likely to shorten it's life.

Upgrading your cooling would definitely help. I would recommend all-in-one (AIO) coolers as a good solution. It could be tricky in your computer case, although I have seen it done (see video below). But you would find it easier to upgrade your cooler to something like a Corsair H115i Elite Capellix if you had a bigger case. As with most things, it depends on how much money (if any) you want to spend.

 

[neeb]

Great, thanks! Good to know that the processor is unlikely to melt.. ;-)

I guess that my situation is unusual (from a gaming perspective), as the GPU won't be stressed at all when I'm running these analyses, just the processor.

I might look into the AIO coolers.

This solution works rather well, although it's a bit noisy..

 

[B Poot]

No problem.

The first video that I posted is heat stress testing a GPU, but the concept holds for CPUs too - I just liked that he was using a heat gun on it!

As I believe you understand - whilst your current way of working won't necessarily break anything (unless you trip over those cables!), your performance will be suffering if your system is heat throttled. Therefore upgrading your system could save you time, and thus money, in the long run.

But, if your desk fan is working and you are happy to work with the setup - carry on!

 

[Martinr36]

bare in mind if you do rebuild it into another case, to get the ok from PCS or you'll be voiding any warranty you've got on the system

7.9	We reserve the right to suspend the warranty or refuse service if your Case, Motherboard, CPU or BIOS have been replaced without authorisation. Any tampering, repair or modification by unauthorised personnel voids the warranty.