Hi, all. The rig shown in my sig is fairly new - just got it 6 weeks ago. I know that certain components are not optimal (cost vs performance) for FSX, but it was built to support the 3D geologic modelling my work calls for. That aside, it runs FSX pretty well, too :-)I downloaded CoreTemp, and much to my surprise, while running FSX, the T-J temps were at 90-91 degrees centigrade. This CPU is listed at allowing for a T-J maximum temp of 91. These readings were the same whether I remained overclocked at 4.3Ghz, or throttled it back to an overclock of 4.0Ghz.So the question is this - am I running too hot? Or is current high-end PC design intentionally running things at max capability? Not shown in my sig is the high end thermal paste used, the 120mm liquid cooling, and the additional fans in the (mid size) tower. The motherboard is a Gigabyte G1 Assassin (LGA2011 socket).Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

It's far too hot. You shouldn't see temps in excess of 80ºC while stress testing. In FSX I would say 50 - 60ºCWhat's that 120mm liquid cooling exactly?

I have the Asetek 510LC 120MM Watercooler as supplied and installed by Cyberpower, Inc.

90 deg is too hot. I use 80 deg C as a working maximum, and prefer to see much less than that. In my i7-2600K clocked to 4.8 GHz I am using two triple-fan 360mm radiators (an overclocked GTX580 shares the loop) and I run in the mid-40s under a full load.

 

I don't think any of the systems using single-fan (120mm) radiators is an improvement over a decent air cooling solution, and in fact most of the canned systems like the Aseteks seem to underperform a quality air cooling solution.

 

The 6-core 3960X is a heat monster that needs a fairly aggressive cooling solution. I'd think a custom water loop with at least a triple-fan 360mm radiator would produce an improvement.

Thanks for your thoughts, w6kd. I am going to seek a second utility to make sure that the temps being recorded are accurate. Assuming they are, I'll figure out how to be more aggressive in cooling. Dry ice, maybe? (just kidding!)

 

I did throttle the CPU back to 33 (no overclock at all) and under the same FSX load, CoreTemp was reporting temps across all cores in the mid 60's centigrade.

Well, I am feeling quite stupid. But, I wanted to post my findings in the slim hope that it helps others that may read this.

 

I made a very bad assumption - that everything I received for the new PC (the one in my sig) was working. That was mistake #1. But due to some great feedback from this forum, I decided to take a closer look at that assumption. Background - I am a software guy, and am "all thumbs" when it comes to hardware.

 

Well, long story short ... I had this rig ordered with extra fans, liguid cooling, etc. All great, except when they are not working. It turns out that my top (in regards to case position) fan has always been working well. It also turns out that the side fan has not been on at all .... I need to give it a nudge after PC startup to get it to spin up. Worse, MUCH worse, I found that the fan on my liquid cooler radiator has never worked - the connector to power was either jarred loose in shipping, or never connected well to begin with.

 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if 2 of 3 cooling components are not working, your CPU and GPU will run hot. Doh! I feel victimized by the obvious!

 

Fast forward. Liquid cooling is working fine since I re-mated that connection. CyberPower (who by the way has provided me with superb support) is replacing the "sticky to start" side fan at no charge. With that, I am happy to report the following:

 

At CPU multiplier 33 (no overclock), and running the same "personal FSX load test", Real Temp GT version 3.70 is reporting temps in the mid 30's Centigrade, except for Core 0 which is running at 50-51C. At multiplier 43 (30% overclock), I am seeing temps in the low 70's with Core 0 in the 78-79 range. Fantastic!! I may do some tests/tweaking to see how the system fares at higher overclocks, but for now, I am thrilled.

 

Most importantly, no make that MOST importantly, I want to thank this community for steering me in the right direction. Nobody can have all the answers, and there are no silver bullets, but to have become part of a community that is so very helpful, is beyond appreciation! Thank you all for your help and advice!

-Bob