Modern processors can run at temperatures ranging from 25 to 90 degrees, depending on configuration, cooling and workload. That said, when a CPU takes on a heavy load, that increase tends to be gradual, rather than instantaneous. And it certainly shouldn’t occur for basic, undemanding tasks. Unfortunately, Intel’s Core i7-7700k might have a temperature problem, with spikes of 30;deg&C not uncommon when, say, opening a webpage.
Intel officially took notice of the 7700k’s supposed issues after a post by “BC93Key” appeared on the company’s forums. However, it seems reports of the processor’s unpredictable behaviour had been doing the rounds among users before then.
Here’s the gist of BC93Key’s complaint:
I have found that the i7-7700k reports a momentary (a second or less) temperature spike +25 > 35 degrees Celsius anytime a program is opened, a webpage is opened, a background app runs etc. The temperature blip cascades through the cores in random order; not the same every time. This causes my heatsink fan to constantly cycle up and down. Temperatures otherwise report as steady, normal increases. Peak temperature under Prime95 blend test is 71 degrees Celsius.
It’s important to note that BC93Key is running their system stock — that is, no overclocking or modifications to the hardware.
Now, it’s not unusual for an idling processor to ramp up quickly once something starts happening, but a spike of 30°C is insane. It didn’t take long for others to come out of the woodwork and report similar experiences.
Aside from basic troubleshooting, it took three weeks before Intel responded with concrete news, though it wasn’t what users wanted to hear:
In our internal investigation, we did not observe temperature variation outside of the expected behavior and recommended specifications. For processor specifications, please refer to the Intel® Core™ i7-7700K Processor Product Specifications … We do not recommend running outside the processor specifications, such as by exceeding processor frequency or voltage specifications, or removing of the integrated heat spreader (sometimes called “de-lidding”). These actions will void the processor warranty.
So as far as Intel is concerned, it’s working as intended, which means anyone hoping for a driver update, microcode patch or refund may be out of luck. For those unsatisfied with the company’s response, well, Intel’s not the only player in town.
Thermal sensor issue i7-7700k?, [Intel via PC Gamer]
Comments
6 responses to “Intel: Core i7-7700k Wacky Temperatures Are Perfectly Fine”
Seriously liquid cool the mother fucker and ramp it as hard as it can go. If you are getting a k model processor you are wasting money keeping it at stock speeds.
I have mine at 5.2ghz and yes I do see the the temp delta spikes. But mine are in the 10-20c delta radius and so what? Using ~80% of your CPU load will ramp it in the +40c delta range so who the hell cares if you CPU spikes at +20c for a few seconds?
I just think it is people wanting to winge about anything these days. As for intels response, everyone who has overclocked has known it’s an instant void of warranty. It’s been that way for decades. Why is this response even news worthy? Tinker with a product and you void your warranty?!?!? Who the fuck doesn’t know that?
Also pro tip. Setting your CPU fan speed to a constant rpm that balances between cooling and acoustics is much more benificial to reducing temp spikes as your fan doesn’t have to react to random temp spikes.
Tinkering with a product automatically voids your warranty? The ACCC might want to have a talk to you about that.
modifying your product beyond he manufacturers safe levels of performance causing an issue would most likely fall into the category of mis-use of product and or user damage.
Look don’t get me wrong if I ever tried my CPU I would be calling up for a warranty claim.
But people are bitching about millisecond thermal spikes within safe temperature range. I would be worried if the spike in CPU temp were like 50 degrees delta. Not 30. It is important to note that a millisecond spike is not going to cause damage to the CPU. Maybe if the spike was high enough temp it might throttle it momentarily but that’s about it.
Modifying it outside safe levels can in some cases void your warranty. Modifying voiding warranty as a blanket statement does not hold true. ‘Void if removed’ stickers are also not worth the paper they are printed on.
From the article, it looks like this is all happening on stock anyway.
Yeah I’m just stating that the intel response is a standard response for not voiding warranty. Also even though these are happening at stock speeds I’m using my personal setup as a comparison so that people can stop worrying about every little tiny hiccup.
People these days just want to be unhappy and every little excuse will do.