Question i7-10700KF reaching 100°C in games

[rems1989]

Hi everyone
I'm experiencing very high CPU temperatures with my Intel i7-10700KF.

During idle it stays around 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and in light games like Balatro or while browsing, it goes up to around 60 to 65. In heavier games like Returnal, it can reach as high as 100.

The pump seems to be running properly at full speed. One tube is warm, which suggests the liquid is circulating.
I've already reapplied thermal paste, cleaned the PC, adjusted the fan curves in BIOS, updated all drivers, and even reinstalled Windows 11 recently.

The system includes an MSI Z490 Gaming Plus motherboard, RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM at 3000 MHz, Corsair H60 liquid and a 750W power supply. I'm out of ideas and wondering if anyone has suggestions or has seen similar behavior. Thanks in advance.

 

[daveybrat]

Yeah, those temps are bad and your 120mm AIO cooler isn't doing the job properly. That is a 125Watt processor and should have at least a 240mm radiator. Or just remove it and buy a decent air cooler. Something like this ID Cooler would be a great alternative:

https://www.amazon.com/ID-COOLING-SE-225-XT-Heatpipes-2x120mm-Push-Pull/dp/B08LPDDM4B/ref=sr_1_18?crid=30FBPKJ1M0YWU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kSJx0j3C09amTpYk1k6fXEQ-xubTai-pyFCtFWSDG5XBuJljCkytMMDitAS7bY-jmXSq6WEZkHJdSAjzeOfe4fy9VdcthkXdPWBlZnKtIClzXMG1jYKxPnLPukvaU-jM313heSLIHEs2bef1qv72iVrvoiDp7JVxKTjO1R5yo6s94MFFzPjkDbhSFwkNvRgL8rrkt78BcN2-75E7ApDjS0WRlpyc6R23KTdGZYfok_w.bSG-BAt3c6ALD2En4hO_GeHv9BOMvrtYa3AXF_gkVaI&dib_tag=se&keywords=id%2Bcooling%2Bcpu%2Bcooler&qid=1744887652&sprefix=id%2Bcooling%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-18&th=1

 

[igor_kavinski]

Are the tubes coming out of the pump facing downward? That may help.

Alternatively, instead of changing the pump orientation, try changing the orientation of the case as a test so that the tubes face downward.

 

[bba-tcg]

Hi everyone
I'm experiencing very high CPU temperatures with my Intel i7-10700KF.

During idle it stays around 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and in light games like Balatro or while browsing, it goes up to around 60 to 65. In heavier games like Returnal, it can reach as high as 100.

The pump seems to be running properly at full speed. One tube is warm, which suggests the liquid is circulating.
I've already reapplied thermal paste, cleaned the PC, adjusted the fan curves in BIOS, updated all drivers, and even reinstalled Windows 11 recently.

The system includes an MSI Z490 Gaming Plus motherboard, RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM at 3000 MHz, Corsair H60 liquid and a 750W power supply. I'm out of ideas and wondering if anyone has suggestions or has seen similar behavior. Thanks in advance.

Two words: Better cooler.

 

[Markfw]

Two words: Better cooler.

Even a simple GOOD quality air cooler will beat that. No worries about the motor that push fluids on the AIO and fan speeds , but you could check the TIM, thats last on my list.

 

[bba-tcg]

Even a simple GOOD quality air cooler will beat that. No worries about the motor that push fluids on the AIO and fan speeds , but you could check the TIM, thats last on my list.

Amen, brother.

 

[rems1989]

Thanks for your answers
Just an important correction, it's not an H60 but a H100x
About the pump orientation: I’m not totally sure if the tubes are positioned correctly. You mentioned they should be facing downward, could you take a look at the last picture here and tell me if it looks right?

https://imgur.com/a/AiR7mxz

. If not ok, how I can change it ? (I'm a noob ^^)

I already removed and reapplied the TIM, so that should be fine now. The HWinfo64 tests I ran were done after that change.


Also for your information, concerning the processor update, I have a version indicated 10.xxx in the device manager whereas on your link there is a version 31.xxx . When I download the driver update software, I get the error message “no driver that can be installed on the current device has been found”. I've added the end of the error log with more details below.
I've also tested the intel wizard, which tells me that there are “no drivers available for my system”.

Here are the screenshots detailing what I'm talking about:

https://imgur.com/a/hjF65Mw

End of error log :
2025/04/17 19:08:55.502|INFO|Extras digital signature check took 1,06E-05 sec. ||
2025/04/17 19:08:55.502|ERROR|Could not find driver file. ||
2025/04/17 19:08:55.502|INFO|FW update service prerequisites check... ||
2025/04/17 19:08:55.502|WARN|No supported devices by the driver. Skipping FW update service prerequisites check.

 

[Rigg]

I'm guessing that MCE was automatically enabled on your Intel Z board when you turned on XMP, which could be causing some thermal issues. It's also likely that VCCIO and VCCSA auto voltages are set too high as a result of enabling the XMP profile.

Additionally, if MCE (Multi-Core Enhancement) is enabled, it's possible that your power limits are maxed out. This means the CPU will use as much power as it needs to maintain max all core turbo unless it hits the 100C TJ max and thermal throttles.

I'm of the opinion that AIO liquid coolers smaller than 280mm are pointless. If the radiator surface area isn't significantly larger than what you can get with a good air cooler, then what's the point of running an AIO in the first place? I rarely use them anymore with the abundance of great and affordable air coolers available these days.

@rems1989 I'd recommend taking a closer look at your power limits and voltages in the UEFI settings. Either tune them down to match your current cooling solution or consider investing in a better one. My 9900K (which is effectively the same CPU) required a 360mm AIO to keep it under 80C during heavy multi-threaded loads with MCE enabled.

Even in CPU-intensive games, you shouldn't be hitting the TJ max temperature of 100C. If you enforce Intel's recommended PL1/PL2/Tau settings for your CPU, I'm pretty sure your current cooler is still going to struggle to keep up.

EDIT: The previous post with the pictures came up right before I posted my reply and I didn't see them beforehand. I agree with the other posters that orienting the case right side up should help if the pump isn't damaged. Also, the correction on the cooler model means the H100 that's installed has a much better chance of cooling the 10700K reasonably well compared to the H60 mentioned in the OP.

 

[In2Photos]

So the radiator is at the bottom of your case? If so that's not ideal. The pump is located in the portion attached to the CPU. That should never be the highest point in the loop on your AIO. Air can get trapped in the pump. Technically your hoses are the highest point but still not great.

Is it possible to turn the case upside down for a quick test and see what happens to your temps?

 

[rems1989]

Before trying the changes you suggested, I realized that the computer was mounted on the wall by the previous owner, and I think it was placed upside down (with the bottom facing up). Do you think I should move it to the floor in the correct position? If you think I need to rearrange any parts for better cooling, could you guide me on how to do it? I'm a bit of a beginner, so I’d appreciate the detailed steps.

If the position is fine as it is, I'll go ahead and try your suggestions.

Here's a picture of my complete setup:

https://imgur.com/a/L9ouIQA

 

[Rigg]

 

[In2Photos]

Before trying the changes you suggested, I realized that the computer was mounted on the wall by the previous owner, and I think it was placed upside down (with the bottom facing up). Do you think I should move it to the floor in the correct position? If you think I need to rearrange any parts for better cooling, could you guide me on how to do it? I'm a bit of a beginner, so I’d appreciate the detailed steps.

If the position is fine as it is, I'll go ahead and try your suggestions.

Here's a picture of my complete setup:

https://imgur.com/a/L9ouIQA

Yes, turn it over! And let us know if that changes anything.

 

[bba-tcg]

It just looks like the pic is upside down. Or it's in a BTX case. Or the case is already upside down. Lol.

 

[aigomorla]

Here is your problem

Provided your pump is not dead from being run dry for so long, its not circulating enough water though as a air bubble can be stuck inside the pump block

The radiator barbs, or where the tubes come out, always needs to be at the highest point in the system, to prevent a bubble being formed at the cpu head.

EDIT.. wait is your case flipped upside down? meaning you have the wrong orientation?

 

[bba-tcg]

Here is your problem


Provided your pump is not dead from being run dry for so long, its not circulating enough water though as a air bubble can be stuck inside the pump block

The radiator barbs, or where the tubes come out, always needs to be at the highest point in the system, to prevent a bubble being formed at the cpu head.

EDIT.. wait is your case flipped upside down? meaning you have the wrong orientation?

I believe the case is upside down after looking at the pic long enough.

 

[rems1989]

I tried to upside down the computer and now the computer is like that (there is a glass on the top fyi) :

https://imgur.com/a/DqbLhIS

I launched the game returnal again and i have these Hwmonitor & Hwinfo64 show me that it's 100°C again (sorry it's in french) :

https://imgur.com/a/4i1clsg

. When i'm just on the web browser i have 55-65 °C

Also I've just realized that a screw is missing from the watercolling casing. I bought the "4studs115x 1200 1366" here but i'll receive it in 14 days

 

[bba-tcg]

Take that top glass off and it should be able to exhaust the air from the radiator. This the correct orientation of the case. Why would there be glass on the bottom?

 

[In2Photos]

I tried to upside down the computer and now the computer is like that (there is a glass on the top fyi) :

https://imgur.com/a/DqbLhIS

I launched the game returnal again and i have these Hwmonitor & Hwinfo64 show me that it's 100°C again (sorry it's in french) :

https://imgur.com/a/4i1clsg

. When i'm just on the web browser i have 55-65 °C

You should not be at 65C with a package power of 20-25W. There's something else going on here. If the PC has been on for a while with that glass on blocking air flow across the radiator it's possible the liquid has saturated and needs time to cool down.

 

[Rigg]

Yeah, 65C at 20-25W and 100C at 95W is not good. The XMP profile isn't enabled. The memory is running at 2133 MT/s. On the plus side the VCCIO and VCCSA look good because of it.

 

[aigomorla]

Take that glass panel off, your starving the radiator of air.
The radiator should not be obstructed, and should always be allowed the coldest air possible though it.

You might be better off just remounting it to the side next to your motherboard at the very top 2 fan mounts.

 

[aigomorla]

OP incase you dont know what i mean here:




Just make sure the Barbs are at the top and not bottom.

 

[rems1989]

thanks, i'll try tomorrow to move de rad and maybe a friend of me will come with his cooler to test with it

 

[bba-tcg]

thanks, i'll try tomorrow to move de rad and maybe a friend of me will come with his cooler to test with

You don't need to do anything other than remove the top glass.

 

[rems1989]

yes you're right i'll do like that :
1/ try to remove the top glass and see if it resolve the temperatures
2/ move de rad and maybe a friend of me will come with his cooler to test with it
3/ if with all this test the temp doesn't look ok , i will buy a new cooler. what new case do you advice me ?

 

[igor_kavinski]

3/ if with all this test the temp doesn't look ok , i will buy a new cooler. what new case do you advice me ?

The case is fine.

If you really want a better cooler, go with Be Quiet Light Loop 360.