Witcher 3 and CPU temperature.

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

Hello hello, first time Witcher 3 player, and I have to ask, raising a few concerns about how hot this game makes my rig run while playing.

I've only just now built a computer for the first time, have my rig for about a month now,
Intel core i5 6600K Skylake, stock clock @3.5GHz, Corsair h60 water block, and a msi GTX 970. I've got a Corsair 450D case, with 4 fans and plenty of room for air circulation, wires are all neat and tidy, nothing in the way.

The game runs like a dream, 60FPS constantly, no stutter or nothing.

My usual idle temps with only Steam running is normally around 28-32 Centigrade

While playing some games, such as Killing Floor 2, or Elite Dangerous: Horizons, my CPU runs at a nice 45-55C.

Chivalry puts me at about 55-68C or so at times, seemingly depending on the map.

Witcher 3 here however, sets my CPU to around 65-78C, even seen it go as high as 81C.

I'm a little bit concerned here that I'm setting my CPU on a slow broil to its doom here, damaging it slowly if its hanging around the 75-80C mark as long as it does while playing this game, muddling around and even lowering game settings doesn't seem to do much here.

Am I worrying about nothing, or is it a genuine cause for concern?

[Tom]

Well try and check if the fan is set to run at 100% when under stress and not 80% or something else (in the BIOS). I've got a i5 4690 stock and I never get over 71-72C.
Also, did you OC your 970? I've got the G1 970 and I cant get more than 50-55 constant fps, and grapich settings are not even maxed out...

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

At what point is a good time for my fans to be 100%?

Also no, I currently have my graphics card set to "Gaming mode", which is the standard clock speed I do believe.

[Tom]

Well if the setting is temp related I'd say around 65C. If they are utilization related then from 80% utilization fan should be at 100%.

[Tom]

Also, you've got a i5 K, latest generation, you could invest in a good aftermarket cooler and enjoy really low temps while being able to OC a lot and increasing the CPU's lifespan.

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

Yeah opened up my BIOS, my CPU fan and cooler weren't even hitting 100% until my CPU temp was 82C. I turned it up so that it ran at 70% fan speed at 60C and 100% fanspeed at 72C

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

Well, even after cranking the CPU Fan Speed up, still hitting mid 70's.

[Tom]

Check in the BIOS the settings of others fan in the case. And again, in your case, an aftermarket cooler might be the way to go.

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

I have an aftermarket cooler. Corsair H60

Intel Skylake 6600K's and 6700K's do not come with a Intel fan.

[RamMack]

You stated you just built a computer for first time. I am sure you did some research on how to apply thermal paste, and the differences between thermal paste?
Did you arrange your case fans in a push-pull configuration? Fans all clean?

[Big Hoshiguma (Yuugi)]

Mmmhmm. A small, pea sized dob of Artic Silver 5 on the CPU, applied firm pressure, tightened corner to corner before tightening down all the way, back mounted fan in push/pull config, all parts are brand new and immaculate clean, 2 fans in the front of the case pull air in, a top mounted fan draws air out.

I originally intended to just use the factory thermal paste square, but when my first morherboard was DoA, I decided it was best to clean and remove the paste on my CPU and cooler since it say out for a month exposed to air.

[RamMack]

When I took Comp TIA courses, they reccommended 5 little dobs, 1 kinda centered in each corner and middle. Artic Silver is good. If you choose to check thermal paste, remmember that it is a thermal heat conductor. Should cover total area of CPU. I have heard other people only using 1 dob, though. If you choose to check your thermal, just look for a good consistance coverage, not excessive though.
when I built my computer, I contemplated liquid cooling, just couldn't get myself to do it. Instead, purchased a Phanteks PH-TC12Dx dual fan air cooler. It is a beast, but never seen temps over 60 degrees C .