Z6 G4 CPU overheating after upgrade

[jklsdh1987]

Hi there.

 I upgraded my CPU, from a W-3223, to a W-3235, however, despite trying different thermal paste methods and trialling both NT-1H and MX-4 under heavy load, the CPU will thermal throttle or crash after reaching temperatures higher than 94C. 

There isn't much help or guidance on the internet for this PC, CPU or CPU type. 

I'm wondering whether upgrading the cooler will help, replacing the stock, with a Noctua. 
I already have a modded PWM cable to use standard PC fans in place of the original, however, on the CPU, I've reverted back to the stock HP five pin fan (to see if that would make a difference). 

The CPU fan constantly revs due to plenty of temperature spikes, even during basic tasks, such as internet browsing, utilising only 2/3% of CPU usage, both in Windows 11 and Ubuntu 22.04. 

For the record, my original W-3223 did this also, however never hit temperatures higher that 70C, even under stress tests.

Could the cooler be at fault? If so, as stated above, I'll replace it with a Noctua, as the HP replacements are around the same price... 

Cheers,

J

[erico]

In the specifications of the Z6 G4 workstation there is no mention of the  upgrade processor that you have referenced.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-z6-g4-workstation/16449901/document/c05791619#AbT1

There is a customizable option of XEON W-3225 and W-3245 processors, but no W-3235.

Have you installed an incompatible XEON processor?

Here is the HP online shop where the Z6 G4 workstation is configurable.

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/ConfigureView?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&catEntryId=30744...

[jklsdh1987]

Erico, thank you for your response.

Please see page 5 of this document provided by HP:

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=4AA7-1335ENW

The W-3235 is supported, I consulted this document and other online Z6 configurations before purchase.

I'll add, the W-3223 had the same temperature spikes as this one does (causing fan ramps), it just never reached temperatures of dangerous levels/anything over 80C.

Thank you,

J.

[erico]

OK.

Good find, although You and I differ in that I am not such a believer in marketing documents.

My preference is the technical manuals.

What brand and specific part number of thermal interface paste are you using?

I have tended to use Arctic Silver Thermal grease, Ceramique 2 specifically.

I follow their application guides. I have never had the issues that you have reported.

I have been a DIY gaming PC builder, using enthusiast level MOBOs since the 90's.

Are you cleaning the processor with a good solvent before joining the cooler base and processor lid?

That can make a big difference.

When you choose a cooler pay careful attention to the wattage it is reported to handle, since the XEON W-3235 has a TDP of 180 W. Use a processor cooler  capable of handling 200 W.

[jklsdh1987]

I used Arctic Silver MX4 and it was still thermal throttling.

I purchased Noctua NT-H2, the method displayed on the packet.

I clean the processor with IPA and a lint-free cloth. 

I've also replaced the 80mm fan, with a 92mm fan, and put the 80mm at the rear of the cooler, so far, it's brought the temp down by 5/6C. So, I suspect it's an issue with the cooler. also, at Idle, it is as low as 30C.

When doing stress tests, on Ubuntu using 's-tui', it will run @ 4GHz, until it hits 89/90C, then drop down to 3.8GHz.

However, the system hasn't crashed since. It would also explain the sudden ramping of fans, allowing the CPU to get to 80C for no reason/or under any load... 

As stated before, the W-3223 would do this also, but the temps were not as high (72C tops)...

I've re-updated the BIOS and reverted to factory settings... Slowly implementing environments as I go on.

I've purchased a Noctua NH-D9 DX-3647 4U Cooler, as the standard HP cooler is non-existent in the UK for a reasonable price.

I am truly baffled as I've never had this issue when changing processors in the past. 

[jklsdh1987]

The problem has been solved. In a nutshell, it was the HP Cooler... This one must be defective.

Installing the Noctua cooler has brought the CPU package temp down from 89°C to 78 during stress tests.

The fans run at a much lower RPM too. 1500 max, opposed to 2500.

The processor clock speed does drop from 4.2GHz to 3.9, I'm guessing there's an internal limit of some sort designed by HP to curve ongoing stress. No alerts are visible in HWiNFO64...

Thank you for your help.

[erico]

You're welcome!