Quote Originally Posted by xguntherc View Post
hey Rich, ya it sounds like that water loop is for sure under performing. as I have my Q9650 at 4.0 Ghz with 1.304v and it idles under 30c and loads around 38c.. and when I've moved up to like 4.25 Ghz and stuff of that sort, and used even 1.38v or sometimes more, It's still never went over 35 or so c idle and I've never seen over low 51 or 52c yet..

not only is a better rad going to help, but what type of fans are on the case, are they the stock fans, you might need some better airflow on the case, and I'd actually say loose the stackable idea, and just get a really good 120.3 as it would perform better than stackable 120.2's... I'd throw a Feser TFC 360 outside the top of the case, and I bet your temps will be much better, or a XSPC RX360, but if you have to use a 120.2. I'd say either get another and stack, or try a top of the line 120.2 like the Feser.. they are great rads.. and use a good fan, one of the best RAD fans are the S-Flex fans. also try a reseat, or have you done that plenty of times.
Hey buddy

I've done a reseat many a time across all the boards and CPUs I have had and really, the temps are usually like this.

I had my E8600 up to the high 80s and that was stable at 4.5GHz though but I have seen a lot of mention that the Q9650s aren't so forgiving and that they need to be kept under 65 degrees celsius.

I believe that the MCR-220 is good to dissipate upto 250 to 300W and if Everest is correct, the CPU is throwing out over 220W and when you add the HD4870 which apparently throws out over 100W at stock, you can see that the problem was obvious but I didn't see it until Hoss331 pointed it out.

I was actually going to add NB/SB and perhaps also Mosfet blocks to the same loop until I read the replies I got here

The fans in use are the stock ones which came with the MCR-220 as I got it as part of a Swiftech WC kit nearly 3 years back so each fan is capable of 75CFM each.

Thanks for all the tips and input which is very useful and will help alot. I am planning an overhaul as we speak and once temps are under control, I'll be sure to get the Q9650 higher