Re: Re:Motherboard CPU LED Red when Gaming

Marky7z · ‎10-05-2025

When gaming the CPU light keep coming on on my motherboard, its probably temperature related. As seen by the screenshots my CPU temps will reach 100c regardless. I change the thermal paste every 3 months and was last changed just over a week ago so that isn't the issue. Sometimes my PC will crash/freeze and motherboard will show code 04 when temps go over 100c. I've had my AIO around 4-5 years and i don't think that's the issue as the temps in ICUE for the AIO are still ok at around 42c when gaming.

I'm trying to get this fixed before BF6 & BO7 release. any ideas on fixes?

I've tried running my RAM at 6000MHz & 6200MHz to see if that would help but hasn't.

My only thought is to underclock the cpu but i don't really know how to underclock and don't want to mess anything up.

14900k

ROG Strix z690-A Gaming

Corsair H150i RGB PRO XT AIO

Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 6400 MHz

RandyT_Intel · ‎10-05-2025

Hi @Marky7z,

Thank you for posting here in our community. To effectively diagnose and address the issue you're experiencing, I kindly ask you to provide detailed responses to the following questions. This information will help us isolate the problem and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Please provide the SSU log report and share it here so I can review your system's configuration.
When did the issue first occur?
Have you made any software or hardware changes to the system recently?
Did you overclock the processor? Please note that if the system was overclocked, including voltage/frequency beyond the processor supported specifications, your processor voids warranty.
Have you updated your motherboard’s BIOS to the latest version that includes microcode 0x12F? If yes, could you please share the outcome after the update?
Is there any sign of physical damage on the processor?
Kindly run the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and share the results here. This will help us verify the health and functionality of your processor and rule out any hardware-related issues.

I look forward to your response and am committed to resolving your issue promptly.

Warm regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Marky7z · ‎10-06-2025

Hello @RandyT_Intel Sorry for the late reply.

Please provide the SSU log report and share it here so I can review your system's configuration.

I have attached a image of the SSU Log Report below but i will also attach the file to the post also.

When did the issue first occur?

Issue has been happening for a while now, (Like 8 months but I've barely used my PC in that time). It's a lot worse in the summer when my room temp is a lot higher.

Have you made any software or hardware changes to the system recently?

I haven't made any software or hardware changes in around a year. The last hardware change was my 14900k CPU around 8-9 Months ago.

Did you overclock the processor? Please note that if the system was overclocked, including voltage/frequency beyond the processor supported specifications, your processor voids warranty.

I haven't overclocked the CPU, (I don't even know where to begin to overclock & underclock). The only things ive used are the intel extreme/performance profiles in the BIOS.

Have you updated your motherboard’s BIOS to the latest version that includes microcode 0x12F? If yes, could you please share the outcome after the update?

Motherboards BIOS is on the latest version (v4301) and i updated to it on 29/05/25

Is there any sign of physical damage on the processor?

No physical signs of damage on the CPU, No damaged pins, CPU contact frame looks good and thermal paste was spread evenly across the CPU.

Kindly run the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool and share the results here. This will help us verify the health and functionality of your processor and rule out any hardware-related issues.

I have attached a image of the Processor Results below. I didn't know how to save it as a file to attach.

RandyT_Intel · ‎10-06-2025

Hi @Marky7z,

Thank you for your response. Since the BIOS is already updated and I can confirm it includes microcode version 0x12F, which addresses known system crash issues, this appears to be more of a system instability concern.

Although the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool passes without errors, it's still unclear whether the issue is directly related to the CPU or possibly due to thermal conditions, especially considering you mentioned the problem worsened during the summer.

Here are my recommendations following this article (skip the steps you've already completed

Ensure that airflow is sufficient and that dust buildup is not affecting cooling performance.
Load BIOS defaults – This can help eliminate any misconfigured settings that may be contributing to instability.
If the issue persists, and if your motherboard BIOS allows it, try disabling Turbo Boost and observe system behavior.

If the instability/crashes during game stops with Turbo disabled, it’s likely that the processor is affected and may require replacement.

Let me know the outcome.

Best regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Marky7z · ‎10-08-2025

Hello @RandyT_Intel Sorry for the late response again.

Airflow is good in the PC, no dust buildup as i clean it once a month to ensure that there's no dust.

I have loaded BIOS Defaults and also disabled Turbo Boost. I will test tomorrow afternoon on the Black Ops 7 Beta. If the CPU light stays off during gaming, i will revert back to my previous BIOS changes, and keep Turbo Boost off. if it stays off after this i will re-enable turbo boost to see if the light stays off. If the light comes back on after this it would be what you previously said and likely its the CPU being affected and may need replacing.

I will respond back in the evening with the results.

RandyT_Intel · ‎10-09-2025

Hi @Marky7z,

Thank you for the update. I’ll check back with you by tomorrow.

Best regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Marky7z · ‎10-09-2025

Hello @RandyT_Intel , Sorry for the long post. There's a lot of screenshots.

I ran the tests.

This Image is the temps after 30 Minutes of BO7 Beta Game play with Default BIOS Settings & Turbo Off.

This Image is the temps after 30 Minutes of BO7 Beta Game play with Default BIOS Settings & Turbo On. The temps went straight to 96c when loading the game.

This Image is the temps after 30 Minutes of BO7 Beta Game play with My previous BIOS Settings & Turbo Off.

This Image is the temps after 30 Minutes of BO7 Beta Game play with My previous BIOS Settings & Turbo On. The temps went straight to 99c Loading up the game, 100c+ before even got into a game.

Mike_Intel · ‎10-12-2025

Hello Marky7z,

Thank you for the update.

Let me also ask for the following details for documentation of this issue.

Please provide the brand and model of your CPU cooling.
Have you tried to re-seat the processor and the cooling?
Have you also tried to re-apply the thermal paste?
What will happen in the system if the processor is getting high temp?
Are you having the same temperature readings on other games?

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Marky7z · ‎10-13-2025

Morning @Mike_Intel

* Please provide the brand and model of your CPU cooling.

The AIO is a Corsair H150i RGB PRO XT AIO Cooler.

* Have you tried to re-seat the processor and the cooling?

Yes I Re-seated the processor and Cooler when I checked to see if there were any pins bent that could be affecting it.

* Have you also tried to re-apply the thermal paste?

Yes I Re-applied thermal paste after I did the re-seating of the processor and I usually change the thermal paste every 3 months to keep it fresh.

* What will happen in the system if the processor is getting high temp?

The CPU LED light will just keep going on and off. Sometimes my motherboard will throw up a 04 code and my PC will completely freeze and restart after a few seconds of freezing.

* Are you having the same temperature readings on other games?

It’s mostly just call of duty games as that’s the only game I play but I have seen it come up on GTA V also.

Hope this Helps.

Mike_Intel · ‎10-14-2025

Hello Marky7z,

Thank you for the update.

By the way, here is Intel's link for troubleshooting guide for overheating issue: Overheating Symptoms and Troubleshooting for Intel® Boxed Processors

Most of the items there are already covered. However, the issue seems to happen in a specific game. Kindly play other games and observe the temperature and send some screenshots.

Lastly, please check or scan your system for virus that causes the processor to overheat by giving it high utilization.

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Marky7z · ‎10-15-2025

Hello @Mike_Intel

I will download some new games and play them throughout the week and post the screenshots. Can you recommend any games that are CPU intensive so i can get a good reading of the temperatures.

Also for Viruses, i scan my PC weekly so no issues there but i will include a screenshot of a scan when i upload the other screenshots of the temps from other games.