i3-8109U getting heat issues (Core 0 reaches 100 °C)

[YMijo]

Hello everyone! I

After purchasing a NUCi8BEH I´m really happy with this little thing. I gave a try to a game: GTA V. I play it with lower resolution (1600x900) and medium settings and I monitor the temperature of the processor using Core Temp 1.15.1. After opening the game Temperature goes around 95 °C for core 0 (91 °C for core 1) for half a minute and then stabilizes more or less around 85 °C for core 0 (core 1 is usually 4 degrees colder). The thing is: if I pause the game and go back to play for example, the core 0 goes up to 100 °C (core 1: 95°C) and sometimes stays there for a couple of seconds, then stabilize again around 80°C. Regular usages according to task manager while playing: CPU 70% , 85% for CPU, 60% RAM.

I play with high performance in power settings with the additional configuration of high performance in the graphics tab.

About my PC:

NUC8i3BEH, 16 Gb RAM, M.2 860 Samsung EVO

Windows 10 1903

Bios Version: BECFL357.86A.0051.2018.1015.1513

Intel iris graphics 655 driver version: 26.20.100.6912 (latest)

I would say everthing is updated but I really dont know. I´ve just learned here that every driver should be updated manually if possible and not through device manager. (Thats what I did when I bought the device 8 months ago I think). How can I check for example my chipset driver version? In the download site for my NUC (https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/126150/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC8i3BEH) I see a Intel Chipset Device Software but I dont have something like that installed. I dont find either something like chipset on the device manager.

I also dont know what intel serial IO driver is and how to check if I have it installed.

I installed Intel Driver Suppor Assistant and after scanning the PC only the ethernet driver (not the wlan) and the BIOS need to be update. I wont use internet through cable so I wouldnt care about this driver. And I know BIOS is the only thing I dont want to have problems with, so I would avoid to update if possible.

If someone can give bring some light about the processor temperature or the drivers I will be more than thankful.

Cheers

Miguel

[AlHill]

Have you applied ALL updates to 1903?

Doc

[YMijo]

Thanks for answering, Doc! Everything is updated according to Windows Update

[LeonWaksman]

1. Do you hear that the blower is working? In such high temperatures it should be very noisy.
2. Do not affray to update Bios and Ethernet Driver using IDSA.
3. Update the Bios first. Your NUC will reboot. After Bios update completion, reboot your NUC and while you see the Intel NUC logo and the "F" menu in right bottom corener, prees on F2, to enter Bios settings.
4. While in Bios, press on F9 followed by "Y", to set Bios to default settings. Next press F10, confirmed by "Y", to save settings and exit to Windows.
5. Now, update the Ethernet Driver.
6. You can't see the Chipset Software in Device Manager. However if you are not sure that it is installed you can download it and install manually. It is important for getting correct updates from Windows Update.

Leon

[YMijo]

Lwaksman, thanks a lot for your answer. The fan is loud when processor gets such temperature, but not as loud as maximun performance of the fan (I think I heard once like a reactor turbine by updating windows 10 1903). Cooling plan of my bios is set up in Cool mode but I´m not sure if it works so differently compared to balanced mode.

About updating the Bios I have to give it a thought, I can´t afford right now being without Computer and I saw bad experiences with BIOS and how long this complications can prolong themself. Is there a safest way to update BIOS? Im not sure to rely on an external software for that (even if it is intel).

I guess these temperature do no good to my computer, right? Is there any risk of damage/shorter life? I tried to change Power plan as well as changing Graphics set-up in game but these moments of 100 or around 100°C still occur.

[LeonWaksman · Accepted solution]

Hello @YMijo​ 

1. You Bios version is outdated. Since Bios version 0051 was released, Bios was updated four times. For example this is one of fixes implemented in version 0071 "Fixed the issue where the fan settings wouldn’t change when changing the “Fan Control Mode” to/from Balanced to Cool." Today we have version 0074 of Bios released.
2. Working in temperatures around 100°C endangered the CPU and affects its life.
3. If during Bios update (using IDSA), the power will not be interrupted, It is very low probability not to end the update successfully. I have updated Bios tens of times and never failed.
4. Please download HWinfo64 utility. You may download the portable version https://www.hwinfo.com/download/ . Run the Sensors summary and in the Intel NUC section you may see the temperatures and the cooling fan RPM. compare with your other readings.
5. Any way, if the Bios update will not help, I would suggest to open a request for RMA in order to replace your NUC.

Leon

[YMijo]

Thank you Leon for answering both posts so quickly. I will have to follow your advice about updating the BIOS since the game is not my concern anymore. Yesterday I was running a regular antivirus scan from Windows Defender and I had at that time the Core Temp running. I could not believe that the temperature for Core 0 was around 98°C, reaching 100°C for seconds (the longest I saw was 10 seconds) and not being able to go under 93° most of the time. Core 1 was clearly colder being at 80-85°C average. Definitely my Fan is not able to take this heat away (It was loud but it didnt became louder when this critical temperature was reached). Or the processor is producing just too much heat due to a faulty chip or due to other reason. The CPU usage doesnt go up that drastically so maybe I do have something faulty in my PC.

I am already makings back-ups and saving files in external Harddisk in case something goes wrong. This will be my first Bios update ever. I will do this using Windows Bios Express Update. I will install the software you adviced me and Core Temp after the update to compare both values. I will let you know how it went out in a few hours.

Thanks for the help!

Regards,

Miguel

[LeonWaksman]

Hi Miguel,

1. Doing backup is always right thing to do.
2. Please try to monitor the temperatures and RPM with HWinfo64 (see para. 4 in my post above). Monitor the Intel NUC section in Sensors Summary window. If you right click on some data you may see the data in graph format.
3. Hi temperatures can be developed also as result of improper Thermal Solution assembly or accumulated dust on air exit or between the blower and the Thermal Solution.
4. If after Bios update, you will see such high temperatures development on your CPU, I suggest that you should open a support ticked for RMA of your NUC.

Leon

[YMijo]

Hi Leon,

Thanks man, you are quite a support. I updated the BIOS withouth any trouble. I set up the defaults settings, saved and exit. Afterwards I runned the Driver Assistant and updated the ethernet driver so according to Intel Driver Assistant everything was updated. I runnned a complete scan of Windows Defender and according to Core Temp and HWInfo64 Portable Version the temperature goes extremely up.

Some Max values during Scan According to HWInfo64:

Core 0: 99°C

Core 0 Thermal Throttling: YES :(

CPU Package: 101 °C

CPU IA Cores: 101 °C

Im devastated. I clearly saw a better reaction of the fan after the BIOS update and during a fast scan temperature doesnt go that high. How can just a Complete Scan cause such high temperatures? Could it have something to do with the SSD? A complete scan takes its time (15-20 minutes ). I dont know how to do a RMA and how long I will have no computer. Damm it....

In any case thank you for the help, Leon. BIOS update did good but the problem is apparently something else.

[LeonWaksman]

1. You may check your Warranty coverage and open a request for RMA here: https://supporttickets.intel.com/warrantyinfo?lang=en-US . I suggest that you will do tomorrow, because I saw now announcement that the site is closed on Nov. 8 for maintenance.
2. This information will help you how to find the S/N and the SA numbers: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005804/mini-pcs.html

Leon

[YMijo]

I am noticing now that the game takes up to 80% of CPU usage, but that I knew more or less. What I didnt know is that during these temperature peaks Antimalware Service Executable ( Antivirus Services of Windows Defender) takes up to 20% of the CPU usage what results in 100% usage and temperature goes up. When I close GTA V the values for Antivirus Services go down to 0% CPU usage (unless I use the Windows Defender for something). I have everything enabled on the antivirus (Protection against Ramsonware, Real Time, etc). Everything activated. I dont know if I could disable some of these settings while playing so it doesnt go up with the CPU consumption.

When not playing everything runs smooth with 2-3% CPU usage (13-15% with Chrome opened), 12% RAM usage, 0% GPU and around 40-60°C for cores. I have every APP of windows disabled to run in the background and try to keep my computer clean.

Maybe this info makes the difference!

Cheers

Miguel

[AdrianM_Intel]

Hello YMijo,

Thank you for your answer.

Based on the information provided, I can see the Intel® NUC Kit NUC8i3BEH is outdated. We recommend you to have your system up to date.

We encourage you to update the BIOS since this can help you with the issue.

Adrian M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AdrianM_Intel]

Hello YMijo,

Were you able to check the previous post? 

Let me know if you need more assistance. 

Regards,

Adrian M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @AdrianM_Intel​ 

If you will read @YMijo​ post dated November 8 (and even better all thread), you will find that he has updated his Bios to the latest version. So, your advice is redundant.

Leon

[AdrianM_Intel]

Hello All,

Thank you for your answer.

Thank you for the clarification @LWAKSMAN, @Ymijo I know you have been monitoring the temperature with this 3 party tool HWInfo64. I would like to know how the temperature goes by using our Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility - Intel® XTU when you play GTA V, it seems the issue only happens with this game right? when you are not playing everything runs smooth and there are no blue screens but working in temperatures around 100°C as Leon mentioned before can affect the NUC's life.

Can you please monitor the temperature with our tool while playing? (if possible send screenshots).

Regards,

Adrian M.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AlHill]

@AdrianM_Intel​ The Intel XTU does not support the i3-8109U. XTU is only for X and K processors.

Doc

[AdrianM_Intel]

Hello Al.Hill,

I have successfully installed the Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility - Intel® XTU on the Intel® NUC Kit NUC8i3BEH.

Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility - Intel® XTU is meant for K and X processors in case of overclocking porpuses but it can be used as well for monitoring temperatures and CPU stress tests on different platforms.

Regards,

Adrian M.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[AlHill]

A lot of other users have installed it as well. However, the documentation does NOT say "Meant". It says it is only supported on X and K processors. It does not say anything else.

You do not want to send the wrong message do you?

Doc

[YMijo]

Hi guys!

Sorry for this time I wasnt answering any messages. Ive had family visit for a bunch of days and was pretty busy.

I already contacted Intel and am going to send the device back. I will find out if the device is repaired or replaced (hopefully the latest).

Thanks Leon, Doc and Adrian for answering and helping me out. I will let you know in case the repaired/replaced unit shows any heat problems.