This can't be normal - i5-12500h

[MichaelJoseph]

This week I bought a new Vivobook x17, mainly because I found one with the i5-12500h and I've read some great reviews of this processor.

The one thing that's troubling me is how quickly the cpu temps approach TjMax. Asus includes a cpu temp readout on their MyAsus app and I also keep Core Temp running in the background with a tray notification. With alarming regularity, I am being alerted to one of the p cores reaching the alert temp that I have set at 95℃. This is only under light to moderate multitasking, mainly web browsing, with the windows power plan on "balanced". I haven't even downloaded Photoshop yet, or my stock trading software, or anything else that I plan on using that will actually work the cpu.

Just 10 minutes ago I had to restart after a Win11 cumulative update and as soon as the desktop was loaded, Core temp started immediately alerting me that all 4 of the p cores surpassed my 95c alert temp.  It records the highest temp reached by each core.... these were the temps that were reached just by loading Windows after a reboot..

(P)Core #0: 97℃

(P)Core #1: 96℃

(P)Core #2: 97℃

(P)Core #3: 97℃

(E)Core #4: 80℃

(E)Core #5: 80℃

(E)Core #6: 80℃

(E)Core #7: 80℃

(E)Core #8: 73℃

(E)Core #9: 73℃

(E)Core #10: 72℃

(E)Core #11: 72℃

This doesn't seem right that the temps should be up in the throttling neighborhood after a normal reboot? I'm calling BS on Asus' supposed "IceCool tech" thermal solution. The laptop is on a hard surface with nothing blocking ports. 

 Now I'm wondering if I can even use this machine for anything productive besides basic web browsing. And if that's the case, I'll go back to using my desktop. What can I do to determine if a problem exists or it's just a poor design? Or is it normal to reach 2-3 degrees below TjMax during light loads on a brand new machine?

PS. The only thing I've done hardware-wise is add an 8GB PNY ddr4 stick right after I bought it.

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello MichaelJoseph,  

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities. I am sorry to know that you are having issues with your Intel® Core™ i5-12500H Processor.

Based on the CPU specification, it supports up to 100°C and any temperature below this is normal and expected as well as the temperatures spikes. However, if the high temperatures remain for on periods of time, this may be an issue and could damage the system.

To help you further, please confirm the following:

1. Are you getting any errors or a blue screen of death due to the temperatures?

2. Did you update your BIOS and operating system to the latest version?

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[KrissyG]

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@MichaelJoseph wrote:
....restart after a Win11 cumulative update and as soon as the desktop was loaded, Core temp started immediately alerting .....surpassed my 95c alert temp.  ....

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looks like there is your problem, the update.

Aside from that, how sure are you, that the shown CPU temperature is correct?
I would open Task Manager and go to the 'Processes' tab, and sort by 'Power usage':

 
If Task Manager also says that this or that uses a lot of power, then it is true, but also, you would know what it is that uses the power.

[Pass]

Same-ish issue with my laptop (i5-10500H).

Look for the turbo boost option in the bios. If it's on, turning it off should help.

You could also leave it on and download xtu to limit the max wattage. That was the only setting I could adjust with mine. Temps stay consistent in games now at around 26W max. 85W was default and it was always thermal throttling and causing the desktop to lag.

[MichaelJoseph]

I considered underclocking but it defeats the whole purpose of buying a laptop with a better cpu if you have to limit power down to the equivalence of a lesser cpu.

I also get that the response from Intel would be that any temp under 100c is normal but it's like, really?? So 100c is definitely too hot but 98c is completely fine? I remember 10 years ago everyone used to say that anything approaching 10 degrees away from TjMax will potentially affect reliability. So now 2 degrees away is normal? There has to be some zone under TjMax where there is a gradation of decreasing effect on reliability.

This is a brand new computer with all software and bios updates and running win11. 

[Pass]

You can lower the power and still get higher clock speeds on fewer cores. 

There's just too much heat. Too much for a laptop to cool. Poor default settings.