PC Overheating After a Fresh Build

You just finished your build… and your temps are already going nuclear. High CPU or GPU temps right after a fresh build usually means something small is off — and it’s almost always fixable.

Quick truth: Most “fresh build overheating” problems come from cooler mounting, fan direction, or thermal paste issues — not a “bad CPU.”

Step 1: Confirm Your Temps (Don’t Guess)

Idle temps: typically 30–50°C (varies by CPU/cooler/room temp)
Gaming temps: often 60–85°C depending on setup
Instant spikes to 90–100°C: usually a mounting/paste/contact issue

Step 2: The #1 Mistake — Forgot the Plastic Peel

Many CPU coolers ship with a protective plastic film on the cold plate. If it’s not removed, heat transfer is awful.

Remove cooler
Check for any plastic film or sticker
Clean old paste and reapply

Step 3: Check Cooler Mounting Pressure

If the cooler isn’t seated evenly, you’ll get hot spots and runaway temps.

Tighten screws in an “X pattern” (a little at a time)
Make sure the cooler is not wobbling
Use the correct mounting brackets for your socket (AM4/AM5/LGA)

Step 4: Thermal Paste Problems (Too Much / Too Little / Old)

Too little: hot spots → temps spike fast
Too much: messy overflow + can trap heat
Old/dry paste: poor contact → unstable temps

VÖXBURG default: A clean pea dot (or a X for some CPUs) + proper mounting pressure.

Fix Temps Fast: Fresh Thermal Paste

If your paste is old, dried out, or applied wrong, you can chase temps forever. Fresh, high-quality paste helps stabilize thermals immediately.

Shop Thermal Paste

Step 5: Fan Direction (Airflow is Often Backwards)

Airflow mistakes are extremely common on first builds:

Front/Bottom fans should usually be intake
Top/Rear fans should usually be exhaust
Make sure the CPU cooler fan is pushing air the correct direction

Step 6: AIO Pump & Fan Headers (If You’re Using Liquid Cooling)

Ensure the pump is connected to AIO_PUMP or the recommended header
Make sure pump power isn’t set too low in BIOS
Radiator fans should ramp up with CPU temps

Step 7: BIOS Settings That Can Raise Temps

Overly aggressive auto-overclock / “enhancement” modes
High voltage presets
Fan curves set too low at mid temps

If temps are safe but loud, you need a better fan curve. If temps are high and loud, you need better cooling/contact first.

Need More Cooling Headroom?

If your cooler is undersized for your CPU, temps will always run hot—especially in gaming and productivity loads. Upgrade to a stronger air cooler or AIO for stability and quieter performance.

Shop CPU Coolers

FAQ

Q: My CPU hits 90–100°C instantly after boot. What’s most likely wrong?

Most commonly: protective plastic film wasn’t removed, cooler isn’t mounted evenly, or thermal paste/contact is bad.

Q: Is it normal for a new build to run hot the first day?

Slightly higher temps during initial setup can happen, but consistent high temps usually mean airflow, paste, or mounting needs adjustment.

Q: My fans are blasting but temps are still high—why?

That usually points to poor heat transfer (cooler mounting/paste) or incorrect airflow direction. More fan speed won’t fix bad contact.

Need Help? Bring It to VÖXBURG

Fresh Build Thermals • Cooler Installs • Fan Curve Tuning • BYOH Support
📞 Call: (562) 536-0581
✉️ Email: info@voxburg.com
🏚️ Address: 837 W Christopher St, West Covina, CA 91790
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