Ongoing Issues with My High-End PC – Need Advice

[bmasa]

Hi everyone,

I’m having persistent issues with my custom-built PC from PCSpecialist and am looking for advice or to hear from others who might have had similar experiences.

Specs:​

• Case: COOLERMASTER MASTERBOX TD500 MESH ARGB GAMING CASE
• CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-14900KF (up to 6.0GHz)
• Motherboard: ASUS® PRIME Z790-P (DDR5, ARGB Ready)
• RAM: 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB
• Storage: 1TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe SSD
• PSU: Corsair RMx 850W Modular 80 PLUS® Gold
• Cooling: PCS FrostFlow 240 Series ARGB High-Performance Liquid Cooler
• OS: Windows 11 Home

The Problem:​

Despite repairs, my PC still has severe thermal issues:

1. Thermal Throttling: During gaming (e.g., World of Tanks), my CPU consistently runs between 89–97°C, which seems excessively high.
2. Repairs Without Lasting Fixes: My system has been repaired multiple times:
   • January 2024: First repair (CPU replacement due to crashes under load).
   • October 2024: Second repair (CPU replacement and upgrade to i9-14900KF due to thermal throttling).
     Despite these, the issues persist, including severe thermal throttling during normal use.
3. Repair Mistakes: At one point, the wrong system was sent to me, delaying the process further.

Frustrations:​

I’ve run stress tests like Intel XTU and OCCT, and the results still show thermal throttling. This makes me question whether the repairs are being thoroughly carried out. I’m losing confidence in the system’s reliability for gaming or long-term use.

Questions:​

• Are these temperatures normal for an i9-14900KF, even during gaming or stress test?
• Has anyone else faced similar problems with their builds, and how did you resolve them?

Ι would appreciate any advice or suggestions.

 

[Martinr36]

Think this will explain your problem root cause

Intel 13th and 14th Gen confirmed defective

Meh!

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[SpyderTracks]

Also the cooler is by no means suitable for the processor, so thermal throttling is entirely expected.

As a result though, degradation would have happened at an accelerated rate, even for the defective 14th gens

That system is never going to work well, it's just not been properly configured. You can't just throw any components together, they have to work with one another.

 

[bmasa]

Also the cooler is by no means suitable for the processor, so thermal throttling is entirely expected.

As a result though, degradation would have happened at an accelerated rate, even for the defective 14th gens

That system is never going to work well, it's just not been properly configured

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I’ve been starting to suspect that the cooling system might not be adequate for the i9-14900KF. The system came with the PCS FrostFlow 240 Series ARGB liquid cooler, which now seems underpowered for this processor.

Your point about thermal throttling and potential accelerated degradation is concerning. If the cooler is indeed unsuitable, it raises serious questions about the configuration choices made by PCSpecialist. After multiple repairs, including a CPU upgrade, they assured me the system was fine, but the persistent throttling tells a different story.

It’s frustrating to think that this system might never work as intended because of poor configuration from the start. I appreciate your insight—do you think pushing for a replacement or a full reconfiguration would be reasonable at this point?

 

[SpyderTracks]

it raises serious questions about the configuration choices made by PCSpecialist.

Did PCS design it then? Or did you design it?

It's working as expected but the cooler isn't adequate, so it will unquestionably thermal throttle. That's entirely expected, I expect that's what PCS mean when they say it's fine.

 

[bmasa]

Did PCS design it then? Or did you design it?

It's working as expected but the cooler isn't adequate, so it will unquestionably thermal throttle. That's entirely expected, I expect that's what PCS mean when they say it's fine.

The system was fully designed and configured by PCSpecialist and sold through Elgiganten. I didn’t choose the components—they provided the pre-configured setup.

If the cooler isn’t adequate for the processor, that’s entirely on PCSpecialist for designing and selling a system that can’t handle the hardware properly.

 

[SpyderTracks]

The system was fully designed and configured by PCSpecialist and sold through Elgiganten. I didn’t choose the components—they provided the pre-configured setup.

If the cooler isn’t adequate for the processor, that’s entirely on PCSpecialist for designing and selling a system that can’t handle the hardware properly.

Yes, I'd agree, that CPU would need a 360mm radiator as a minimum, and IMHO, it requires the added capabilities of a premium cooler with a superior pump like the Corsair H150i.

No matter if even a premium cooler, a 240mm radiator is nowhere near sufficient.

I would raise a complaint personally.

 

[Scott]

The system is compatible, it's just not what we would recommend.

Every review for the 14900K (and similar) had reviews stating thermal throttling with everything other than the beefiest of 360mm coolers.

The system temperatures in stress are in line with what I would expect from the system. There are no safety concerns with the CPU running in the low 90s and it's to be expected. I think the maximum temp for the CPU is 105°C.

Pre-designed systems tend to be done on a budget, to get some big name parts in the build without sending the budget sky high. Unfortunately cutting in these areas can lead to lesser performance. The system is running "fine" for how it has been specced. The concerns of degrading are valid but this is more aimed towards Intel releasing poorly designed hardware. No system integrator is omnipotent when it comes to potential hardware failure and they all try to cater to certain budgets by reducing the costs of certain builds by using lesser spec components (that are still fine for safety, just not for optimum performance).

We see it often on this forum and all we can suggest in future is to visit the forums or get advise from enthusiasts rather than sales teams. I use car analogies a lot, when I'm looking for info on a car the last place I go is the dealership selling the car. I only go there to make my purchase after I've done my checks via independent reviews and enthusiasts.

 

[Scott]

Just one consideration that popped into my head regarding the current spec. Is the fan noise quite high? I would expect it to be very high during those sustained loads. Just thinking that if it isn't then it may need configured with a custom fan curve to try and keep things in check.

 

[bmasa]

Yes, I'd agree, that CPU would need a 360mm radiator as a minimum, and IMHO, it requires the added capabilities of a premium cooler with a superior pump like the Corsair H150i.

No matter if even a premium cooler, a 240mm radiator is nowhere near sufficient.

I would raise a complaint personalit’s very helpful to understand the cooling requirements for this CPU. Originally, the s

The system is compatible, it's just not what we would recommend.

Every review for the 14900K (and similar) had reviews stating thermal throttling with everything other than the beefiest of 360mm coolers.

The system temperatures in stress are in line with what I would expect from the system. There are no safety concerns with the CPU running in the low 90s and it's to be expected. I think the maximum temp for the CPU is 105°C.

Pre-designed systems tend to be done on a budget, to get some big name parts in the build without sending the budget sky high. Unfortunately cutting in these areas can lead to lesser performance. The system is running "fine" for how it has been specced. The concerns of degrading are valid but this is more aimed towards Intel releasing poorly designed hardware. No system integrator is omnipotent when it comes to potential hardware failure and they all try to cater to certain budgets by reducing the costs of certain builds by using lesser spec components (that are still fine for safety, just not for optimum performance).

We see it often on this forum and all we can suggest in future is to visit the forums or get advise from enthusiasts rather than sales teams. I use car analogies a lot, when I'm looking for info on a car the last place I go is the dealership selling the car. I only go there to make my purchase after I've done my checks via independent reviews and enthusiasts.

Thank you for your detailed explanation—it’s very informative and helps to shed light on the broader issues with pre-configured systems. However, in this case, I believe the situation goes beyond just "not being optimal."

The system was sold to me as a pre-configured build, originally with an i9-13900KF. After two repairs due to overheating issues, PCSpecialist upgraded it to an i9-14900KF without consulting me or addressing the fundamental issue—the cooling setup. They assured me the system was "fine," but as you’ve pointed out, a 240mm radiator isn’t sufficient for this CPU, and thermal throttling is inevitable.

This wasn’t a budget build—the system cost me 25,000 DKK, and the inclusion of parts like the RTX 4080 and DDR5 RAM suggests otherwise. If the system was never intended to handle the CPU’s heat output properly, it shouldn’t have been sold in this configuration. It feels like customers are being set up for failure when these kinds of compromises are made without proper disclosure or advice.

I understand that enthusiasts and forums like this one can provide much better guidance for builds, but not everyone has the technical knowledge or experience to evaluate every component’s compatibility. Many customers, myself included, rely on integrators like PCSpecialist to design systems that are functional, reliable, and well-matched to the components they choose to include.

When spending this kind of money, I expected a well-thought-out and tested system—not one where I’m now concerned about performance and long-term reliability due to poor thermal design.

Thanks again for your input—it’s much appreciated

 

[Scott]

I want to try and manage your expectations a little. The system isn't over-heating. It's thermal throttling, they are different things.

Thermal throttling is a product of the cooling solution and the output of the CPU. This isn't a malfunction, it's a design intent. There are very few coolers on the market that would prevent thermal throttling and I doubt any from the PCS configuration would manage it in a full blow stress test. The option then comes, how little thermal throttling would you like to see from the system for £x.

The system is likely working as intended, and as expected, as far as the design goes. The real root cause of the issue is the unsustainable power demand that the CPU was designed to ingest.

If you were to run a benchmark on the system as it is just now, and then run a comparable benchmark with amore powerful cooler in place.... the results would be higher. This is where the budget comes into play, how much extra are you willing to pay to eek out the extra performance potential for longer sustained loads.

There are ways to mitigate the thermal throttling impact. Under-volting is a common practice, reducing the max clock speeds, reducing the max TDP, etc. The last 2 options can have an impact on the overall frequency of the CPU, but if done properly they can often mitigate the thermal throttling with little to no performance impact. It's all part of the fun of owning such a system.

If you searched around for any Intel builds, pre-configured, from any sources around the world they will likely have a similar setup outside of the top of the line. Regarding your spend, the key consideration is the top of the line 4080 and the top of the line 13900KF, coupled with a high end motherboard and DDR5 RAM.... that's where your costs are going to. To similarly spec a system with those components to the standard I would like would have cost you more than what you paid for the pre-configured system. That's because those little cost cutting options we wouldn't recommend, as they just aren't worth it in the long run.

With all of that being said. Not one person on here would have recommended Intel to you anyway. They have been walking towards that cliff for years now and fell off of it in 2023. They've been in absolute freefall ever since, it's not been pretty at all.

 

[Scott]

When spending this kind of money, I expected a well-thought-out and tested system—not one where I’m now concerned about performance and long-term reliability due to poor thermal design.

Just to highlight this part. You typically won't get that from a promotion or sales advert, this is fairly true with all things custom. As said, to get a truly thought out system catering to your needs...... you need independent advice, don't look to sales for anything but sales (that goes for everything in life).

 

[bmasa]

I want to try and manage your expectations a little. The system isn't over-heating. It's thermal throttling, they are different things.

Thermal throttling is a product of the cooling solution and the output of the CPU. This isn't a malfunction, it's a design intent. There are very few coolers on the market that would prevent thermal throttling and I doubt any from the PCS configuration would manage it in a full blow stress test. The option then comes, how little thermal throttling would you like to see from the system for £x.

The system is likely working as intended, and as expected, as far as the design goes. The real root cause of the issue is the unsustainable power demand that the CPU was designed to ingest.

If you were to run a benchmark on the system as it is just now, and then run a comparable benchmark with amore powerful cooler in place.... the results would be higher. This is where the budget comes into play, how much extra are you willing to pay to eek out the extra performance potential for longer sustained loads.

There are ways to mitigate the thermal throttling impact. Under-volting is a common practice, reducing the max clock speeds, reducing the max TDP, etc. The last 2 options can have an impact on the overall frequency of the CPU, but if done properly they can often mitigate the thermal throttling with little to no performance impact. It's all part of the fun of owning such a system.

If you searched around for any Intel builds, pre-configured, from any sources around the world they will likely have a similar setup outside of the top of the line. Regarding your spend, the key consideration is the top of the line 4080 and the top of the line 13900KF, coupled with a high end motherboard and DDR5 RAM.... that's where your costs are going to. To similarly spec a system with those components to the standard I would like would have cost you more than what you paid for the pre-configured system. That's because those little cost cutting options we wouldn't recommend, as they just aren't worth it in the long run.

With all of that being said. Not one person on here would have recommended Intel to you anyway. They have been walking towards that cliff for years now and fell off of it in 2023. They've been in absolute freefall ever since, it's not been pretty at all.

I appreciate your explanation, but honestly, this entire situation feels like a trap. How is it acceptable to sell a system that is fundamentally flawed by design and then expect the customer to deal with the inevitable issues!
My CPU is consistently running at 87–97°C during normal gaming (e.g., World of Tanks). While Intel might claim this is within operational limits, common sense says otherwise. My CPU has already failed twice in a matter of months. Are you seriously suggesting that these conditions won’t lead to another failure soon? How can this be considered acceptable?Do you truly believe these conditions won’t lead to another failure?

 

[Scoped Badger]

We all completely agree, but that frustration should be taken out on Intel, not PC Specialist. They have to sell Intel products, and until Intel recall those products, they'll continue to do so. Many other companies are in the same boat.

 

[ubuysa]

I do sympathise but it's not just about Intel. It's never wise to buy a pre-built PC from anyone, because they are always built down to a price that's attractive. Typically they will contain a higher end CPU and GPU to attract buyers but the rest of the (essential) components are often only just in spec. All vendors do this, PCS are far from alone. I have no idea what sort of a deal PCS have with Elgiganten, or with Curry's in the UK, but as resellers these companies typically want a low price and so in a sense, PCS are supplying what the reseller wants to sell.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I do sympathise but it's not just about Intel. It's never wise to buy a pre-built PC from anyone, because they are always built down to a price that's attractive. Typically they will contain a higher end CPU and GPU to attract buyers but the rest of the (essential) components are often only just in spec. All vendors do this, PCS are far from alone. I have no idea what sort of a deal PCS have with Elgiganten, or with Curry's in the UK, but as resellers these companies typically want a low price and so in a sense, PCS are supplying what the reseller wants to sell.

This is completely accurate as I see it too.

The reseller will order a very cut down spec to maximise profits. PCS are simply contracted to build those specifications.

 

[bmasa]

I do sympathise but it's not just about Intel. It's never wise to buy a pre-built PC from anyone, because they are always built down to a price that's attractive. Typically they will contain a higher end CPU and GPU to attract buyers but the rest of the (essential) components are often only just in spec. All vendors do this, PCS are far from alone. I have no idea what sort of a deal PCS have with Elgiganten, or with Curry's in the UK, but as resellers these companies typically want a low price and so in a sense, PCS are supplying what the reseller wants to sell.

So it is my fault for buying a pre-built PC? In 18 months, I've had 2 RMAs and 1 service. After the 2nd RMA, the retailer confirmed the system is running too hot. To make it worse, they sent me the wrong PC, which ended up in another country, and I had to wait 10 days to get the right one back.

No one is taking responsibility, and anyone in my position would be frustrated.............

 

[TonyCarter]

It's not your fault for trusting the marketing of the retailer.

It's not your fault that the PC has failed and required multiple RMAs, have been sent the wrong PC, or that it's been sent to the wrong country.

It's also not your fault that you may not have known about this forum beforehand, and you may not be a 'PC nerd' with the knowledge to know about Intel's issues and how other components can compromise a whole system.

But if you admit you're not as knowledgeable on the subject as others, then it is remiss of you to not carry out any research before buying an expensive PC.

 

[ubuysa]

I'm not saying it's your fault, I'm just pointing out the way things are. There is a reason why most of us on here use PCS to build a PC to our own spec, after taking advice from experts like @SpyderTracks - especially if you want a high-end gaming PC.

TBH, if you were buying an office-type PC you'd have been fine, but gaming PCs are a completely different animal and AFIK no pre-built PC is really up to spec for top-end gaming.

 

[bmasa]

I'm not saying it's your fault, I'm just pointing out the way things are. There is a reason why most of us on here use PCS to build a PC to our own spec, after taking advice from experts like @SpyderTracks - especially if you want a high-end gaming PC.

TBH, if you were buying an office-type PC you'd have been fine, but gaming PCs are a completely different animal and AFIK no pre-built PC is really up to spec for top-end g

I learned my lesson but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit back, I've already started procedures for the retailer...I posted here because i wanted to know if other people had the same issue with me