How to Cool Ryzen 5 3600 High Temperatures Under Load From 2019
Your Ryzen 5 3600 from 2019 hits high temperatures—80°C or more—when gaming or rendering, risking thermal throttling and long-term damage.
Why Does Your Ryzen 5 3600 Run Hot Under Load?
High temperatures on your Ryzen 5 3600 from 2019 during heavy use might be due to the stock cooler’s limits, poor airflow, or old thermal paste. This CPU is efficient, but heat management is key. Here’s how to cool it down and keep performance stable.
Tools You’ll Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Isopropyl alcohol and cloth
- Thermal paste (e.g., Arctic MX-4)
- Compressed air can
- Aftermarket cooler (optional)
Step 1: Monitor Temperatures
Know your baseline.
- Download Ryzen Master or HWMonitor to check temps.
- Idle should be 35-50°C; load under 75°C is safe (85°C max).
- Run a stress test (e.g., Cinebench) to confirm overheating.
Step 2: Clean the Cooler and Case
Dust blocks airflow.
- Unplug the PC and remove the stock AMD Wraith Spire cooler.
- Use compressed air to clear dust from the heatsink, fan, and case vents.
- Ensure no blockages around the CPU socket.
Step 3: Reapply Thermal Paste
Old paste loses effectiveness.
- Clean the CPU and cooler base with isopropyl alcohol.
- Apply a pea-sized dot of thermal paste to the CPU center.
- Reattach the cooler, tightening screws evenly in a cross pattern.
Step 4: Upgrade the Cooler (If Needed)
Stock may not cut it.
- Replace the Wraith Spire with an aftermarket cooler (e.g., Cooler Master Hyper 212, $40).
- Ensure compatibility with AM4 socket and case clearance.
- Test temps—aim for 10-15°C lower under load.
Step 5: Optimize Case Airflow
Good flow keeps it cool.
- Add intake fans at the front and exhaust at the rear/top.
- Keep cables tidy with ties to avoid blocking air.
- Check BIOS fan curves—set to ramp up at 60°C.
Your Ryzen 5 3600 should now run cooler. For boot issues, see this guide. For RAM tweaks, check this fix.