At stock on my 1700x with a Cryorig H7, I max at 74C for hours at near 100% on all threads (video encoding with Handbrake). That just seems really high to me, and doesn't allow for any OC. I've added a second fan to the H7, a QF120 Performance, which has 83CFM max, compared to the 49CFM on the stock fan. I have the stock pushing air into the cooler and the Performance pulling (exhaust), with them oriented to the rear fan. This added fan makes much more noise, but with zero difference in cooling. The stock fan is running at >1600RPM and the Performance is >2000RPM at full load. This is in an Antec P100 case with twin Phanteks PWM 140s in the front and a Phanteks PWM 120 in the back, if that matters.

Using Arctic 5 and the "pea" method, I've reseated the cooler three times now, cleaning the cooler base and CPU each time, with no difference in temps. The only thing I noticed the last time I pulled the cooler to add the fan is that the base seems to have a texture to it, i.e. not smooth. And there were some possible visual blemishes as well, which appear smoother, but tactically my calloused fingers couldn't tell. Texture seems like a bad thing here, unless that's maybe to increase surface area or something.

Anyone else using a Cyrorig H7? I'm probably going to contact them, but thought I'd ask here first.

TIA