CPU overheating again on my Slade

Hi. This is not a customer support beef, I'm quite happy with DS warranty handling of my system. This is a Slade I ordered in January of 2015. Last year I noticed overheating and worked with customer support and we determined that I should put new thermal paste on the cpu/cooler. I did so and temperatures dropped as expected.

Lately, my system is running hot again. If I play my game of choice (Star Wars:The Old Republic) temps are logging in the 80C+ range routinely and I see peeks up into the high 90C range.

Just sitting here typing this, my system is at 40C.

I cleaned the system even though all the fans and vents were clear. I replaced the front intake fans with a pair of Corsair branded fans and I *feel* a perceptible difference in the intake when I hold my hand in front of the fans.

I've also reset the CPU multiplier to 40. I ordered the CPU and GPU overclocked and other than when I experience this heat problem or get a bad driver from NVIDIA, the system is rock solid.

I know I can reapply thermal paste, but every six months seems a bit often. Is it? Web searches were inconclusive.

How would I diagnose if there is a problem with the CPU cooling unit?

Advice? My slade config on the DS site, but I've extracted the meat below.

Thanks in advance,

Pertinent specs:

Corsair Obsidian 550D
Intel Core i7 4790K 4.0 GHz (Codename Devils Canyon) (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK2 (Intel Z97 Chipset) (Military-Grade TUF Components)
16GB DDR3 2133MHz
850W EVGA SuperNOVA
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB (Includes PhysX)
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 120mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition)
Standard Factory Chassis Fans
No Airflow Control
Noise Suppression Package Stage 1 (Optimized Airflow & Fan Speeds Only)
CPU Boost: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz
Graphics Boost: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
1/9/2015 Thank You

Yeah, I blew out the tiny radiator gaps. I'll try paste again before I look to replace the cooler. Any recommendations pro or con? The system is 32 months old, I figure there are better units available these days.

Originally posted by FR3SHM3AT I would replace the entire AIO. I bet that pump even though it should last five years is probably giving you some trouble. They usually don't put the greatest pumps in AIO. Though I am sure DS uses the best, but just like CPU's and graphics cards sometimes you get a bad one.

Yeah, that happens from time to time. Time to start looking. Tom's hardware has current reviews, prices don't look bad, just need to find one that seems good and I can install.

They don't have H20s here anymore, anyone have any opinion on the Corsair H60?

Originally posted by DST4ME Tom's hardware is bs. Look at anandtech for creditable reviews. I would just go noctua if i were you, but if you want corsair aio then go with h115i

I'm nowhere near currently technically competent enough to tell the difference between those two sites. There are several spammy clickbaitish sites that clog up searches.

I only have room for one 140mm exhaust fan if I go the AIO route. Noctua is strictly air cooled, right?

I went with the Corsair H90. I wasn't comfortable with the space topside for dual fans. I cranked graphics back up to ultra on my game (which being old doesn't use the GPU as well as it should) and temps are nice and cool.

I'll put overclocking back on at some point, but the stock processor itself is overkill for my usage :)

Thanks everyone for the comments/advice.

just as a reference point, a 120/140mm rad really isn't beefy enough for oc'ing procs, it's more just an alternative to an air cooler for running at stock clocks.  a 240mm rad is recommended for a modest oc and a 360mm (i know that case doesn't support one) for really pushing things.