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CPU Problems


Slaiv

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My CPU has been overheating. Here are my system specs:

 

-Windows XP Home (Service Pack I)

-AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (~2 gHz)

-512 Mb DDR RAM

-450 Power Supply

-120 Gb Western Digital HD

-K7 Mainstar [Don't know current specs right now; I can get them if you need them]

-Thermaltake Xaser III Supertower [7 Fans]

 

The heat probe is located directly between the heatsink and CPU [duh]. My alarm is set to ~56.3 C; my PC idles at about 50.6 C. When I run disk cleanup, or high-intensity flash programs, the alarm goes off.

 

I'm not exactly sure what the problem is, but here are some ideas:

 

-There is no thermal compound between the heatsink and CPU. I initially put some on, but the CPU was defective and I had some trouble getting everything to work, so I had an IT guy look over and install the CPU, just to make sure it was done perfectly. I assume he put some more on it, but there is a possibility he didn't.

 

-I'm not using a copper heatsink; I may be, but I doubt it. Just the standard Heatsink included with the processor.

 

-Heatsink is filled with cat hair

 

-Alarm temp. barrier is set too low.

 

I've also come up with a few solutions:

 

-I've looked into new, copper-based sinks; I've found a particular Thrmaltake one that seems good [NEWegg link] but people say it sounds like a jet engine. On the plus side, it dropped their idle temp. from about 49-51 C to 31-34 C, which is great. Does anyone know a good quality heatsink, or have a recommendation?

 

-Watercooling. Also looking at a particular Thermaltake unit. [if you can't tell, I like TT] Here's the link. Anyone know if it's any good, or have any recommendations on water cooling systems?

 

-Is this a too low setting for the temp. barrier alarm?

 

If you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate your help.

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1: Go to Walmart, or any computer store. Get a can of air-spray. (It's actually mostly inert gasses, and some sort of evaporant. But whatever.)

2: Open up your case, blow any chunks of dust out. Pay particular attention to heatsinks/fans. This step either should be done outdoors, or be followed by a good vacuuming of the floor.

3: Brush your cat regularly. And be glad hair is not a good conductor!

 

These steps will likely solve some of the problem. I had an AMD 1400, it regularly ran ~70 degrees C. Apparently, that's a bad thing.

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TT tend to be on the noisy side, but I've always purchased a new heatsink and fan rather than relying on the default ones that come with AMD OR Intel "all-in-one" packages. I do recommend getting a new fan and heatsink. Don't spend more than you have to -- save for a new GFX card ;D
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I've recently had the CPU fan cleaned and the Northbridge fan replaced on my system, since I was getting overheating warnings.

 

While the CPU fan is now squeaky clean and running about 120% faster, CPU temperature is still around 60 degrees C :undecided:

 

However, I've been told that the critical temperature for my CPU - AMD Athlon 2600 - is 85 degrees C....

 

I've set my warning threshold to 70 degrees - which it occasionally reaches while playing a game....

 

What are the chances of the temperature sensor malfunction, and reporting a higher than actual temperature?

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  • 3 weeks later...

The temperature probe is between the heatsink and cpu? Sure it isn't seperating them, they need to touch?

 

I can reccomend a few things cpu cooling-wise. I used to have a Gigabyte 3D cooler and it was excellent, very quiet and it cooled the entire pc, not just the cpu (the half aluminium half copper model is better than the all copper). I've also seen good reviews of the ASUS starice cooler, if I was going to buy a new cooler it would be that.

 

Thermal compound: Artic silver is the best, but hard to remove. I can reccomend Ceramique by the same manufacturers, works like a charm (bear in mind any thermal compound takes a while for the full effect to kick in).

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If he's idling at 50 degrees, it doesn't matter how long it's on - he has an overheating problem. I'm idling at 37 degrees with fans so low I can't hear them, and my cpu is a tad more powerful than his, and able to take more heat.
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