Help! Cpu overheating.

ChuckM · 03-27-2003, 08:42 AM

Well I got my cpu installed and 99.999999999% positive i did it right, but the pc health stats on bios says its overheating. I belive the problem is that the cpu socket is right under the power supply and then its blocked off by my video card and CD-Roms. I Just don't think it's getting enough air. I have the bios to give me a warning when it reaches 50C/122F and shut off when it reaches 60C. If anyone has any information please pass it on.

Glenn Overholt · 03-27-2003, 09:31 AM

Yep, that picture is terrible! What I did with mine was to mount an extra fan inside the case. On most of the motherboards, the CPU would be mounted so that it would sort of be on the bottom half of the chassis. I got some small angle brackets and drilled 2 small holes through the case and now it is just a few inches from the CPU, and gives the incoming air an extra boost before it goes out the back.

I know this sounds dumb but make sure that the CPU fan is going as fast as it should, and that nothing else is blocking the air flow that is there now.

Glenn

Camp · 03-27-2003, 09:43 AM

What kind of CPU is it?
50 C is a little high but well within the operating temps of most common CPUs http://www.heatsink-guide.com/maxtemp.htm

What heatsink/fan combo are you using?

Will it boot to Windows? -Is it stable?
Can you measure the temp within Windows?

ChuckM · 03-27-2003, 11:08 AM

IT's an AMD XP 1800+ using the fan and heatsink that comes in the package.

Yes the fan is pluged in

Joel Mack · 03-27-2003, 11:36 AM

Thermal grease layer too thick?

**HTF Ads**

Tekara · 03-27-2003, 12:52 PM

well, athlon XPs have an operating range up to 80dC before thermal problems occur, and wether or not you believe it 50dC is quite common for the oem heatsink and fan combo. . . that is why most of us by aftermarket cooling. Athlons do run hotter than p4's but it's nothing to sweat about.

doesn't sound like you have any problems at all.

Rob Gillespie · 03-27-2003, 01:08 PM

It sounds like you're using quite a small case. Ideally the case should have a fair amount of space inside that isn't cluttered by components and cabling - and also has an inward and exhaust fan to maintain air throughput.

But as (the other) Rob said, 50c is very common with Athlon processors.

How much of a difference do you get between idle and 100% CPU usage temperatures?

Scott L · 03-27-2003, 02:04 PM

Just wondering but is thermal grease mandatory? Intel doesn't include any in the retail boxes. I never used it for my p2.4b, have no case fans and I never overheated (but I could always run cooler).

Rob Gillespie · 03-27-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Intel doesn't include any in the retail boxes.

Is there a pad of grease already on the bottom of the heatsink? There was the last time I bought an Intel.

Quote:

Just wondering but is thermal grease mandatory?

I suppose it's not, but for the small cost you could be running your processor cooler than it is now. Intels do run cooler than AMDs though.

Scott L · 03-27-2003, 03:01 PM

Ahhh you are correct. There was a small black pad on the botom of the HSF. Didn't know it was a form of grease.

Tekara · 03-27-2003, 03:13 PM

some form of thermal interface is a MUST. if you don't use anything to fill in the minor imperfections on the cpu core then hot air pockets will form in them and could potentially cause damage to the processor. Most manufacturers do just put a TIM (thermal interface material) on the bottom of the heatsink to make it easier for the consumer to install it. but use of a better material like Arctic silver is reccomended.