Need Assistance -- CPU Temp is too high!

[DeadPoolX 9]

I've got a somewhat older computer that I purchased from Alienware in 2005. The only detail that I've changed is the video card. I recently upgraded that in order to play more recent games at full resolution and keep all the "bells and whistles" turned on.

My PC has always been loud (the fans can be very noisy), but recently the pitch has risen to that of a turbine engine if the computer has been on a while. Because of this, I downloaded a program called SpeedFan which monitors a PC's temperature (including other details).

All temperatures are rated in Celsius. It seems my CPU Idle Temp is anywhere from 69-73°, while the highest temperature I've recorded it at is 89°. That's pretty damn hot. Both the Internal Temp and Remote Temp seem to hover around 50° or so.

I'd also like to note that 89° is without playing any games. It generally rises to that temperature when web browsing, using WinAMP or any other productivity program. I'm hesitant to load up a game since those usually require far more out of a PC.

I've tried removing dust (both inside and out) and reducing the room temperature. None of that helps. I wonder if I need a new CPU heatsink and/or better fans. I'm reluctant to do either since new and faster fans will make even more noise and installing a new heatsink could potentially damage or even crack the CPU itself.

For some background, here are my computer's specs:

OS: Windows XP Pro (SP2)

TYPE: Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading)

SPEED: 3.6 GHz (1 MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB)

CPU CORE: Northwood (Prescott Generation)

MOTHERBOARD: Intel D925XCV 925X

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital 250 GB (SATA 7200 RPM)

RAM: Crucial 2 GB DDR2 PC4200

VIDEO CARD:

* Original -- ATI Radeon X800 XT (GDDR3 256 MB, PCI-Express)

* Current -- ATI Radeon HD 3870 (GDDR4 512 MB, PCI-Express)

SOUND CARD: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

POWER SUPPLY: 480 Watts

FANS: Turbo Cool 510 ATX12V 2.0

OPTICAL DRIVES: NEC 16X Dual-Layer DVD±R/W, Lite-On 52/32/52 DVD/CD-RW

MONITORS: 19" NEC LCD 1960NXi plus a 19" Dell E196FP (dual-monitor setup)

OTHER: 3.5" Floppy Diskette Drive, 7 USB Ports (3 in back, 4 in front), Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Base-T Adapter, US Robotics V.92 56K PCI Modem

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

I've got a somewhat older computer that I purchased from Alienware in 2005. The only detail that I've changed is the video card. I recently upgraded that in order to play more recent games at full resolution and keep all the "bells and whistles" turned on.

My PC has always been loud (the fans can be very noisy), but recently the pitch has risen to that of a turbine engine if the computer has been on a while. Because of this, I downloaded a program called SpeedFan which monitors a PC's temperature (including other details).

All temperatures are rated in Celsius. It seems my CPU Idle Temp is anywhere from 69-73°, while the highest temperature I've recorded it at is 89°. That's pretty damn hot. Both the Internal Temp and Remote Temp seem to hover around 50° or so.

I'd also like to note that 89° is without playing any games. It generally rises to that temperature when web browsing, using WinAMP or any other productivity program. I'm hesitant to load up a game since those usually require far more out of a PC.

I've tried removing dust (both inside and out) and reducing the room temperature. None of that helps. I wonder if I need a new CPU heatsink and/or better fans. I'm reluctant to do either since new and faster fans will make even more noise and installing a new heatsink could potentially damage or even crack the CPU itself.

For some background, here are my computer's specs:

OS: Windows XP Pro (SP2)

TYPE: Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading)

SPEED: 3.6 GHz (1 MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB)

CPU CORE: Northwood (Prescott Generation)

MOTHERBOARD: Intel D925XCV 925X

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital 250 GB (SATA 7200 RPM)

RAM: Crucial 2 GB DDR2 PC4200

VIDEO CARD:

* Original -- ATI Radeon X800 XT (GDDR3 256 MB, PCI-Express)

* Current -- ATI Radeon HD 3870 (GDDR4 512 MB, PCI-Express)

SOUND CARD: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

POWER SUPPLY: 480 Watts

FANS: Turbo Cool 510 ATX12V 2.0

OPTICAL DRIVES: NEC 16X Dual-Layer DVD±R/W, Lite-On 52/32/52 DVD/CD-RW

MONITORS: 19" NEC LCD 1960NXi plus a 19" Dell E196FP (dual-monitor setup)

OTHER: 3.5" Floppy Diskette Drive, 7 USB Ports (3 in back, 4 in front), Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Base-T Adapter, US Robotics V.92 56K PCI Modem

Did you build this PC on your own? 89°Celsius is interesting.. that's almost the ideal temperature for evaporating water.... have you given any thoughts about replacing the the tower with a 750 Watt power supply? Your new video card should have not been an issue here. Is the cooling fan for the CPU the original one that came with it? Have you changed any settings on the BIOS ?!?!?!?!?!?! (such as hardware speed and etc) That, sometimes can be critical for higher temperatures and CAN cause your PC to be crispy fryed, just like a bucket full of KFC.

let me know.

Joe

[46]

You're idling hot. I'd replace the fan first. Sounds like the bearings are shot. Also, clean out the heatsink with the fan off. Unless you have knocked the heatsink out of place through some violent action, I can't imagine why it would be less effective, save the dust. If you have, remove it, wipe the chip and heatsink off with an alcohol swab to remove the paste, let dry, reapply, then seat.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Are the fans cutting in?

You are getting airflow through the case I assume..

[Niels Bohr 72]

Over time, the CPU fan will accumulate dust particles in the nooks and crannies of the fan and could cause it to heat up like that. Replace the fan with new ball bearing fans.

If that's not fixing it, we need to know more information such as any major upgrades that you did to the system, etc...

[Ban Hammer 12,861]

my thoughts -

1. get a can of blonde brains (compressed air) and blow out the entire thing.

2. add another cooling fan.

3. maybe the heat sink isn't seated to the cpu with thermal paste (or enough of it). if you can find a way to take it off and reattach, do so.

[*Robert* 2]

my thoughts -

1. get a can of blonde brains (compressed air) and blow out the entire thing.

2. add another cooling fan.

3. maybe the heat sink isn't seated to the cpu with thermal paste (or enough of it). if you can find a way to take it off and reattach, do so.

Concur.

[GaryC 7]

I agree with the others, the heat sink may be full of crud. Get some good heat sink paste and remove the fan and heat sink. Blow out all the dust from the heat sink and scrape off all the old paste. Reapply the paste and put the heatsink back. Part of the problem may be the paste has dried out and is no longer conducting heat. I would just replace the fan. They are cheap compared to the cost of a new chip.

Or this may be your problem, you never know.

Edited April 18, 2009 by GaryC

[DeadPoolX 9]

Okay, I'm going to try what was recommended. Thanks!

[Reba 2]

Hubby's CPU runs hot as well because of the video card (just built the entire machine a few months ago). He had to take the case off, put a furnace filter over it to keep dust out, and has a desk fan on it whenever it's turned on. As well as the 3 fans that are running *inside* the case itself!

[Nessa 23]

crazy idea, open the CPU and leave it like that while using a regular fan on the outside to help cooling.

[DeadPoolX 9]

crazy idea, open the CPU and leave it like that while using a regular fan on the outside to help cooling.

Not a bad idea, but PC cases are designed to make air flow efficiently. Maybe it's not doing that now for some reason, but I've heard (and read) that opening the case only leads to more dust accumulation.

Again, I might try it out. See if it helps at all. I can always put the case door back on.

[Reba 2]

do like my hubby, and get a furnace filter to block the dust.

[DeadPoolX 9]

do like my hubby, and get a furnace filter to block the dust.

I'll definitely look into it.