cpu cooling

eyescream · #1 10-27-2004, 04:34 AM

Hey!

Ok, so heres the problem:

My computer started freezing pretty bad a while ago and I decided to check the CPU temperature from BIOS. I got a 2.0Ghz P4 (not over-clocked), with standard heatsink/cooler and its running very high temperatures. Even up to 90 degrees celsius (194 F).

Even as new (a year and a half ago) the CPU was running something like 70 degrees celsius (158 F) after playing THPS 3 for while. I dont have a case fan but it shouldnt make this kind of diffrence? Now I'm thinking about getting a decent fan for the case (hell, maybe even two while I'm at it) and a good, quiet CPU heatsink/cooler (like one of these http://www.aerocool.com.tw/aerocool-...oler/ht101.htm).

But will this make a real diffrence to get it running normal temps like 45 celsius (a little over 100F)?

JoatMon · #2 10-27-2004, 09:09 PM

( think about being stuck in a box out in the sun all day , no air flow = no cooling = overheat = Die !)

my video card used to over heat alot along with my cpu ,
my solution ,
when to radio shack got a 110v fan wired it into power supply so when pc is on fan comes on ( wired to that extra female connector used for monitor, power not all power supplies have it ) and mounted it on the case directly across from cpu & slots and stuck some furnace filter material in a empty spot on the case where it looked like a fan was supposed to go but none was installed , and it allowed air to come in from the outside .

worked like a charm cpu stays around 115 however since it is a big ol 4 inch 110v fan it is noisier than what i would like

Jarred · #3 10-31-2004, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eyescream
Hey!

Ok, so heres the problem:

My computer started freezing pretty bad a while ago and I decided to check the CPU temperature from BIOS. I got a 2.0Ghz P4 (not over-clocked), with standard heatsink/cooler and its running very high temperatures. Even up to 90 degrees celsius (194 F).

Even as new (a year and a half ago) the CPU was running something like 70 degrees celsius (158 F) after playing THPS 3 for while. I dont have a case fan but it shouldnt make this kind of diffrence? Now I'm thinking about getting a decent fan for the case (hell, maybe even two while I'm at it) and a good, quiet CPU heatsink/cooler (like one of these http://www.aerocool.com.tw/aerocool-...oler/ht101.htm).

But will this make a real diffrence to get it running normal temps like 45 celsius (a little over 100F)?

WOW 90 degrees is not good, it will not last long under these kind of temperatures, try getting a volcano cpu fan, that should fix ur problems, I wouldnt get anymore than 2 fans for the case, because it tendds to get noisy, I went out of bought 3 fans for mine and a few months ago I thought that I would test out just one fan, and there was no temp rise at all, the other 2 are useless, they were just creating noise.

eyescream · #4 11-01-2004, 05:21 AM

thanks for the replies... I friend of mine said that if I'm not going to oc, I shouldnt need a case fan at all with this setup. And there's not really much diffrence with the case closed/open.

I opened the case again to see if the power supply was blowing hot air to the CPU or if it was just too close. Doing this I found out that the CPU fan doesnt really move much air... Even the graphics card fan seems to move more (when I place my hand above/under) the fan. Does this seem normal? My common sense is saying NO!

edit: I was wondering if the CPU fan should blow air to the heat sink or suck it away from the heat sink?

Flyfsh · #5 11-02-2004, 11:09 AM

Just curious. Have you cleaned the heat sink? Sounds like possible dirty. Another idea may be "lap" both heat sinks for the processor & VGA. I laped mine & lost about 5degrees F. My cpu runs at about 90 F. & VGA about 93F.
I have a clear case with 5 fans + power supply fan. (my wife says it sounds like a airplane)

eyescream · #6 11-02-2004, 11:12 AM

Theres no dust and the fan seems to be working fine. What do you mean by "lap"?

Flyfsh · #7 11-09-2004, 04:55 AM

"Lap" is when you take your heat sink (HS) off and sand it to make sure it is perfectally flat and has a mirror finish.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/guid...ppingguide.php

Here is a link with instructions.Hope it helps.

curtybob · #8 11-13-2004, 02:48 PM

I have had this problem before, and had 2 separate causes. On the first case, I had found that the fan retention bracket had an "ear" broken off. the easiest way to check is with the computer off, try to gently tug at the fan/heatsink. If it pulls away slightly, then check the 4 "ears". Also check to make sure the 2 levers are in the correct position. If the levers are right, and you do happen to have a broken retention bracket, then they are easy to find. Here is one place to find them.

The second time I had the problem, it turned out to be that the stock P4 fan was going out and was not turning at full speed. In this case, I would find an aftermarket fan and heatsink. Zalman makes some nice quiet ones, and also Swiftech and ThermalTake make some good ones.

Hope this helps.

Overclocked Doc · #9 11-13-2004, 03:16 PM

Believe it or not your probably not reaching those temps you list.
Why? because the P4 will "throttle" back at a pre determined temp. If you check Intels spec page on that proceassor you will find the exact "thermo spec" and that can be used a guide as to where the CPU will throttle down.

it's quite common for some motherboards to read temps inaccurate. This is sometimes a problem with BIOS.

Lots of people like to "lap" there CPU's as they feel it will give them optimal cpu/heatsink contact. Personally I don't think it's nessecary (provided the heatsink is reasonably true) because when you apply a good thermal paste (according to direction) the surfaces will mesh together just fine.

"Arctic Silver" is the paste most often used by custom builders. It helps substantially to lower temps (5 - 10 C. is not uncommon)
This works far better than the original "pad" that would of come with your P4.

Flyfsh · #10 11-16-2004, 07:08 AM

i did lap my heat sinks. i think overclocked doc is right as far as the artic silver working well. in my case i was suprised as how uneven my heat sinks were from the factory. probably not enough to hurt but i did get lower temps after laping. 5 degrees F is not enough to matter in most cases i am sure that is what i got.

Slick21 · #11 05-12-2005, 10:24 PM

I've been having the same problem...My cpu was reaching temps of 160f. I checked my fan and it was completely clogged. I cleaned that out and added thermal grease. However, when i play Tribes Vengeance or Guild Wars or any game for that matter, my cpu still reaches temps of 145f. I was wondering what i could do to fix this. I know my comp is over clocked a little but would small over clocking make my cpu run this hot?

tzobal · #12 06-01-2005, 03:17 AM

Hi Eyescreem

I put my first system together not long ago.
Like you I did not know what to expect, temp. wise.

Word of advice. I know it is a really cool thing (in a geeky way) to be able to OC. Do you really need to? Weigh one against the other - OC, spending more money on PC bling, worriyng your precious CPU fries? Or just be happy with what you got because it gives you what you need?

Visit Intel's site to find out your proccesor's operation temps. It is worth a read. For example I did not know that my CPU can operate at temps reaching 70C and my retail CPU fan can handle speeds of upto 6000RPM yes! 6000RPM. Intel supply the h/s fan combo because it is what you need to keep your CPU cool enough.
They cannot, however, make you install case fans, that is down to you. However, they do have explicit recomendations regarding Case tempretures. If I am not mistaking it is around 28C-30C. To acheive that you will need AT LEAST one extracting fan. Minimum 80mm, 90mm would be enen better. I recently installed a smart fan which blows harder when the case is hotter. Costs a few pennies more that a normal fan.

You'r CPU fan traditionaly blows towards the heatsink although I read a guy's post about changing it to improve airflow. It gave him a drop of 1-2C. Not a great deal. Again, well done for inovation but the bottom line is, he did not re-invent the wheel.

I use Ceramique thermal paste which performs exactly, yes everyone exactly like generic silver paste. The only difference is that you can wash your mobo wihth the stuff as it only conducts heat.

I am waitinf to get a bit more money so I can cool down my G card and my chipset. Video convertions do heat up the sytem.....

Before I wrap up this drivel - I use HMonitor to monitor my system and for my motherboard I had to change a setting in HMonitor (instructed by the software guide) to give me the right reading the result was a drop from 70C to a cool 35C.

Here are my specs if it is of any help:
P4 Prescott with retail H/S and fan.
Sardine tin can of a case - in other words - rubbish
One 80mm thermo cntrolled fan extracting.
One 80mm constant RPM fan pulling air in.

This gives me 35C with no load and 45-50 under normal to extreme load.
These tempretures are good! there is no OC invloved. No one gets hurt and everyone is happy.....

xb0xed · #13 06-04-2005, 05:35 PM

My CPU use to reach 72 degrees but that is because the fan on top of it is held on by cable ties

I bought a new PSU and it cooled back down to the forties.

JCroo · #14 08-08-2006, 10:09 AM

From the day I powered my PC on (a little more than 2 years ago) operating temperatures of 85 - 90 degrees have been standard. I've never given much thought to internal PC cooling assuming that the manufacturer would account for this in the building process. I'm now having a few video problems and I would like to bounce several things off of someone. From what I've read thus far, high temps can adversely affect various internal components, but I haven't had any troubles (whatsoever) until recently. I'm wondering what I can do to ferret out and replace/address the culprit (I'm thinking P/S). Feel free to yell at me until I get this right.

Here are my system specs that I can remember:
P4 3ghz
1Gig (of some type of mem)
Radeon 9800 128 (pro?)
nothing else pertinent that I can remember.