Computer Processor running Hot

[WTF]

Alright gurus, I've been monitoring the temp of my CPU for the past 3-4 hours (since getting back to the house with the PC), and it is running way too hot.

I have a AMD x4 945 Deneb 3.0Ghz 125W Processor, that is currently running at around 56-59 degree celsius on average. The ONLY thing that I have going right now is downloading GTA IV from GamesforWindows.com or whatever the site is.

I know by just listening to the fans that this PC should not be running as hot as it is. Any thoughts on what would be causing this? Suggestions? I'm thinking about trying to take the heat sink off and reseat it, to see if that would be of any help, but not sure.

I want to finish the 2GBs thats left of the download before powering off, but as high as the fans RPM's are right now, I'm kinda scared to wait it out.

I've tried to do some research that says it Definitely shouldn't be anywhere near that unless it's under a full load. Downloading a game shouldn't be putting the processor under a full load, right?

I'm using CPUID Hardware monitor. I may restart and go in and make sure the prior owner had Cool n Quiet enabled. If not, possibly that would help. Surely this thing can't run that hot though, right?

[choadler]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

No downloading shouldn't overheat the processor. Is there an aftermarket heat sink or is it the standard one that comes with the processor. Is the case fairly decent size so that air flows through it? How many case fans do you have? Is there an intake fan in the front? Is your power supply sufficient enough to handle this.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Few choices.......

Buy a better heat sink.

Buy artic silver thermal paste.

Buy bigger case fans or add an additional one

Make sure your cables inside the case are neat. Makes the air flow better.

[WTF]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Definitely don't want a bigger case, this thing is huge. It's a full ATX tower. There is a fan on top, fan on the back, as well as a fan on the side of the case, so there is plenty of ventilation spots.

It's a 680W Power Supply, so that shouldn't be an issue, I've looked through doesn't really seem like theres much clutter in the case. I can maybe tidy the cables a little bit, but not a lot.

I may have to buy a different heat sink and some thermal paste. Surely to goodness this guy knew how to apply thermal paste though, he's just built it after he finished his Computer Science degree. If not, then fail to him, ha.

I'll open it up, I think it's the stock heatsink that came with the processor. But still yet, doing some looking on google, idle temps should be mid 30's or thereabout, so this is throwing me off big time.

[choadler]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Yeah, if it is a stock heat sink, get a new one. Newegg.com is your friend.

[WTF]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

blah. Off to newegg we go. Looks like yet another purchase.

[av7]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

blah. Off to newegg we go. Looks like yet another purchase.

Check the thermal paste and check if it looks good first

[WTF]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Yeah, I'm going to power it down in a second to see. I have a new processor coming from newegg in a few days with some Arctic Silver paste. I know the 1100T comes with a heatsink as well.. if this one is running that hot, I wonder what the new processor is going to run at.

Should I be concerned? I'll check out the paste in a few. I don't have anything to remove the paste with if it's too much... and don't have any on hand if it's not enough...

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Not to hijack the thread but my laptop is running hella fast and hot also, even when I'm barely doing anything. And that's WITH a laptop cooling pad too. CPU usage gets to be 100% and I'll have a browser and maybe some music in there. Things start to lock up, typing appears few seconds after....even had it shut down randomly a few times. Getting really frustrating.

Intel Core Dual Core T5800 2.0ghz, 4 GB of RAM....

[WTF]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Not sure on your front Matrix, what model laptop do you have? I had a HP dv2915r or something along those lines, and it got crazy hot. The fan was running, but was blowing out some crazy hot air. I took it apart, and found that the entire fan was clogged with debri. Replaced the fan, and it's been running cool every since. Could be a possibility. I had a Targus chill mat using it too, but it was still clogged.

Right now, I just went into the BIOS and enabled AMD Cool n Quiet and I'm already down to 43 degrees, and it keeps dropping. So something was messed up in the BIOS setting I guess making it run full on balls to the wall mode. Cool n Quiet seems to have done the trick, but I'm still going to check the paste and heatsink, but hopefully I won't have to until my new processor gets here.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Not to hijack the thread but my laptop is running hella fast and hot also, even when I'm barely doing anything. And that's WITH a laptop cooling pad too. CPU usage gets to be 100% and I'll have a browser and maybe some music in there. Things start to lock up, typing appears few seconds after....even had it shut down randomly a few times. Getting really frustrating.

Intel Core Dual Core T5800 2.0ghz, 4 GB of RAM....

Laptops generally always run hot. However your CPU should never be 100% just browsing and streaming music.

But then again your CPU is slow, so that might be it. It is dual core but it is only 2ghz. That really isn't fast enough for multi-tasking.

The only thing you can do short of buying a faster laptop is add more RAM. It will help somewhat of the 100% cpu usage.

And you should check your current RAM and make sure one of those sticks isn't dying on you. Laptop shutting off is a sign something isn't working right.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Not sure on your front Matrix, what model laptop do you have? I had a HP dv2915r or something along those lines, and it got crazy hot. The fan was running, but was blowing out some crazy hot air. I took it apart, and found that the entire fan was clogged with debri. Replaced the fan, and it's been running cool every since. Could be a possibility. I had a Targus chill mat using it too, but it was still clogged.

Right now, I just went into the BIOS and enabled AMD Cool n Quiet and I'm already down to 43 degrees, and it keeps dropping. So something was messed up in the BIOS setting I guess making it run full on balls to the wall mode. Cool n Quiet seems to have done the trick, but I'm still going to check the paste and heatsink, but hopefully I won't have to until my new processor gets here.

It's a DV1175NR. Not sure on the technical stuff and taking apart to check it out. I'm not good with that stuff at all. Might be an issue though.

Laptops generally always run hot. However your CPU should never be 100% just browsing and streaming music.

But then again your CPU is slow, so that might be it. It is dual core but it is only 2ghz. That really isn't fast enough for multi-tasking.

The only thing you can do short of buying a faster laptop is add more RAM. It will help somewhat of the 100% cpu usage.

And you should check your current RAM and make sure one of those sticks isn't dying on you. Laptop shutting off is a sign something isn't working right.

How could I check the RAM?

[snepp]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Thermal paste, thermal paste, thermal paste, with a dash of airflow problems on the side (for the laptop).


Q-tips and a bit of isopropyl alcohol are sufficient to remove the old paste. Thermal compound remover is better, but not too many people keep that just lying around.

The last overheating laptop I looked at the paste was hard as a rock. You'd be better off with absolutely nothing between the processor and heatsink.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

How could I check the RAM?

.

They have this free software tool called memtest 86+

It tests your RAM. But if you have a warranty on the laptop, I would just tell them one of my RAM sticks is dying on me because my laptop constantly turns off on its own and they will replace it for you.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Computer Processor running Hot

Thermal paste, thermal paste, thermal paste, with a dash of airflow problems on the side (for the laptop).


Q-tips and a bit of isopropyl alcohol are sufficient to remove the old paste. Thermal compound remover is better, but not too many people keep that just lying around.

The last overheating laptop I looked at the paste was hard as a rock. You'd be better off with absolutely nothing between the processor and heatsink.

Maybe I should have a buddy look at it or something.

Thanks for the tip, Skillz. I'll DL it and check it out.

EDIT: Trying to figure out how to run this program, lol. I DL the image and opened my burning program but I don't see the option its saying in the instructions.