My CPU is overheating - or is it?

[Dnallov]

I've had my computer for about 6 months now and upto now its been perfect.  Its a self built thing with the following specs: -

• Intel Duo Core CPU
• 1024 MB RAM
• 512mb Graphics card
• Windows Vista Ultimate

It's worked perfectly upto now, Now it shuts down after 3-4 hours after startup.  I suspected a CPU overheat, went to my motherbord program, which states the CPU is running between 68-72 Degrees Celisius.

Is this high?

[oxymoron_02]

A quick online search results in several pages advising of a maximum operating temperature of 35 degrees, so going on that I'd say that your current temperature is definitely too high. It might be time to get a new fan, but personally I'd check the fan speed first. If it's slow, open it up and spread a very liberal amount* of ordinary cooking oil inside, it worked wonders for my fan when it started grinding a bit.

If you're not a cheapskate like me though, just buy a new fan/heatsink.


*always use more than you think is healthy, because it won't last long else. Found that out the first time

[Dnallov]

The fan speed is about 2000 rpm, which is right.  I'm gonna buy a new more powerful fan motor, with some of that thermal studd that should do it

[tim1947]

http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/idu/

intel desktop utilities might help if you don't have it

[Dnallov]

I think I buggerd up, took the fan and heat sink out and saw some dust on the bottom, and rubbed the dust off, which seemed very liquedy.  I replaced the fan and heatsink and now the CPU is getting temp to about 80oC.  I've just relised the Dust I rubbed of was infact the Thermal Liqud stuff.   
O well

[patio]

Power down that machine immediately...
Then travel to Arctic Silver's website for great instructions on removing and replacing thermal grease.
Follow each step carefully.
Then i would borrow a known working PSU of equal or greater wattage and swap it in there and see how it runs...
I suspect this may have been the issue all along.

[WillyW]

From reading past posts around here,  these were in my bookmarks:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274

The first one should be that to which patio referred.

[Dnallov]

Unfortently I live in the UK, so this arctic silver stuff is hard (if not imposible) to get.  So i'm gonna pop down to my local PCWORLD buy: -
Link Edit

which comes with the thermal stuff and seem enough to cool down my cpu.

P.S. To the bloke that said somthing about my power suply, i've checked it out and all seems fine.

Thanks for all the help guys 

[Richenstony]

Its not impossbile to get at all...

Maplins

pc world

dabs

 

and cheap as well...

[Dnallov]

Well I went down to my Computer shop and bought some Thermal Stuff, and the temp has dropped to 32oC. 
Amazing! - It only cost £1.99!
I've now clocked my PC up and still the temp is still at 32oC

Thanks all