AMD Overheat... help!!!

Hi, Im new to the forum, Im Robert from Nairobi Kenya and ive temp problems with my AMD machine. I actually dint realize it was a problem till i assembled my second PC which is an AMD dual core 4200+, Asus A8N SLI Deluxe, Seagate 300GB etc and it runs normal tasks at a max of 34 'C and heavy tasks around 44-45 'C Max. My older PC is an AMD 3500+, MSI K8N Neo 2 Platinum, 120 GB Seagate Serial ATA, ATI X1600Pro 256Mb graphics, 400 Watt (unknown make & model) power supply, and Apacer PC3200 1GB Memory. So i have tried three different fans and heat sinks, iv tried and i am currently using Cooolermaster thermal paste, ive added as many fans as my case would take, the fans are coolermaster but still at idle state i get 51 'C temps when case is open, 53 'C when closed. when running games i bet its over 55 'C when closed. Whats wrong???

 

Hi Robert,

I can't say I've worked much with the 3500, but I certainly wouldn't recommend running anything at 50+ Degrees!

What I've found is that the system tends to become unstable when its temperature gets up to this sort of level.

It may sound unrelated, but I remember a problem with quite a few MSI Motherboards that I've used before not correctly reporting the CPU temperature, they were claiming that the processor was at about 48-50C, yet the heatsink was cool to the touch. I solved this one with a simple BIOS update.

Is your heatsink hot?

You mention having tried several different fans and heatsinks to the case, I'm just wondering if you've tried things like keeping an eye on the airflow through the case, it should draw in cold air from the bottom of the case, at the front, usually going around your hard disks and then proceed up past the graphics card, by the CPU and then up and out the back. Make sure that your fans are placed to do this, and that they won't make the air flow through the case completely bypass the CPU.

Make sure also that all your cables are tied neatly out of the way so the air can get to your components.

If none of the above helps, when you changed the heatsink did you remember to remove all of the Thermal compound that was on there before, this can sometimes build up and form an insulating layer between the CPU and the heatsink. Obviously not a good thing.

Is it just the CPU that is overheating, what sort of temp are you getting on your Northbridge?

I hope you'll find some of these ideas helpful.

Let us know how you get on.

 

Hi Solomage,

Thanks for trying to help me out on this one. So actually what i did is i used the fan+heatsink that came with the 4200+ on my 3500+ system so it was brand new. something else i failed to mention was that i had previously used a Winchester 3200+ on the same machine, and got temps as high as 48 'C but i wasn't really worried, u can guess the shock i got when i upgraded to 3500+ (the processor was the only component i upgraded. So judging from that, i ruled out the possibility of a faulty processor.

I then got a new MSI K8N Neo 2 Platinum board, 40 GBx2 Seagate HDD at 7200 rpm, Radeon 9250, 1GB RAM and assembled a new comp using my old 3200+ for my small sis who dosent need a high end PC and the temps were still hanging around 46-48 'C so from that i ruled out the possibility of a faulty mobo.

Now i tried running a game (FEAR) on the the 3500+ system and after sometime i could hear the fan was spinning really fast and was really noisy, after touching the heatsink, you can really feel its hot, at times almost un bearable. I also tried removing extra cables from the system eg floppy to create space.

The temps on my northbridge are around max of 34 'C. Im including the info below i hope it helps:

vcore - 1.38v
3.3v - 3.18v
+5v - 4.81v
+12v - 11.48v

CPU temp at time of reading - 54'C and peak temp recorded - 56 'C
System temp - 34'C
CPU fan speed - 5273 rpm
NB Fan Speed - 5625 rpm

NB: I took these readings after playing FEAR for a couple of minutes just to get it onmax load. Readings before playing were more reasonable ie immediately before a cold boot with CPU temp at 42'C and system temp 22'C. This i reckon would have escalated to 51'C had i left the system to idle for a while.

Let me know what you think,

Thanks.

 

Something else, ive also upgraded the bios and all drivers to the latest from MSI. including Core Center.

 

Wow! It is very dangerous to go on your pc this time! Do not go on when the temp is 54-55 c

 

Listen to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

im gettin really desperate, who has any clue as to where the prob can be??

 

What kind of airflow is going to through the case, and where is it situated?

Make sure the fans are pointing the correct way. Make sure it's either away from the wall, or angled if it has to be against one. If that doesn't work, try putting a deskfan, so it blows into the computer.

 

Best bet is to get Everest Diagnostic Program here at MG http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181 then report its findings back. It could be the PSU Voltages if you have good airflow, also could be the "Thermal Paste" or bad connection, but run Everest first It will give you tons of info. Hope that helps...... PS 50 degrees Celcius is getting warm, and requires your attention but all AMD chips have "Thermal Protection" built in so do not panic yet.

 

This has to be the best summation of a situation yet but the most important parameter is missing what is your current ambient temp? What is the local weather report saying???? Personally I have a P4 Prescott and it's range is 50-65C, if i'm getting 43C (recently) in winter well thats very good. Here is a link on ball park temp ranges for specific CPU's:

http://users.erols.com/chare/elec.htm

You have obviously ruled out the appaerent, crud, TIM, etc etc so you need to go to the CPU's site and search for the temp ranges. If you aren't experincing PC impairment, system crashes, slowing down etc this may actually be a faulty sensor. Many CPU's come with onboard sensors and this may have become corrupted. How are you checking these temps??? within BIOS or monitoring software.

No offence but some are being a bit dramatic

 

And if it's monitoring software, make sure it's configured properly. MBM5, if not set to the right mobo, will constantly show 38 degrees.

 

Hi, Looks like you've got quite a few suggestions there.

I'm getting married in October and buying a house this week so will be a bit tied up for a while. If I get a chance, I'll read through this thread again and see if I can think of anything else that may help you.

In the meantime, I'd advise against using the machine that's overheating.

Seriously if your run something at 55 Degrees, it aint gonna last long.

Hopefully the other respondents to this thread will be able to help you out until I get sorted.

If you really come unstuck or this thread dies, feel free to email me. I'll get back to you when I can.

Oh yes, one more thing. If you have to use this machine, invest in a good pedestal fan (12" - 16" blades would work well), take the side off your PC and point the fan at it until it gets back to a "safe" temp.

 

Look I'm not going to bet around the bush here but it really depends upon the CPU the average operating temps for a P4 (Prescott) can be from 50-65C, AVERAGE. I will flat out say that you can push the average CPU to 60C under full load for prolonged periods and SHOULD not suffer any significant damage (unless it is from the 1950's). These are dramatic statements and unless you can provide basis for this specific CPU make and model don't incres the persons anxiety. Goto to the specfic CPU manufacturers website and look for the technical specs on the chip. Turn my PC off at 55C, it would sit there collecting dust for 70% OF THE YEAR UNTIL WINTER CAME AROUND AGAIN.

 

hi everyone, im yet to dwnload everest and post bac the readings but id like to ask, can a sub-standard power supply cause overheating? and what about a chassis? im thinkin of replacing those two as a last resort. AMD claims tht a 3500+ 64 Athlon can withstand upto 70 'C, i hope thts true. otherwise i dnt suffer from crashes or sudden re-boots.

 

Hey rbipu our local PC shop had a clearance sale the other day and I got a 120mm fan for $9AUD well I had a hard time finding a decent placement point but in the end I found the best spot possible. I have only 1 DVD reader and thus have 3*5 1/2" bays empty so I have used plastic ties and mounted the Orange 120mm Fan (coolermaster) in the empty area and now I have a direct flow through system (I also removed the front panels from the empty bays to increase potential inflow). My CPU was at 41-45C last week rarely at 41C it is now at 38C. You can see that the 120mm Fan is at the same height as the CPU heatsink which again at the same height as the outflow (blue fan you can see on the left hand side of the pic. I have lost at least 3-4C as the system is exhausting approximately 10-15% greater. Ran Prime95 just to stress it and was only hitting 42C.

For a Prescott on air 38C is an exceptional outcome the front may look a bit daggy (big exposed opening) but at the end of the day it is all about performance.

p.s. I'm still tidying the cables

 

Just a final thought Robert is what heatsinks are you using if it is really bothering you well whis is one of the best heatsinks at the moment but cost about $70AUD:

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=165&code=005

 

What's really dumb, is that the three hottest components are mounted one on top of the other. Video Card, Processor, and power supply. Does your PS have an intake fan on the bottom? If it does, try blasting it with compressed air to clean the fans.

 

Hi everyone, bold eagle ive tried only stock fans at the moment but i was thinking of going for Thermaltakes Blue Orb II, any advice on that. My Power Supply has no intake fan at the bottom so i guess that dosent help the situation. i bought a dust blower though and needless to say the case and most components are virtually dust free.

 

Okay from what I have read to date from enthusiasits sites (OC, modders, etc). From Thermaltake I would look at "Big Typhoon" (excellent reviews) but reviews on Blue Orb have been very average as far as effectiveness goes. Another good product are the Zalman roses if you have limited case room and are very similar to the orb in shape. Either way try to get a solid copper design. That previous Zalman CNPS9500 has had excellent reviews.

 

Well that's where some of the high temps are from, is them reflecting off the botom of the powersupply. If the exhaust fan is working, then I'm not sure what to say. What's the ambient air temp?

 

Hi everyone, so i got everest and ive attached the report so please take a look. its normally at 49 'C as it says on the report, but thats still when its idling. when i dare play a game or even run windows media player, cpu temps will shoot well above 50 'C. the ambient temps are around 27 'C - 32'C though.

 

You're fine. If that's all you're getting, you're safe. I run that hot most of the time. In weather like this there's nothing to be done.

 

Well I still would like to now how hot your weather is at the moment?? Looking at the other temp parameters (mobo/HDD) I will assume it is and about 28C at least. In summer (it is now winter here) I would idle at 45C and load at 60C. The other night I was OC the Video Card to see how high it would go and was hitting CPU@67C, which caused a little concern but it was not for a prolonged period, here another good link on cooling in general:

http://www.heatsink-guide.com/maxtemp.htm

And Thermaltake "Big Typhoon":

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Cooler/Retail/CL-P0114/cl-p0114.asp

I think your ranges are okay if it is the middle of summer? Or maybe a decent aftermarket heatsink if the middle of winter. But I wouldn't stop using the system. You could also consider rounded cables, extra front intake fan, modding a top exhaust fan (plenty of links out there for this one).

 

rbipu your concerns about the (slightly) warm CPU and the PSU are very valid, looking at your voltages, you are running slightly low on them, as well as slightly high in temp. the two are directly linkable. As PSU's are relatively cheap I would swap out your old PSU and replace it with a dual cooling fan PSU one that I use regularly with great success is the Thermaltake TR2-430W. I recommend removing the interior side fan guard - to reduce noise and increase efficience (Hey anybody sticking there fingers inside your case deserves fan bites) Hope that helps

 

Hey guys, im a very sad soul today. over the weekend, everything went crazy. The Pc is now worse and idling at 53 'C and these temps just wont go down so ive turned it off until i get a new power supply coz i do agree with you BCGray plus a new chassis. after i fix these two ill come back to the forum to let you guys know how things are lookin. i jst pray its not a faulty processor. thanks.

 

Not likely -- unless the output voltages get too high. The figures you posted earlier show your PSU is providing voltages that are slightly below nominal. (Within 10% of nominal is usually considered OK.) If the 12v rail got seriously under nominal, it might slow down your fans -- but your hard drive would likely run into trouble first.
Short answer -- don't waste money on another PSU just yet.

That's something you might consider. If you have to open the case and point a fan at it, or if you're getting better temps with the case open, that suggests that your airflow within the case isn't what it should be. Some cases are better than others.
Somewhere on its website, AMD has some literature on system cooling and case airflow. Try <http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/cooling_guide.pdf> and <http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23794.pdf> for stuff related to Socket A CPUs. It's worth a look even if you're using something more recent than Socket A. In the latter, you'll see that AMD says the temperature rise above ambient across your CPU should be no more than 7C; if it's more than that, the CPU isn't getting enough cool air.
If your present case doesn't have a side intake over the CPU, you might consider cutting one. If you make it about 75mm in diameter, you can cut the center out of an old 80mm fan to make the base for a duct to carry the cool air to the CPU fan.

I think you can assume it's true if it came from AMD. It's not in their interest to fib on that one -- it'll get them too many RMAs.