CPU Overheating

[kleen]

I just finished building my first computer recently. Some of the specs: Intel 3.4 HT chip, 915PBL Board, 4gb ddr2 ram. The problem I am having right now is that the computer is running waaaay too hot. It is really hot and really loud. The cpu temp, accoring to the Intel Desktop Control Center is around 69C, at idle!!! I have 4 80mm fans at the front of the case, and a 120mm on the side and back pulling air out of the case. I thought maybe the fan/heatsink on the cpu wasn't working, but I took the side of the case off and the fan is working. I think I have it installed correctly, but the pins were very difficult to push in. It has been doing this since the computer was first built. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any responses. This will be my first of many posts on here.

Kevin

[PrntRhd]

First off, welcome to the PC Guide forums!

The first question is whether you removed the protective film on the thermal pad when you installed the HSF into the CPU.

[Whyzman]

The first question is whether you removed the protective film on the thermal pad when you installed the HSF into the CPU.You would'nt be the first to miss the nearly invisible film on some...

[saphalline]

Even if you did take off the plastic film protector, the fact of the matter is that the CPU's HSF unit was installed incorrectly. That's the only reason that an otherwise working system would have a hot CPU from the moment it was built. Take it off and re-do it.

[kleen]

I took the hsf off last night and went ahead and just took off all of the thermal paste. It did appear that the film was off. I am gonna pick up some more paste tomorrow and start all over again. It looks like it may not have been seated all the way in place. I will update tomorrow after I get ahold of the paste. Thanks.

[mjc]

It looks like it may not have been seated all the way in place. I will update tomorrow after I get ahold of the paste. Thanks.

Take a ruler and hold it across the bottom of the heatsink, from one corner to another, then look at the heatsink. Switch corners and repeat. If there is a gap, the the heatsink is dished/cupped or warped.

If the gap is large, start shopping for a new cooler, 'cause no amount of paste is going to make up for that...

[kleen]

Well everything appeared to be alright with the hsf. However, after I reinstalled it with Arctic Silver thermal paste on it, the cpu was still running at around 65C at idle. Guess it time to throw the stock Intel hsf in the garbage and buy a real one.

[Whyzman]

Hmmm...something still seems awry! Even the stock heatsink/fan combo should provide some relief. Just for kicks and giggles, you might want to try lapping the sink. If you've a sheet of 320 wet/dry sandpaper it might show up immediately if it is high-centered and not making sufficient contact with the CPU die.

We've some threads dealing specifically with the lapping process if you're not familiar. Just let us know and we can link you up...

[mjc]

Ummm.......yeah.

[kleen]

Definitely not familiar with the lapping process. A link would be appreciated.

[setoguro]

here is one (http://www.a1-electronics.net/Heatsinks/Lapping.shtml)

Just google lapping heatsinks and you'll get a crap load of links.

[Whyzman]

Some of us, I won't mention any names (Whyzman), are a bit anal with their lapping procedure and move on from the 600 grit to 1500 for that polished look. Some even up the ante to 2000 grit and attempt to view their reflections...

[kleen]

Sorry to revive an old thread. I have had a crazy couple of months and the computer has gone on the back burner. I just started playing with it again last week. So I order a new Zalman fan/hs combo from newegg, seen here http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118003

I got it in today and installed is and I am still not having much luck. The cpu temp is still around 63 at idle. I used Arctic Silver thermal paste. Any other thoughts?

[Whyzman]

I'd say you're either getting faulty readings, or the there's a problem with the way the sink is clipping on, or...the CPU die is not seating properly in the lockdown mechanism.

[saphalline]

Does your mobo have the latest BIOS version?

[mjc]

Does any part of the heatsink feel warm...if not then it most likely isn't seated properly.

[kleen]

Well I downloaded the latest version of the bios and the temp kicked down to about 56-59 at idle. Better. Still high, but the sensor must just be off, because it reads this as soon as I turn the computer on. Even playing games, the temp never got higher than 60. It seems unreasonable that the chip would get that hot right away. Correct? I'm ok with the way it is running now. It's slightly annoying only because the fan is running all the time, but I can live with it as long as I know my computer is not blowing up!!! Can anyone recommend a good third party software program that may give a more accurate temp reading than the stock intel one?? Thanks to all for you help.

Kevin

[Whyzman]

Unfortunately, one of the best is Motherboard Monitor which is no longer supported. So, I doubt that it would be useful on your newer motherboard. Drat! :)

Here's one that seems rather promising, however, you might want to wait and see if anyone else has a personal experience recommendation.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Another program will be interesting in that it could uncover a systemic problem with the thermistor...perhaps it isn't the program...

[saphalline]

If the thermistor under the CPU itself is faulty, no software can get around this. It sounds like a mobo replacement may be the only way to fix this. Or just live with it knowing that your CPU temp really is fine even if the BIOS doesn't think so.