CPU temperature

[mope001]

I recently bought a ASUS A7N8X motherboard.
I 've a problem in controlling my cpu temperature :
while the BIOS prints 80°C the ASUS software PC Probe prints
45°C (the cpu is a AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (with its heatsink)).
I don't know which one to trust but i suspect the BIOS to be
right as my PC (under Windows XP professional) reboots
randomly (quite often ; it has just rebooted twice in <10 min).
What should i do ???

Thanks.

[Steve]

Hi mope001,

I'd open up the case and make sure that all fans are working! I'd recommend one in front, one in the rear, one or two in the power supply and one on the heatsink. Make sure that the heatsink is mounted properly. Did you use thermal paste when you installed the heat sink?

You might try keeping the side panel off and getting a house fan blowing on the processor.

HERE is a link to some info on cooling. I wouldn't use the computer to much until you get it under control.

[mope001]

All fans are working fine. I have one fan at the back, two at the front on one at the top of my desk. The heatsink seems also working fine and I used thermal paste (I hope I mounted it the right way too).
But I don't understant why the temperatured given by the software PC Probe is so different from the one given by the BIOS.
Is there a mean to get be sure I get the right temperature (I don't know how PC Probe gets it).

Thanks.

[Whyzman]

Hello mope001,

Welcome to Forums!

At the Probe 45C you're not going to be getting random reboots. I'd bet betting on the BIOS temps' accuracy with the reboot situation.

I'm not sure regarding your question as to how the Probe software reads the temps...however, your situation definitely needs immediate attention.

I suspect that something is not right with the heatsink/die interface. I would take it apart, and having done so, I would secure some Artic Silver thermal compound and lap the heatsink before reassembly with the Silver. http://overclockersclub.com/heatsinklappingguide.php

With the well documented heat generation of the AMD processors, this would be a good thing to consider.

The Overclocker's lapping guide might be a bit much as far as achieving the mirror like surface. I personally use 320, 400, 600 and 1500 grits. A piece of glass works just fine for a flat surface to do the lapping process.

[YODA74]

I would say try a bigger heat sink but on that board your kind of limited becouse of the compasitor placement.

you don't have this overclocked do you?

[mope001]

No it is not overcloacked

[BigBlue66]

Asus PC Probe reads the temps from the thermistor in the socket, underneath the CPU. BIOS reads the temps from the internal diode of the XP processor. BIOS is more accurate, as it's giving you the true temps of the core.

Rebooting is a sign of excess heat. Remount the HSF, using good thermal paste like Arctic Silver III. Make sure that the lip on the base of the heatsink goes over the raised portion of the CPU socket. You may have this turned around so the heatsink is not making good contact with the core.

Don't run that system until you get the heat problem figured out. You're running way too hot and risk compromising the CPU.

[ZURKE]

I will admit it just this once, I put my heat sink on backwards and it did over heat, NOT good contact with processor. With a 2400+ it may be that it can haddle the heat for a bit longer. Remove the heat sink as it has been said and check!

[mope001]

I shall verify and get you informed... Thanks.

[Whyzman]

And when you pull the heatsink...lap the bugger!

If anything it will be a great experience...something you'll be able to tell your children about...

There are some great directions on the Artic Silver site for proper application of the compound. http://www.arcticsilver.com/

[mope001]

In fact the problem was apparenly due to the BIOS. The simple fact to update the BIOS made the temperature of the CPU go down from 80°C to 60°C (ASUS PC Probe under Windows XP still says 40°C).
Moreover the reboot seems to be due to my ADSL modem (USB Alcatel Speed Touch). I have updated the drivers and the message DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL ... USBPORT.SYS ... in a blue screen has stopped appearing every 10 min (it however still appears about once a day).

[Budfred]

If the 60C is correct, you are still running too hot and you will probably shorten the life of your CPU/system. It would probably still be a good idea to follow the suggestions above and see if you can get that temp down....

[MLT]

I have the same mobo and just resolved the same problem.
Make sure that the jumpers are in the right positions.
Also the +12v leg of my power supply was causing a problem.
And I also had to reapply new thermal compound to the cpu.
It took me about two month to get mine straightened out.