HELP! My computer is WAY too HOT

[Kickin_Wing]

My computer is running way to hot:
55-57 CPU
26-27 Motherboard

and this is IDLE!

I have a...
AMD Athlon T'Bird 1.33GHz
Retail Heatsink/Fan (with AC2)
ASUS A7A-266 Motherboard (ALi MaGiK 1)
300VA Power Supply
ATX Full Tower Case (Antec)
1 Intake Fan
1 Exhaust Fan
1 HD Cooler Fan (not cooling a HD; using as 2nd intake)

I know enough to keep this computer OFF unless I HAVE to use it, (it's got ALL my downloaded files on it).

Also, I have ordered (not yet received): a NEW heatsink Swiftech MCX462 and some more AC2 (my friend played compress the AC2 with the tube and it went everywhere).

If you can think of any way to cool my computer (especially the motherboard) please tell me.

Thanks in Advance,
Kickin' Wing

[Rezman5]

Your mobo temps are fine. With the new HSF it should lower your temps ALOT! I would try to get another intake fan and a more powerful exhast fan if you don't already have one. If that doesn't help enough, try lapping the HS

Hope this helps

[bwgerho]

Your MB temps look fine.

Did you leave the thin blue plastic strip on the heatsink when you mounted it??

The standard heat transfer compound is the consistancy of chewing gum and pink in color. Even this stuff will keep the temps below your values. Did you plug in the power lead on the heatsink fan?? Is the heatsink fan running - sounds like you have way too much heat for a running fan. Check to see that your hard drive and floppy drive ribbon cables are not restricting air flow.

Remove the side of the case and allow the local room air to enter.

Use a portable fan to blow air into the open case - this should help.

[rogerdugans]

I have one mobo that runs in the low 30s, never had a problem. The cpu temp is definitely too hot however! In addition to the other suggestions, have you vhecked to make sure the fan is blowing into the heatsink? Do you have a better fan you can put on the sink?

The last idea I have for you (until your new hsf and AS2 come) is to run a duct through the case: even leaving the case side off the air going into the heatsink is warmer than room temp; a duct outside the case will drop the intake air to the sink a bit, cooling the cpu some more.

The last point from me is: is the heatsink hot to the touch? Mobo sensors are often off a bit and sometimes way off! If the computer is stable and the heatsink is no more than warm when you touch it you should be fine.

[Boilerhead]

Have you checked temps under load? Do they go even higher? If they don't change then it could be a sensor problem.

Did you verify the flatness of the HS?

Get some 1500 or 2000 wet-dry sandpaper and a a piece of glass and put the sandpaper on the glass then scuff the HS around the sandpaper in a figure 8 motion a few times and look at the pattern on the bottom. If there are smaller shiny high spots and lots of unscuffed area then you need to lap it. Lapping methods are posted all over the place on the web including here, just do a search for lapping. Even with a stocker HSF it should greatly improve cooling. Lapping is too easy not to do if you have CPU heat problems.

Also when it comes to HS compound, less is better, it doesn't need any more than an ultra thin film, especially after lapping.

Even if the HS is only warm to the touch that may be because it isn't making good contact with the core. Pop off the HS and touch the CPU right after shutdown if the HS isn't that hot, but just brush it at first, you never know how hot one of those suckers can be.

If it isn't touching then it isn't cooling for schidt.

Even wthout lapping I am sure the Swiftech will be a great improvement.

Henry

[-EternitY-]

Seems...



Did you use Thermal Compound?

If you didnt, you can get some at Radio Shack, Or CPU Compound.

That helps your temp alot, If you did use some, The heatsink obviously isnt applied properly.

[Yodums]

Are you using Motherboard Monitor to get your temperature results?

I've read Asus Probe give inaccurate temperature readings.

Try the lastest bios update see if they affect the outcome.

Defintely you Swiftech will cool down to mid 30's or should.

Whats AC2?

Use Artic Silver II and make sure air flow within in the case is good.

Equal amounts of intake and exhaust.

Should have 300cfm+ for overclocked system, and espically for AMD.

[Kickin_Wing]

To answer some of your questions...

Yes the fan on the heatsink is working

I scraped off that "bubble gum" and put on AC2 (Arctic Silver II)

The heatsink is warm to touch

I'm using Asus PC probe, but I'll start using Motherboard Monitor. The PC Probe sometimes takes inaccurate readings and the temp spikes to 90, but only for a second or two.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, you should know that my temperatures weren't always so high (mid 40's CPU 19-20 Motherboard IDLE). This all started when I moved the location of my computer. Now it's under two Costco tables connected at a right angle and is in close proximity to a vent. I closed the vent when I saw my NEW temperatures, but it would be a HUGE pain in the rear to find a new location for this computer. However, if the majority of you think that I should simply move it instead of doing the things you suggested I will.

Also, what would be some ideal temps for this computer? I do want to OC it when I get my new Heatsink.

[KFB]

you say the temps are up significantly since you moved your comp and that it is now in the "close proximity of a vent." is the vent in question a heater vent? is the air going in the vent and outside or is there air coming out of the vent? with proper airflow you should be able to get the temps back like they were ("middle 40's"). one more question: are you sure the heatsink is seated properly? maybe it got knocked loose when you moved your rig.

[Kickin_Wing]

How should I check to see if the heatsink is seated properly?

And the vent is for central air, and since it's winter hot air was comming out of it (it's closed now).

I really appreciate this guys.

Thanks,
Kickin' Wing

[rogerdugans]

Most heatsinks, if not all, have a small step that goes over the high part of the socket: if it is on backwards (as many of us have done) the sink will be sitting directly on the plastic socket at that point, and not flat on the cpu.

[d00b]

Originally posted by rogerdugans
Most heatsinks, if not all, have a small step that goes over the high part of the socket: if it is on backwards (as many of us have done) the sink will be sitting directly on the plastic socket at that point, and not flat on the cpu.
I did that once!