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CPU Overheat

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Rydis

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Location
Bradenton, FL
I have a AMD athlon x2 5500 and every once in a while I will get a reset and during boot, I will get a message that appears, "CPU Overheat Error". I checked bios and the CPU was running around 78ºC. I checked the CPU fan and it was still working. I normally leave my computer on all the time.

If the fan is working, any ideas on why my CPU is getting so hot? It was put on when I got the computer about 5 years ago with artic silver.

Edit: The CPU is not overclocked either.
 
Could be dust buildup in the heatsink itself. The other option is that the heatsink is no longer making good contact with the heatsink, but I doubt that with the design of the retention mechanism on AMD processors.

Check dust first, take some canned air to it.
 
when i had cheap thermal compound on my 4800 i noticed this happened. Removed the heatsink put on new thermal compound. problem gone....
 
but I doubt that with the design of the retention mechanism on AMD processors.

I've actually seen the lugs on them break on an older HP before. Always a good thing to check. On this particular machine, the heat sink was held on only by the top socket lug and the stiction from the thermal compound. It'd overheat relentlessly. It's worth a look!
 
If the heatsink is fine, and mounted with no issues, I second the opinion about replacing the thermal compound (TIM)... esspecially if you are using the factory gunk that is on the bottom of the HeatSink-Fan (HSF). The factory gunk is notoriously poor performing for a TIM....
 
After five years it's time to do some maintenance inside the case. Unless your computer has been sitting in a clean-room it's going to be dusty by now. I have no doubt the TIM will need replacing as well ...
 
Alright, ill replace it. It stays pretty clean..I kinda have it in a little cubby hole (i know that doesn't help with heat) but it never really went above 50º. I wasn't use factory compound, I was using AS5. thanks!
 
Alright, ill replace it. It stays pretty clean..I kinda have it in a little cubby hole (i know that doesn't help with heat) but it never really went above 50º. I wasn't use factory compound, I was using AS5. thanks!

If you have been using AS5 and last applied it a year+ ago, I would reapply as AS5 dries out can goes 'crusty' after a while (dont have specifics).
 
If you have been using AS5 and last applied it a year+ ago, I would reapply as AS5 dries out can goes 'crusty' after a while (dont have specifics).
The AS5 on my Storm lasted about 2.5 years before starting to degrade. At 3.5 years it's still holding but temps have gone up 5-7°C over the past year ...
 
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