(NEWBIE) Heat Problems!

[Hamster_of_Doom]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone out there could give me some advice/help.

Here's the problem...

I recently upgraded my system from a 600mhz Athlon Slot A to a 900mhz Slot A, and in the process I think I have incurred a heating problem!

First of all, a disclaimer... I am basing almost all of this on the temp. readings that my bios is giving me for ambient and chip temps.

My system runs about 15-20 degrees F hotter now than it did with the 600mhz chip. I can understand my temp increasing with a hotter chip, but I think I am running a little too hot.

For the most part, my system seems stable, but I have noticed that when running some 3D games like Tribes and Quake3, I begin to experience short lock-ups after about 15-20 mins of play, and when exiting the program my computer often locks up completely. I have never had this problem before.

I looked at the temp. today, after the system had been running all day and after a short bout of Quake3 and the bios reported the CPU core temp as being 140F (with the default alarm at 158F). The ambient temp seemed a little high too.

I ran an experiment of removing the side of my case and after about 5-10 minutes of this and sitting in the bios, the CPU core temp. dropped down to about 125F, and the ambient was just under a 100.

After a very short run of Tribes in software mode (trying to work the CPU, = ) I returned to the bios to see the core temp had gone up to 135F.

I am running a Falcon Mach V purchased a few years back. As I mentioned above, I now have a 900mhz Tbird Athlon Slot A, and have a Gigabyte 7ix motherboard (hasn't been changed). The case itself has two fans (not counting power supply or heatsink), one in back and one in the front. I am running Win98SE.

[continued in next post]

 

[Hamster_of_Doom]

When I installed the CPU, I used a new Thermaltake Golden Orb, so that is what I am running. Perhaps I did not apply the thermal grease correctly and should try to reapply some? If that's the case, I have a question... the back of the heatsink has a raised circular platform that appears to be the only part that actually touches the CPU, and so I have only applied grease here... I am assuming that is what I was supposed to do?

Well, after that long message... if you are still here, I'd like to know two things from you... am I running too hot (the lockups vote yes I am)? And if so, what should I do? I can add some more cooling if need be, but I don't know if I want to try anything too crazy or risky. Should I try reapplying the grease? Should I get more fans? What kinds (PCI slot fans?)?

I'd just like to remove the lockups and ensure that I'm not going to be overheating anything.

Any help anyone could throw my way would be awesome!!

Thanks a lot!!

Colton

 

[NASsoccer]

first off besides the cpu high temp i notice the VERY high ambient temps. THis has a great affect on the heat of your CPU. for instance right now my ambient is 21c or 69f. You said you have two fans one in and out, you could try a pci slot fan right under the vid card, but i would recommed the dremel and get to getting some air flow through the case first with a few blowholes. Most have an exhaust on the top and the back(not including PSU). I also have two intakes in the front and two on the side. I usaully buy fans from here ,here , here sometimes here . Also are you using rounded ata cables because rounded ones take up much less room and allow better air flow.

 

[Arkaine23]

heat

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!

Is it hot in the room your computer is in? If you're trying to cool your computer with air that's hot it won't work so well. Keep the room temp below 75F if you can, the lower the better. Fans that pull fresh air into your case and exhaust hot air out of it will definitely help, too. Remove the heatsink, clean the thermal goo off it and the cpu (with isopropyl alcohol or acetone), then re-apply goo and reseat the heatsink.