AMD Athlon 2400+ Overheating!

[breakz]

So I recently replaced my Athlon 1700+ with a 2400+ and a new HSF, since I figured my system would need some decent cooling. The HSF I bought is this Speeze HSF combo from NewEgg. I also bought some Ceramique. A quick description of my setup:

Athlon XP 2400+
Biostar M7VIG Pro
Sapphire Radeon 9600XT
Crucial 512MB PC2700

After installing the 2400+ for the first time, I got temps in the 50C range. As time has gone on, however, the temps have slowly creeped up to where they are now (68C idle, 75C loaded). I've done practically everything I could do in order to solve the problem. Here's a list:
-changed the airflow within my case (have 2 case fans, one now draws air in from the front, and the other discards it out the back
-attempted to remount HSF
-cleaned any thermal compound from CPU/HSF w/ 70% isopropyl alcohol and applied Ceramique

Right now I'm running the computer with the side panel off, altho having it on only drops the temp to about 65C. I've also completely removed the thermal compound from the bottom of the HSF and cleaned the CPU (then applied some Ceramique to the CPU), since I believed at the time that the excess paste was causing the problem. Any ideas?

 

[Cloud84]

This is a stab in the dark, but perhaps your motherboard temp monitor is not accurate. You could try using a third party program like Speedfan or MBM(motherboard monitor) and see what those say. If they are reading about the same then yeah, you got a problem cause that seems too high to me....

 

[ironique]

Is your HSF fan rotating at full speed? It may not be rotating fast enough to cool the heat sink.

 

[Jeff7181]

That heat sink/fan combo isn't much better than a retail one... in fact, it looks like it probably has the exact same specs as a retail one. Anyway... touch the base of the heatsink (as close as you can get with it installed and the computer running)... if the processor is really running at 75C under load, it will be very uncomfortable to leave your fingers on the heatsink for any length of time.

 

[iversonyin]

-cleaned any thermal compound from CPU/HSF w/ 70% isopropyl alcohol and applied Ceramique

are those AS5 you applied?

 

[deadken]

I would have to ask what means you are using to check your temps? I would also ask (since it seems to be a Windows based program that you are using to check your temps) if you have monitored your temps and then done a reboot and gone right into BIOS and looked at what temp the BIOS was reporting? You also need to check which version of BIOS you are running as some early ones used to report system temps too high (I can't be sure for that Mobo though).

I have to say that I am a 'fan' of Speeze HS/F's. Other then space requirements, I always recomend that people use THIS Speeze HS/F. It is less then $3 dollars more then the one that you got, but will work MUCH better. It cools BETTER and QUIETER, which is certainly a rare combo to find.

Anyway, let's try and find the source of your problem right now... Please reply with the answers to the questions that I have asked.

 

[breakz]

Replies to everyone:

-I've tried using MBM before, and it read my Fahrenheit temp as my Celsius temp. The utility I have is Winbond HWDoctor, and its been pretty OK before. Before any more Qs about it come, the HSF IS hot to the touch at the base, and right now its reading about 70C. My fan is also spinning at 6000 RPM (and it is actually spinning too). The program's accuracy is pretty legit too, since it agrees w/ BIOS.
-I didn't apply AS5--I used Arctic Silver Ceramique. In hindsight, I should've gotten AS5--this stuff is an electrical insulator, while AS5 is a heat insulator. Is that a big difference?

Also, it sounds like my HSF combo is marginally better than retail at best. Could the problem be the HSF, or should I be using Ceramique as my thermal compound?

 

[breakz]

Bump...

 

[bmillerd]

Um, I wouldn't touch my hsf with 70% stuff heh. Go pick up some 99%, it will do a MUCH better job of cleaning. The AS5 instructions specifically call for 99% because, obviously, 99% of it will evaporate. The problem you may be having may be that the 70% is leaving a residue that's preventing the thermal compound from filling in the microvalleys.

 

[breakz]

Is this irrepairable? Or will 99% clean away the 70%?

 

[breakz]

OK, some new notes:

My computer is now idling around 70C, and I've decided to go ahead and purchase the HSF combo that was suggested by deadken a couple of posts up. I'm also going to get my hands on some 95-99% isopropyl alcohol and use that next time (in order to ensure that the CPU makes perfect contact). As for the Ceramique--it'll stay. I've decided that it is not the problem, considering that its sufficient for cooling any CPU.

I'll post some results in a few days.

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Originally posted by: breakz
Is this irrepairable? Or will 99% clean away the 70%?

The difference between them is the amount of water. Alcohol absorbs water easily; the special precuations required to keep the alcohol mostly pure are what cost extra. Water also evaporates, just more slowly. When mixed with alcohol, the evaporation speed of the mix changes to some compromise amount, since the alcohol affects the water's evaporation rate. You don't end up with a large amount of leftover water that didn't evaporate along with the alcohol, only a trace amount, which is also soon gone.

The reason to prefer the 99% version is that it cleans/dissolves the electrolytic compound more effectively -- you might need a second application with the diluted type, to get all of the stuff off the cpu or heat sink.

 

[deadken]

Don't forget to tell us how you make out....

 

[smbunn]

I have the same problem, my machine is as follows;
Athlon XP 2400+
AU13 Motherboard
Radeon 9800 Pro
512MB PC3200

Its running at 133 FSB (at 166 it wont even boot) and the memory is at 166. The CPU is running at 65 C idle and winds up to 75c when busy. The heat sink is stinking hot, uncomfortable to touch. BIOS, MBM5 and SiSoft Sandra 5 all agree on the temperature. I just assumed these chips run hot. Its got a bog standard Athlon heatsink and fan with white thermal grease. I cleaned the heatsink last night and applied a new light smear of grease, no change in temperatire. Tomorrow I will buy a beater fan and heat sink, any recommendations?

 

[MarkHark]

Did you check there is no dust accumulation on the heatsink fins? I always found this to be the major factor behind continuously rising temps. Either this OR poor chassis ventilation, which is obviously not your case (pun not intended).

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: smbunn
I have the same problem.....
Tomorrow I will buy a beater fan and heat sink, any recommendations?

Look at my first post, I included a link for the BEST (bang-for-the-buck) cooler, IMHO.
At $15 shipped, I challenge some to show me better. It is QUIET. The only drawback I know is the size of it. The 80MM fan gives good airflow and contributes to how quiet it is. That is why I consider the 'size' issue acceptable.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: breakz
Replies to everyone:

-I've tried using MBM before, and it read my Fahrenheit temp as my Celsius temp Just select to have temps reported Fahrenheit instead of celcius, there is a box to check in MBM5. The utility I have is Winbond HWDoctor, and its been pretty OK before. Before any more Qs about it come, the HSF IS hot to the touch at the base, and right now its reading about 70C. My fan is also spinning at 6000 RPM (and it is actually spinning too). The program's accuracy is pretty legit too, since it agrees w/ BIOS.
-I didn't apply AS5--I used Arctic Silver Ceramique. In hindsight, I should've gotten AS5--this stuff is an electrical insulator, while AS5 is a heat insulator. Is that a big difference? There is not much diff between AS5 and Ceramique, and no, neither is a thermal insulator. They "transfer" heat, not "insulate" it.

Also, it sounds like my HSF combo is marginally better than retail at best. Could the problem be the HSF, or should I be using Ceramique as my thermal compound?

What is your vcore set to? Check in BIOS or confirm with MBM5. Perhaps it's set too high. IIRC it s/b 1.65v

Fern

 

[breakz]

Originally posted by: Fern

What is your vcore set to? Check in BIOS or confirm with MBM5. Perhaps it's set too high. IIRC it s/b 1.65v

Fern

Yeah, this is a good guess, but its sitting around 1.65v so its all right for now. I checked this out too when the prob started. Finally, thanks for the correction on Ceramique & AS5.

 

[MegaWorks]

Try using a different thermal compound like AS3 or 5.

 

[breakz]

Update: I bought the suggested heatsink and fan, and the processor is idling, right now, at 71C. I'm really out of ideas as to what I should do about this problem. The only idea I have is that the thermal compound may need to be broken in. Any ideas? Anyone? Help?

 

[Grimmy311]

- Make sure you are getting good contact between the HSF and the Proc. which im sure you already have tried many many times but just to be sure.

- Throw on optimized defaults for your BIOS settings.

- Have you tried AS5?

- Do you run your system in a desk huch? (little cabinet thingy)

- Keep the side off your case for awhile and see what your temperatures are at.

- Whats your room temperature? I run my PC in a room thats 60 degrees and even with it overclocked I stay around 25c idle and 30c underload.

Just some ideas, don't give up you'll figure it out.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: breakz
Update: I bought the suggested heatsink and fan, and the processor is idling, right now, at 71C. I'm really out of ideas as to what I should do about this problem. The only idea I have is that the thermal compound may need to be broken in. Any ideas? Anyone? Help?

It seems to me there are really only 3 possibilities:

1) The temp sensor in the mobo is not working properly,

I don't know that another proggie like MBM5 would help, I believe it reads the same sensor that the BIOS does. Perhaps a thermal probe behind the CPU to confirm/deny those temp readings?

2) The mobo is over-volting vcore,

MBM5 etc might help with this. You could experiment with dropping the vcore and see if it remained stable, yet cooler.

3) The HS+F is not mounted correctly (either good contact is not being made with cpu & HS or there is too much TIM applied).

Post pics of your application of TIM and mounting of HS, if possible.

 

[breakz]

Originally posted by: Grimmy311
- Make sure you are getting good contact between the HSF and the Proc. which im sure you already have tried many many times but just to be sure.
Yeah, this is done already.

- Throw on optimized defaults for your BIOS settings.
Something to consider...

- Have you tried AS5?
I haven't, but its never been a problem until recently.

- Do you run your system in a desk huch? (little cabinet thingy)
YES. This might be it...maybe?

- Keep the side off your case for awhile and see what your temperatures are at.
No dice. This does nothing to the CPU's temp.

- Whats your room temperature? I run my PC in a room thats 60 degrees and even with it overclocked I stay around 25c idle and 30c underload.
Room temp is b/w 65-70F. I'm anal about it, so it never really changes.

Just some ideas, don't give up you'll figure it out.

Thanks for the suggestions.

TO FERN, re: your questions:
-The comp's vcore is pretty stable (b/w 1.60-1.65) according to the monitor (HWDoctor) reccomended for my mobo. The temp is also reading correctly, since I can't touch the HSF comfortably (hence it is easily over 150F).
-I'll post a pic up soon, but basically I simply placed the new HSF (which has paste on the bottom already) onto the 2400+ and didn't move it (to avoid getting any thermal compound on the sides).

Another update: The processor, at the moment, is idling at what is reported to be 81C. I'm willing to bet that there's too much thermal compound covering the CPU, causing the heat to stay trapped. I'll try more tomorrow.

 

[Fern]

I'm willing to bet that there's too much thermal compound covering the CPU, causing the heat to stay trapped. I'll try more tomorrow.

I'm thinking you meant LESS thermal compound

But, if your HS is really hot, likely it's seated properly. If it wasn't I think your HS w/b cool to the touch.

If its idleing at 81c, I'm amazed it hasn't shutdown. Did you set the overheat protection really high in BIOS? or disable it?

I don't have your mobo, but mine has two places in BIOS to set the temp alarm and shutdown for overheating.

 

[Grimmy311]

Get that thing out of that huch man, a friend of mine had his in a huch and he gained 15C! All that heat in a little area isn't good at all. You need excellent airflow and having it in a little enclosed area definitly won't do it for ya.