CPU Dangerously Hot - Fast Response Please

[clocand]

Hi,

My friend booted up his desktop, only to find it restart shortly after boot (before windows loaded up). He's not very tech savvy, so I checked his temps for him and his CPU is IDLING at 90C (not F) after cleaning it. He updated his RAM/GPU about a month ago, but the rest of the HW is ~4-5 years old, including his liquid cooling (which, admittedly, I know little about [does it evaporate? does it need to be removed in order to rid the CPU from potential dust problems?]).

Any ideas on how to proceed with troubleshooting this problem? The CPU is an i7 960.

Thanks in advance for your speedy responses ,
Coel

 

[Ketchup]

Seems like you got your answer:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=37168450&highlight=#post37168450

 

[abukwaik]

What was the CPU temp after cleaning? and did you put some heatsink on it?
the CPUs have a function built into them for overheating protection, it should be around 30-40C if not, you will need to replace it.

 

[inachu]

Liquid cooling solutions equipment is not 100% vapor proof.

So yes He will have to buy more fluid to keep it cool.
You say "cleaning was done" Does that mean blowing dust out as well?

If fluid levels are fine and the inside is not dusty then I would suspect bad fitting of heatsink to cooler. To test this out lay pc down horizontal.
If it does not get any better then reapplying heatsink compound could be in order.

Also keep pc away from any floor vents.