philman213

I think I know a fair bit about computers, hardware, and the like, but this one has really stumped me. I currently am running dual processors, two AMD Athlon MP 2.0GHz processors. I've had them for what must be a year or more now, and they have been working fine since I got them. However, now I am experiencing overheating issues.

Last night I had my first little scare, my computer must have overheated to the point of shutting off, or at least I thought. I checked inside and found that the power supply had died. I replaced it, but also checked the CPUs. The first one seemed fine, the second one however wasn't. There was a small black circle on the bottom of the CPU, it obviously had been running so hot that the poor thing had burned itself. I also took note at how little thermal grease was left on the CPUs. I'm now running the computer with the case open and a huge fan, bigger than the whole case itself blowing cool air into the computer.

I tried looking it, so in bootup I checked my PC health in the BIOS, and it said CPU #1 was running at about 45C, the second one running at 75-80C! I rebooted and went into windows and ran SiSoftware, and it found that CPU #1 was running at 37C, and CPU #2 was running at 47C.

After another reboot I see that my motherboard only detects one CPU running. I then take a look after windows loads at SiSoftware, and it doesnt detect a second processor either.

After some detailed looking at SiSoftware, it would appear the fan in CPU #2 no longer is running. SiSoftware only detected CPU #1's fan running and said nothing about CPU #2. This obviously would lead me to believe that the fan/heatsink combo on CPU #2 has died, and in the process I didnt realize it and ended up killing the second CPU.

Is my logic right? Did CPU #2 end up dieing, or did just the fan? How can I find out what really happened and how can I fix it?

I thought I should add that CPU #1 fan speed is running at 2900rpm, and the board temperature is at 27C. Is this a good speed for a CPU fan and is the temperature my motherboard is running at safe? I'd also of course like to know if 37C is a safe temperature for a CPU to run at.

Motoxrdude

First off, what heatsink/fan are you using? I would be surprised if it died, 70C is the max you want a CPU to go. Past 70C they will die.

__________________
http://www.cherokeetalk.com
Sometimes life just seems to shatter
Like we're made of glass
If I could, I'd hold this moment
If I could, I'd make it last

PC eye

The first thing right off would be to replace the heat sink/fan combo on cpu #2 to see if it managed to survive. A freeware like SpeedFan is far better then SiSoftware's outdated program there. You can look that over at http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

If your board is only 27C you have nothing to worry about there. The speed of the fan depends on whether it is stock or an aftermarket model. But the real thing to look at here is the #2 cpu problem. Depending the operating system you are running you can often right click on the MyComputer icon to see what that says for cpu there. If only one is shown at 2ghz the #2 cpu obviously failed. If two are listed the second cpu is still working.

philman213

Ever since I bought the two CPUs and the motherboard, it has always had problems "detecting" a second CPU. For a while I wasnt even sure if it was running or if I was getting the full effect of both CPUs running. For all I know I've never even used the second CPU.

I took a look at the fans and the CPUs and messed around with them a little. I found out that both fans work, in both slots, so the problem is not one of the fans being dead, or one of the motherboard connectors being dead, they both work fine. I tried running CPU #1 alone in either slot, and my computer was not happy. I made constant beeping sounds and wouldnt boot. I did however apply fresh thermal grease to both CPUs. I used SiSoftware, said that both CPUs cooled down by 3C.

When I look at properties it doesnt seem to recognize both CPUs.

Here is a picture of what I mean:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...3/hardware.jpg

However, it has always looked like that. My motherboard it would seem has never understood I have two CPUs, otherwise it would say something like Dual AMD Athlon MP processors at a total of 4.0GHz I would think.

I downloaded and installed SpeedFan, I dont exactly know how it works other than it monitors the temperatures.

Here is another picture showing SpeedFan running:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...3/speedfan.jpg

From what I can gather, thats good, and things are running pretty cool.

Lastly, the Fan/Heatsink combo I use is Speeze brand, I cant remember the exact model or serial, and I couldnt find a lookalike on their website, but its pretty big and I think its a good fan.

Relooked and this looks similar to the two fans I have for my CPUs.
http://www.speeze.com/main/fcc_v2.asp?ProdID=130

About 5-10 minutes after windows finishes loading I notice that the temperatures on everything drop quite a bit, and I'm not doing anything. I'm afriad if I start up a game or something CPU intensive it'll get too hot.

PC eye

On SpeedFan go to the charts tab and put a check on the top items there. That should track both cpu temps. On a single cpu board the first two are applied to the cpu itself with the third for the board. The temps are seemingly contradictory while still being within the normal operating range.

One thing to note about running XP with dual cpu or dual cored cpus is a special fix for systems seeing performance problems that may help somewhat here since it was originally intended for multi processor boards. You can read over the MS artticle seen at http://support.microsoft.com/?id=896256

Praetor

Could be the mobo on its way out..... or at least the thermal diode...

Swap the CPUs around and boot 'er up agian

Ya thats plenty cold for those chips

Well do a visual inspection .. ARE they spinning?

__________________
ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, Q6600@3.7 / ASUS P5ND, E6400@3.8
4GB OCz Platinum XTC 8500 / 4GB CorsairXMS2 6400
5x500GB Seagate 7200.10 / 2x500 Seagate 7200.10
OCz 8800GTX 768MB @ 630/800 / 2x Galaxy 8800GT SLI

philman213

Yes, they are both spinning, I dont understand why one is much hotter than the other.

I also dont understand why my computer only recognizes one CPU as well.

Iluvpenguins

the thermal pad might not be doing too well with the heat transfer,maybe clean up the heatsink and cpu and reapply some good thermal paste.

__________________
My computer:
Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz
Gigabyte P31-DS3L
Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz
EVGA GeForce 8800GTX
Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail
WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD
Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish)

Praetor

- Definitely try swapping the thermal paste around
- Also seriously consider getting current generation coolers -- regardless of the status of yours -- current generation heatpipe based coolers will run circles around those oldschool heatsinks
- Seriously -- swap the CPUs (i.e., CPU1 --> CPU2 socket, CPU2-->CPU1 socket)... do you still have the same detection issues

__________________
ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, Q6600@3.7 / ASUS P5ND, E6400@3.8
4GB OCz Platinum XTC 8500 / 4GB CorsairXMS2 6400
5x500GB Seagate 7200.10 / 2x500 Seagate 7200.10
OCz 8800GTX 768MB @ 630/800 / 2x Galaxy 8800GT SLI

philman213

I dont know what I ended up doing but whatever I try I cant get the computer to boot anymore. I ended up buying a new motherboard and processor, but I experience almost the same thing. I think everything is good to go but when I turn the computer on, it boots up and nothing will show up on the monitor.

I think I'll make a new thread in the correct forum. Im going to bring the computer into a repair shop and hope they can figure out whats wrong.