Athlon XP Overheating - no matter what!

deanj20

deanj20

New Member
Hey CF,

So I've been running an old server in my bedroom for some time now. No matter what I do, the CPU idles at 50°C. When the server goes under a load (i.e. copying large amounts of data across the network, etc.), the server freezes up (due to overheating, I presume). It runs fine for days so long as it doesn't come under a load.

Right now I have an Athlon XP 2400+ running at 2.0GHz. I have two other Socket A Athlon processors, and they idle at about the same temp. I have changed motherboards, tried 3 different HSFs, different PSUs, tried using more thermal paste, less thermal paste, and I even bought some of those copper shims (to ensure even contact between the CPU and HSF). No matter what I do, after I set the HSF, when I pull up BIOS and let it sit idle to monitor the hardware, it always climbs to about 50°C. I have pulled the mobo out each time I set the HSF to ensure that appropriate contact was made.

I realize it's older hardware, but it should be fine for the purposes of my server. If I could just keep those damn temps down!:eek:

Anyway, any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Jeremy D.
 
Wow, that's high for idle temp. I have an old Athlon XP 3000+ that idles in the 40° C range, with a cheapo Ultra (Tigerdirect) brand HSF. I've seen it pushing 60° C under load though, so I did have to adjust my temperature settings in the BIOS, so it doesn't shut me down. That's on an old Soyo KT600 motherboard. It was like a space heater when I'd use it, but it never gave me any issues.
 
Yeah, I know those Athlon XP chips run warm, but this is ridiculous. Mine is set to shut off at 70°C - But it usually freezes before that. And yeah, it's like a space heater. I was looking at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200017

or even this: http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-big-typhoon-hsf.html

But sheesh... I don't want to spend more money on HSF when the last three I've tried made no difference - although, they were admittedly cheap and not much different than the stock HSF... any other thoughts or suggestions?

I have ample ventilation - it runs at 50°C with the case wide open. :(

[edit] What about this one: http://www.coolerguys.com/840556058052.html?productid=840556058052&channelid=FROOG
 
StrangleHold said:
What kind of case is this in. If its starving for air a new CPU cooler wont help.
Click to expand...
It's in an old junky case. But it gets plenty of air. It runs 5°C cooler with the side panel off. I have a case fan blowing air in, and the PSU is blowing air out.

See:
serverCooling.jpg


I think it needs a bigger HSF - the HSF that's on it is itty-bitty, as have been all the ones I've tried. It's hot to the touch - but not so hot you can't leave your finger on it. I've reseated it 5 times, and always get the same temps.

What do you think? I wouldn't mind buying that 1st or 3rd hsf on my last post - I don't want to spend much though - I could buy a computer with these specs or better on Craigslist for $100.
 
Last edited:
Definitely the heatsink IMO. If the heatsink itself is getting that hot, it means the heat is being transferred to it ok, but it's not dissipating it quick enough.
 
Motoxrdude said:
Definitely the heatsink IMO. If the heatsink itself is getting that hot, it means the heat is being transferred to it ok, but it's not dissipating it quick enough.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's got to be. I found an old Socket A HSF in my shed. It was very similar to the one in the pic, but wider by about half an inch. I put it on there with a dab of Arctic Silver 5, and it dropped the temp 10°. It's still hotter than I like, but meh. After an hour, it's idling at 43°C with the cover off, 47° with the cover on. Next time I need to do something intense I guess I'll see how it works out. I may opt for a bigger/better hsf. I believe I've done everything else I can do within reason.

Really, the max temp is supposedly 85°C, so I might be ok. However, it seems to me like an overly-hot processor runs awful. And I know it will wear it out quicker.

Thanks everybody, and more suggestions are welcome of course. ;)
 
Older processors don't do well with heat. Really the max you want to run that processor is about 50C, maybe 55c but it's pushing it. Glad you got it running cooler though.
 
Well, I pulled the plug on it. It's just too damn hot and it, combined with my other hot PC (Pentium 4 Celeron 3.0GHz that runs at about 50°C also), just heats up my small bedroom too much for me to leave it on any longer. I'm looking for a replacement box on craigslist right now. I may go out to the shed tomorrow and see what I might just build one out of instead. Either way, I can't spend more than $100, so my site may just be down for a while... :(
 
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