Best fix for overheating CPU?

[tracyballard]

My current homebuilt desktop has a problem with the CPU overheating (after 4 years of service), and I'm wondering if I can fix that by simply replacing the CPU or would I also have to replace the motherboard? I cleaned all the dust out recently, even removed the heat sink and case fan and cleaned them with non-residue brake cleaner, but the issue still remains. My temp is running around 140F with the case open, but sometimes it gets high enough to shut itself down, especially when I have lots of chrome windows open. I have an AM3 socket on a Micro-ATX board, so my processor options are limited - right now I have an Athlon II 640 propus quad core. I could maybe go for a used Phenom II 6 core CPU, but would I be better off just replacing the MB and CPU? Would a MB and CPU replacement fix this problem for sure?

 

[johnb35]

Did you reapply thermal paste? Why did you use brake cleaner when isopropyl alcohol works just fine? Are you overclocking at all? If so, remove all overclocks.

 

[tracyballard]

Did you reapply thermal paste?

No, looks like I'm just now figuring out that thermal paste is something a computer builder should use - darn my limited experience!!

Why did you use brake cleaner when isopropyl alcohol works just fine? Are you overclocking at all? If so, remove all overclocks.

Can you spray isopropyl alcohol? the chlorinated spray from brake cleaner melts and blows away any type of dust or grime and will evaporate within about 5 seconds when you're done and leave absolutely no residue, worked great on my case fan too. I am using the overclocking that came as default with the MB, so turning that off would help?

 

[beers]

A repaste should sort you out.

I am using the overclocking that came as default with the MB, so turning that off would help?

Probably, most automatic overclocking profiles jack up the CPU voltage to a large degree, which is the main contributor of additional heat.

Can you spray isopropyl alcohol?

It usually comes in a pourable container. I probably wouldn't want to spray residue from the previous thermal paste all over my motherboard. You should be able to wipe it off with a paper towel or similar.

 

[tracyballard]

It usually comes in a pourable container. I probably wouldn't want to spray residue from the previous thermal paste all over my motherboard. You should be able to wipe it off with a paper towel or similar.

I'm not brave enough to actually spray my motherboard with brake cleaner, although it might work just fine if the power is off. I removed the heat sink and cleaned it out in the garage.


Are there any local stores that would carry thermal paste? Radio Shack? walmart? home depot?

 

[johnb35]

Reapply thermal paste and remove the overclock. Put a dab about the size of a pea on middle of the cpu and attach cpu cooler, let the cooler spread the paste.

A local computer repair store will carry the thermal paste or Best Buy or any computer store will have it.

 

[tracyballard]

Reapply thermal paste and remove the overclock. Put a dab about the size of a pea on middle of the cpu and attach cpu cooler, let the cooler spread the paste.

A local computer repair shot will carry the thermal paste or Best Buy or any computer store will have it.

I'm going to try the thermal paste and see what happens. About overclocking - is there even any reason for me to have overclocking to do things like surf the web, get emails, and play Uncharted Waters Online? My motherboard came with something called TurboUCC, which does overclock, but I mainly use it to monitor the cpu temperature. Will I notice anything when I turn it off?

 

[johnb35]

TurboUCC also overclocks the processor when needed. I would try turning it off as well and check your temps.

 

[tracyballard]

Well, I went and bought some Insignia thermal paste from Best Buy at lunch and just applied it. Boy did that make a difference. Right now the temp is hovering around 105 with a 122 target temperature with the case closed - may need to get a heater now! When I started it up I opened several browsers and ran Cinebench to put some strain on the system and the temp never got over 113 even when cinebench was doing the render test for the CPU, and I didn't even turn off the overclocker. Bad news is now there's no need to upgrade my system.....


Incidentally, on the Cinebench test my CPU got a 191 cb score and the graphics card pulled down an impressive 2.25 fps. Not really sure what the CPU score means but it seemed to almost match the lowest i5 score shown.

 

[mistersprinkles]

DId you remove the old thermal paste before you applied the new paste? Also, how did you apply it? You want to put a dot the size of a small green pea right in the middle of the CPU then lower the heatsink down onto it.

You always wipe away the old paste with 99% isopropyl alcohol soaked onto a Q-Tip. Keep wiping until the Q tip comes away clean. Both the CPU heatspreader and the heatsink base.

In future, please do not use brake cleaner. That's just ridiculous. Get yourself some compressed air in a can, and blow your heatsink and the rest of your computer out every couple of months. If you have an air compressor at home, even better, but make sure you have a moisture trap on it. A leaf blower works well also.

If you are a smoker and your heatsink gets gummed up with that tar soaked smoker's dust, remove the heatsink and wipe the residue away as best you can with Q tips soaked in alcohol then blow out the heatsink with compressed air. I've seen them get so bad that the only way to get it clean was to use a pressurized water spray on the heatsink followed by some immediate action with a blow dryer to get it totally dry. Obviously you take the fans off first.

 

[tracyballard]

In future, please do not use brake cleaner. That's just ridiculous. Get yourself some compressed air in a can, and blow your heatsink and the rest of your computer out every couple of months. If you have an air compressor at home, even better, but make sure you have a moisture trap on it. A leaf blower works well also.

Why is using brake cleaner ridiculous? Have you ever used it? Ever had any problems with it? As a mechanic, of course I have an air compressor, but I like to use what is most convenient and works best. Let me know what issues you have had with brake cleaner in the past, I would find it very interesting.

BTW - the problem was fixed with an application of brake cleaner and thermal paste, and of course, some alcohol to clean the CPU itself.

 

[Okedokey]

Brake cleaner is a different chemical and can destroy components and other materials. It includes acetone and tolulene. These can destroy all kinds of coatings on the PCB and other components. IPA is just that, an alcohol which dries without residue.

 

[tracyballard]

Brake cleaner is a different chemical and can destroy components and other materials. It includes acetone and tolulene. These can destroy all kinds of coatings on the PCB and other components. IPA is just that, an alcohol which dries without residue.

But does an aluminum heat sink have any coatings to worry about? Surely you don't imagine anyone could be moronic enough to actually spray brake cleaner inside the computer itself?!?

 

[Okedokey]

Well, it does. The heat spreader has a seal around it, and there will be oxidation coatings on the contacts.

 

[mistersprinkles]

Look man, if you want to be one of these gear head "I can fix it" type morons who thinks you can apply any material from any industry to any other industry, go for it. I used to work in a pet shop and moron contractors would come in wanting to buy gravel from us for industrial application then they'd complain about the price.

If you want to use the wrong materials, go for it, but don't stand on a soap box and claim that your moronic approach to a problem is somehow correct.

 

[beers]

Why is using brake cleaner ridiculous? Have you ever used it?

What exactly is getting on your heatsink that standard air can't remove?

It just seems like a poor first choice as a solution as you can just dust it out with compressed air and call it a day, you don't even have to remove the heatsink from the PC.

 

[Okedokey]

I think he's talking about TIM removal.

 

[tracyballard]

What exactly is getting on your heatsink that standard air can't remove?

It just seems like a poor first choice as a solution as you can just dust it out with compressed air and call it a day, you don't even have to remove the heatsink from the PC.

It had a lot of solidified dust on it. Not sure why it would be preferable to try to blow that dust around in the case rather than just removing it and cleaning it separately. My heatsink is a solid piece of metal, so not sure what type of coating is really needed here other than the thermal paste.

I think he's talking about TIM removal.

I don't see any TIM on the actual heat sink, are we talking about another part.

Look man, if you want to be one of these gear head "I can fix it" type morons who thinks you can apply any material from any industry to any other industry, go for it. I used to work in a pet shop and moron contractors would come in wanting to buy gravel from us for industrial application then they'd complain about the price.

If you want to use the wrong materials, go for it, but don't stand on a soap box and claim that your moronic approach to a problem is somehow correct.

Look "man", if you want to keep up the inappropriate name calling, I'll be glad to flame you till the cows come home. But, I thought this was a more civil website. If someone wants to clarify that policy, I'll formulate my next response accordingly. "Man".