Serious Help Regarding Heat Problems - Tech Support Forums

Isolate · December 21st, 2002, 03:17 AM

This is my first post here at TechIMO and I've been reading alot of the posts to find a solution to my problems. I've been having constant heat problems with my rig and it's system temp climbs well over 70C normally. I have installed 2 case fans, one drawing air in, the other pushing it out. In addition to those two fans I have a PCI slot fan also. I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the heatsink and cpu fan but I am not technically competent in that area to attempt a swap. If anyone could address this problem or offer a link on how to change heatsinks and fans it would be greatly appreciated.

System Specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2100
512 PC2700 DDR RAM
300 Watt PS
80 Gig HD
MSI GeForce 4 4400 TI
Asus A7V333 MB
AMD Fan & HS

Xeroid · December 21st, 2002, 03:23 AM

70C? Wow! Could someone pass the eggs I want to cook breakfast!

Just Kidding! Are you sure you have the HSF seated correctly and not tilted to one side? Did you use any thermal paste or just the pink tab? Did you remove the protective plastic if you used the pink tab? Oh, and Asus is known for reporting high temps on their boards. I don't think 70c is normal, though.

Mike

Isolate · December 21st, 2002, 03:32 AM

I have no clue, I had the system built at a store and I brought it back to them to address the problem. I asked if they can reseat the h/s or double check to see if it's connected properly but the refused, they claimed it would invalidate the warranty. I don't encounter any problems when I run it at 1300 mhz but what's the point of a XP2100 when I could've just gotten an 1800? I don't believe the MB is reporting the wrong temp because the system automatically shuts off when the heat is raised to a sufficient temp.

PyroSama · December 21st, 2002, 03:42 AM

Is thier a warenty sticker on the back of the system? If not open it up and check for your self. Oh I like my eggs over easy. Maybe throw an extra fan or two in thier.

PyroSama

hifi · December 21st, 2002, 03:53 AM

Isolate:

First, Welcome to Tech IMO

Second, yes it does seem like you have a CPU temp issue there, may I ask where you are getting your temperature readings from? (BIOS, Motherboard manufacturer software/third party software in this case most likely ASUSprobe?) Third, did you double check your bios settings...I would pay particular attention to your Vcore voltage and make certain that it is set appropriately for your CPU. If this is a Palamino based XP2100 it should be defaulting at 1.75 V (Though ASUS boards generally push the Vcore up by .05V for stability so if it reads at 1.8V don't be shocked) or if it is a Thoroughbred core, the default should be at 1.65 (or lower, I know that the slower speed models such as the XP 1700 runs at 1.5V) at any rate, if it is significately higher this can cause heating issues. Another thing to check *(And I have been guilty of this myself) is to ensure that the intake/exhaust case fans are mounted correctly so that you know for certain that your intake is actually sucking air in and not pushing air out.

Lastly, I would personally recommend an upgrade to your current h/s solution ONLY IF you are willing to accept the responsibility for a voided warrenty by removing the retailed box solution. Consider this carefully, especially if your system is running stable for you even with high temp readings. Remember, AMD will replace that processor as long as the warrenty stands even if it burns up on you, AS LONG as you use their h/s solution. If you find that unacceptable, there are many great third party solutions that will provide much more acceptable cooling than the stock AMD h/s fan. I would personally recommend the Thermaltake Volcano 7+ or the Coolermaster HCC-001 "Heatpipe" Though both solutions are rather noisey, the Thermaltake model provides a fan switch that allows you to control the speed of the fan, therefore tuning it to your processors needs. I am certain you will be provided with many more options here by other members as well.

Cheers!!

hifi

hifi · December 21st, 2002, 04:01 AM

I am sorry, I forgot...

HERE is a fairly good link to removing/installing your Socket A heatsink. It isn't very difficult as long as you are careful. Most h/s's come with some sort of thermal compound as well, if not Artic Silver III is some good stuff.

hifi

Isolate · December 21st, 2002, 04:01 AM

I'm getting the readings off the BIOS Temp Monitor along with ASUS probe. I will be sure to check the bios settings on the next boot and if that does not solve the problem I would have no choice but to risk replacing the heatsink and fan. I am willing to do it but provided there is adequate documentation on how to undertake the procedure.

dragonb · December 21st, 2002, 04:09 AM

I was also getting higher than normal temps for a while. (50-55 C)
I finally got around to taking the Heat sink back off, cleaning it, including getting rid of the little pink pad that's on there, and put real heatsink compound goop on, not even Artic Silver, just the cheap $1 a package stuff.
I'm now consistently between 35 and 40 C
Made a huge difference, so I would try that first.
Athlon 1900+ XP, not overclocked and using the retail Heatsink.
good luck,
dragonb

p.s. I would also look around at other sites and see if the asus probe gives an accurate reading, some motherboards are known to give less than exact temps

Xeroid · December 21st, 2002, 01:08 PM

Quote:

I asked if they can reseat the h/s or double check to see if it's connected properly but the refused, they claimed it would invalidate the warranty.

BULL HOCKEY ! ! Errr, excuse me I got over agitated.

The store won't even open a case on a PC that they built themselves? BULL HOCKEY ! ! Oops! Did it again. I think they just don't want to mess with it. If it has one of those little silver stickers that show if the case has been opened then I'm sure that they have more of them that they could replace it with. If they built it then they can surely open it and have a look for you. Tell them if they can't be more helpful then you can just take your business elswhere next time!

Mike

Cody · December 21st, 2002, 01:57 PM

Or tell them that you want the computer fixed so it operates appropriately or you want your money back. And if they say no, push. They should fix this issue. If you buy a prebuilt computer it should work no questions asked, and if it doesn't they should fix it no questions asked.

I purchased a computer from Milwaukee PC about 2 years ago. I've had a problem here and there. Brought it in twice. Once for a bad DVD. They replaced it on the spot. Also, had problems with the computer restarting... they gave me a new motherboard.

Best of luck!

Cody