I am completly baffeled, no matter what i so i cant make my AMD Atholon XP 2400+ to run below 63*C.

I havent had any problem for two years but suddenly it has started overheating all the time.

When i first saw it was running around 69*C (my Mobo shuts it off at 70) i lowered the External Freq. from 133MHz to 100 and that has given me back 5*.

My CPU Fan is running 3792RPM

Im using the standard CPU Fan and heatsink (AMD Pack-in)
on a Asus A7N8X Deluxe (Rv. 2) (which reports a MB temp od 28-30*C)
along with a E-VGA nForce GeForce FX 5200 Ultra chipset AGP card (which has its own GPU fan).
There are four case fans, 2 intake (red LEDS) and two output that came with the case( Chieftec sever chasis wit 450w power supply).

I really have no idea what the problem is. could it be that the thermal compound has decayed or something? (like i said it ran for two years with no problems). Also right now the side panel of the case is open in an attempt to allow better airflow.

Hello and welcome to Techspot.

First clean out all the dust bunnies form your system using a can of compressed air.

If after cleaning there`s no difference, then taking off the heatsink, and cleaning both it, and the die on your cpu may help. You can use a litttle isopropyl alcohol for this.Then reapplying some good thermal paste.

Regards Howard

Follow H²'s advice, this should help.
Are you reading this just from bios or you having
other trouble?
Like lockups, BSOD's reboots etc.
G'Luck
Let us know how it goes.

the mobo auto shuts down the computer (no warrning) if temp reaches 70*C, which is very annoying.

Yes it is very dusty (how much effect can that have on temperature?)

where does one buy compressed air? (off-line) (dont want to wait for shipping)

If your system is very dusty it can have a big impact on your temps.

You will be able to get a can of compressed air from either, a hardware store or, an electronics components store etc.

Regards Howard

Or simple use a vacuum cleaner to clean the inside.

I`m sorry Didou, but i have to disagree with you there.

Using a vacuum cleaner inside a computer isn`t recommended because of the risk of static electricity build up.

http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm

Regards Howard

I wonder if your fan isn't running fast enough. My stock fan that came with my AMD cpu is running at about 5800 rpm at 45 C at the moment.

Check bios settings,
Cpu fan rpm settings may be too low.
G'Luck

I seem to remember quite a few electricians posting here saying it wasn't dangerous. I've never had a problem with it myself (althoug I don't vaccum more then once every two months).

I'll try to do some research on the matter.

Ok Didou. Please let me know what you find out.

Regards Howard

hmmm i wonder if the problem was just the frequency, ive left it running idle for a while, while i ate dinner and stuff and it got down to 61* (Which is still fairly high) im gonna try to dust it tommorow.

I agree That could be an issue, what size fan is it? If cleaning the dust out doesnt help out (which it should) have you actually reseated the heatsink? Bad positioning can lead to bad cooling.

Sean

i havent been able tp get any compressed air yet. Im not sure what size the fans are (ive forgotten). Its been so long since i messed with a cpu that i couldnt get the fan off. (;_; ). when i pugged it in the first time after having it off and out. i went to the BIOS and watched the CPU temp rise from 42 to 50. then when i booted into windows my monitor myseriously says its back at 46 but ive now seen it climb back to 56. Im still confused but i hope its just the (massive amounts of dust).

(now it is at 57)
(make that 58)
(59)
(60 ;_; ) (note this is all within like 3 minutes and all im doin is watchin the temp and brwsing one forum)
(20 secinds later: 61!!!!!!!!!!)
(now its 62 im on the edge of tears)
(63: I CANT WORK LKE THIS!!!!!!!!)

Question: what should the idle temperature of an AMD Atholon XP 2400+ be?

I have an Athlon XP 1900+ and the thing has ALWAYS run hot for the last 2-3 (in the 60*s)... i must have tried 10 different heatsinks/fan combos.... i have 6 case fans as well. Despite this heat, it never has any problems... so don't fret too badly.

If heat botehrs you so much get a new Athlon 64, they supposedly run cooler than most CPUs... my 64 3800+ should be coming in the mail soon.

This is not an easy question to answer, due to the many factors involved.

I.E Cooling/fans/environment/running proccesses etc, every computer will differ in some respect.

I would say that an idle temp of around 35° to 45° would be ok.

What temps are you actually getting?

Regards Howard

right now, 62 which is awfuly hot. i fianly got some compressed air. im gonna try dustin it in a few minutes (though ive never dusted with compressed air befor (sadly) so i might mess it up)

BIOS updates have been known to fix misreporting of temperatures. Check for a BIOS update, maybe your BIOS is lieing to you.

If you've ever unseated the heatsink from the CPU, you should THOROUGHLY clean all heatsink compound/grease from the heatsink and CPU and reapply a fresh bead. Removing the heatsink from the CPU enables air pockets to form in the grease/compound layer and you lose a significant amount of contact between the CPU and heatsink. The layer of grease/compound should be extremely thin; applying too much grease/compound will cause the CPU to run very hot. I've read references that suggest a bead the size of a grain of rice. That is what I've applied to mine and it works well.

Make sure the surface of the heatsink is completely smooth - no scratches, dents, gouges, etc.

Dust traps heat, it acts as an insulator, it's a very serious problem. It also will prevent fans from spinning as fast as they should be and even stop fans dead so the CPU fries. It clogs the holes in the case and prevents ait flow in the case. Remove all dust frequently.

just a hint...dont hold the can upside down, to help prevent ice forming..unless you want to freeze bugs (try it)

Sean