AMD XP 2100 crashing, need new cooling

[NiceSocks]

Hey guys, i've had a problem lately with my comp locking up. I did some tests and it seems that whenever the cpu hits 63C it locks up.

I encoded mp3s while having a cpu temp monitor running and 3 times in a row it froze when the temperature reached 63 degrees celcius

So my question i guess now is what is the best aftermarket heatsink/fan for an AMD XP 2100+. Remember I'm not overclocking so I don't need anything amazingly expensive..

Why would it suddenly start doing this? I'm sure its hit these temperatures before, it's always ran this hot i think..

 

[NiceSocks]

Oh and I bought a second hand hsf when i bought this chip and it was a bit of a crappy design, it relied on these weird springs that held it tight to the chip.. not sure if you guys know which brand im talking about but it basically wouldnt hold tight enough to even let the cpu boot up.

so yeah i dont want that one again..

 

[mechBgon]

How about one of these, along with a moderate-speed 80mm case fan: link (assuming you live in the United States, correct me if not) Use some high-quality thermal grease such as the Coolermaster/Shin-Etsu or Arctic Silver stuff. Follow my Thermalright-specific tips that are linked next to the third photo here so you don't mess up

If you'd like to try to solve the problem without replacing your heatsink just yet, start by opening the case and blasting the dust out of your heatsink. This could be the whole issue! Look carefully at the capacitors on the motherboard to see if they're bulging or leaking fluid... they should be cylindrical with straight sides and flat ends, not puffed out like cans of food that have gone bad.

If everything looks good but it still locks up, then leave the case open and blow cool air in the side with a house fan, to see if additional cooling helps. If it does, maybe your case is routinely running too hot inside due to dust clogging the vents, or being cooped up in a computer desk? or simply inadequate case ventilation fans & vents.

If your case ventilation is good but it still locks up when the case is closed, perhaps the thermal compound between the CPU core and the heatsink is dried out. You could remove the heatsink, clean off the old thermal pad or thermal grease, reapply a thin coat of high-quality thermal grease to the CPU core, and reinstall the heatsink to see how that goes.

Good luck, hope that helps you with some ideas

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: NiceSocks
Oh and I bought a second hand hsf when i bought this chip and it was a bit of a crappy design, it relied on these weird springs that held it tight to the chip.. not sure if you guys know which brand im talking about but it basically wouldnt hold tight enough to even let the cpu boot up.

so yeah i dont want that one again..

This sounds like a sure-fire way to weaken/damage an AthlonXP (overheating due to lack of contact with the heatsink). You might have your own answer here, as to why it is being weird.

 

[NiceSocks]

Thanks for the tips.

That weakening could be a problem but it was almost a year ago now when i first bought the computer.

I'll check for dust as you said. I have custom mounted fans on my case so the case cooling is about as good as I can get it. It's also located in the coolest place i can find with spacing underneath it to promote air flow all around it.

So yeah I'll check the paste and the dust stuff. I'm in canada but i'll consider that heatsink you recommended. Do you think I should put the OEM fan on that?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: NiceSocks
Thanks for the tips.

That weakening could be a problem but it was almost a year ago now when i first bought the computer.

I'll check for dust as you said. I have custom mounted fans on my case so the case cooling is about as good as I can get it. It's also located in the coolest place i can find with spacing underneath it to promote air flow all around it.

So yeah I'll check the paste and the dust stuff. I'm in canada but i'll consider that heatsink you recommended. Do you think I should put the OEM fan on that?

The OEM fan might not work out so well, since the heatsink's wire "bails" are made to retain an 80mm x 25mm case fan. OTOH, maybe you have a spare 80 x 25 case fan?

Otherwise, maybe think about strapping an 80mm fan onto the heatsink at the bottom of this page: Bigfoot Computers (Canadian) It has a copper heatspreader and appears to be big enough that an 80mm fan could fit on it diamond-wise, if you're creative about finding a way to keep it on there. Or you could use your existing 60mm fan on it. And they have the rest of the Thermalright lineup too. Bigfoot is the first Canadian site that sprang to mind, maybe there are some others you know of.

 

[M0NEYSH0T]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
How about one of these, along with a moderate-speed 80mm case fan: link (assuming you live in the United States, correct me if not) Use some high-quality thermal grease such as the Coolermaster/Shin-Etsu or Arctic Silver stuff. Follow my Thermalright-specific tips that are linked next to the third photo here so you don't mess up

If you'd like to try to solve the problem without replacing your heatsink just yet, start by opening the case and blasting the dust out of your heatsink. This could be the whole issue! Look carefully at the capacitors on the motherboard to see if they're bulging or leaking fluid... they should be cylindrical with straight sides and flat ends, not puffed out like cans of food that have gone bad.

If everything looks good but it still locks up, then leave the case open and blow cool air in the side with a house fan, to see if additional cooling helps. If it does, maybe your case is routinely running too hot inside due to dust clogging the vents, or being cooped up in a computer desk? or simply inadequate case ventilation fans & vents.

If your case ventilation is good but it still locks up when the case is closed, perhaps the thermal compound between the CPU core and the heatsink is dried out. You could remove the heatsink, clean off the old thermal pad or thermal grease, reapply a thin coat of high-quality thermal grease to the CPU core, and reinstall the heatsink to see how that goes.

Good luck, hope that helps you with some ideas

Clean your case, fans, grills, etc...

 

[NiceSocks]

hey wow i just cleaned out all the dust i could and instead of booting up at 58 degrees it booted at 38, 20 degree difference! Its about 50 degrees F lower.

Been idling/browsing for a few mins now and its sitting at 41, much better!

I'll still look into a different heatsink/fan but thanks again.

 

[Jhhnn]

Check out the Speeze Falconrock from Newegg, or the extremely similar Spire WhisperockIV. Triple tab clip, copper core, quiet fan, and an open fin design that doesn't clog easily... excellent value, if it'll fit your board...

 

[imported_juanflaiter]

I like Thermaltake A4002D aka TR2M2 if you are in a budget. I´ve have had plenty of Speeze and they have cheap fans. Although thats all past for me, I´m switching to watercooling.