Any ideas on why I'm running so hot?

[LCS213]

I'm running a Core 2 Duo E6400 with an ASUS P5N-SLI mobo. Nothing is overclocked. I'm using the stock Intel fan, Lately my computer has shut down randomly, and I've checked my CPU temp in the CMOS and see that it's running in the upper 80's C.
This afternoon, I removed the fan to double check if it got dislodged or to see if there was too much thermal paste applied. Everything looked fine.
Anyone have any ideas/suggestions??

 

[JustaGeek]

Remove the HSF, re-apply your thermal compound and re-seat your HSF again. Do not use too much, or too little...

http://www.arcticsilver.com/in...ute_step2intelas5.html

Ensure the proper airflow in the case, with good Exhaust Fan in the rear (min. 1200 - 1800 rpm), Lower Front Intake fan if possible, and Side Panel Intake fan blowing on the CPU HSF.

Re-organize the cables in your case - do not use the flat IDE cables, get the round ones.

Get a new case if necessary, like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119068

It might just seem expensive to replace the case, but what price tag do you put on the peace of mind...?

Or a fried CPU, NB or SB, or RAM...?

Good luck!

 

[LCS213]

Thanks for your quick reply. I did the re-application of the paste and reseating of the HSF. I'm going to try getting a side case fan. My case has the plasic tube that kinda funnels air to the HSF, but perhaps a fan behind it pushing air to it just might do the trick. What SHOULD a typical temperature be? Even sitting idly in windows my cores are around 79 degrees C. Which just seems impossibly high.

 

[AmberClad]

Highly abnormal temperatures, in my opinion. I don't have your exact CPU, but I have the slightly higher clocked E6600 and an aftermarket cooler, so it should be about even. Idle temperatures usually should probably be around 23C (right now) - 35C (summer), depending on the ambient temperatures. (You don't live in a furnace, I take it ?)

I haven't used my stock Intel cooler before, but it is possible one of the "legs" on yours isn't fully bolted on? Not sure what else the problem could be...weird board voltage settings?

 

[Arkaign]

Any ideas on why I'm running so hot?

Too many habaneros?

 

[LCS213]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Idle temperatures usually should probably be around 23C (right now) - 35C (summer), depending on the ambient temperatures. (You don't live in a furnace, I take it ?)

I haven't used my stock Intel cooler before, but it is possible one of the "legs" on yours isn't fully bolted on? Not sure what else the problem could be...weird board voltage settings?

Heh. No furnace. Temp in this room is approximately 73F. So i'm running ridiculously hot if my idle temp is in the 75-78C range then. I know the legs are fully on because I removed and reattached the HSF and it's on solidly.

I wonder, is there a reliable and/or easy-to-follow guide on proper voltage settings somewhere?

It's just weird b/c I've had this chip for almost a year now and never a problem. I also didn't monitor the temps b/c I never had a shutdown, so maybe it was always running high and i never noticed. But 3 shutdowns in 4 days got my attention.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: LCS213
I know the legs are fully on because I removed and reattached the HSF and it's on solidly.

And the CPU fan is connected correctly and spinning at the right RPMs right? Just want to rule that out...although I think some motherboards will give a warning if the CPU fan speed is below spec, not sure about yours.

What's the VCore reading under BIOS?

 

[LCS213]

VCORE is at 1.36v
and the cpu fan was running at 2163 RPMs

 

[MooMooCow]

Vcore is too high, I'd say set it at 1.29 or so if not lower.

 

[LCS213]

OK, I'll try it, thanks!

 

[LCS213]

Hmm, actually, my VCore was set to auto. I changed it to 1.2875, and noticed a good 10C dip in both core's temperatures. Still though, mid/upper 60's isn't where I want to be. Is there a resource online that has voltage settings for Core 2 Duos?
I shudder to think I've been actually frying this chip for a year now.

 

[Binky]

There are only two possible answers: incorrectly mounted heatsink (that's my guess) or bad temp sensor.

The stock pish-pins have to be turned clockwise before you push them in. They should make a healthy snap sound as they lock in while you push them down. Turn them counter-clockwise to unlock them for removal. Somebody correct me if I reversed the directions. Either way, if you aren't putting some pretty hefty pressure to snap them in, you're probably not getting a good seating on the heatsink.

The stock heatsink is a very capable (and underrated) little unit. You shouldn't ever see 80c no matter how hard you push your 6400.

 

[LCS213]

Originally posted by: Binky
There are only two possible answers: incorrectly mounted heatsink (that's my guess) or bad temp sensor.

The stock pish-pins have to be turned clockwise before you push them in. They should make a healthy snap sound as they lock in while you push them down. Turn them counter-clockwise to unlock them for removal. Somebody correct me if I reversed the directions. Either way, if you aren't putting some pretty hefty pressure to snap them in, you're probably not getting a good seating on the heatsink.

The stock heatsink is a very capable (and underrated) little unit. You shouldn't ever see 80c no matter how hard you push your 6400.

I definitely know i did that part right. The heatsink is definitely seated right. The more i look at this, I'm convinced there are some bios voltage settings screwed up. I know i had several, like VCore temp, on auto. probably a mistake.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: LCS213
Thanks for your quick reply. I did the re-application of the paste and reseating of the HSF. I'm going to try getting a side case fan. My case has the plasic tube that kinda funnels air to the HSF, but perhaps a fan behind it pushing air to it just might do the trick. What SHOULD a typical temperature be? Even sitting idly in windows my cores are around 79 degrees C. Which just seems impossibly high.

Remove that tube and install an 80 mm fan blowing on the processor instead.

I have a feeling that it does more harm than good.

And reseat your CPU HSF again like the others said, even if you feel you did everything right.

Use a new paste, too. Maybe the paste is too old...?

 

[mouthwash]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: LCS213
Thanks for your quick reply. I did the re-application of the paste and reseating of the HSF. I'm going to try getting a side case fan. My case has the plasic tube that kinda funnels air to the HSF, but perhaps a fan behind it pushing air to it just might do the trick. What SHOULD a typical temperature be? Even sitting idly in windows my cores are around 79 degrees C. Which just seems impossibly high.

Remove that tube and install an 80 mm fan blowing on the processor instead.

I have a feeling that it does more harm than good.
And reseat your CPU HSF again like the others said, even if you feel you did everything right.

Use a new paste, too. Maybe the paste is too old...?

I installed the side air tunnel with an 8cm fan blowing to the stock cooler and the temp reduced my cpu from 48'c to 40'c so i would say go for it.

my best guess would be the voltage problem, maybe try to default your bios?

do check your case flow too, as from my experience, i know the area between the north bridge and above the video card is a dead heat spot, so installing a pci exhaust fan will definitely helps alot

 

[LCS213]

Thank you all for your quick replies and good suggestions. I will tinker with them today and report back.

 

[Deinonych]

What kind of case and cooling do you have? As mouthwash mentioned, definitely ensure you have good airflow. You may want to consider upgrading the HSF on your processor. The OEM HSF that ships with the proc is barely adequate. For reference, I'm seeing ~40C idle/~50C load for my C2D E6700 in an Antec P180B with good airflow (two 12cm fans intake, two 12cm fans exhaust). I'm using a Zalman 9500 HSF as well.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Sounds like a borked sensor if you ask me..

 

[LCS213]

Originally posted by: Deinonych
What kind of case and cooling do you have? As mouthwash mentioned, definitely ensure you have good airflow. You may want to consider upgrading the HSF on your processor. The OEM HSF that ships with the proc is barely adequate. For reference, I'm seeing ~40C idle/~50C load for my C2D E6700 in an Antec P180B with good airflow (two 12cm fans intake, two 12cm fans exhaust). I'm using a Zalman 9500 HSF as well.

The case is an Ultra Aluminus case. And yeah, using the stock HSF. I added an 80mm case fan to the mix, and the weird thing is it didn't affect the cpu temp AT ALL. So now i'm back to thinking it's gotta be a voltage setting somewhere.