BIOS shows CPU temp 92°C on brand new build

[TheJM]

Im a PC building noob and even more so when it comes to BIOS configurations.

I was follwowing a guide to check whether BIOS had correct settings for RAM when I saw the CPU was at a sizzling 92°C. As far as I know it's either the BIOS that has the wrong temp or the CPU fan isnt working. What to do?

I have an Antec Sonata III case, XP Home SP1, Gigabyte P35-DSL3 Mobo, E8400 CPU with box fan.

 

[MustISO]

Check to make sure that the fan is mounted correctly and it's spinning.

 

[corkyg]

92C? Most systems would shut down at about 72C. You should be able to see if the fan is spinning or not. Seems to me the BIOS sensor is in error.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Few things to check

CPU fan spinning?
Thermal Compound applied? If using the stock were any stickers removed?
If so you may not have a good bond.

Either that your your board is full of it. Does the heatsink feel warm to the touch

 

[robisbell]

what thermal transfer compound was used between the CPU and HSF?

 

[TheJM]

How do I check whether the CPU fan is spinning or not? Do I have to start my PC with the side wall removed?

The thermal grease was pre-apllied to the fan.

 

[law9933]

Remove the side panel & look to see if the fan is running, with the PC pwred up.

 

[law9933]

Remove the side panel & look to see if the fan is running, with the PC pwred up.

 

[Cutthroat]

Sounds like you are using the Intel heat sink/fan. First start the PC with the side off to see if the fan is spinning. If it is, shut down the PC and unplug it. Make sure the heat sink is mounted correctly, the push pins need to be in correctly, it takes some work.

 

[robisbell]

was this the stock fan that came with the CPU? Sounds like maybe wrong HSF or the compound is not doing it's job.

 

[Shawn]

make sure you have the heat sink on properly

 

[RebateMonger]

Grab two diagonal corners of the HSF and see if you can make it wobble. If it does, then the HSF isn't anchored correctly. This will cause fast overheating.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: TheJM
How do I check whether the CPU fan is spinning or not? Do I have to start my PC with the side wall removed? The thermal grease was pre-apllied to the fan.

Of course. You observe. The computer will run just fine with the side cover off.

Thermal compound goes between the CPU chip and the heatsink. The fan is attached to the heatsink. The heatsink is tjhe finned metal device between the CPU and the fan. Together they are called the cooler assembly.

The thermal compound should be applied in a very thin and even layer.

Many cooler assemblies come stock equipped with a piece of thermal tape applied to the bottom of the heatsink. If you are using grease or other paste, that tape should be carefully removed so as not to scratch the surface of the heatsink. If grease or other compound is applied over the tape, a barrier to cooling can be created.

Be nice folks - we gotta all start somewhere.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

That is an insane temperature, the reading does not sound accurate.

But as others have said, make sure the fan is spinning and that the heatsink is mounted correctly with thermal compound.

 

[TheJM]

had a lot of work to do today so wont get a chance to try the suggestions untill tomorrow. thanks for the help so far. and corkyg: everyone is very nice to me;-) no noob flame fest yet.

 

[Old Hippie]

corkyg: everyone is very nice to me;-) no noob flame fest yet.

'Cause he speaks softly, but carries a very big Ban Stick! :shocked:

 

[TheJM]

UPDATE:

Opened the case and observed as i turned the comp on. The CPU fan was running and before i turned the PC on I checked that it was firmly attached. Grabbed two corners diagonally and tried to wiggle it. No wiggle. I opened up the BIOS first thing and went to the section Computer Health. The sys temp was 36dgr celcius and the cpu temp was now 62 dgr celcius. CPU fan speed was ~1700RPM.

BUT

As I had the window open for a couple mins the CPU temp started to rise. 62-63-65-68-71-72 pretty rapidly. Turned the comp off before it had a chance to heat more.

I also touched the CPU fan and it felt cool. The air it "exhausted" also felt cool.

It should be said that when I was assembling the comp i had to remove the CPU fan and reattach it to get the CPU fan wire line up better with the CPU fan connector.

edit: some people above has suggested that the comp should turn itself off when it heats this much. is there a BIOS setting that has to be enable for this feature to work or should it be automatic?

should i get my comp online and run other temp controllers? or will the other programs also
get a wrong reading -assuming that the reading is wrong which i understand might not be the case-

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: TheJM
UPDATE:

Opened the case and observed as i turned the comp on. The CPU fan was running and before i turned the PC on I checked that it was firmly attached. Grabbed two corners diagonally and tried to wiggle it. No wiggle. I opened up the BIOS first thing and went to the section Computer Health. The sys temp was 36dgr celcius and the cpu temp was now 62 dgr celcius. CPU fan speed was ~1700RPM.

BUT

As I had the window open for a couple mins the CPU temp started to rise. 62-63-65-68-71-72 pretty rapidly. Turned the comp off before it had a chance to heat more.

I also touched the CPU fan and it felt cool. The air it "exhausted" also felt cool.

It should be said that when I was assembling the comp i had to remove the CPU fan and reattach it to get the CPU fan wire line up better with the CPU fan connector.

edit: some people above has suggested that the comp should turn itself off when it heats this much. is there a BIOS setting that has to be enable for this feature to work or should it be automatic?

should i get my comp online and run other temp controllers? or will the other programs also
get a wrong reading -assuming that the reading is wrong which i understand might not be the case-

I wondering if you messed up the pre-applied thermal paste when you reseated the hsf. I would remove the hsf, re-apply thermal paste, and make sure it's re-seated correctly.

 

[Dillybob]

That could definitely be an issue...maybe his processor is somehow overvoltaged?