Computer intermittently "pauses" after periods of long use...

[Hammyton]

After periods of long gaming my CPU tends to warm up to 80 degrees celsius and I start to get intermittent "pauses", the sound of the game will continue but my picture will just freeze for 10-15 seconds at a time. I am wondering if this is because of my CPU temperature.... If it is then what is a good cooling solution that I should invest in (currently using the stock AMD fan)?

Any help is appreciated, thanks again

 

[Dug]

80c!!!!!!!!!!!
What processor and motherboard do you have?

Even with the stock heatsink it shouldn't reach this high.
Sounds like the heatsink isn't properly seated, or there isn't any thermal paste on it.

 

[Hammyton]

amd xp 2000 with a ecs k7s5a.... got it for christmas during the 99 buck frys deal...

 

[Dug]

That temp doesn't sound right. Can you touch the heatsink without burning yourself.

 

[Hammyton]

just touched it and it burns... :\

 

[Dug]

What speed is the processor running at, and what is the case temperature reporting.
Do you have ventilation running through the case.

 

[Hammyton]

Processor is going at 1.66ghz (default I believe, the ECS mobo doesnt let me overclock unless I get a new BIOS), case temp showing 38 degrees... I have a fan near the bottom front of the case which is blowing outward and another fan blowing outward from Hard disk which is mounted near the CDRom...

 

[newuser]

is the fan working properly?

(btw, nice avatar's everyone !! lol)

 

[Hammyton]

Originally posted by: newuser
is the fan working properly?

I beleive so... its showing ~4400RPM

 

[Dug]

Change the fan orientation.

Have 1 fan blowing into the case located at the bottom front of the case.

The second fan should be blowing air out of the case, which should be located on the back of the case around the cpu area.

 

[Hammyton]

I dont think my case has one of those slot thingies where you put in another fan near the back... THere's two slots for fans in the front but the only fan i have in the back is for the power supply....

If there's nowhere to mount a fan at the back do should I maybe take off the little metal covers on the unused PCI slots? Maybe that will help the airflow a little?

 

[bjc112]

IF you case temps are about 38C then your venalation isn't THAT bad...

I am going to go with Dug, reseat that HSF and apply some Artic silver 3.

 

[Hammyton]

I already tried reseating it.... with AS3 too :\

Maybe I should invest in a new HSF? My friend wants to sell me his volcano 9 for 13 bucks.. should I take this?

Also do you guys think this whole CPU-overheating-issue is whats causing my "pauses"?

 

[Deskstar]

Does your CMOS display a CPU temperature accurately? If it is burning your fingers, it is probably crying out for a new headsink/fan. $13 is a small price to pay for troubleshooting this issue, especially if that includes a new fan.

 

[Hammyton]

I'm not sure how to check if my computer is accurately reporting my CPU temps... but from touching the heatsink I am inclined to believe the high numbers...

Thanks for the tips tho, I will invest in the new fan

And also you said my airflow within my case is ok? Does this mean I dont need to cut holes in the back of my Case for more fans?

 

[Operandi]

Your case temp is fine, I wouldn't worry about that. The problem is definitely somewhere in the HSF area, either the CPU and heat sink isn't making good contact or the fan is deing. Oh, I'm sure you've prolly checked this but just incase, did u make sure there isn't any dust build up on HSF? Dust will act as insulator and trap all the heat inside the heat sink so make sure there is allot of dust blocking air flow.

Also as general rule your CPU temp shouldn't excede your system temp by much more then 25C under load.