CPU fried?

[rhizaowns]

About a year ago, I purchased an Athlon XP 2400+. Ever since I got it, my CPU's been running really hot (~160ºF). I had to underclock for my system to not crash. I have an expensive fan/heatsink which I do not think is the problem. But the weirdest thing is that instead of my CPU having a name at post and in dxdiag, it's replaced with a bunch of garbage characters. Check out the pic:

http://www.soundsgoodllc.com/dxdiag.gif

Anyone know what's up?

 

[BigBadBiologist]

It seems to me like your heatsink isn't installed properly.

 

[SickBeast]

Oh man...160F are you kidding me? That is way beyond spec for an AthlonXP AFAIK. Is the HSF hot to touch? Your motherboard readouts may be borked.

In any event, your HSF is probably not on there properly as teh biologist pointed out.

If your system were stable I would reccomend a BIOS flash. Check the heatsink first, and make sure you're using thermal paste.

 

[rhizaowns]

I don't see how my HSF wouldn't be installed properly. The groove is lined up as it's supposed to be. And yes, I'm using thermal paste.

My motherboard readouts may very well be wrong, Asus Probe tells me my CPU is at around 110F.

However, this does not explain the fact that my computer reboots (within 30 seconds of booting) if I don't have it underclocked. When it reboots, the BIOS temperature says it's around 170-175F.

Also, what's up with the garbage characters for my CPU name in dxdiag/post?

Any ideas?

 

[bootoo]

Yeah, it's probably installed right, but we all make mistakes - is it hot to the touch?

That seems kind of high to me for an amd processor also; no offense at your install, things go wrong. But did the hsf seem hot? The exhaust? Was the fan on the right way? Believe me, I do so many dumb things with each build I'm not being insulting here but recalling my own mistakes.

 

[SickBeast]

Trust me: remove the heatsink, inspect the situation, then put it back on. It may even just be clogged w/ dust.

Does your BIOS properly recognize your CPU? What are your voltages at? What kind of PSU do you have?

 

[rhizaowns]

I've had my CPU and heatsink for a year. I've removed and reinstalled the heatsink many times.

The heatsink is hot to the touch, but not too hot to touch. The fan's on correctly. I'm sure of it.

I checked my voltages. Honestly, I have no idea what they mean so I'm just going to list them:

Vcore: 1.68V
+3.3V: 3.12
+5V: 4.91
+12V: 12.66


Also, I have no intake or exhaust case fans, but I don't think that would make my CPU be THAT hot. I have a desk fan blowing on my open case to keep my system even running. I just checked the temp in bios, 173F. And that's underclocked to 1100Mhz from a 2500+.

No one thinks the way my CPU is reported is weird?

http://www.soundsgoodllc.com/dxdiag.gif


edit: Oh yeah, I put in my friend's 2000+ earlier. It was 170F too. I'm starting to think it's my motherboard, because in his system it was at 110F, also with no intake/exhaust case fans, sans the desk fan. (and a crappier HSF)

Any other ideas?

 

[rhizaowns]

bump, no reply in 10 hours, and I really need help.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

List your full system specs please

 

[rhizaowns]

XP 2400+
Asus A7V333
Radeon 9800 Pro
512 PC3200
Thermosonic Thermoengine XTREME HSF
I dont know what kind of PSU

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Let's start basic, do you have the latest bios for your board? If not, download and flash it. Some temp reporting issues are cleared up with a bios update. I just looked up your cooler and both the solid and hollow models with stock fans look kind of whimpy for a 2ghz CPU, so I wouldn't besurprised if it isn't cutting it very well. I would suggest you use a high CFM fan if there isn't one already on it and see if along with the bios update the temps go down significantly. If you don't like the noise of a high CFM 60mm fan, I'd suggest replacing the whole cooler.

 

[rhizaowns]

any ideas on the messed up CPU report? see pic.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: rhizaowns
any ideas on the messed up CPU report? see pic.

I'm not certain what to make of that. Perhaps the clockspeed it's running at is causing the issue because such a model isn't in the CPU table? I think I would spring $20 for a Vantec Aeroflow and flash to the latest bios and try it@2ghz to see if that clears up all the issues, I have a feeling that cooler just ain't cutting it. BTW, does the bios identify the CPU@that speed?

 

[rhizaowns]

I'm going to try the latest bios today. The garbage characters show up at POST as well, and this is for ANY speed. But in BIOS, yes, it says 1100Mhz, or 1.4Ghz, or whichever I have it set on.

Thanks a lot for everybody's help.

 

[rhizaowns]

Update: I flashed my BIOS to the latest version and it fixed the CPU garbage character problem and lowered the temp my BIOS reports by about 20 degrees. I used one of my friends fans and it dropped my temperature about 30 more degrees. Thanks everybody.