CPU overheating causing shutdown

Somey Nooby

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2010
5
0
0
Hi All,

2 weeks ago, my PC was shutting down out of nowhere, or so I thought. I would try to turn it on after it shuts down but it would not even go to the windows loading page before it shuts down again.

I finally decided to look at the BIOS PC health status and saw my CPU temp rise all the way to 115C before it shuts down... So I went to look to see if the heatsink was on properly and noticed that two "locks" were not tight... This PC has been running for around 3 years and I am positive when I built it, all four corners of the heatsink were clamped onto the motherboard.

I clamped on the two corners and the cpu would go to around 70s to mid 80s. I know this is high but I kinda ignored it, stupid me if you will.

I then bought a new video card just this week to support some HDMI. After installation my cpu would once again reach over 100C before shutting down. I doubt this has anything to do with my GPU installation but its just that I didnt correct the problem that was there right away.

I was then running some tests by putting my machine in cooler environments/at night/etc and it would take longer before reaching 100C where I would just power it down. I then took out all my parts to clean the dust. I noticed the heatsink paste was all dried up but the cpu looks fine, as in its not burnt after all the times it would go up to 100C.

I am planning to just buy new paste to put on but I cant help but think my cpu is someone severely damaged after all the instances of it going to 100C.

I guess I am just asking what is the damage done to my cpu? to my motherboard? Is buying a new heatsink really that much better in comparison to stock, even if I do not overclock? What should do range in temp I should be aiming for?

Just general questions.
 

Somey Nooby

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2010
5
0
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Forgot to list specs

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
OCZ 2x1GB DDR2 Dual Channel RAM
msi GeForce 460GTX 1GB Cyclone
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ATX LGA775
600W OCZ Power Supply
 

WoodButcher

Platinum Member
Mar 10, 2001
2,158
0
76
The cpu should be OK but I'd be willing to bet the pins on the heatsink are damaged in some way. I'd get a better sink or at least give the old pins a thorough eye balling and give it a shot.
 

Atara

Banned
Jun 9, 2010
46
0
0
You should definitely buy a cheapish heatsink to replace what you have, something like this would be good if you've got a frys nearby http://www.frys.com/product/6262710?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG. Your processor SHOULD be fine since your computer was shutting off when the chip got too hot, can always return the heatsink if that's not the issue as well.
 

Somey Nooby

Junior Member
Aug 11, 2010
5
0
0
Thanks for the feedback, Im going to try just adding new thermal paste since the old one dried out. Kind of do not want to get a heatsink just yet as I might upgrade so thats money down the drain as I do not know what processor I want. And the one I do want and can support anything, the Coolermaster 212 4Heatpipe or something along those lines, is currently not available at my local store.
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
thermal past doesn't dry usually, it's normal that it doesn't look good. If you removed the cpu the footprint may be wrong.
Push-pins are likely to be broken.

get that 15$ cooler or anything similar, they are better than the stock one, it's almost free, and it's 1156 compatible.
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
i dont think the paste is the issue. Its those god awful push pins(seriously WTF was intel thinking when they decided that was a good attachment method?)