Non overclocked system overheating like a mutha

[hobbnet]

Hey all,
I have a amd xp 1800 system with a Gigabyte Motherboard Model #GA7-DX. I have 256mb DDR RAM and a lowly Voodoo3 video card running in my system.

Now, when I run any type of 3D game (counterstrike, Warcraft 3, etc.) the games crash after playing for a few minutes. So, I cracked open the case and put a house fan on it and it no longer crashes my games. But, obviously, I don't want to have a house fan on it all the time.

Since I'm not overclocking I am really puzzled as to why it is overheating so bad. I also used to have a geforce2 mx/400 64mb video card in the system that had its own fan and it would overheat also.

Any wise suggestions out there?


Thanks a million!

 

[Shaorinor]

You have a front intake and rear exhaust fan in your case?

What's the ambient temp. of the system?

 

[J3anyus]

What kind of heatsink and what kind of paste?

 

[mechBgon]

Overclocked or not, you should have an auxiliary exhaust fan on an AthlonXP system. AMD goes out of their way to recommend it. If you don't have one already, here's a versatile one that comes with everything you'd need (assuming your case has a vacant hole for it): 80mm adjustable-speed dual-ball-bearing exhaust fan

 

[ChrisADuffy]

These are cool especially if you don't like pink and like cheaper shipping. The Blue 80x25mm Clear Ultra-Cool fan features a built-in Speed Dial you can use for variable settings from 1000 to 3000 RPM.