Overheating problems with GeForce2 MX400

[PolymerTim]

My computer crashes after a while in intense 3D games like UT and B&W. I'm pretty sure this is a heat problem from my video card. I have noticed others talking about geforce2 gts cards getting pretty hot. Doese anyone know if mx400's usually have this problem? The brand is Pine and I've noticed that it's the only brand that doesn't put a fan on the card. But when the computer locks up during gameplay, I can feel the HS on the card is barely warm, but the top of the card (opposite the MPU) is practically on fire. I'm guessing there's close to a 40 degree C difference between the two sides of the card. I'm currently getting a new case fan since I really needed one more anyway. I have also seen where some people attach an old cpu fan to the top of the card with double-sided tape and a couple of motherboard mounting brackets. Does anybody have any suggestions, comments, or rants?
I've also noticed the northbridge on my motherboard is just as hot during gameplay. If that's causing the problem, it may be a little harder to get to since the HS and fan for my SlotA Athlon partially eclipse the HS on the northbridge. (I think it is the northbridge, maybe the southbridge.)

My setup:
Athlon 500 (Slot A), 256MB RAM, MSI-6167 motherboard (with 2x AGP slot), Pine agp geforce2 mx400 with 64MB SDR RAM, 250W PS, and I don't think the rest matters.
I haven't done any overclocking or anything, so these parts are as is.

Tim

 

[dbal]

No overclocking means absolutely no chance of this card being overheated if everything is proper on it...Have u checked the heatsink lately? Seems like sth going on with it...
Does your mobo have any connector for a device thermal sensor cable? That would be useful to reassure the problem. How long has it been crashing? From the beginning?
Pine seems to have a good reputation by the way....

 

[PolymerTim]

Well, I don't know the best way to check the heatsink. It seems firmly attached, although it has some give, like the compound holding it down is rubbery, even when cold. I'm almost tempted to by some of that Artic Silver epoxy and reglue it. The heatsink itself never gets more than warm to the touch. Like I mentioned before, it's the topside that gets hot. You would think the HS would be pulling more heat out than that though.
Unfortunately my mobo doesn't have any heat sensors, but like I said before, I can feel which devices are getting hot.
Crashing started when I got this video card, but since then I've tried my old one and it crashes sometimes too. Of course, it was still a little cooler from winter when I got this card.

Any other ideas?

 

[PolymerTim]

I knew I needed another case fan, and the one I've got coming in the mail just might do the trick, but I still have to wonder about the video card putting out that much heat.

 

[dbal]

If we suppose that overheating is of your own perception as it cannot be monitored, how about other causes in crashing?
What card was your old one? Maybe ATi or 3dfx?? Did u uninstall properly all former video drivers? Does it sit properly in the AGP slot? BTW, the MX 400 needs no active cooling to work properly don't bother with extra vid card fans etc...