P4 buned out?

[thanatopsizer]

I'm running a p4 2.4B in an ABIT IT7-Max2. My system has a nasty habbit of slowing down once in a while so bad that I can't even type a message to someone. While this is happening the XP task manager says my that the system idle process is using about 97% of the processor, so I know it is not another application causing the slowdown. When I have the FSB set to 133 (the default) my core temp is about 43 to 45 degrees, and that is with an alpha pal heatsink and a theral take 73 CFM 80MM fan. I have never heard of a P4 running so hot, even ov'd. What kind of temps are normal for everyone else and is it possible my chip is burnt?

 

[mechBgon]

You're not powering that fan off the motherboard, I hope. That could be a problem right there, since it draws a shocking 8W of power at full speed. That's 8W less for the CPU's power circuitry if you hitch it up to the mobo, and sure to fry a fan header as well.

You might want to double-check your thermal-throttling settings in your BIOS to ensure that the motherboard-level throttling isn't kicking in prematurely. Oter possible causes of excess heat production would be excess core voltage, or poor thermal contact between CPU and heatsink. Your default voltage would be 1.5V at low CPU loads, so if you go into the BIOS it should be showing something in that area. Wouldn't hurt to cast a critical eye over the other voltages too.

The CPU should begin its internal throttling at 67C core temperature, which your board may or may not be representing accurately.

Then there's the possibility of virus/worm infection or some other conflict. I see you dual-boot Linux and Windows... does it do that in Linux too?

 

[Tuff]

Leave the side of your case open and see if you still have the problems...with the case open your temp should drop for your cpu and your motherboard. Always remember....if you are blowing hot air onto your CPU...you are going to get a warmer than normal in box temp for all your hardware.

For example...if you have an internal temp of 30 cel in the box... you will be trying to cool with 30 cel air blowing on your cpu...you will not get very good cooling.

Tuff

 

[Duvie]

Sounds like it is throttling and may be doing it at a 87.5% level....

What are the temps at load?? Are you doing any other programs when you notice his typing issue...

Remember with the alpha they recommend a fan that sucks or pulls air off of heatsink not blo onto...Since you seem to be running maybe an old fan you have had with an athlon setup (cause the rpm is needless for these chips, just get an 80mm to 92mm panaflo or ystech fan and push 50cfm at 3700rpm or below.) and then you may think blow is the best method...

What I noticed with blow method is chip was a few degrees cooler initially at idle but the vid card, ram , and especially the northbridge mobo chipset temps were considerably higher and could be the cause as well...

 

[nealh]

first thing..the IT7 Max2 rev2 is reading temp too high...

I beleive that it is reading 8-10C too high...you can check at overclockers.com on this issue

Also I removed the side panel off my case and temp of case/system actually got hotter
cpu temp had no change

How can you tell if the cpu is throttling back....

 

[ErikaeanLogic]

Have you MemTest'ed your system? Failed hits to the memory cycles might produce what you describe.

Also, have you checked all of the processes which are running in Task Manager when this occurs? You may have some nasty spy-ware or virus eating up all of your cpu cycles. I wouldn't worry about the temp, as 43-45C under load is well within limits, IMHO. What's your system temp while this is happening? as long as the temperature delta (the difference between system and cpu temperatures) is under 20C under load, I think you'll be okay. If a P4 gets too hot, it will shut down your system automatically.

LMK how it goes, and good luck!