System shuts down itself, core temps arnd 83-85C

[mishu.1985]

I have a core2Duo system, T5800 2ghz. TJmax is 85 degrees.
correct me if i'm wrong - i think TJmax is the temperature beyond which the cpu chips will start taking a serious hit on prolonged use.
my problem: my system shuts down by itself. it's 2 yrs old.

i cudnt understand what the problem was, tried formatting the whole thing, and the problem persists. then i tried running 3-4 different core temperature monitors simultaneously - all showed my 'distance to TJmax' to be around 2-5 degrees under moderate strain (a couple of heavy duty websites, or a couple of multiple layered files editing in photoshop for example). and sometimes, it just plain shuts down on me.

maybe i'm a li'l dull, but am i thinking in the right direction? and is the information i've given adequate to arrive at any conclusion? i'd really appreciate some help here..

 

[Rifter]

you did not mention what type of heatsink you are using? Also is it clean? no dust build up? fan still spinning?

 

[hellotyler]

Get a nice new cpu cooler and reapply thermal paste, my core 2 duo doesn't even go over 49c during load with the arctic pro cooler.

 

[Zap]

Get a nice new cpu cooler and reapply thermal paste, my core 2 duo doesn't even go over 49c during load with the arctic pro cooler.

Good luck on installing an aftermarket HSF into the OP's notebook computer.

mishu.1985, the first thing to do is to use some compressed air and blow out the CPU.

The second thing is to make sure that you allow power management to step down the CPU when idle (helps cool it off between peaks). If there isn't any custom software for that by your notebook vendor, just set Windows Power Options to Optimized.

The third thing to do is to make sure the notebook gets airflow. Don't ever use it on a bed or lap (blankets/clothing is guaranteed to overheat it). Use it on a desktop/hard surface, and use some kind of notebook stand or cooler. You can even rig up something, anything, to prop up the back of it for additional airflow. I've found on one of my notebooks that even propping it up a single inch will lower the CPU temperature by 5°C. Here are some pictures of my setup.

Before:

After:

 

[Binky]

This is your problem: 'distance to TJmax' to be around 2-5 degrees

That means you're 2-5 degress from the max allowable temp! Not good.

 

[mindwreck]

its probably packed with dust.

 

[mishu.1985]

Good luck on installing an aftermarket HSF into the OP's notebook computer.

mishu.1985, the first thing to do is to use some compressed air and blow out the CPU.

The second thing is to make sure that you allow power management to step down the CPU when idle (helps cool it off between peaks). If there isn't any custom software for that by your notebook vendor, just set Windows Power Options to Optimized.

The third thing to do is to make sure the notebook gets airflow. Don't ever use it on a bed or lap (blankets/clothing is guaranteed to overheat it). Use it on a desktop/hard surface, and use some kind of notebook stand or cooler. You can even rig up something, anything, to prop up the back of it for additional airflow. I've found on one of my notebooks that even propping it up a single inch will lower the CPU temperature by 5°C. Here are some pictures of my setup.

Before:

After:

thanks a lot mate... that certainly seems to be helping. system's been running a lot more stable since I've done what you suggested (ie the propping up bit.)

it is, however, still going kaput on me at times - though less frequently now. I would blow out the cpu certainly, but thing is I'm not exactly sure where i should be doing that - around the air vents perhaps? And maybe I should have mentioned this earlier - I'm using a dell inspiron.

 

[Rifter]

yeah i totally missed the mobile CPU part. You can try some compressed air through the vent but i have found with most laptops you will need to take the case apart to properly clean the CPU heatsink. You can pay most computer shops to do this for you for $50 or so if you dont feel comfortable taking apart your own laptop.

 

[MrK6]

I agree with Zap's suggestions. To note, one of the many reasons I love Dell laptops: online system maintenance manuals http://support.dell.com/support/top...info/manuals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml . Select your model, open up the html version, and have a looksie. If you feel comfortable taking apart your laptop, this is the best way to clean it. Generally the heatsink gets clogged with dust and the factory TIM degrades over time (especially with a lot of heat). When I was a PC Tech this was one of the most common "repairs" I ended up doing, and it works wonders.

If you don't feel comfortable taking apart your laptop, buy a can of compressed air and empty it into the heatsink and fan in every angle you can think of to try to get most of the dust out.