Wierd computer issues - heat, instability, boot problems

[brikis98]

First, my system specs:

MSI Neo4-f s939 motherboard (latest BIOS)
AMD x2 3800+ @ stock (110W version)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro
2x1GB Mushkin DDR500 3-8-4-3@1T
MSI x1900xtx @ stock
Seagate 7200.10 320GB
Soundblaster Audigy
Enhance 5140 400W PSU
WinXP Pro, SP2

Here is the list of problems I'm having:

1. My CPU is running way too hot for stock settings. I used to have a Thermaltake TR2TT M6 (K8) HSF and ran this CPU at 2.5Ghz with idle temp of ~37C and load of ~50C (which was borderline acceptable for a 25% OC). I got the freezer 64 pro because it's quieter and was supposed to be better, but at STOCK (2.0Ghz) settings, my CPU is running at an idle temp of ~39C and a load temp of 52C. Why the huge jump in temps?

2. Every now and then, when I push the power button on my computer or during a reboot, I hear the fans spin up but the system doesn't turn on. If I push the reset button, it turns on fine, but why the screw up now and then?

3. I have some odd instability in the computer that I didn't use to have: occasionally (1-2 times per week?) games will totally freeze up my computer so that I have to use the reset button. This includes Splinter Cell: Double agent, NFS: MW and some others. It will also occasionally freeze on boot, either during the Windows splash screen or just on desktop.

Here is the list of things I've changed/tried/noticed:

1. I have reset the HSF a couple times using Arctic Silver 5 (small drop in the middle) without any improvement. I'm confident I've installed it properly and that its fan is working fine, but the CPU temps would indicate otherwise.

2. I got a new hard drive recently (the Seagate 7200.10) and did a fresh install of Windows but have the exact same results. All my drivers are up to date and I have the latest BIOS. So it's probably not a software/drivers issue.

3. The instability (problem #3) does not seem to be heat, as I've had the temps logged during gaming, and they never go above ~52C and some of the lock ups happen at much lower temps (such as during windows boot).

What the heck is going on?

 

[brikis98]

ttt

 

[KGB]

Brik,

1. Those temps are fine. I wouldn't worry about them. Just in case: under load, does the heatsink feel warm to the touch?

2. Have you tried clearing the CMOS on your MB? Think of it as an enema for the MB.

3. Have you tested you DIMMs using MemTest?

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
Brik,

1. Those temps are fine. I wouldn't worry about them. Just in case: under load, does the heatsink feel warm to the touch?

2. Have you tried clearing the CMOS on your MB? Think of it as an enema for the MB.

3. Have you tested you DIMMs using MemTest?

thanks for the reply...

1. it's not that i think the temps are unreasonable... what bugs me is that going from that thermaltake HSF to a (supposedly better) freezer 64 pro and going back to STOCK settings has INCREASED temps compared to a 500Mhz OC!!

2. i've reset the CMOS by pushing the red button next to the battery... does that count as "cleaning" or would I need to actually pull the battery out?

3. I did, but with diff settings... I'll try again tonight.

 

[brikis98]

ttt

 

[Tlkki]

1. Its not too hot
2. That might be failure to POST. Same as in my case. Check your vCore.
3. Freezing = too high OC or too little juice to the CPU.

4. Do the memtest.

 

[brikis98]

I appreciate the help folks, but the CPU is too hot for stock settings if it ran cooler when OCed before. The vCore is at stock. there is no OC now with the freezing, so that can't be it. I went to the gf's house last night, so i'll actually run memtest tonight...