Windows Slowing down from HOT CPU Help

[neworder7]

Hi could someone tell me if your CPU gets too hot around 45-55 degrees
which mine sits at when its at idle or doing small tasks like word or
using the net. Would this affect the way windows runs?
As I have just noticed that my computer is starting to slow down and
even sometimes stop for a second as I work on it. For example playing a
MP3 or typing a word document or looking at using other programs.

Im currently using a Windows XP with a AMD 2400+ CPU on a MSI NForce 2
motherboard 2x 1gig sticks and 2x HD & ATI 9600. With a 300w power
supply

Also any recommendations on CPU fans under £10 i should buy to replace
my old one if required and PSU quiet PSU unties for under £25

Thanks

(e-mail address removed)

 

[kony]

Hi could someone tell me if your CPU gets too hot around 45-55 degrees
which mine sits at when its at idle or doing small tasks like word or
using the net. Would this affect the way windows runs?

No, there should be no difference in performance with
respect to a 55C temp.

As I have just noticed that my computer is starting to slow down and
even sometimes stop for a second as I work on it. For example playing a
MP3 or typing a word document or looking at using other programs.

A complete halting of everything but no crash? If so, that
seems most like a bad drive cable or failing hard drive.

Im currently using a Windows XP with a AMD 2400+ CPU on a MSI NForce 2
motherboard 2x 1gig sticks and 2x HD & ATI 9600. With a 300w power
supply

If it's a generic PSU, your drive might be struggling...
even if it's a PSU problem I'd still suspect it being
manifested in drive problems.

Either that, or your might have some
malware/virus/spyware/etc on the system - scan it
extensively.

Also any recommendations on CPU fans under £10 i should buy to replace
my old one if required and PSU quiet PSU unties for under £25

Sparkle 350W is about the least I"d recommend, and good
value. If CPU never gets above 55C there is no pressing
need to replace the heatsink/fan just yet- though if it's at
55C under only a light load, it might get even hotter under
full load, and in that situation it could be necessary to
replace the heatsink, but not to resolve the current issue
of it misperforming at only 55C.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

On most AMD processors, if it heats up, it fries and will not work for long.

You can add case fans to improve the air circulation. The standard AMD CPU
fan should be ok.

Power supplies should be rated for 400 watts or more.



Hi could someone tell me if your CPU gets too hot around 45-55 degrees
which mine sits at when its at idle or doing small tasks like word or
using the net. Would this affect the way windows runs?
As I have just noticed that my computer is starting to slow down and
even sometimes stop for a second as I work on it. For example playing a
MP3 or typing a word document or looking at using other programs.

Im currently using a Windows XP with a AMD 2400+ CPU on a MSI NForce 2
motherboard 2x 1gig sticks and 2x HD & ATI 9600. With a 300w power
supply

Also any recommendations on CPU fans under £10 i should buy to replace
my old one if required and PSU quiet PSU unties for under £25

Thanks

(e-mail address removed)

 

[chris]

I agree that the 300w PS is inadequate. However, I have a similar setup and
my Antec 350W PS is working just fine.

 

[Mxsmanic]

Hi could someone tell me if your CPU gets too hot around 45-55 degrees
which mine sits at when its at idle or doing small tasks like word or
using the net.

Forty-five degrees isn't hot. Fifty-five is warm but conceivable if
ventilation in the case isn't that good. Neither should harm the
machine.

Would this affect the way windows runs?
No.

As I have just noticed that my computer is starting to slow down and
even sometimes stop for a second as I work on it. For example playing a
MP3 or typing a word document or looking at using other programs.

It's not the CPU, at least not at that temperature.

If this is new, malware infection is a very likely cause, if you have
any kind of network connection on the machine.

Im currently using a Windows XP with a AMD 2400+ CPU on a MSI NForce 2
motherboard 2x 1gig sticks and 2x HD & ATI 9600. With a 300w power
supply

Does everything in the machine add up to less than 300 watts?

Also any recommendations on CPU fans under £10 i should buy to replace
my old one if required and PSU quiet PSU unties for under £25

Lots of fans are less than £10 (most, I'd say). Don't skimp on fans;
buy good ones and keep your machine reliably cool for a long time.

 

[BlastUK]

amd thunderbirds have 2 types
one burns out at 90c, other burns out at 95c
you can find this info on their website.. nothing to worry about tbh
i'd say you're computer is bogged down from misbehaving software.. also
your psu does seem somewhat underpowered

to those who say "check if everything adds up to 300w"
go die because you count by rails not by watts
a 300w psu with good rails can be better than a 400w psu with crap rails

 

[citizen142]

Those temps are not excesively hot. Have a look at your fan is it
covered in hard impacted dust? I cleaned mine of impacted dust and the
CPU temp dropped considerably.

http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/Articles/CPU/CPU Temperatures.shtml

 

[spodosaurus]

I agree that the 300w PS is inadequate. However, I have a similar setup and
my Antec 350W PS is working just fine.

Antec make better PSUs, so an Antec 350W PSU will usually be much better
than some generic crappy 350W PSU. I like Antec for cases as well.


--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

 

[neworder7]

Forty-five degrees isn't hot. Fifty-five is warm but conceivable if
ventilation in the case isn't that good. Neither should harm the
machine.


It's not the CPU, at least not at that temperature.

If this is new, malware infection is a very likely cause, if you have
any kind of network connection on the machine.

I have connection to the net but i have Norton 2005 and 2 spy ware
programs that i update and scan regulary.

Does everything in the machine add up to less than 300 watts?

Yeah it does 280w or something like that.

 

[Skybuck Flying]

First check if it's not a software problem.

Some processs might be running at 99% cpu.

I think ms-word had some kind of program that caused that.

Can't remember what it's called at the moment.

Some kind of indexing program or something. Shut-it-down.

Bye,
Skybuck.


Hi could someone tell me if your CPU gets too hot around 45-55 degrees
which mine sits at when its at idle or doing small tasks like word or
using the net. Would this affect the way windows runs?
As I have just noticed that my computer is starting to slow down and
even sometimes stop for a second as I work on it. For example playing a
MP3 or typing a word document or looking at using other programs.

Im currently using a Windows XP with a AMD 2400+ CPU on a MSI NForce 2
motherboard 2x 1gig sticks and 2x HD & ATI 9600. With a 300w power
supply

Also any recommendations on CPU fans under £10 i should buy to replace
my old one if required and PSU quiet PSU unties for under £25

Thanks

(e-mail address removed)

 

[kony]

On most AMD processors, if it heats up, it fries and will not work for long.

You can add case fans to improve the air circulation. The standard AMD CPU
fan should be ok.

Power supplies should be rated for 400 watts or more.

Irrelevant, 55C is not overheated yet and will not slow down
windows. There would be no change in windows from reducing
the temp of a 55C Athlon.

 

[Mxsmanic]

I have connection to the net but i have Norton 2005 and 2 spy ware
programs that i update and scan regulary.

Perhaps, but nowadays malware is the first suspect when a user
complains of a PC suddenly slowing down or stopping without any
obvious explanation.

Severe disk problems can cause this too. If your power supply has not
been providing clean power for any reason, the risk of disk failure is
somewhat increased. Using a UPS can reduce the risks (for every part
of the PC, but particularly disk drives).

 

[fj]

Forty-five degrees isn't hot. Fifty-five is warm but conceivable if
ventilation in the case isn't that good. Neither should harm the
machine.


It's not the CPU, at least not at that temperature.

If this is new, malware infection is a very likely cause, if you have
any kind of network connection on the machine.

I have connection to the net but i have Norton 2005 and 2 spy ware
programs that i update and scan regulary.

Does everything in the machine add up to less than 300 watts?

Yeah it does 280w or something like that.

If it's really ~ 280w, that would be over 90% of max - generally it's good
practice to keep the power supply operating below, say, 70% of max. Many
will say it should be in the 50% range.
General, the efficiency of a PS is best around 50% [just means that for the
power requirement for your system, the PS will generate less heat than one
that is operating less efficient].
If nothing else, operating close to the max exposes your system to effects
of spikes in power requirements pushing the load over max. [As noted below,
'max' is really only relevant by 'rail' i.e., 5v, 3.3v, 12 volt rails.]
Here's a calculator to estimate your power requirements.

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

 

[neworder7]

So does this mean i should be getting a 500w PSU or is a 400watt PSU
fine.

Forty-five degrees isn't hot. Fifty-five is warm but conceivable if
ventilation in the case isn't that good. Neither should harm the
machine.


It's not the CPU, at least not at that temperature.

If this is new, malware infection is a very likely cause, if you have
any kind of network connection on the machine.

I have connection to the net but i have Norton 2005 and 2 spy ware
programs that i update and scan regulary.

Does everything in the machine add up to less than 300 watts?

Yeah it does 280w or something like that.

If it's really ~ 280w, that would be over 90% of max - generally it's good
practice to keep the power supply operating below, say, 70% of max. Many
will say it should be in the 50% range.
General, the efficiency of a PS is best around 50% [just means that for the
power requirement for your system, the PS will generate less heat than one
that is operating less efficient].
If nothing else, operating close to the max exposes your system to effects
of spikes in power requirements pushing the load over max. [As noted below,
'max' is really only relevant by 'rail' i.e., 5v, 3.3v, 12 volt rails.]
Here's a calculator to estimate your power requirements.

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

Lots of fans are less than £10 (most, I'd say). Don't skimp on fans;
buy good ones and keep your machine reliably cool for a long time.

 

[Wes Newell]

So does this mean i should be getting a 500w PSU or is a 400watt PSU
fine.

You should be getting the largest you can afford. And you can get 600W for
under $20, 550W for under $15, and 500W for about $12.

 

[Rob Morley]

So does this mean i should be getting a 500w PSU or is a 400watt PSU
fine.

You should work out the maximum current that your equipment requires
from each rail, and buy a PSU that can sustain that output. Total power
rating can be fairly meaningless, and the ratings for cheap PSUs can be
fairly meaningless - you could find a cheap PSU with a high rating is
inadequate for your needs while a better quality PSU with a lower rating
will work fine.

 

[Leythos]

You should be getting the largest you can afford. And you can get 600W for
under $20, 550W for under $15, and 500W for about $12.

Don't buy a cheap $20 PSU, get an Antec 450W or 550W power supply, they
will provide better power, provide the full rated loads, and are well
worth their money: About $50~70 most places.

 

[spodosaurus]

Don't buy a cheap $20 PSU, get an Antec 450W or 550W power supply, they
will provide better power, provide the full rated loads, and are well
worth their money: About $50~70 most places.

Agreed. Buying a cheap PSU is asking for trouble.

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

 

[David Maynard]

You should be getting the largest you can afford. And you can get 600W for
under $20, 550W for under $15, and 500W for about $12.

And at those prices not a one of them will actually put out the stated watts.

 

[Wes Newell]

And at those prices not a one of them will actually put out the stated watts.

And neither will some name brand models that cost 5 times more, so what's
your point? Hmmm.... I need 400W, so I buy a 400Antec that will put out
400W for say $50, or I buy a 600W for $18 that will only put out 550W. Now
which is the best deal? But wait, you say the Antec has larger caps. Wow,
so instead of the system crashing in 5ms during a brownout, the Antac will
go for 10ms. Spend the money you save on a UPS. That's muxh more
important than a name brand PSU.

My cheap 600W that some name brand zealots predicted would be dead within
a year is now into the 18th month of 24/7 operation Both my cheap PSU's
for my K7 systems are still going after 5 years, and the really cheap 400W
in my current backup K7 system is still going after about 3 years. if you
want bragging rights, buy a name brand.