Computer Temperatures

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imagoogler

I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem. I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.

Is this a overheating problem? If these temps are okay, then I will
know it's a hardware problem.

My computer shuts down periodically during the day. (I'm not a gamer, I
just run a few things at a time).

The error that comes up is a hardware error, but my friend thinks it's
a CPU overheating problem. I just don't know the HIGH temp for a
computer where it will shut down my computer. In BIOS, I have the "shut
down computer when it reaches this certain temp" option disabled. So
I'm confused. Please clarify.
 
Dont know if your problem is definately CPU overheat but as a reference I
have just built an Athlon 64 3000 system, with a CPU temp of 28c - 35c, even
lower than my Athlon XP at 40c - 58c.

70c does seem a tad high !

I use Nexus Heatsink/Fans which are very quiet and if mounted properly very
efficient.

Hope this helps.

JB
 
70 C is the LIMIT for an Intel processor and will shut down the computer.
Yes, you have a CPU overheating problem.
 
I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem. I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.

Is this a overheating problem? If these temps are okay, then I will
know it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...

Yes, the CPU temp is the important one. Anything over 60c on my computer
sets of an alarm.
My computer shuts down periodically during the day. (I'm not a gamer, I
just run a few things at a time).
Click to expand...

This is due to the motherboard's protection system. It shuts down in the
event of the CPU overheating.
The error that comes up is a hardware error, but my friend thinks it's
a CPU overheating problem. I just don't know the HIGH temp for a
computer where it will shut down my computer. In BIOS, I have the "shut
down computer when it reaches this certain temp" option disabled. So
I'm confused. Please clarify.
Click to expand...

She's right. You didn't give any info, but the hottest factory CPU I can
think of is the current crop of Intel P4 Prescotts. I have a friend with a
stock HSF combo running around 57c at idle on that system, but it never gets
to 70c. If your system runs at idle at 70c, then you probably don't have
your heatsink properly seated OR your missing or don't have enough thermal
compound between the heatsink and CPU. I suggest reseating the heatsink
after you've cleaned it and the CPU off and taken off any thermal coatings
or pads between them and replaced it with a dab of fresh Artic Silver. Not
too much or it'll spill over when they get mashed together and cause
problems with other electrical stuff. Then, make completely sure the
heatsink is completely seated, clicking in all corners all the way on the P4
heatsink or whatever system you use on a AMD, if that's the case.

If that doesn't work, look closely at the path of air travel in your case.
Possibly add more fans, or clear the path from front to back, tucking in
ribbon cables so that they don't restrict airflow.

If that doesn't work, you might look into a quality aftermaket heatsink
combo.
 
I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem. I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.
Click to expand...

A temperature of 70° C is too high for most processors. Have you
actually looked inside the case and verified that the CPU fan is
running? As long as the fan is running, the temperature should not be
that high, especially if the system temperature is 38° (which may or
may not be warm, depending on where the temperature is measured).
Is this a overheating problem? If these temps are okay, then I will
know it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...

It may well be an overheating problem.
My computer shuts down periodically during the day. (I'm not a gamer, I
just run a few things at a time).
Click to expand...

That's one symptom of overheating. The machine may also freeze up
mysteriously, or you may get very bizarre application exceptions in
all sorts of applications that never had problems before.
The error that comes up is a hardware error, but my friend thinks it's
a CPU overheating problem. I just don't know the HIGH temp for a
computer where it will shut down my computer. In BIOS, I have the "shut
down computer when it reaches this certain temp" option disabled.
Click to expand...

Turn the option on and set the temperature gradually upwards until you
have a problem. If the problem persists even when the system is at a
low temperature, it's something else.

However, given the unusually high temp of your CPU, I'd tend to think
that overheating has something to do with it.
 
Mxsmanic said:
A temperature of 70° C is too high for most processors. Have you
actually looked inside the case and verified that the CPU fan is
running?
Click to expand...

Of course. It's running. I have three fans going on my tower, two out,
one on my cpu.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Don't computers usually get a blue screen when overheating? Mine just
shuts down and when it comes back it gives me this error:

<verbatim>

5_1_2600 blah blah 768_1

Something very close to this is the error message I get.

Anyway, thanks again.

My specs are:

XP Home AMD Athlon 2000
512 RAM
 
Ruel said:
If your system runs at idle at 70c, then you probably don't have
your heatsink properly seated OR your missing or don't have enough thermal
compound between the heatsink and CPU. I suggest reseating the heatsink
after you've cleaned it and the CPU off and taken off any thermal coatings
or pads between them and replaced it with a dab of fresh Artic Silver. Not
too much or it'll spill over when they get mashed together and cause
problems with other electrical stuff. Then, make completely sure the
heatsink is completely seated, clicking in all corners all the way on the P4
heatsink or whatever system you use on a AMD, if that's the case.
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to have to go this route. I'll just readjust the
heatsink and dab it with some Artic. And yes, it's an AMD Athlon 2000
system.

I was just confused with that error reading I get when it reboots. What
do you think that's all about? Error reads something 5_1_2600 - 768_1
Product (verbatim). I know it's basically a hardware/driver problem (I
believe it's my video card), so I wasn't sure whether to get the artic
or shop for another geforce card.

I appreciate your help.

--Phil
 
Mxsmanic wrote:
....

Don't computers usually get a blue screen when overheating?
Mine just shuts down...
Click to expand...

I think Mxsmanic is correct, that might be the symptom if your
computer has automatic shutdown on overheat. Makes sense, don't
it?
 
John said:
I think Mxsmanic is correct, that might be the symptom if your
computer has automatic shutdown on overheat. Makes sense, don't
it?
Click to expand...

It makes *perfect* sense. I just don't get the error message after the
computer reboots.

--Phil
 
I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem.
Click to expand...

What's the problem?
I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.
Click to expand...

Which CPU are you running? Is the 70c idle or under load? It *might* be
within the spec for the CPU, but if it were my system I'd be very
uncomfortable with running it that hot.
Is this a overheating problem? If these temps are okay, then I will
know it's a hardware problem.

My computer shuts down periodically during the day. (I'm not a gamer, I
just run a few things at a time).

The error that comes up is a hardware error, but my friend thinks it's
a CPU overheating problem. I just don't know the HIGH temp for a
computer where it will shut down my computer. In BIOS, I have the "shut
down computer when it reaches this certain temp" option disabled. So
I'm confused. Please clarify.
Click to expand...


--
spammage trappage: replace fishies_ with yahoo

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/
 
I think I'm going to have to go this route. I'll just readjust the
heatsink and dab it with some Artic. And yes, it's an AMD Athlon 2000
system.
Click to expand...

The 70C is within spec for that Athlon, assuming the motherboard is
using the on die sensor and not a dodgy external sensor. That said, I
have an XP 2000 system and I wouldn't want it idling at 70c!

Regarding the heat sink and fan, there are a few things you should do:
1. Search the archives for this group (using google groups) and you'll
find a lot of information about how to remove the old thermal compound
and how to properly reapply a small amount of new thermal compound.
2. After removing the HSF unit, carefully clean the dust out of the heat
sink and fan.
I was just confused with that error reading I get when it reboots. What
do you think that's all about? Error reads something 5_1_2600 - 768_1
Product (verbatim). I know it's basically a hardware/driver problem (I
believe it's my video card), so I wasn't sure whether to get the artic
or shop for another geforce card.
Click to expand...

It could be both. You should update to the latest nvidia drivers for
your geforce card as well as making sure that the fan for the card is
free of dust and is turning smoothly. I just helped a friend with a
similar problem. She was certain that the OS was going to need to be
reinstalled. The real problem was her video card fan was clogged with
dust and causing reboots.

Carefully clean out the dust from other fans that your system may have,
too. You might as well while you're in there.

Cheers,

Ari
I appreciate your help.

--Phil
Click to expand...


--
spammage trappage: replace fishies_ with yahoo

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/
 
Don't computers usually get a blue screen when overheating?
Click to expand...

Rarely, I think. More often you'll see extremely bizarre application
exceptions and system crashes, sometimes with a blue screen, but
sometimes not. It all depends on exactly what the PC is doing when
the processor hiccups. As the processor deteriorates, it malfunctions
more and more, until you can't even get the machine to boot.
Mine just shuts down and when it comes back it gives me
this error:
Click to expand...

In general, any mysterious increase in application exceptions or
operating system crashes, or any other bizarre behavior that cannot be
explained by recent software changes (including malware infections),
is likely to be due to hardware, particularly processor failures (and
sometimes memory failures). Manifestations vary by individual case.

On my server, I started getting segment violations. At first it
seemed like an OS bug. But they increased in number, and they started
appearing in daemons that had never had any other problem before at
all. It was just too bizarre to see continual segment violations in
so many different, independent programs. It got worse and worse and
finally it was impossible to boot the machine. It was slightly
temperature-sensitive as well. Finally I realized that it had to be
the processor and I replaced the machine.

On my desktop, it started as weird reboots in the middle of the night.
All would be well when I sat back in front of the PC, but I'd notice
that it had booted. Then it started happening in games. I thought it
was a video driver, especially since Windows claimed that some of the
crashes were driver-related. But then it started happening
everywhere, all the time. I saw the handwriting on the wall (or
should I say on the monitor), and replaced the machine.

The new machines use Intel processors and have a truckload of fans.
Hopefully I'll be able to avoid any overheating damage in the future.
It's an expensive problem when it arises.
 
It makes *perfect* sense. I just don't get the error message after the
computer reboots.
Click to expand...

Most operating systems, including Windows, are really, really bad at
accurately reporting what caused a system crash. It's like tossing
darts trying to figure out what actually happened. Even with symbol
tables or a debug version of the OS, it's like finding a needle in a
haystack in many cases.

However, I'd venture to say that if the cause _isn't_ obvious, that
may be one symptom of a processor failure. An intermittent processor
failure will often cause almost completely random failures all over
the OS and in applications. If you start getting divide-by-zero
exceptions every five minutes in Notepad, you probably have a
processor problem.
 
I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem. I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.

Is this a overheating problem?
Click to expand...

Sounds like it to me.


I suspect that either the mother board is faulty and sensing wrong or
the HFS combo has been badly fitted.If under warranty return to
vedor,if not post back.
 
You can try using a program called motherboard monitor. It's freeware and
available all over the place. It will display what the temperatures are. As
too whether or not your cpu is running too hot, you would need to check with
the manufacturer's web site and see what the normal operating range is for
that particular processor.
 
I'm trying to diagnose my computer problem right now and I'm not sure
if it's a CPU temp problem or a hardware problem. I'm a relative newbie
when it comes to this, so bare with me please. When I go into BIOS, I
see two temperature readings. System Temp and CPU Temp. Which is the
important one to look for? Right now my system temp runs around 38c/76f
and my CPU temp runs 70c/158f.

Is this a overheating problem? If these temps are okay, then I will
know it's a hardware problem.

My computer shuts down periodically during the day. (I'm not a gamer, I
just run a few things at a time).

The error that comes up is a hardware error, but my friend thinks it's
a CPU overheating problem. I just don't know the HIGH temp for a
computer where it will shut down my computer. In BIOS, I have the "shut
down computer when it reaches this certain temp" option disabled. So
I'm confused. Please clarify.
Click to expand...

A fact that everyone missed, although not probative. 38 C equals 100.4
F. The formula is F=1.8(C)+32
 
If you think it's a heat problem then run the PC without the case cover.
Also include a standard house fan nearby so that it's circulating the air in
and around the PC. See if it stays on for the day.

I'd be inclinded to recommend a full virus scan with up to date definition
files...... just to eliminate that as a possible.

So don't keep us in the dark....... what's the error message? Word for word
please.
 
Daniel said:
A fact that everyone missed, although not probative. 38 C equals 100.4
F. The formula is F=1.8(C)+32
Click to expand...

What CPU??? A high speed Prescot often runs at 70C, any other, is a bit
on the high side. Check CPU cooler, fan speed and correct fitting.
Mike.
 
Michael said:
What CPU??? A high speed Prescot often runs at 70C ...
Click to expand...

What is a high-speed Prescott? I have a P4 3.0 GHz 530J, is that a
high-speed Prescott? I don't understand all these code names.
 
Mxsmanic said:
What is a high-speed Prescott? I have a P4 3.0 GHz 530J, is that a
high-speed Prescott? I don't understand all these code names.
Click to expand...
I have the P4 I-6xx 3.6ghz (Prescott/Tejas??) I dunno....:-). It is a S-775
with 2mb L2. It runs between the high 30sC and mid 50sC. I had some temp
problems that were solved by changing my case ventilation (thanks David) and
removing the Intel pad and using some thermal compound I had on the shelf. I
never saw any temps like 70C though. My concern was the idle temps that were
in the mid-upper 40s. CPU Burn would get it up close to 60-62C, but not over
that. Since the changes, idle is upper 30s, stress 50-53.

Ed
 
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