Overheating problems

[32andtwentyseven]

Ok here is the story.

I bought a new Power Supply, which I fitted fine. However it is a
"quiet" power supply and dumps a load of heat inside my case.

As a result my Graphics Card fan now prefers to work at 100% even when
my PC is idle. So it is working harder to maintain the same
temperature. (around 60c)

I measure my CPU temps at 46c and 48c as I am writing this.

However when I play full screen games, after a while my system just
shuts off without warning (presumably to prevent damage from a certain
component overheating).

So there are 2 things I want to do

1. Find out which component(s) are overheating.
2. Fix the overheating problem but replacing GPU or CPU fans with more
efficient ones (depending on what component is causing the problem).

How can I go about doing this? And can anyone suggest anything I may
have missed out?

Thank you

 

[Paul]

Ok here is the story.

I bought a new Power Supply, which I fitted fine. However it is a
"quiet" power supply and dumps a load of heat inside my case.

As a result my Graphics Card fan now prefers to work at 100% even when
my PC is idle. So it is working harder to maintain the same
temperature. (around 60c)

I measure my CPU temps at 46c and 48c as I am writing this.

However when I play full screen games, after a while my system just
shuts off without warning (presumably to prevent damage from a certain
component overheating).

So there are 2 things I want to do

1. Find out which component(s) are overheating.
2. Fix the overheating problem but replacing GPU or CPU fans with more
efficient ones (depending on what component is causing the problem).

How can I go about doing this? And can anyone suggest anything I may
have missed out?

Thank you

The PSU fan is not enough to cool the computer case.

There should be a separate exhaust fan, below the PSU.
In this example, you can see room for a 120mm exhaust
fan, just below the PSU.

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-129-155-06.jpg

Once you have corrected the too-high computer case internal
air temperature, then you can check the temps on your CPU and
GPU again.

When you are telling someone about your temps, you should be
measuring three things.

1) Room temperature.
2) Computer case internal temperature. This is called motherboard
temperature sometimes. The idea is to determine the air temperature
inside the case. Hot air makes it harder for the CPU or GPU
coolers to do their job.
3) CPU and GPU temperatures under load. After all, you don't
want the computer to shut down when gaming, so you need to
fix the cooling when the gear is under load.

Right now, my room temp is 24C, computer case 27C, and CPU 30C.
If I start gaming, CPU goes to 43C and the case air temp goes
up a degree or so.

I use a 120mm square exhaust fan on the rear of my case. It is 38mm
thick, and can move up to 110CFM. I keep it turned down a bit.
It is bloody noisy, but my temps are good.

Paul

 

[Linux Geek]

Ok here is the story.

I bought a new Power Supply, which I fitted fine. However it is a
"quiet" power supply and dumps a load of heat inside my case.

As a result my Graphics Card fan now prefers to work at 100% even when
my PC is idle. So it is working harder to maintain the same
temperature. (around 60c)

I measure my CPU temps at 46c and 48c as I am writing this.

However when I play full screen games, after a while my system just
shuts off without warning (presumably to prevent damage from a certain
component overheating).

So there are 2 things I want to do

1. Find out which component(s) are overheating.
2. Fix the overheating problem but replacing GPU or CPU fans with more
efficient ones (depending on what component is causing the problem).

How can I go about doing this? And can anyone suggest anything I may
have missed out?

Thank you

Hmmm, almost sounds like the new power supply is pushing hot air into the
case instead of evacuating it. Otherwise, your system should be running
as cool as it did previously.
Just a thought.

--

__________________________________________________________________
Linux Geek

Saying that XP is the most stable MS OS is like saying that
asparagus is the most articulate vegetable. (Dave Barry)

 

[32andtwentyseven]

1) Room temperature.
2) Computer case internal temperature. This is called motherboard
temperature sometimes. The idea is to determine the air temperature
inside the case. Hot air makes it harder for the CPU or GPU
coolers to do their job.
3) CPU and GPU temperatures under load. After all, you don't
want the computer to shut down when gaming, so you need to
fix the cooling when the gear is under load.

Please recommend an easy to use program that will monitor these temps
for me.

Or a couple. I already have:

Core Temp (CPU temps only)

Speed Fan (has lots of temp and fan readings which I haven't worked
out yet)

Prime95 (tested my CPU under stress for 16 mins and determined that it
was running fine. Temp never went over 62c)

 

[Frank McCoy]

Hmmm, almost sounds like the new power supply is pushing hot air into the
case instead of evacuating it. Otherwise, your system should be running
as cool as it did previously.
Just a thought.

That actually happened to me with one power-supply.
Couldn't figure out why the case kept overheating, no matter what I did.

 

[32andtwentyseven]

That actually happened to me with one power-supply.
Couldn't figure out why the case kept overheating, no matter what I did.

It's not that bad in my case. It does get some air out. But I want a
silent PC, you see.

 

[housetrained]

Even so, I can't see how a quiet PSU can "dump hot air inside the case".
Would you like to re-phrase that?

 

[32andtwentyseven]

I have found out the problem. My GPU is overheating. At idle it sits
around 56c. After 15 mins gaming I came back to the desktop and
checked the temp - 76c

Following Paul's advice I think I shall buy a 120mm case fan. Can
anyone recommend one?

Amazon have a few
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...ronics-uk_201681773_2&results-process=default

Since silence is important to me I think I will go for the "Antec
120mm SmartCool Fan With Thermal Sensor".
Thoughts please / buying advice?

Then if that is not enough, I'll get a better fan for my GPU as well.
One thing at a time though eh.

 

[Frank McCoy]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt "housetrained"

Even so, I can't see how a quiet PSU can "dump hot air inside the case".
Would you like to re-phrase that?

The power-supply (of course) uses the most power of anything in a
computer; and thus needs a fan to cool the parts.

The fan can be mounted inside the PSU in two possible configurations:
A. So that it extracts cooling air from inside the already warm case and
exhausts it to outside air.
B. So that it extracts cooling air from outside the case and exhausts it
inside the case, heating the case up even more.

Situation B is easier on the power-supply, but MURDER on anything inside
the case (like the CPU) trying to cool off. To have the power-supply
exhausting hot air right onto an already overheated CPU ....

Power-Supply fans are *supposed* to draw air from inside the case and
exhaust it to the rear; thus contributing to the overall cooling of the
computer.

If you don't feel air blowing OUT of your PSU at the rear, then replace
the power-supply.

 

[32andtwentyseven]

Allow me to clarify. My new PSU is pushing hot air out. However it has
a far lazier fan than my last one, which chucked out hot air through
it's noisy fan like no tomorrow.

The result is my new PSU has highlighted the lack of case cooling in
my box.

Which is why I have decided to buy a 120mm fan for my case, as pointed
out in yesterday's post.

I also decided to buy a new VGA cooler while I'm at it.

 

[Ray Rogers]

Allow me to clarify. My new PSU is pushing hot air out. However it has
a far lazier fan than my last one, which chucked out hot air through
it's noisy fan like no tomorrow.

The result is my new PSU has highlighted the lack of case cooling in
my box.

Which is why I have decided to buy a 120mm fan for my case, as pointed
out in yesterday's post.

I also decided to buy a new VGA cooler while I'm at it.

You mentioned that you want a "silent PC" that's an admirable goal. Go and
spend some time over at Silent PC Review
http://www.silentpcreview.com/index.php, especially in the forums, and don't
be afraid to ask questions.
You'll end up with a system as quiet and cool as mine.

 

[32andtwentyseven]

You mentioned that you want a "silent PC" that's an admirable goal. Go and
spend some time over at Silent PC Reviewhttp://www.silentpcreview.com/index.php, especially in the forums, and don't
be afraid to ask questions.
You'll end up with a system as quiet and cool as mine.

Ooof, Mr Ray Rogers, liked to boast once in a while.

So Mr, may I ask how much you spent on silencing your system?

 

[Ray Rogers]

Ooof, Mr Ray Rogers, liked to boast once in a while.

So Mr, may I ask how much you spent on silencing your system?

You may ask, but I am unable to tell you as this system was built from the
ground up to be quiet.

It's not enough to just stick a fan in, to really exploit the cooling
abilities of your case you have to consider all the variables. What is the
best airflow path for optimum cooling for instance. Sometimes putting in a
fan can actually increase noise without any cooling benefits.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[32andtwentyseven]

You may ask, but I am unable to tell you as this system was built from the
ground up to be quiet.

Well how much?

 

[CaspianPuddle]

I was wondering what might be the cause of my computer's overheating
problems.
As i am typing this i have the program "SpeedFan" running in the
background.
It says:
Temp1: 22C
Temp2: 68C
Temp3: 5-60C (it fluctuates violently for some reason) >_<
HD0: 41C
HD1: 45C
Temp1: 70C

It's the Temp 2 and the second Temp 1 that i am worried about
after much consulting with friends Temp 3 Fluctuating is just due to
old damage done to it.
It is also concluded that it's normal temperature after a couple hours
is around 30C, no biggie.

but again, Temp 2 and Temp 1 are usually within 2 degrees (celsius) of
eachother,
and when they get around 74+ w hen playing games like World of
Warcraft, Starcraft, F.E.A.R., the computer usually overheats...

The funny thing is that it has only started to overheat in the past
couple weeks or even month.
I have checked all fans and they are working properly.
I have cleaned it with a hair dryer (on cool)
and perhaps i should buy that air stuff form stores that cleans
computers dusts and stuff?
not sure...

If i air dry it with that Air stuff.... not sure what it's called, and
it still overheats what should i try next?
What do you guys think might be the problem?

 

[Paul]

I was wondering what might be the cause of my computer's overheating
problems.
As i am typing this i have the program "SpeedFan" running in the
background.
It says:
Temp1: 22C
Temp2: 68C
Temp3: 5-60C (it fluctuates violently for some reason) >_<
HD0: 41C
HD1: 45C
Temp1: 70C

It's the Temp 2 and the second Temp 1 that i am worried about
after much consulting with friends Temp 3 Fluctuating is just due to
old damage done to it.
It is also concluded that it's normal temperature after a couple hours
is around 30C, no biggie.

but again, Temp 2 and Temp 1 are usually within 2 degrees (celsius) of
eachother,
and when they get around 74+ w hen playing games like World of
Warcraft, Starcraft, F.E.A.R., the computer usually overheats...

The funny thing is that it has only started to overheat in the past
couple weeks or even month.
I have checked all fans and they are working properly.
I have cleaned it with a hair dryer (on cool)
and perhaps i should buy that air stuff form stores that cleans
computers dusts and stuff?
not sure...

If i air dry it with that Air stuff.... not sure what it's called, and
it still overheats what should i try next?
What do you guys think might be the problem?

Try ordinary cleaning methods. High velocity air can generate
static electricity (caused by the dust hitting things, not the
air itself). Alcohol and a cleaning rag or cotton bud, can
be used to clean things without harm.

I would remove the CPU heatsink, clean off the thermal compound,
and apply fresh compound. Then reassemble the CPU heatsink to the
CPU. Thermal compound can be "pumped out" from between the CPU
and heatsink, and thermal paste needs to be replaced if you find
your CPU temps are too high. You can get application instructions
here. Take extra care if your CPU has an exposed silicon die.
Ask for help if you don't know how to deal with an exposed
silicon die. You can chip the edge of the silicon die on
the ones that are exposed.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

To remove the CPU heatsink, to change the paste, try this:

1) Operate the computer with one of your games, so the processor
gets good and hot.
2) Shut down the computer quickly. Remove external cables.
Sit the computer on your lap.
3) Remove pressure from the heatsink clips. Depending on the shape of the
clip, some have a tab that you can manipulate with a hex screw
driver. The hex driver won't slip off the clip quite as easily
as a normal slot screwdriver. With a slot or blade screwdriver,
if you slip off, it hits the motherboard and sometimes cuts a
signal track.
4) Once the clips are loose, give the heatsink a slight twist, to
break the suction force. The reason you heated up the CPU, was
to make the old paste a little more supple.

Also, the CPU cooler only works, as long as cool fresh air is being
moved through the computer case. Check that your computer case
separate exhaust fan on the back of the computer is still working.
The fan on the PSU is not enough to cool a computer - you need a
separate fan on the back of the computer to help with the duties.
There must be sufficient intake vent area on the front of the
case, so that the efforts of the rear exhaust fan are not for
nothing. I had to mod my case, by removing the plastic bezel on
the front, so my rear fan could move more air through the case.
At normal room temps, my CPU is 43C while gaming.

Paul