P4P800-E dlx and P4 3.2GHz prescott problem

[JohnR]

My CPU, S478 P4 3.2GHz Prescott, has suddenly and quite abruptly started
having apparent overheating problems.
It's hovered around 40-45C in the past but recently the case took a heavy
knock (don't ask) and ever since, well the last two days, I've noticed the
CPU temperature is skyrocketing to 75-80C at which point the warning kicks
in.
I took out the cpu - cleaned heat sink and chip and carefully reassembled
but it hasn't stopped the problem. The case never has the side on so plenty
air is being moved and the fan is working fine albeit a low speed one, which
had worked fine until recently.
The heatsink is too hot to touch so I'm assuming the temperature readings
being reported are reasonably accurate. Other than the CPU temperature
everything appears to be working perfectly. My question is - can the CPU be
damaged causing it to run hot like this but still work properly in every
other way?
Also heavy use of the cpu causes a dramatic rise in temperature which I
hadn't seen previously to any great extent.
I get the new board tomorrow (P4GPL-X) but don't relish sticking a damaged
CPU in it. Then again at least I'll be able to see if the problem is
repeated there.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[JohnR]

My CPU, S478 P4 3.2GHz Prescott, has suddenly and quite abruptly started
having apparent overheating problems.
It's hovered around 40-45C in the past but recently the case took a heavy
knock (don't ask) and ever since, well the last two days, I've noticed the
CPU temperature is skyrocketing to 75-80C at which point the warning kicks
in.
I took out the cpu - cleaned heat sink and chip and carefully reassembled
but it hasn't stopped the problem. The case never has the side on so plenty
air is being moved and the fan is working fine albeit a low speed one, which
had worked fine until recently.
The heatsink is too hot to touch so I'm assuming the temperature readings
being reported are reasonably accurate. Other than the CPU temperature
everything appears to be working perfectly. My question is - can the CPU be
damaged causing it to run hot like this but still work properly in every
other way?
Also heavy use of the cpu causes a dramatic rise in temperature which I
hadn't seen previously to any great extent.
I get the new board tomorrow (P4GPL-X) but don't relish sticking a damaged
CPU in it. Then again at least I'll be able to see if the problem is
repeated there.

A little more info.

MB temp = 33C which is reasonable and conforms with previous times when the
CPU was running cooler.

The CPU = 58-59C at idle! I never reached this under load before.

if I unrar a huge file which presumably fully loads the CPU for
approximately 1 minute the CPU temperature rises from 58/59 to a peak of 68C
then subsides upon completion towards idle temperatures as you would expect.

 

[DaveW]

It sounds like you need a faster higher capacity fan on your CPU. The CPU
itself is undoubtedly fine internally or it wouldn't run at all.

 

[Rob]

My CPU, S478 P4 3.2GHz Prescott, has suddenly and quite abruptly started
having apparent overheating problems.
It's hovered around 40-45C in the past but recently the case took a heavy
knock (don't ask) and ever since, well the last two days, I've noticed the
CPU temperature is skyrocketing to 75-80C at which point the warning kicks
in.
I took out the cpu - cleaned heat sink and chip and carefully reassembled
but it hasn't stopped the problem. The case never has the side on so plenty
air is being moved and the fan is working fine albeit a low speed one, which
had worked fine until recently.
The heatsink is too hot to touch so I'm assuming the temperature readings
being reported are reasonably accurate. Other than the CPU temperature
everything appears to be working perfectly. My question is - can the CPU be
damaged causing it to run hot like this but still work properly in every
other way?
Also heavy use of the cpu causes a dramatic rise in temperature which I
hadn't seen previously to any great extent.
I get the new board tomorrow (P4GPL-X) but don't relish sticking a damaged
CPU in it. Then again at least I'll be able to see if the problem is
repeated there.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

John,
Sounds like the CPU is probably working OK, based on the responses to
the testing you've done. Since you've already cleaned and remounted the
Fan/HS assembly, my best guess is your fan has slowed a considerable
amount or a couple of wads of dust got knocked loose from somewhere and
they're now trapped in the fins of the HS, causing the fan to be less
effective.

Rob

 

[JohnR]

John,
Sounds like the CPU is probably working OK, based on the responses to
the testing you've done. Since you've already cleaned and remounted the
Fan/HS assembly, my best guess is your fan has slowed a considerable
amount or a couple of wads of dust got knocked loose from somewhere and
they're now trapped in the fins of the HS, causing the fan to be less
effective.

Slightly embarrassing oversight on my part - yes the fins were blocked.
Thanks.

 

[Rob]

Slightly embarrassing oversight on my part - yes the fins were blocked.
Thanks.

Been there, done that-drove me nuts the first time too! Glad it helped you.
Rob