AMD Phenom X4 9950 AM2 Heat Problem

Richardaball · 19 Nov 2008 at 19:26

Hi,

I would like some advice on my new system please.

I have recently upgraded to the Phenom X4 processor running at 2.6Ghz on Stock Retail Cooling. My problem is that in games the screen freezes.

My CPU temp is 55-60 Degrees Celcius Idle! I get this figure from the bios at startup! Also to confirm SpeedFan, Everest Ultimate and 2 other small programs confirm the temp of 60 when Idle. Under load such as during games that must shoot up to over 70-80.

Is this normal? Im pretty sure its the reason for the screen freezing.

Could it be a faulty CPU or insufficient cooling? I dont understand because its the cooler that was supplied with the CPU so it should be cooling it to 30-40 when idle?

I hope someone can help me solve this problem.

My AMD 3500+ @2.2Ghz ran faster and smoother than this with no screen freezing in games!

My PC spec is:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...0 2.60GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2) - Retail

HD ATI 4670 1GB GFX Card

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...770 (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...0C6 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX8500AD2K2/4G)

650W Triple Fan ATX PSU

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

Trunks9486 · 19 Nov 2008 at 22:02

it sounds like an incorectly applied stock cooler...

Happy · 19 Nov 2008 at 22:45

Trunks9486 said:
it sounds like an incorectly applied stock cooler...

Yep, or too much thermal paste.

Re-fit that heatsink pronto! It should be good, as the faster AMD chips come with heatpipe coolers

Trunks9486 · 19 Nov 2008 at 22:47

Not to mention that it should be a lot better than the 3500+ !

nightmare99 · 19 Nov 2008 at 22:48

650W Triple Fan ATX PSU

This sounds suspect, I can only think of carp PSU's with three fans. What brand is it, what amps does it have on the 12V rail/s?

Happy · 20 Nov 2008 at 00:01

nightmare99 said:
This sounds suspect, I can only think of carp PSU's with three fans. What brand is it, what amps does it have on the 12V rail/s?

This won't be causing the heat issues, however at some point it needs to be replaced

PwnDirect · 20 Nov 2008 at 00:15

if its none of the above its a dud

reflux · 20 Nov 2008 at 10:30

nightmare99 said:
This sounds suspect, I can only think of carp PSU's with three fans. What brand is it, what amps does it have on the 12V rail/s?

Spot on...Q-Tec anyone?

But yeah, it's not causing the overheating.

FirebarUK · 20 Nov 2008 at 10:34

Cramped case with poor airflow? They are VERY hot chips - expect 70C load.

Emlyn_Dewar · 20 Nov 2008 at 11:25

70c load? Steady on... Installed correctly it shouldn't really be hitting over 60.
Is that motherboard even certified to run the 9950? I expect not but I can't understand Abit's hideously poor CPU support website. Either way, get some cooling on those mosfets pronto.

I'd try reseating the heatsink with some better paste.
The PSU causes concern as does the motherboard, plenty of failures around with high end Phenoms on low end boards.

Meeeellar · 20 Nov 2008 at 11:46

FirebarUK said:
Cramped case with poor airflow? They are VERY hot chips - expect 70C load.

for an AMD chip is does run hot and you wont be getting anywhere near 70c on load unless your oc'ing with the stock fan.

with the stock your looking at 50-60 depending on your airflow

FirebarUK · 20 Nov 2008 at 11:59

If it's a case with poor airflow, he could quite easily hit 70C load with that chip.

Richardaball · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:10

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

It is a Q-tec PSU.

I took the stock cooler off and found a crap load of the paste. Cleaned it up and then installed with my own portion of silver based heat compound.

Temp dropped from 60 idle to 50. For a while anyway. it fluctuates around 50-60 idle now. My case cooling is not too bad. I was running the 3500+ OCed @2.6Ghz at 30-40 idle with Thermaltake Cooler.

I am in the process of locating and installing a nice third party cooler now to check if it is a faulty CPU or just bad stock cooler.

Can anyone suggest a cooler for about 30 pound that will provide excellent performance for the price please?

Thanks!

DigitalReaper · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:30

Richardaball said:
It is a Q-tec PSU.

Bin that thing before you need to bin your computer... they have a habbit of going bang. They're also horriby inefficient (<50%) at anything over 50-75%(ish) load and have basically no safey features. I'd recommend one of the Corsair PSUs.

Richardaball · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:37

Thanks for the suggestion, but that will have to wait until next year to be upgraded.

Its lasted about 3 - 4 years as it is with no trouble ;-)

DigitalReaper · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:39

Then I'd recommend making a backup of your files then and have a fire extinguisher ready... they really are that bad

Richardaball · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:53

lol thanks Ill take that into consideration

Speed · 21 Nov 2008 at 18:55

I'd really suggest that you change the PSU, as I'd imagine regardless of the temperature readings it could well be causing the freezing in games. I would suggest that you take a look at the voltage readings under graphics load, try Ati Tool.

The added load of the new processor, could be causing the PSU to struggle.

Something from Corsair can be found pretty cheap and are well respected, use this to decide what you need: http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/

Jabbs · 21 Nov 2008 at 19:11

Q-tech suck I got one as a fill job until I could get a better one, I never got that far it blew and took the mobo/cpu with it, bin imo like others are saying they are total crap.

gareth170 · 21 Nov 2008 at 19:21

also remember the 9950 max temp is 65c, so ether your case as crap air flow or the stock cooler its not sitting right or its not running at full speed.

about the psu , yes q-tec are crap and easy blow.. but ANY psu can blow at anytime and take any part/parts of the system.