Athlon X2 running very hot

Euro_Hunter · 1 Nov 2009 at 00:35

Hi,

Just started having problem with my htpc shutting down randomly and traced it down to the cpu overheating.

Left it on the bios screen and the temp just kept rising until it got over 120c :eek:

and then it shutdown.

I have not done anything to this pc so why is it suddenly starting to run hot?

Spec is:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ (2.8GHz)
2GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 memory
Scythe Mini Ninja CPU cooler

Regards

Nige.

doggs · 1 Nov 2009 at 01:35

Is the fan still working?

Grimley · 1 Nov 2009 at 09:00

Deffo sounds like an airflow problem to me, have you checked the inside for dust buildup?

Euro_Hunter · 1 Nov 2009 at 09:21

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have just cleaned the heatsink & fan and also increased speed of the case fans and all is well so far, heres hoping it was that easy

Regards

Nige.

Lanz · 1 Nov 2009 at 09:58

The 2.8Ghz 5600+ is an old Windsor core, these run pretty hot and arent good for HTPCs.

If you want to keep those fans runnign slow, get a newer chip.

BigBruiserAl · 1 Nov 2009 at 10:39

Lanz said:
The 2.8Ghz 5600+ is an old Windsor core, these run pretty hot and arent good for HTPCs.

If you want to keep those fans runnign slow, get a newer chip.

There perfectly fine, although not the best choice for htpc if you have one there is no need to replace it and waste money. My AMD 5600 sits on a Gigabyte GA-M61PME-S2P and is passively cooled by a sunbeam max temps 55c in the summer

Euro_Hunter · 1 Nov 2009 at 10:58

I have been considering upgrading the cpu, what would be a good replacement in terms of performance increase and cool running?

Happy · 1 Nov 2009 at 11:31

I can keep my 125W TDP 6000X2 at 55C under max load on a Freezer pro on lowest settings, so even with a mini ninja you should be able to somewhere in that ballpark.

Euro_Hunter · 1 Nov 2009 at 13:34

its still massively overheating:

wbc1 · 1 Nov 2009 at 15:02

Try manually reduce the Vcore, my 5000+ windsor does 2.8ghz on 1.20V

Lanz · 2 Nov 2009 at 08:36

Euro_Hunter said:
I have been considering upgrading the cpu, what would be a good replacement in terms of performance increase and cool running?

Get one of the new energy efficient ones, something like a Athon II X2 240E if you're not needed quad, or a X4 600E. Both these should be available this week to buy.

Although it seems you're using a Brisbane core, so this should be idling about at about 30ish even with a stock fan. Somethings wrong....

xb8browney · 2 Nov 2009 at 08:49

Hi,

I had the same problem in my HTPC. I've built computers for years and never had a problem fitting the HSF but it seemed that I needed to move the HSF like a 1mm to the left and the temps dropped from 120C to 50C

Euro_Hunter · 2 Jan 2010 at 20:15

Never managed to get the temps down with this cpu so I am going to get a new one preferably a energy efficient one.

What would be the best CPU I could get for £60 ish?

Have been looking at the AM3 X3 chips but I am a bit unsure which will work with this board as the list on the AMD site does not seem to be upto date.

jrwagh333 · 2 Jan 2010 at 20:23

You want to check on the motherboard manufacture page mate. They are updated regularly...

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2926#anchor_os

Euro_Hunter · 2 Jan 2010 at 20:36

Many thanks for the link.

Seems that most of the X3 & X4 will be fine with a bios update

Big.Wayne · 2 Jan 2010 at 20:47

Euro_Hunter said:
Left it on the bios screen and the temp just kept rising until it got over 120c and then it shutdown

Not sure what is going on there? . . . the only thing I've seen like that before is on an older system that was clogged full of dust and had old TIM that had dried up . . .

Probably worth trying to get it fixed if it used to work ok then it should still work ok? :confused:

Just for reference here is a newer Athlon II X3 which is overclocked, 100% loaded and is being cooled *Passively* . . . some may suggest you need a low voltage chip but having used this regular chip for a while I don't think anyone really needs one of the low voltage chip options unless they are running a system the size of a coke can with no airflow at all . . .

zovirax · 2 Jan 2010 at 20:58

Hi Wayne I have that HSF , TRUE isnt it? but I have a 120mm fan on mine and mine is for LGA775 not AMD but it is definitely a VERY good piece of kit and can cool very well.

Big.Wayne · 2 Jan 2010 at 21:19

Hi zovirax, it's a ThermoLab Baram which is basically the same as the Thermalright Ultra-120 but is a bit better at cooling passively or with low pressure airflow, fits most sockets and has a nice shiny base! . . . Can't fault is for sub £30!

zovirax · 2 Jan 2010 at 21:23

Cool, I reckon I could run this E6850 passive if I took the vcore down a bit cos it has 2 120mm case fans in a Lian Li Plus 7B case but it might get a bit toasty!

£30 is good price tbh I think this TRUE was more than that but cant remember the exact price now.

jrwagh333 · 2 Jan 2010 at 22:01

Nearly every post I view, Big.Wayne is plugging his cooler lol