How can I tell if my computer is overheating?

SoapSurgeon · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:11

Hi,

Recently I have begun to encode my DVD collection. This can take a long time so I try to leave my PC working over night. However, it freezes up some time during the night and doesnt complete the encode. I thought it could have been vista so i reinstalled XP but I still get the same problem.

I know believe that my PC is overheating but wondered if there was a way that i could prove this? Are there any applications that provide you with cpu temps so I can see what temp it was at when it stopped working.

Thanks,

Matt

Alex UK · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:15

Try Coretemp, you can get it here.

Tk7 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:17

Overheating would normally cause the pc to shut off totally, is this what's happening?

Programs like Coretemp and Intel TAT (for Intel processors only) can show you the temps in Windows, and you could always have a look in the Bios to see if the temp there looks a little high.

It depends what sort of kit you have really. If you have an Intel processor check the programs I mentioned above. Not sure of an AMD equivalent though.

Do check the bios though, the temp displayed there will be about as low as it gets, so it can give you an idea if your CPU is overheating.

SoapSurgeon · 1 Jul 2007 at 21:50

Hi. Thanks for the replies.

I have an AMD 64 (socket 754 [or something like that]) 3200+. The reason I think it's over heating is that the DVD encoding uses 99% processor power so I guess it generates heat. However, it doesnt shut the computer down completely it just freezes, the screen is visible but i cant move the mouse etc. I'm not sure how reliable the bios temps will be because by the time ive discovered it has frozen its normally sat idle for ~7 hours!

ChoÞÞer · 1 Jul 2007 at 22:34

speedfan?

fobose · 1 Jul 2007 at 22:35

Download speedfan;

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

It should work fine.

ChoÞÞer · 1 Jul 2007 at 22:35

fobose said:
Download speedfan;

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

It should work fine.

beat you

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 10:50

hmmmm, i think its running a little hot:

edit:

Temp3: 102c
Core: 103c

Is this even safe??

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 10:55

SoapSurgeon said:
hmmmm, i think its running a little hot:

Good lord! what heat sink are you using? is it the boxed one?

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 10:57

BAMBI said:
Good lord! what heat sink are you using? is it the boxed one?

One that came with the cpu, yes. I assumed that seeing as it came with the cpu it would be good enough to use...

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 10:59

SoapSurgeon said:
One that came with the cpu, yes. I assumed that seeing as it came with the cpu it would be good enough to use...

Its strange Ive got a 754 3000+ and the HSF was copper and quite effective. Well something is very wrong here. There is thermal paste between the CPU and Heat sink fan isnt there?

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:02

BAMBI said:
Its strange Ive got a 754 3000+ and the HSF was copper and quite effective. Well something is very wrong here. There is thermal paste between the CPU and Heat sink fan isnt there?

Don't know its been a while since i attached it. I seem to remember there being some pink stuff already in place. The Core is now at 110c... maybe the readings arent accurate. Either way i guess this explains why leaving the side off the case didnt help much!

edit: just burnt my finger touching the heatsink... i guess it is actually hot.

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:07

SoapSurgeon said:
Don't know its been a while since i attached it. I seem to remember there being some pink stuff already in place. The Core is now at 110c... maybe the readings arent accurate. Either way i guess this explains why leaving the side off the case didnt help much!

I would have a look if your ehat sink is seated properly and perhaps reapply some new thremal paste.

You can always test if the readings are correct by touching your heat sink. Touch a metal part of your case and or PSU to get rid of any static first though.

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:08

BAMBI said:
I would have a look if your ehat sink is seated properly and perhaps reapply some new thremal paste.

You can always test if the readings are correct by touching your heat sink. Touch a metal part of your case and or PSU to get rid of any static first though.

as edit above: I touched it and it is hot, i burnt my finger doing it. Would it get so hot if it wasnt seated properly? 115c atm.

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:12

SoapSurgeon said:
as edit above: I touched it and it is hot, i burnt my finger doing it. Would it get so hot if it wasnt seated properly? 115c atm.

If you burnt your fingers then its going to be at that kind of temp and yes looks like it is seated properly then. I see your Vcore is at 1.55 if i can remember correctly 1.5 was the stock vcore for the 754 chips. Reduce your vcore to 1.5 that shoud help a little. Also what motherborad have you got?

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:15

ok, i thought speedfan might not be accurate so i rebooted and went into bios. It was indeed running at 106c! I noticed cpu warning wasnt on so i enabled that and now it wont boot (obviously). I don't think ive messed around with voltages etc but ill try your suggestion. Im using a gigabyte k8nspro (or something like that)

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:17

SoapSurgeon said:
ok, i thought speedfan might not be accurate so i rebooted and went into bios. It was indeed running at 106c! I noticed cpu warning wasnt on so i enabled that and now it wont boot (obviously). I don't think ive messed around with voltages etc but ill try your suggestion. Im using a gigabyte k8nspro (or something like that)

Reset CMOS and see what temperatures you get.

SoapSurgeon · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:18

BAMBI said:
Reset CMOS and see what temperatures you get.

I've opened her up to get a proper look and there appears to be a thick layer of dust beneath the fan... Im gonna try cleaning that up and resetting cmos to see what happens.

BAMBI · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:20

SoapSurgeon said:
I've opened her up to get a proper look and there appears to be a thick layer of dust beneath the fan... Im gonna try cleaning that up and resetting cmos to see what happens.

Ah dust is never good it will restrict the fans airflow.

InvaderGIR · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:32

100oC?! Never got mine that hot, about 80 was the max, and I'd overclockerd it and was seeing what I could do! Running a 2Ghz chip at 2.5Ghz and pushing it with programs...but then I had an aftermarket cooler.

Removal of dust is always helpful, if that doens't help much toy'll need to get an aftermarket cooler.

InvG