I'm scared...

[Limehouse]

My Pentium 4 Prescott 2.8Ghz has reported temps of... *gulp* 85-90C with SpeedFan 4.31... on partial load, so something seems SERIOUSLY amiss. To check this isn't done horrible trick SpeedFan is playing on me, what other programs are there and also, I've heard that at this temp the processors literally start to melt... Should I panic?

Thanks.

 

[Limehouse]

It's throttling all right, and the BIOS says the same.

E2160 it is then!

Thanks guys!

 

[Limehouse]

Before you splash the cash why not see if you can "fix" your current heat problem. I would remove the heatsink to clean it and then reseat it with some new thermal paste. Also check the case and CPU fans are not working. Often by cleaning a dirty heatsink you can knock 5C to 10C of your tempractures and if the thermal paste was previously incorrectly applied can add another 10c onto the tempratures.

However if this is just an excuse for the wife, partner... to buy a new CPU etc then ingnore my advise and go ahead.

Well, you have no idea how much dust was clogged up in the heatsink, I'm surprised the fan was spinning at all. Now it's averaging at 72-73C. To be honest, I was going to get a E2160 anyway, I just feared that my CPU might melt in the meantime, and I believe the motherboard is C2D compatible. Asrock Conroe 945g-DVI something something?

 

[Limehouse]

LOL they don't melt at that temp worse that can happen is it will shut itself down.

What's your budget? maybe we can suggest something a bit better?

Better than an E2160?

Well I was planning on getting a new motherboard soon too, and overclocking that C2D. Budget overall? Well, motherboard, RAM, CPU cooler and CPU would be possibly around £150? Perhaps slightly more.