Very Hot CPU (73 C)

[MSR]

I hadn't checked my CPU temperature for a long while since the other day and noticed it was higher than I expected. I've just checked again today and it's up at 73 C while the motherboard is only 30 C. About a year ago when I used to check more regularly, the CPU would be no more than 50 C, usually around the 40 mark. Given the CPU is that much higher than the motherboard I'm thinking something could be up.

It's an non-overclocked P4 3.0GHz and is around 32 months old now. The fan appears to be running normally but might be dusty. I also have a rear 80mm Coolermaster Aero fan and another standard 80mm case fan on the side panel.

What's happening to the poor thing!?

 

[Justintime]

Likely dust on the heatsink fins, if you remove the sink remember to reapply thermal compound. you'd also havre to remove the fan from the sink to clean it.

 

[MSR]

I think I might just get the hoover on it and hopefully that'll do the trick.

 

[locutus12]

i ran an AMD duron 1100 for 3 years at 76oC its still going strong today, all be it with better cooling.

 

[p4radox]

I have a Celeron that has been at about 70 for a few years. Still ticking along nicely.

 

[Energize]

It's probably a prescott.

 

[MSR]

It turns out the heatsink was absolutely caked in dust. The entire surface was covered in a dense layer that the hoover couldn't budge, so I whipped out some tweezers and sat there pulling the dust away. With the computer back online, it's currently at 43 C after having 10 minutes to warm up

 

[locutus12]

It turns out the heatsink was absolutely caked in dust. The entire surface was covered in a dense layer that the hoover couldn't budge, so I whipped out some tweezers and sat there pulling the dust away. With the computer back online, it's currently at 43 C after having 10 minutes to warm up

dust is a bugger, i hoovered out my radiator on my water cooling and the temps dropped 7oc

 

[Will_3rd]

I think I might just get the hoover on it and hopefully that'll do the trick.

be careful, I think hoovering the inside of your pc builds up static electricty