Woody182

My computer has been acting up a bit (sort of "stuttering") and I was pretty sure it was a hardware problem.
I decided to check the temp of my comp and d/l Asus' utility (I have a Asus A7V333 and am running XPSP1)
My CPU is 61C and my motherboard is 34C, this is after I removed both panels on the tower to let it cool (it was higher before).
I would what some good methods are for cooling, I'm a bit strapped for cash so I don't want to spend much (if anything) but would rather spend a few dollars than have to replace my whole CPU.
Thanks in advance,
Woody

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Lasereth

What videocard, processor, and RAM are you using?

-Lasereth

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sailor

Make sure the heatsink isnt full of dust. Its happened to me several times before, and everytime, after I clean it out, my temps drop several degrees.

But yeah, what are the specs on what you are running? I will help us determine what are the normal operating temps and what could be causing a problem.

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Woody182

Video card is a Diamond Viper II Z200
Processor is AMD Athlon XP 2000+
RAM is Micron 512mb PC2700

As the time I'm writing this I'm now down to 53C/31C, but it still worries me b/c I don't always have my case off.
My comp is definitely not hauling anything very heavy, 2 hd's, 1 cd, 1 cdrw, no floppy.
If you want more info, just ask.
Thanks again

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teseniarkc

You could try getting a fan that pushes more air. Or if you have the money, get the liquid cool kit.

Redjake

There isn't really "the liquid cool kit." There's "liquid cool kits" out there, but not just one

You seriously don't need to spend that heinous amount of money on liquid cooling for your computer, it's not worth it unless you are massively overclocking your processor. He is strapped for money anyway

I suggest cleaning the dust off the heatsink, and if that doesn't work out to well, purchase a new heatsink and fan. Get a fan like Teseniarkc said that pushes more air. I suggest a Volcano 9+.

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Lasereth

Well, the first think to note is that 53-60+ celsius isn't uncommon for Athlon XPs. My 1900+ ran at 60 celsius idle before I got a Thermaltake Volcano 9+. I'd try to keep it under 70 celsius.

Buying a new CPU fan would probably solve the problem completely. Which CPU fan are you using right now? The stock ones don't work too well sometimes, and a lot of the third-party fans work much worse than the stock one.

Mine ran at 60+ celsius for almost a year. Unless it goes over 70 celsius, I'd just clean the dust off of the fan.

-Lasereth

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Woody182

Mine is stock, I don't have a clue what, I did put the shim on there but that's about all I know about it. I'll have to get some compressed air this weekend and work on that.
Thanks a bunch

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bermuDa

shims do nothing. stock heatsinks just barely keep the processor running, and if your motherboard temp is over 30C, a stock heatsink isn't going to cut it.

first of all, you need some air flowing in and out of your case. Get at least one fan for intake (usually put in the front), and one for exhaust (typically in the rear). The point is to suck cold air in the case, and blow the hot stuff out. Once you get some air flowing through the case, your ambient temp should drop, and your cpu temp along with it.

for $10-40 you can get a new heatsink that will help immensely. check out www.sidewindercomputers.com or www.nexfan.com

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propaganda

Not to be a nuisance but I might as well ask. What is the point of the shim really? Whenever I see it here its always being follow by its useless or to that effect.

Woody182

I had a fan in for intake on the front...but my case doesn't have an holes in the front of it to vent air in. Should I get a bay fan in that case? As far as the fan to blow the hot stuff out, should I get on that goes in the PCI slot?

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If I fall in love, will you forgive me?
If I lose my way, will you choose me?
If I change my mind, will you change me?
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meembo

Early Athlons had the extremely annoying habit of being fragile enough to shatter or crack with the pressure of the heatsink pushing on the center of the socket ceramic. The foam footie things were debated for a while -- others decided that shims could partially distribute and relieve the downward force of the heatsink clips onto the processor.

I believe that shims are generally out of vogue now, and I think a quality heatsink/fan provides a safe solution. I agree that stock heatsinks generally aren't worth the risk you run of frying the CPU

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merlin

umm...60+C isn't very good. i would def buy a new heatsink fast or some decent thermal paste (like Arctic Silver III or Ceramique). as a general rule for myself, i try to keep my processors below 50C. i personally have a Volcano 7+ and i think the adjustable fan is a very nice function. if you want, try for something like the Thermalright SLK800 or 900 with a nice fan and AS Ceramique. just about anything is better than the stock hsf