computer builders.....

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Having some pc problems, running slllloooowwwwww.

Processor is an AMD athlon 2800+ (2.08ghz), and my BIOS shows processor temp at around 160........Local PC shops tell me its too hot, wanted to get some opinions that arent immediately followed with "and we have (insert computer name here) on sale this week".

Sound like it could be the problem?

Ive ran virus/spyware checks. Also other specs of the computer are fine, no reason there for the slowdown.

Click to read more...

 

[mjbailey21 10+ year member]

Did you build the PC yourself? One of the hardest parts of a lot of builders is the thermal paste spread evenly on the heatsink for proper heat-spreading.

I'd guess that would be the first problem if it says your temp is at 160...

I'd buy some copper thermal paste and pop off that heatsink. Scrape off the paste thats on it and wipe down the heatsink properly with rubbing alcohol. Smear on the copper paste evenly and put the heatsink back on. Make sure you have most of your fans facing out, meaning its taking air from inside the case and blowing it out.

Last, I would check your bios settings. You should be able to change that CPU speed to the proper 2.08ghz. It may be on some "optimal" settings which is pushing your CPU in and weird way and just registering it wrong.

Fool around in the bios a little bit.

-Matt

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Nope, didnt make it myself.

How would I change settings in BIOS?

Also, what problems can arise from a hot processor?

I have a chance to get a new pc, would a pentium 4 (3.06 ghz) be significantly faster than this?

 

[mjbailey21 10+ year member]

Well if you use it often at the temperature and it doesn't affect performace much, I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds like with your knowledge of PCs, you may only make it worst. I do not believe the 3.06ghz would make it much faster, but like car audio there are many other things that determine that.

For example, the change in RAM may be a signficant speed change. The change of a hard drive may do the same. Proper installation and cooling or even software can change ones PC substantially.

-Matt

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

you dont apply the paste to the heatsink...

the correct way to apply thermal paste on an athlon xp is to put some on the heatsink and wipe it off. this helps to fill in small pits/cracks, but wipe it off with a towel that wont leave anything behind. put a bit of paste the size of a grain of rice on the CPU die and evenly spread it. put your heatsink on and you should be good. BTW, with that processor, your full load temperatures should not exceed 55C.

what exactly do you mean by running slow? run a few benchmarks and see if your system is up to par. Sisoft Sandra 2k5 can test the CPU, RAM, HDD, and can give you more info about your computer parts than youd ever need to know. run the benchmarks and see if your computer is performing. If not, it will help you narrow down the problem.

a proc running hot can cause a slowdown, but youve usually gotta be pretty far over the safe temp. zone to notice it. running too hot also shortens the CPU's life span.

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

What mjbailey said in his first post is what you should do. Also just as a test, take the side off and spray off the heat sink with a air duster. Then put a regular fan on it and if it runs faster when the temp starts to drop, heat is definitely your problem, then you should def do what mjbailey said. It seems like thats what it is anyway. Depending on how long ago your computer was built or whatever, you might jsut need to clean the heatsink off and youll be good. 70 is pretty hot, but your computer will cut off at around 82. Also How much memory do you have left on your computer? It may have something to do with it too. Possibly

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

It runs fine when I just have my web browser running, its mainly when I try to do school work- Ill have 2 or 3 school pages open, running a few other programs, and a few search pages open.

The 3.06 ghz wouldnt give me an increase in performance?

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

I recommend Alienware for a cheap replacement...

http://www.alienware.com

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

I recommend Alienware for a cheap replacement...
http://www.alienware.com

Ill take 4! You guys want one? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

if you are looking for multitasking power, you might wanna look into a P4 with hyperthreading, or even a dual core athlon 64 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

Ill take 4! You guys want one? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Yes please, an Aurora.

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

You shouldnt need to buy any new upgrades. Just figure out whats going on with what you got. When my roommate had this problem, i just did a few things on his and now its running normal. I ran chkdsk, defrag, spyware/adware/virus(which you already did). I opened his computer air dusted everything. Also told him to delete some files to free up space on his HD. Everything runs fine now. runs cooler too, but its a laptop. How much space are you taking up of your HD?

 

[mjbailey21 10+ year member]

You don't really need an upgrade, fix this problem!

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

You probably have a cheapo or stock heatsink.

Which may be "stuck" to your proccessor if they used that cheap thermal tape.

My bid? Buy a better heatsink. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Shyne151 10+ year member]

160... ouch. that's about 71 or so C. definitely is running to hot. take off the heatsink and clean off the old thermal compound(you can use rubbing alochol). get some good thermal compound like artic silver or something along those lines and apply evenly. If the temp doesn't drop after that get a new heatsink, something copper and a fan that has a high cfm.

 

[Nightskye 10+ year member]

That's not good. ~185F is the max tolerance for that CPU.

Heat kills computers. Not only puts the processor in danger, but also stresses the other components in the system more.

Do you know what your overall system temp is?