[BugMeNoMore]

I don't exactly know what's wrong with my PC atm.

Ok, I've this PC since Jan 2005, and gradually the fan speed has increased since then wayy to much for my liking.

I've not really noticed the noise all that much until about 2 months back when I installed armagetron (advanced) .
Several times just after I had just been playing tron in my boredom the fan speed would start screaming, I have no idea how fast it may have been going, but I'd estimate over 6000 RPM (if that's possible?). It would continue this for about 30 secs and then alarmingly drop to a speed i'd never heard it at - near silence...

I recently decided to install a few monitoring programs (PC Wizard 2006 & SpeedFan 4.31)
I've discovered that it's not unusual while it's idling for the CPU to be running at 80-90 degreesC , Mainboard temp 55 or so, hard drive 35-40, and the fan speed to be going down the runway between 3000-5000 RPM.

Just what do people think is wrong with this thing?
Hope someone can help me

thespy

 

[win2kpro]

Can you post the make and model of your motherboard, processor and case?

 

[bonk]

Howdy,

Have you cleaned the inside of the tower of dust lately...if not I would.

Your heatsink may also be clogged with dust and the thermal paste may need changing (not a big job)

 

[BugMeNoMore]

summary from PC Wizard 06 below.
Yes I have cleaned the inside of the case about 3 times since it was purchased. 2x since the problem has gotten worse.

---------------------------------

PC Wizard 2006 Version 1.691
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2
Report Date: Friday 19 January 2007 at 23:23

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<<< System Summary >>>

> Mainboard : Intel Corporation D915GVWK

> Chipset : Intel i915G

> Processor : Intel Pentium 4 505 @ 2666 MHz

> Physical Memory : 512 MB (2 x 256 DDR-SDRAM )

> Video Card : Intel Corporation 82915G/GV/GL, 82910GL Integrated Graphics Device

> Hard Disk : Maxtor (82 GB)

> DVD-Rom Drive : _NEC DVD_RW ND-2500A

> Monitor Type : SlimView 500A - 15 inchs

> Network Card : Intel Corporation 82562EZ PRO/100 Ethernet Controller

> Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2

> DirectX : Version 9.0c (March 2006)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***** End of report *****

 

[win2kpro]

The first thing I would do is to install Intel Desktop Utilities to validate the temperatures. I have found that the Intel Desktop Utilities GENERALLY, provide more accurate temperatures for Intel boards than does Speed Fan or other software utilities.

For the 915 chipset you would need to install version 2.1.9.66 (Hardware monitor only)

http://support.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/idu/

 

[bonk]

I would change the Thermal paste on your Heatsink with Arctic Silver 5 or similar and then test.

 

[win2kpro]

The P4 505 2.6Ghz. processor has a thermal specification of 69.1C.

If the the 80-90C idle temperature is correct, I would doubt that the processor would even run and if it did run at those temperatures it would throttle back to an area where it would be basically unusable. This is why it is important to validate the temperature as being correct.

One item that is often overlooked when cleaning the case is to remove the front panel and check the air inlet for obstructions.

I recently had a machine where the processor fan was surging back and forth and even though the interior of the machine was relatively clean when I removed the front panel the intake air inlet was about 90% clogged. If you haven't checked, I would remove the front panel and check the air inlet.

If the front panel air inlet is clean and the temperatures are validated as accurate, then the next step would be to do what bonk suggested and clean and reseat the cooler with a new thermal pad or new thermal interface compound.

 

[BugMeNoMore]

Ok I'll do what has been suggested & then post back
btw
How much does the arctic silver thermal paste cost, and also although I've seen vids of how to replace the thermal paste, is it really all that easy? lol

 

[sickcars]

Check your Cpu/mb temps from the BIOS that would give you the most correct temps then any program you install. Of course if there is a bug in the temp program in the bios then its going to read wrong and you may need to update the bios to fix that problem.

But just liek everybody else has said, Make sure your fans/heatsinks are clean. Also make sure you have good cable managment inside your case. If your cables are all over the place you are blocking airflow to the cpu and other parts of your computer which can cause your temps to go up.

Ciao

 

[BugMeNoMore]

Ok, I've tried running the program that win2kpro suggested before, only it keeps freezing up & I have to end the process.
The computer case is actually quite clean, cables are effectively managed, pretty good air circulation (apart from the fact the case is average desktop sized) & I can't see that there's much dust whatsoever..
I'll try re-installing the intel desktop utilities & checking the bios as sickcars mentioned.

 

[BugMeNoMore]

First I'll have to thank win2kpro for the link for that excellent program - Intel Desktop Utilities. It worked after a system re-start (my lazyness was preventing it from installing properly)

The sensor threshold for the processor was set at a max of 74degrees C.

Within 4mins of starting up the pc, it was already continually warning that the processor zone temp exceeded its recommended max temp.

I set the max temp to 84, then in about another 5 mins it exceeded that as well, so I pushed the max up to 90.
The temperature seems to have leveled out at 80-85degrees C.

Processor Fan Speed is currently between 4500 - 4800RPM

 

[win2kpro]

The temperatures you indicate are much too hot. As a first step I suggest that you remove the processor cooler, clean the processor and bottom of the cooler with isopropyl or denatured alcohol, put on fresh thermal compound and reseat the cooler.

 

[brite750]

First I'll have to thank win2kpro for the link for that excellent program - Intel Desktop Utilities. It worked after a system re-start (my lazyness was preventing it from installing properly)

The sensor threshold for the processor was set at a max of 74degrees C.

Within 4mins of starting up the pc, it was already continually warning that the processor zone temp exceeded its recommended max temp.

I set the max temp to 84, then in about another 5 mins it exceeded that as well, so I pushed the max up to 90.
The temperature seems to have leveled out at 80-85degrees C.

Processor Fan Speed is currently between 4500 - 4800RPM

yeah your temps are out of control, fix this problem now or save some money for a new pc. My friends intel Celeron was running at 80c idle and 105c with prime 95 so this stuff about pc not running doesnt seem to hold water, he was running pc like this for several months until problem was diagnosed. His problem was fixxed with canned air and cutting the back off the cabinet the pc was in, he also had pc side vents up against the wall of the cabinet blocking them off as well. Now his temps are 40c idle 45-50c under load