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Finally... => Life Advice => Topic started by: timmeh on January 20, 2011, 09:16:54 pm

Title: CPU Overheat
Post by: timmeh on January 20, 2011, 09:16:54 pm

I just recently installed a new motherboard and CPU.  Unfortunately, whilst installing some of the other new parts, the lock-bar for the CPU's heat-sink appears to have come loose.  The computer over-heated shortly after I installed Windows 7, and when I tried to restart it after the installation, wouldn't start.

I gave it a little under an hour to cool, then turned it back on.  It's staying at about 18c now and for the past half-hour of solid running or so.  Have I screwed myself entirely, or should it be okay?  Just trying to determine weather or not to go ahead and start the replacement process with NewEgg, or just hope for the best....

Thank you for your time,
Tim

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: nenjin on January 20, 2011, 09:56:09 pm

Luckily processors today come with a lot of safeguards against doing permanent damage in case the cooler pops off or something else went wrong. If it's running at expected temps and you've got no problems after a few good hours under load, you should be ok. The fact it takes a while for the processor to start again after an emergency shut down is not a super big concern.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: timmeh on January 20, 2011, 10:05:01 pm

Thanks for the heads up!  Now for the mass-redownload/install xP  Then, Dwarf Fortress on a computer that can handle more than 20 dwarves, yay! :P

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: KaminaSquirtle on January 20, 2011, 10:57:12 pm

If you want to be extra sure, you can have it run Prime95 for a while and see if anything goes wrong.  If you leave it on overnight and it stays stable, then you're good.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: Fayrik on January 21, 2011, 11:15:42 am

What Kamina posted looks like a pretty good test to see if anything's wrong.
I do remember reading on my Processor's manual however, that if you do take the heatsink off, you should clean the surfaces and reapply the thermal gel. So if you really want to make sure, I'd reapply the thermal gel first before doing anything else.

That way you should hopefully cling onto any hope you had of salvaging any warranty there is on the processor, that would theoretically save you the cost of a new one.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: timmeh on January 21, 2011, 10:00:24 pm

Thanks everyone!  It seems to be just fine.  Unfortunately, I can't apply new thermal gel, as the gel that's on there was on the bottom of the heat-sink, rather than applied by myself.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: Ampersand on January 22, 2011, 12:44:26 am

Quote from: timmeh on January 21, 2011, 10:00:24 pm

Thanks everyone!  It seems to be just fine.  Unfortunately, I can't apply new thermal gel, as the gel that's on there was on the bottom of the heat-sink, rather than applied by myself.

Sure you can. It comes off extremely easily with a paper towel.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: timmeh on January 22, 2011, 05:07:04 pm

What I meant was I don't have any :P  I may order some, but I can't get anywhere I can't walk to, so I'd have to find it online more than likely.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: Funk on January 23, 2011, 08:30:39 pm

you can try just useing copper grease in stead of thermal gel.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: Tellemurius on January 24, 2011, 08:04:36 am

copper grease sucks compared to thermal gel (thermal gel is silver grease and conducts heat better), you sadly would have to order it online but 10 bucks a bottle should be good.

Title: Re: CPU Overheat
Post by: timmeh on January 24, 2011, 12:57:22 pm

I believe I get paid Wednesday, so perhaps then. 

The rig as a whole is set up, perhaps I'll do a let's play or something, now that I have a computer that can actually record :P