My CPU is getting too hot, do I need a new cooler for it?

[JonathanX]

I noticed lately that my computer makes too much noise, that means either the CPU fan or the GPU fan is working too hard. My CPU is an AMD Phenom II X4 945 - a quad core of 3 GHz, and I noticed ever since I got it that its cooler and its fan are way too small. But it wasn't making any noise back then, only lately. I know that during summer any computer's temperature tends to rise and that the room's temperature influences the temperatures inside the case.

If I stay on the desktop and don't do anything, the CPU's temperature is 53 degrees Celsius, that's what Core Temp says. And my GPU's temp is 50 degrees according to GPU-Z. But if I start watching a 720p youtube video, after a few minutes the CPU's temp rises to 61 degrees. And if I play a game, the temp goes to 66 degrees! And the GPU's temp goes to 63. I think that's way too much, especially since I read that my CPU's maximum supported temperature is 71 degrees Celsius.

What do you think about this? Are these temperatures normal? Cause I don't think they are! Do I need to buy another cooler for my CPU?

PS: the temperature in my room is around 25 degrees Celsius, maybe 27 or 28 max.

 

[trog100]

buying a better cooler should cure the noise problem and wont do any harm..

trog

 

[oldwalltree]

When is the last time the thermal paste was changed?

 

[Bill_Bright]

I noticed lately that my computer makes too much noise, that means either the CPU fan or the GPU fan is working too hard

Too hard? No, it does not mean it is working "too" hard. It just means they are spinning faster.

66°C is high for that CPU, but not "way too" high - especially if that is only when tasked.

If your temps were well managed before, there's no reason they should not be well managed now. So what changed (besides your ambient - room - temp)? And to your ambient temps, 28°C (84°F) is pretty high. That could very well be much of your problem. How are your computer temps in the cool of the night?

Is the interior clean of heat trapping dust and dirt? Are your fans spinning properly? Did you change your clocks or voltages? Do you have good cable management?

While a new CPU cooler might help - again, if it worked fine before, it should work fine now, assuming it is still working properly.

As far as changing the TIM (thermal interface material) I do not recommend that UNLESS the cured bond between the mating surfaces has been broken. Too many people have damaged their processors through accidental mishandling, or actually made cooling efficiency worse through an improper application of TIM. Contrary to what many seem to believe, TIM never needs to be replaced just because it is X number of years old, or even because it has dried out. It will easily last 10, 15 years or longer AS LONG AS the cured bond between the two mating surfaces has not been broken. If your system "needs" the few degrees a fresh application of TIM might provide to keep from crossing over thermal thresholds, you have other cooling issues to be addressed first - such as case cooling.

If me, I would make sure the interior, vents, fans and heatsinks are all clean and all the fans are spinning properly. Then look at adding another case fan if additional cooling is needed. Remember, it is the cases responsibility to provide an adequate flow of cool air through the case. The CPU cooler need only toss the CPU's heat into that flow.

 

[delshay]

I find dual 140mm fan/heatsink combo is the way to go when it comes to noise level, even at max RPM fan speed..

 

[JonathanX]

I have no idea when or even if the thermal paste was ever changed.

If it's true that the maximum temperature supported by my CPU is 71 degrees Celsius, then I am worried about 66 degrees, so I really prefer to buy a new cooler instead of being worried that my CPU will roast every single time I play a game. And a new cooler would solve (or at least reduce) the noise problem as well, right?

I didn't open my case for about 3 or 4 years, so I don't know if there is much dust inside, or if the fans are spinning properly. I never changed clocks or voltages, I don't even know what that means, sorry...

I think my cable management is good, but I'm not exactly sure what you meant by that...

I don't have any other coolers inside, only the CPU cooler and the GPU cooler.

The temps I mentioned im my opening post are those I am having in the cool of the night (during night-time) cause that's when I use my PC the most. But right now I have only Winamp, Total Commander and my browser open (with only 3 tabs) and my PC is making enough noise and the CPU temp is 57. I'm sick of the noise and of these high temperatures!

I will gladly buy a new cooler if you guys think it will solve my problem and if it will provide a better life for my PC components, cause I saw some coolers that are affordable and they have received many positive reviews.

 

[GerKNG]

well then clean your PC and repaste it.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I find dual 140mm fan/heatsink combo is the way to go when it comes to noise level, even at max RPM fan speed..

Except many cases won't support extremely tall coolers. And considering that Delux DLC-MG760 case is only 192mm wide, and those 140mm fans sit on top of the heat sink which then sits on the motherboard's CPU socket, and the motherboard sits on top of case standoffs, I would not be surprised if that cooler will not fit inside that case.

I might suggest the Hyper 212 EVO as it only has 120mm fans and still offers excellent cooling quietly. However, it is still pretty tall so specs need to be verified first. A traditional downward firing cooler may be your only option. And in that case, Noctua makes some excellent "low profile" coolers.

I didn't open my case for about 3 or 4 years

Then start there. It surely has some significant dust build-up - especially if your case does not have air filters. Unplug the computer from the wall and touch bare metal of the case interior to discharge any static in your body before reaching in to clean.

Again, I do not recommend repasting - especially if you have never done it before. Besides, if you do opt for a new cooler, you will need to clean the old TIM and apply a new layer anyway when mounting the new cooler.

 

[JonathanX]

Then start there. It surely has some significant dust build-up - especially if your case does not have air filters. Unplug the computer from the wall and touch bare metal of the case interior to discharge any static in your body before reaching in to clean.

Again, I do not recommend repasting - especially if you have never done it before. Besides, if you do opt for a new cooler, you will need to clean the old TIM and apply a new layer anyway when mounting the new cooler.

I bet it has some dust and that the dust is also an issue, but since I'm not good at hardware, I wouldn't do it myself.

I surely won't do any repasting on my own, that is way beyond me.

I'm thinking about going to the hardware store, buy a new cooler, and then ask the seller to come to me and he will change the cooler, and when he will do that, he will also clean the dust and he will also teach me how to do it properly. I think that's the best thing to do - let an expert deal with my problem while I watch and learn.

That's exactly what I did when I bought my HDD - I asked the seller to come with me and install it properly, and he did that, not for free, of course

I don't wanna do anything on my own since, like I said, I'm not good at hardware.

 

[JonathanX]

By the way, this is my case:

https://www.oradeahub.com/upload/anunturi/6961287.jpg

http://computer.nscmall.ro/CMSNETSYS/media/products/large/p49ca0d460bd04.jpg

Does it have good air-flow? You kept mentioning that the air-flow inside the case is also a factor, so does my case have good air-flow?

 

[Bill_Bright]

let an expert deal with my problem while I watch and learn.

And there's no shame in that either!

That said, none of the tasks mentioned are very high on the technically difficulty scale. For sure, there are lots of tutorial videos on-line to show how to safely clean a PC and replace your cooler. That said, you may not need to replace the cooler after cleaning.

so does my case have good air-flow?

Well, if I look at the specs here, I would say "no" - not by today's standards where support for multiple large (120mm or even 140mm or larger) case fans are pretty standard. Yours appears to only support 3 x 80mm fans. 80mm fans are small by today's standards. They can still move a lot of air, but only when spinning very fast - and loud. And while yours "supports" 3 case fans, I don't see where it says if comes with 3 fans already installed. If yours already has 3, and they are spinning fine, you may need to consider a new case. If there is room to add another case fan, that would be my first step (after cleaning).

 

[JonathanX]

My case doesn't have any other fans, as far as I know. Inside the case there's just the motherboard, the CPU, the RAM, the GPU, the HDD, and the power source. I never had any other fans inside my case, so the only fans I have inside are the CPU one and the GPU one.

 

[trog100]

get the shop to fit a better cooler and give the machine a good clean out.. call it general maintenance..

trog

 

[Bill_Bright]

My case doesn't have any other fans, as far as I know. Inside the case there's just the motherboard, the CPU, the RAM, the GPU, the HDD, and the power source. I never had any other fans inside my case, so the only fans I have inside are the CPU one and the GPU one.

I doubt the only fans inside are the CPU and GPU. There should be at least one case fan. And the PSU probably has one too. You will need to open the side panel and look. The case supports 3 x 80mm fans. If it only came with one or two, then fully populating the case with fans should help.

Again - if it used to be fine - this most likely is due to heat trapping dust blanketing the components, and/or one or more of the fans is starting to fail due to worn bearings.

Running the obsolete, unsupported and insecure XP is surely a problem but not part of your cooling issue.

 

[JonathanX]

OK, so I know what I need to do.

One last question: should I avoid running applications that make my CPU temps go over 60 until I call someone to clean the interior of my PC and/or buy a new cooler? I'm concerned about these temps so I don't play not even 2D games and I also stopped using youtube already, and that is frustrating, as anyone can imagine...

 

[Bill_Bright]

You are certainly wise to be concerned about your temps but as long as your system is stable, not suddenly rebooting, locking up or shutting down (sure signs of over-heating), I agree you don't need to worry about damaging your system and you can keep using it. But don't procrastinate too long. With yesterday being the first day of Summer, and with the interior surely in need of a good cleaning, waiting will only make it worse.

 

[Jose Jeswin]

found the case right here in TPU...

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/tpus-nostalgic-hardware-club.108251/page-325

Delux MG760 case..

 

[JonathanX]

You are certainly wise to be concerned about your temps but as long as your system is stable, not suddenly rebooting, locking up or shutting down (sure signs of over-heating), I agree you don't need to worry about damaging your system and you can keep using it. But don't procrastinate too long. With yesterday being the first day of Summer, and with the interior surely in need of a good cleaning, waiting will only make it worse.

Exactly, I care about my PC and I don't wanna wait for this problem to aggravate too much. I already asked a friend to come and have a look, he has been an expert in hadware for many years and he helped me in the past many times, but he seems unreachable these days, he doesn't answer my mails nor his phone, that's why I started this thread, cause I didnt know what to do.

Actually, my PC did reboot itself about 2 or 3 times already last week, and this overheating issue has started about... 2 weeks ago, I would say.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will go to the (very few unfortunately) PC malls in my town and ask for help with cleaning and etc.

 

[Jose Jeswin]

http://specsan.com/computer-cases-delux/delux-dlc-mg760-400w-silver-black/

Details of the case...

 

[Ravenas]

OK, so I know what I need to do.

One last question: should I avoid running applications that make my CPU temps go over 60 until I call someone to clean the interior of my PC and/or buy a new cooler? I'm concerned about these temps so I don't play not even 2D games and I also stopped using youtube already, and that is frustrating, as anyone can imagine...

60 degrees isn't a problem. You likely need to apply new thermal compound on the CPU fan/heatsink that you already have. Like other users have stated, your case needs a in-duct fan on the front and an out-duct fan on the back. Your temperatures aren't detrimental to your tasks. You don't want to be over 80 C on CPUs.

Exactly, I care about my PC and I don't wanna wait for this problem to aggravate too much. I already asked a friend to come and have a look, he has been an expert in hadware for many years and he helped me in the past many times, but he seems unreachable these days, he doesn't answer my mails nor his phone, that's why I started this thread, cause I didnt know what to do.

Actually, my PC did reboot itself about 2 or 3 times already last week, and this overheating issue has started about... 2 weeks ago, I would say.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will go to the (very few unfortunately) PC malls in my town and ask for help with cleaning and etc.

The cleaning is primarily to help maintain your equipment, not increase cooling. Again, you need intake and exhaust on your PC. You need new thermal compound on your CPU heatsink/fan.

 

[JonathanX]

60 degrees isn't a problem. You likely need to apply new thermal compound on the CPU fan/heatsink that you already have. Like other users have stated, your case needs a in-duct fan on the front and an out-duct fan on the back. Your temperatures aren't detrimental to your tasks. You don't want to be over 80 C on CPUs.



The cleaning is primarily to help maintain your equipment, not increase cooling. Again, you need intake and exhaust on your PC. You need new thermal compound on your CPU heatsink/fan.

Yeah, but some websites say that the max temp supported by my CPU is 71, not 80 or over it:

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Max Temp

AMD Phenom II X4 945 can operate at a maximum temperature of 71°C

safetemp.blogspot.com

so I don't like seeing not even 55 degrees, you know what I mean?

In the past years I don't remember having such issues, and during winter (when the temperature of my room is obviously lower) my CPU reported 45 degrees max!

So you understand that when I see 60 degrees and I hear noises inside my case I get worried.

 

[Ravenas]

Yeah, but some websites say that the max temp supported by my CPU is 71, not 80 or over it:

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Max Temp

AMD Phenom II X4 945 can operate at a maximum temperature of 71°C

safetemp.blogspot.com

so I don't like seeing not even 55 degrees, you know what I mean?

In the past years I don't remember having such issues, and during winter (when the temperature of my room is obviously lower) my CPU reported 45 degrees max!

So you understand that when I see 60 degrees and I hear noises inside my case I get worried.

80 C is a general rule of thumb for a CPU failure limit that most people want to stay below, 71 degrees is either in the BIOS or just stated for warranty purposes.

My advice to you is to remove the current thermal compound using a dryer cloth, or lintless cloth. Apply new thermal compound to CPU heatsink/fan at a dime size amount. Purchase two fans for intake and outtake exhaust on your PC case.

 

[theFOoL]

I'd say those CPUs ran hot or kinda warmer then others. I use Sliver 5 as my thermal of choice. Buy a new cooler LINK

 

[Bill_Bright]

Rules of thumb really make no sense here. You have to go by the manufacturer's published specs since different CPUs have different capabilities.

As for your CPU, it is 71°C. But that does not mean damage will occur if you cross that threshold. It means it will become unstable and/or thermal protection features will kick in to prevent damage.

So you understand that when I see 60 degrees and I hear noises inside my case I get worried.

I don't like to see over 60°C either. In fact, when my temps sit above 60°C for more than a couple seconds, I know it is past due for me to clean my air filters. Speaking of which, I will never own a PC case that does not have removable, washable air filters. In the past, with my old cases without filters and with kids and dogs in the house creating and stirring up dust, I used to have to lug my systems outside for thorough cleaning at least twice a year. After I switched to cases with filters, I can easily go 3 years without having to clean the interiors. I just slide out the filters, clean them and slide them back in.

 

[Ravenas]

Rules of thumb really make no sense here. You have to go by the manufacturer's published specs since different CPUs have different capabilities.

As for your CPU, it is 71°C. But that does not mean damage will occur if you cross that threshold. It means it will become unstable and/or thermal protection features will kick in to prevent damage.


I don't like to see over 60°C either. In fact, when my temps sit above 60°C for more than a couple seconds, I know it is past due for me to clean my air filters. Speaking of which, I will never own a PC case that does not have removable, washable air filters. In the past, with my old cases without filters and with kids and dogs in the house creating and stirring up dust, I used to have to lug my systems outside for thorough cleaning at least twice a year. After I switched to cases with filters, I can easily go 3 years without having to clean the interiors. I just slide out the filters, clean them and slide them back in.

He’s worried about his system failing due to CPU heat. I told him system failures won’t occur until 80 C or greater.

His CPU heat sink needs new compound, and his case has no or insufficient airflow.