Processor Overheating

[Razma]

I started multiboxing in the middle of April with a new computer. I never had any issues until yesterday when I was playing around in Shattrah I get the blue screen of death and the computer turns off. After turning it back on I went directly to the BIOS and checked PC health. My processor was running at 58 degrees centigrade.

I downloaded a program to check my cpu temp when not in BIOS and it hovers constantly around 57 to 58, the other 3 cores around 55, if I try to play WoW these numbers all jump 8 to 10 degrees and the computer turns off. I took off the heatsink and changed the thermal paste and put the heatsink thinking perhaps one of those were at fault but the problem remains. I've also turned off the smart fan option in BIOS so it's always going at full speed. I'm somewhat at a loss now what could be causing the problem.

Specs are:

Windows XP Pro 64-bit
GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
Rosewill RCX-Z775-EX 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Leadtek PX8800 GT GTB GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer as I'm somewhat clueless on how to fix some issues and this one has me stumped.

[ÆONFLUX]

To lower the temperature of your processor you can do the following.

1) Lower voltage
2) Lower clock speed
3) lower ambient temperature (Are you playing in a nice air conditioned room? 70F? Or just letting it get very hot?)
4) Upgrade your heatsink and/or thermal paste.
5) Increase airflow in the case.

IMO try out 1 & 2 since its free. If you dont notice much of a performance decrease go with that.
Item 3 if you are playing in very hot conditions
Item 4 & 5 if all else fails since it will cost you some money.

[moosejaw]

What about your power supply? That temperature doesn't seem like it should make the processer drop out. But a voltage dip would give you a blue screen, especially under heavy video load. If the video doesn't get enough power under load ---->> crash.

Good luck.

[bugilt]

Check the heat sink for dust build up. If it has it get a can of air and clean it off while holding the fan in place. Make sure to turn off the power.

[Razma]

@ÆONFLUX, for #1 and #2 those options are kinda against the whole point of me buying a big beefy system.
#3 the room is fine as much as I can tell, the PC just started getting hot for no reason I can tell.
#4 & #5, I'm using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007 for Thermal Compound and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200026 for my Heatsink, so I really hope those aren't the issue.

@moosejaw, I got my power supply with the case and it's rated at 650W however, that's max power and I had thought it was continuous power, my fault for not checking on purchase, I'm going to replace that.

@bugilt, I've only had the computer for a month so I doubt it's dust but I'm going to check anyway.

[moosejaw]

I believe the 8800GT requires ~30A of 12v. For my card I bought a silverstone power supply with a single 12v rail at 54A. That removes the issue of having to plug into 2 different rails and hope there is enough power for max load. This is my P/S http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256021

Good Luck.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

A 60C core temp will NOT cause intel Core2 CPUs to lock up, just FYI.

[Razma]

A 60C core temp will NOT cause intel Core2 CPUs to lock up, just FYI.

The computer doesn't lock up at 60C, it idles at just below 60C. Once I start 5boxing it can jumps up to 70+. However the idea of the video card being the problem via the power supply is something I'm considering. I downloaded nTune application for the video card to check it and if I attempt to run the monitor for temp's it's an instant blue screen/reset. Double Click Icon -> Blue Screen in less then a second everytime.

My hope is the power supply is the cause. I can play 1 Instance of WoW fine, 2 works as well. Haven't tried 3 or 4, but less then 5 doesn't accomplish the goal.

[moosejaw]

I certainly hope that is the problem. Because problems like that can be a bear to nail down.

Good Luck.

[Wilbur]

Idles at 60?

Thats not quite normal.

Reset your CPU to default settings, don't alter the VCore, Frequency or Multiplier. Monitor the CPU at lower settings.