CPU overheating, thermal monitor kicks in

[Bludd]

Hey, I have a problem with my CPU. I have an Intel Core 2 E6300 with stock HSF. At high loads (Orthos proves this) the thermal monitor kicks in and throttles the CPU.

Can this be caused by bad application of thermal grease? I haven't added any to the dollop that was already under the HSF from my boxed CPU.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bludd]

I am starting to think my HSF isn't installed properly, but wouldn't that make the CPU temp skyrocket when I turn the machine on?

I am tempted to just go out and buy a new boxed CPU, but I am also thinking about getting a Core i7 and all the platform stuff that entails.

 

[Bludd]

Okay, so I opened my case to just reseat the HSF. Now when I run Orthos, the CPU doesn't go over 54-56 degrees where it before would go to 81 and the thermal monitor would kick in. Son of a ...

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

Yeah, it's nearly always bad HS seating. Thermal grease helps make a good contact, but it's not going to make a massive difference like that. If you've got the default throttling on in your BIOS, just turning the machine on isn't going to overheat things, but as soon as you run something like Orthos, Prime95, or IntelBurnTest that actually generates more heat than almost any real-life application, then you're not cooling the chip properly, it's heating up faster than the poorly seated heatsink can shunt the heat away with, and the thermal safety is kicking in to save your chip.

 

[Bludd]

Yes, the safety mechanisms are quite stellar, if I must say so myself.

It's fixed now, though. Maybe I should try overclocking it and see what I can get.

 

[2008 IQ is unacceptable]

Intel's hsf mechanism is one of many reasons why I would never build an intel system. In fact, I should say I could never build an intel system b/c the push-pins are PITA and it's an even bigger pita to correctly install a large cooler, from the way it sounds. I could never do it. So technically, I can only build AMD systems.

Anyway, speaking of thermal grease, remember that AC MX2 is superior to AS5, contrary to pop belief. It's proven to run up to a few degrees cooler, doesn't have any metal particles in it and doesn't have to take time to cure.

Anyway, more OnT, i had bought a ~$5500 system from biohazard that lasted like 4 months, of very light use, and it had a core 2 duo E6300 like the OP has. They intalled a zalman cooler [not sure if they did it correctly; they may, or may not have] and the idle temp started out [with all other variables constant, including same components, nothing altered, nor oc'd and in same room temp] like 19-22C then it would never again go any lower than 28 C idle. Not ever sure what caused it to do that. I just guess it was b/c it's difficult for anyone to install a larger 775 cooler.

Of course, if it didn't die of multi-system failure (medical term; the pc term would be "mutil-component" failure," I guess,) I would've probably lowered the vcore setting since i didn't want to oc.

Needless to say, that's the last time I buy a system that I didn't build myself.

 

[BRiT]

There's always inexpensive aftermarket heatsinks for LGA775 which offer easier and superior mounting. Here's some of them: A, B, C, D.

To not use an Intel CPU because of what can be fixed with an extra $25 - $50, despite significantly superior performance is silly.

 

[Neb]

Intel's hsf mechanism is one of many reasons why I would never build an intel system. In fact, I should say I could never build an intel system b/c the push-pins are PITA and it's an even bigger pita to correctly install a large cooler, from the way it sounds. I could never do it. So technically, I can only build AMD systems.

The pushpins are a pain, to seat and then check that they really are fulyl inserted. Like fingering a... to find out the plastic securitys position. But yo ucan always use custom mounts like those that comes with Zalman CPU coolers.

Anyway, more OnT, i had bought a ~$5500 system from biohazard that lasted like 4 months, of very light use, and it had a core 2 duo E6300 like the OP has...

What?


... and I rather have thermal protection system than no thermal protection at all.

 

[Bludd]

There's always inexpensive aftermarket heatsinks for LGA775 which offer easier and superior mounting. Here's some of them: A, B, C, D.

To not use an Intel CPU because of what can be fixed with an extra $25 - $50, despite significantly superior performance is silly.

IQ 2008 in a nutshell.

 

[Davros]

I agree the puspins are a pita o broke one of the plastic tabs at the bottom
had to replace the push pin with a nut and bolt

 

[Skrying]

The push pins are easy... seriously people, don't rush installing your equipment. Twist the top knob in the right direction, push down, push the knob to the locked position... The AMD mounting system really isn't any better, only slightly easier to install and slightly worse to uninstall. Either way, most good heatsinks (some exceptions, such as the Xigmatek's) use their own mounting system these days that are super easy. If you can't handle this then you shouldn't be building anything...

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

People make the mistake of plonking the heatsink on and then trying to position it by screwing/clipping down the retention mechanism. They don't position the heatsink in the right place, hold it there and then use the retention system. Really, it's not difficult with a little thought, research and care. How many people take pride in not reading the instructions, yet you wouldn't believe the bag of bits and the manual that comes with my heatsink. If you can't do those things, you probably shouldn't be putting this stuff together.

If you really want to try a difficult install, try a Noctua C12P on a P5Q Deluxe in an Antec 300 case. The CPU socket is on the top of the board, surrounded by heatsinks and capacitors, and the whole board is right up against the top of the case where Antec put a 140 mm fan. Took me ages to get that top HS fan clip in.

 

[Neb]

OK I admit the pushpins are easy to put into place just having the pushpin head in the unlocked position. The thing was I was almost pulling my hair becouse the Gigabyte mobo had a "cool cooler" copper backplate behind the CPU part of the mobo. That damn thing bent when I pushed the pins and I had to take it off. after that it was easy.

 

[digitalwanderer]

No, no...the pushpins are AWFUL! I will not let BZB bully you.

(I believe that BTW, my own experiences with a 775 cooler were just a fracking nightmare!)

 

[ShaidarHaran]

The push pins are easy... seriously people, don't rush installing your equipment. Twist the top knob in the right direction, push down, push the knob to the locked position... The AMD mounting system really isn't any better, only slightly easier to install and slightly worse to uninstall. Either way, most good heatsinks (some exceptions, such as the Xigmatek's) use their own mounting system these days that are super easy. If you can't handle this then you shouldn't be building anything...

I was just going to mention how much I hate my Xigmatek 1283's retention mechanism...

 

[Skrying]

I was just going to mention how much I hate my Xigmatek 1283's retention mechanism...

They do sell a back plate for a bolt-thru method but yeah it's added cost. I can't really complain because Xigmatek sales a extremely good cooler and fan for a extremely reasonable price. Sadly the kit is currently out of stock for the three heatpipe models at Newegg, worth considering though once/if it comes back in stock.

The heatsink market is really rather interesting right now. The best two models out there, the Sunbeam Core Contact and already mentioned Xigmatek S1283, are very cheap in comparison to other models they dethroned. Really though I'm holding out for a direct heatpipe contact cooler that is designed for passive operation. Come on Thermalright, I know you want to update the HR-01+ with some direct touch loving.

 

[2008 IQ is unacceptable]

The push pins are easy... seriously people, don't rush installing your equipment. Twist the top knob in the right direction, push down, push the knob to the locked position... The AMD mounting system really isn't any better, only slightly easier to install and slightly worse to uninstall. Either way, most good heatsinks (some exceptions, such as the Xigmatek's) use their own mounting system these days that are super easy. If you can't handle this then you shouldn't be building anything...

That's one's opinion. I find amd's mechanism much easier to deal with. It's impossible for me to get the push-pins out and easy as pie when i took my ac freezer 64 pro off.

About the 775 coolers with easier mechs/install, i didn't know they existed. But i haven't even considered intel cpu's since my bio-hazard machine failed, b/c they're a waste of money for me, i don't like intel's biz practices, i like amd for offering much better prices and to me they seem to care about the customer far more than many businesses do. i just get the feeling intel is just out to make money, while amd may be also, they seem to also be a little more concerned with spending their money on making better products due to their innovations, rather than strenghtening their brand name and paying places not to sell their competitors product.

up until the core 2 duo, intel basically got by for years prior to the launch of the core 2 duo, by strengthening their brand name and praying on peoples' ignorance. i mean, when you put a product like the pentium d up against something cheaper like the athlon 64 x2's were, and then pay oem's and fry's to not carry your competitors superior, more inexpensive product, than that indicates they were struggling to make a decent product.

i'm indifferent to intel's better raw performance, and the lag their cpu's had due to lack of an imc until the core i7 came out. finally, the 790fx/sb750 chipset is like the best mb chipset i've ever known. it's too problem free.

 

[Skrying]

Ok, let me rephrase it for you: The AMD mounting system is only easier if you're completely biased and don't live in a world of logic. Your complete lack of knowledge of the market and the available options means your opinion doesn't count at all. Thanks.

 

[2008 IQ is unacceptable]

Ok, let me rephrase it for you: The AMD mounting system is only easier if you're completely biased and don't live in a world of logic. Your complete lack of knowledge of the market and the available options means your opinion doesn't count at all. Thanks.

No, everyone's opinion counts. I never said yours didn't=]

I'm not biased, I just prefer to spend more money on a pc power psu, or better cooling, or a better motherboard, or maybe more games.

I see that there are advantages with intel cpu's for many, if not most people, but we have a free market, so we need to respect the existence of others' having choices that are not our own.

Maybe it's my imagination that imc's make system's more responsive/smoother, but I've been told by others that amd cpu's are smoother, and that it's not my imagination.

Just b/c something's faster doesn't mean it's smoother. Latency is relevant to smoothness, while things like raw horse power are related to speed/strict number crunching.

If larrabee does what i want it to, then I might be a fairly heavy supporter of it.

 

[Bouncing Zabaglione Bros.]

Maybe it's my imagination that imc's make system's more responsive/smoother, but I've been told by others that amd cpu's are smoother, and that it's not my imagination.

That's just the placebo effect. Someone told you it's true, so you believe it, but I bet you couldn't tell the difference in a blind test despite your protestations to the contrary.