CPU Spikes to 80-100% when playing some games

[Samhradh]

So, I will try to keep this as short as possible, but enough detail.

So, I have a fairly decent computer that so far, has been able to handle a lot of the games that I play. Now, when I play games, I actually record them for my youtube channel, so I use OBS (open broadcast software) and I'm usually able to do both and not have the CPU go *too* high. Now, though after a software caused my CPU to go high, it caused my comp to restart/crash...this only happened once and I haven't had it happen again since then, which was about Jan 28th.

Now, I don't know if that one problem made my CPU to work differently or something, but I'm now kind of afraid to do what I do for my channel for some games.

For example: I tried Alan Wake while OBS was open, and the cpu spiked to 80-100% and I don't know if it was like that before... i played 2 hours total with full screen on... (about 1 hour each long because I put the game into parts for my channel) and i never kept an eye on my cpu until now.

My specs:
AMD FX-4300 Vishera / 3.8GHz (Max 4.0GHz) ***I know, not the best at all, but at the time, this comp was all i could afford***
Motherboard: AMD 760G Chipset
RAM: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM / 16GB (Max)
Harddrive: 1TB - SATA III - 7200 rpm

I got another video card than what the computer came with, and it's now: NVIDIA: GeForce GTX 750 Ti

I don't know if it would be worth upgrading this computer after the new video card, I'm sure it would be a lot to upgrade. So, i should probably just save for a new computer right, rather than upgrading again? or do you think if I could upgrade it more, would it be worth it in the end?

Now, as a comparison... when I opened Alan Wake alone, my cpu, from my last test about 2 weeks ago, the cpu went about 65-75, sometimes 80% then dropped some to around the 60-75 range again.

I do understand that having two programs open like OBS and whatever game I play, will put strain on the computer, but what I would like to know... how long can a cpu stand being at a high temp before damage is done? Even without OBS running.

 

[half-life 3]

your CPU is a good one, the problem is most probably the cooling. the computer crashes because the cpu is not being cooled properly.

First thing check if the heat paste between the heatsink and the cpu is not gone , if it is then the p[roblem will be fixed by getting new one and adding it.
The paste is usually very cheap ranging from 1.33$ to 13.5$. you can also replace the one you haVE FOR A BETTER ONE, the onse that come with the processors are not that good.

If changing the paste is not the problem then it is the heatsink, heatsinks that come with the processors are not bad but in your case either yours is not working or it has gone bad, to solve this just buy a new one there are some cheap good onse online check

http://www.newegg.com/
or
Amazon

Hope this helps