CPU Temperture Error + RAM horrors

[Techno Fox]

So a 4-5 years ago I bought a custom built computer from computer planet. I noticed that when I would play games the computer would freeze, I would reboot the comp and it would work fine for the rest of that day.

Recently I have been getting CPU temperature errors at start up. In my bios it says im reaching up to 85c which of course is not good! I spoke to computer planet and they told me to check my cooling fan. It didnt appear to spin so I made sure it was plugged in correctly and it now seems to work ok. It's an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7. Event though it spins I still recieve the error sometimes.

My second issue which I believe to be related is the fact that only untill recently have I realised that my computer thinks it only has 4GB RAM. I have 6x2 sticks of 2GB RAM, so 12GB RAM in total. Yet my computer says I only have 4 (not 12gb and 4gb available) just 4gb RAM. Now as im running 64bit Windows 8 you can imagine that it makes my machine super slow.

I have been advised ro run memtest on each indidvidual stick of RAM so that will be my next step to deduce whether something is wrong with them.

So I guess what I'm asking is... what can I do about my CPU, why does my computer only register 4GB RAM and are the two problems related? I know a decent bit about computers now (a lot more thanw hen i first bought it 4-5 years ago) but I'm not pro or anything, ANY help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Forgot to add my CPU, is an Intel Core i7 960 D0

 

[1LiquidPC]

I would replace the CPU fan if your still getting error. Even if not replacing, due to high temps the thermal paste is probably dried out and needs replaced. Also, check in your motherboard BIOS to see if all your ram is showing up in there. There may be a "memory remap" setting to make 12GB available. Also if the CPU heatsink isn't tightened correctly(too tight), it can cause memory slots to not work correctly and not see your RAM.

 

[1LiquidPC]

For memtest, try 1 stick at a time as mentioned, but when using 1 stick you have to use specific slots depending on motherboard model.