CPU too hot?

[mitchell_kear]

Recently I have noticed a major decrease in the performance of my PC, game that i could once run maxed out can now only run on low. I have also noticed the CPU fan has been running faster, the temps sit about 50 for idle and 56 under load. Is this too hot? Could it be decreasing the performance of my PC? Does my thermal paste need reapplying? A few weeks ago I took of the CPU fan and wiped the dust off the heat sink, which did help it for a bit.

 

[socialfox]

56 for load isn't that bad but 50 idle....seems high. If you did not re-apply thermal paste after removing the heatsink then I would advise you do so and let us know the result.

 

[mitchell_kear]

I didn't remove the heatsink, just the fan off the top. Then i wiped the dust off the top of it. Oh and forgot to say my CPU us a AMD Phenom ii x2 550

 

[dannoddd]

That's hot, sounds like you've got an airflow issue. Check for dust and clogged filters.
You may want to reapply thermal paste between the heatsink and CPU.
Or just buy a new cooler, that'll probably fix ya regardless of what the issue really is.

 

[mitchell_kear]

Well I'm pretty sure I do have an airflow issue, always had it and nothing much I can do about cause all the PSU cables are connected to things and the excess are just hanging in the way. Would this be a step up for a stock AMD cooler? http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=FANDPC1026&name=DEEPCOOL-ICE-EDGE-MINI-FS-Ice-Edge-Mini-FS-CPU-Coo

 

[dannoddd]

Yes but not by much. What's your budget, and can you buy from Newegg?
Some of the classics are the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or the Xigmatek Loki

 

[melikepie]

Mine is too cold. It gone to 0C.

 

[socialfox]

What is your computer case? We need to ensure that the cooler will fit. In addition, can you get your hands on a Cooler Master Hyper 212?

EDIT: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I FINALLY GOT MY BANNER TO WORK 😀

 

[mitchell_kear]

I would prefer to buy from somewhere local, i live in New Zealand. my budget is as little as possible

 

[melikepie]

I would prefer to buy from somewhere local, i live in New Zealand. my budget is as little as possible

By a Cooler Maste HAF 912. It's really cheap for what you get.

 

[mitchell_kear]

I have an antec 300... didnt refresh page again so i didnt see it till now

 

[dannoddd]

A 212 should fit in that case. I'd go out on a hunt for a Cooler Master Hyper 212+. It should run you around $30 but make a HUGE difference.

 

[socialfox]

I have an antec 300... didnt refresh page again so i didnt see it till now

Well the Antec 300 is a great case and has great airflow as long as you orient the fans in the right direction. It should also fit most heatsinks due to its width.

 

[melikepie]

I have an antec 300... didnt refresh page again so i didnt see it till now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

 

[dannoddd]

Mine is too cold. It gone to 0C.

Assuming you're serious, CPU temp sensors aren't 100% accurate. They're often accurate around the important range, 10-15* around the max core temp, but outside of that range can be very erroneous. The big part to pay attention to is when you're under load. Now if you're just reading 0 all the time, your temp probe is dead.

Also, he's not looking for a new case, just a heatsink.

 

[mitchell_kear]

I don't know why you have posted a case... I don't want a new case cause im planning to upgrade my whole computer next year, hence why i don't want to spend too much money on a cooler. I can get the coolermaster cooler from a local PC shop but its not the "plus" model, does that matter too much?

 

[dannoddd]

Nope. Get it and enjoy having substantially lower temps.
AND, it'll probably be way quieter. Those stock heatsinks usually sound like a jet engine under load.

 

[socialfox]

^+1

 

[mitchell_kear]

Thanks for the help, will hopefully be able to get it in the near future Yes they do sound a little like jet engines under load which is why I'm running it with the side off. Will it damage it too much running for a few weeks without a new cooler?

 

[mitchell_kear]

Best answer selected by mitchell_kear.

 

[dannoddd]

Probably not. You'll probably be totally fine until the fan falls apart and quits all together. I've got the same cpu at work, and when I encode full HD video i've hit 86C for 2hrs straight without even crashing.

 

[Wisecracker]

What is your VCore?

That GB mobo will over-volt a ton with settings on *Auto*

I've down-volted as much as -0.125v, unlocked, and OC'ed on a rig similar to yours

!!!

Edit: Here yah go ....

At idle ... 0.832v 2400MHz IMC/NB (minus 0.125v in the BIOS)

Unlocked, at load ... 1.18v 2400MHz IMC/NB (minus 0.125v in the BIOS)

Power at the wall dropped by nearly 1/3 ... to something like 135w at load!

 

[melikepie]

Assuming you're serious, CPU temp sensors aren't 100% accurate. They're often accurate around the important range, 10-15* around the max core temp, but outside of that range can be very erroneous. The big part to pay attention to is when you're under load. Now if you're just reading 0 all the time, your temp probe is dead.

Also, he's not looking for a new case, just a heatsink.

No, the room was just near 0C.