Why is my computer overheating?

[ComputerWhiz305]

Recently I have had an issue with the CPU and GPU of my computer overheating and causing the computer to run extremely slow. I live in an environment where there is no air conditioning, even though it is summer time. I have had this computer for years and never had an issue like this though.
I am running one fan that runs at about 2810 RPMs from the time I start the computer up, until the time I turn it off.

When I first start my computer and first open the SpeedFan program, my CPU and GPU temperatures are:
CPU: 51C
GPU: 41C
Both of these temperatures are rising quickly.

After a little bit of browsing, my CPU and GPU temperatures are:
CPU: 56C
GPU: 63C
By this point both the CPU and GPU have a fire symbol next to them.

When I start a game that is taxing on the computer, then things get bad and I start to get issues with my computer. The temperatures are:
CPU: 91C
GPU: 80C

I have already opened my computer's casing and removed all dust from the inside, but this did not help.

So I just want to know what can I do to fix this?
Would it be my fan that has failed or do I need to have a new or second fan installed?

 

[Guest]

What CPU are you using? Are you overclocking? Stock cooler?
Is your cooler/fan on tightly? Have you taken it off recently?

You may need new thermal paste.

 

[ComputerWhiz305]

What CPU are you using? Are you overclocking? Stock cooler?
Is your cooler/fan on tightly? Have you taken it off recently?

You may need new thermal paste.

I'm using an Intel Pentium 4 CPU.
I have no overclocking programs installed on my computer.
No stock cooler.
The fan is on tightly.
I have never removed the fan.

 

[ComputerWhiz305]

What CPU are you using? Are you overclocking? Stock cooler?
Is your cooler/fan on tightly? Have you taken it off recently?

You may need new thermal paste.

So I am not confident enough in my abilities to work with my own computer. I mostly just work with old ones and refurbish them.

If I was to take my computer to my local computer repair store, who much do you think that they would charge to replace the thermal paste?

 

[Jake Fister]

Paste is only a few bucks, but they will prolly charge out the wazzoo just for having to do it. Your motherboard is a lot tougher than you think. Just make sure all the screws are out, tug on the cooler a little (sometimes old paste can feel like glue) twist a little til it comes off, then wash with alcohol and a qtip on the cooler and the cpu (isopropyl 91% is best, but 70% will work) then reapply some non-conductive paste (such as ceramic instead of silver). I say non-conductive because if you're not perfectly comfortable, you don't want to mess with anything that could possibly short out a chip on your mobo, but as long as you use non-conductive, you'll be fine.

 

[ComputerWhiz305]

Paste is only a few bucks, but they will prolly charge out the wazzoo just for having to do it. Your motherboard is a lot tougher than you think. Just make sure all the screws are out, tug on the cooler a little (sometimes old paste can feel like glue) twist a little til it comes off, then wash with alcohol and a qtip on the cooler and the cpu (isopropyl 91% is best, but 70% will work) then reapply some non-conductive paste (such as ceramic instead of silver). I say non-conductive because if you're not perfectly comfortable, you don't want to mess with anything that could possibly short out a chip on your mobo, but as long as you use non-conductive, you'll be fine.

I contacted my local computer store and they said that they will do a complete tune up including replacing paste for $5.
I think I will just do that, but in the future I will try changing paste on an old computer that I am fixing.

 

[Jake Fister]

Wow $5. Can't beat that.

 

[Saberus]

Five bucks? Amazing deal you found!