Help: Overheating issue... I think

[dBat]

MODS: feel free to move this is if there is a more appropriate forum.


Earlier tonight my computer shut off randomly and when I restarted about 10min later, it told me it had shut down due to a CPU overheat.

A little backstory is in order. This is an intel 820 on a D945PSN mobo with ATI x1800xl. The case is a Thermaltake xaserV which has 3 intakes (2x90mm on a side panel, 80mm front) 2 exhaust (80mm blowhole 90mm rear). All cooling is stock, and no overclocking (not that this board will really let me). The CPU cooler has never made any strange noise and was definitely running at the time (case comes with a fan controller which shows temp / fan rpm). There is nothing loose in the case which could have physically stopped the cpu fan.

At the time of the crash it had been on all day, as it normally is, and WoW had been running for about 5min. Performance was normal, fans were on full blast, ambient room temp was normal.

This system has run BF2 for well over 3hrs with no issue, along with WoW, FEAR, Oblivion, and whatever else you can think of. All applicable drivers / bios updates have been applied.

Also, all parts were purchased new (no refurbs) around this past Christmas. CPU / mobo from intel through Retail Edge, same deal with the video card, everything else from newegg.

I'm typing this post on the computer in question, and everything *seems* fine, I'm just concerned. This system has had no problems until this point and it seems odd that it would suddenly overheat under a relatively minor load.

So... should I be worried? Freak incident? Dying CPU fan? Ever seen something like this? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Rishy]

some temps would be useful...

if you dont have any temp monitoring software/hardware...google Speedfan...pretty good...then report back idle and load temps and whats its like before it restarts if possible...

 

[dBat]

Hi. I'm retarded.

After trying an obvious google search for "intel 820 overheat" I found a thread in which someone mentioned what a bitch it is to secure the pins that hold the stock cooler on. Sure enough, one of the four pins wasn't *quite* through correctly. Before I fixed it, Speedfan reported a CPU temp of 80C (!) idle (after I saw that, I had no desire to test it under a load). Now its down to 60C idle, 65C load which is a huge improvement, but I think thats still about 15 degrees hot. I imagine the heatsink is still getting a bad contact which brings me to my next question(s).

How do you clean up previously heated thermal paste? Do you?

I've also had my eye on a Thermaltake Blue Orb long before this mess, and was wondering if anyone had first hand experience. 77 CFM for 17dBA sounds nice, I'm just not sure I believe that.

 

[billb]

How do you clean up previously heated thermal paste? Do you?

Isopropyl alohol, 70% or more. You can also us acetone, but keep it off the MOBO. Arctic Silver sells a material specifically for this purpose, and it works well. DO NOT use any type of citrus based cleaner..they leave a film.Do a final cleaning with a coffee filter (no lint). Go to the manufacturers site for the thermal paste you will use for directions on applying.