MSI P6N w/ e4400 Issues

[RCXIII]

Yesterday, I received a P6N motherboard and an Intel e4400 and put it together with Artic Silver thermal grease. I had a bit of trouble putting the heatsink/fan on so I had to apply it a couple of times. I removed the paste each time with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs and reapplied only a little bit. When I started my computer up, it powered down and I started powering it up. This happened four times before I realized my CPU fan wasn't plugged in. Now, everything seems to be working fine but after checking SpeedFan and my task manager, the computer only detects a single core and it's temperature is 42C-48C at idle when my old one was usually 29C-33C idle (overclocked too!).

My question is if I somehow damaged my CPU be reapplying the thermal grease too much or if I permanantly damaged by overheating the CPU from starting it with the fan off.

Thanks.

 

[Glow]

If your using a stock Intel cooler it comes with grease already applied so I dunno if u had a grease fest going on. I'd go threw everything make sure everything is secure and in right. From there or even before I would go into your BIOS and make sure that you dont just have one core running and checkout what kinda voltage you have going threw it.
From there I would check on your cpu fan speed. It might be set to a lower speed from your bios you should be able to increase it. This might bring your temps down all together.

 

[RCXIII]

Thanks for the reply. The heat sink did come with thermal grease but I took it off because I think Artic Silver makes it cooler than the stock. I just rebuilt the computer (took everything out and back in again) and everything runs fine now. The temp. is at 30C. Thanks anyway!

Edit: Apparently, the single core problem went away but there is still a temperature problem. I didn't even overclock yet and its 40C idle and 51C load. Can anyone help me out? Does anyone know how to overclock on this motherboard by the way?

 

[engiNURD]

I have a Ultra Xfinity 600W PSU and my CPU is hotter than I would like (40C idle). I usually get 30C oc'ed idle w/ artic silver thermal grease on my other setup. Is the PSU to blame on this computer or is it something else? The other one is e4300 while the one I'm using right now is e4400 (not oc'ed).

You're using the same case as the OP? If not, whats your setup(s)? Better yet, start your own thread and PM me the link, lol.

I did post a thread up but only one person responded. Yes, I'm using my old case (Antec P180) and its pretty cool in there, all my temp. readings are from 31-45C. I have the CPU overclocked to 3GHz but the temperature remains the same. The Core 0 and Core 1 are at 35C idle right now but when I start up a game, and run for a while, it reaches 45-55C. I don't know if thats normal or not.

Hence, my request for a PM with a link.

Anyhow, you're using a P180, so my comment about the PSU fan on the Corsair does not apply to you. The case the OP (original post(er)) is using (from the other thread) is a Silverstone SFF case, that has the PSU sitting on top of the CPU area. He had the NT-06 Lite as a CPU Heatsink, meaning the fan from the PSU would be the fan for the CPU as well. Therefore, the Corsair, with its weak fan, was not a good option for his build.

You're temps are too high. Are you using the stock intel cooler? Its most likely not installed correctly. Did you follow instructions for using the Arctic Silver 5 from the arcticsilver.com? Make sure you used the proper amount as in the pictures. You shouldn't have ruined your CPU since its supposed to shut itself off before any damage can occur. However, if you feel there may be damage, you could always RMA it.

Its easy to OC on that board. There's a huge thread on the P6N series in the mobo subforum, so check it out.

 

[RCXIII]

Well I installed the heatsink four times, I don't know if its right or not but theres not much I can do. It seems to be secure, its not moving or anything. I only used a little bit of thermal grease as suggested.. Would applying it too many times cause the heat? Also, what would be normal temps?

 

[engiNURD]

Well I installed the heatsink four times, I don't know if its right or not but theres not much I can do. It seems to be secure, its not moving or anything. I only used a little bit of thermal grease as suggested.. Would applying it too many times cause the heat? Also, what would be normal temps?

No, applying it many times wouldn't cause the heat. The normal temps would be high 20's, low 30's for idel with no OC on the stock cooler. You used a straight line, like the directions say, right?

 

[RCXIII]

Well it recommends a straight line but I read around and many people suggested a grain size is enough. I'll try it the straight line tomorrow.

 

[engiNURD]

Well it recommends a straight line but I read around and many people suggested a grain size is enough. I'll try it the straight line tomorrow.

Grain size was for a single core CPU.

 

[RCXIII]

Well I put more Artic Silver and its still pretty hot (36C-41C idle). Could it be a motherboard issue?

Edit: I switched with the other computer (e4300) and its around 6 degrees less than the e4400. The max was 56C. How is that? Or should I just stick to the e4400?
I read that it takes 2 weeks before the thermal grease reaches its full potential.

 

[engiNURD]

36°C at stock with the E4400? still kinda high, but 56°C is good for a load temp (stay under 60°C). I guess you just got a hot running chip. When you pulled off the HSF, did you notice the AS5 coverage on the IHS/HSF? Did their patterns match? was the compound evenly spread?

 

[Hailwood]

My e4400's integrated head spreader (IHS) is concave. When I remove my HSF I can see the marks made by the mounting pressure around the edges, but none in the center. It's possible that you aren't getting good contact between the CPU and the HSF and that is having a negative impact on your temps. Apparently this is a pretty common issue with the C2D's. You can check the flatness with a razor blade or similar straight edge.

My solution was to apply an even, thin layer of AS5 across the IHS and HSF base, and then put a small grain in the center. I tried pretty much every other method and this worked out the best.

Initially my temps were ~40's at idle and high 60's under load. Now I'm down to ~30 at idle and 55~60 under load. I'm fairly positive that lapping the IHS would yield much better temps, but I haven't worked up the courage to do it yet.

 

[engiNURD]

Good advice from Hailwood... try it.

I'm fairly positive that lapping the IHS would yield much better temps, but I haven't worked up the courage to do it yet.

Don't forget, lapping the IHS voids the warranty on the CPU.

 

[RCXIII]

I just tried that and it works! Right now, e4400 is running at 31C idle. Much thanks to everyone who replied.

Although its still freezing http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1229651

 

[CoW]8(0)]

Grain size was for a single core CPU.

Actually grain size still applies to C2D. The line for the dual core was for Pentium D dies.

Also, about your single core issue...Did you update Windows?

 

[engiNURD]

Actually grain size still applies to C2D. The line for the dual core was for Pentium D dies.

I see no differentiation between Pentium D and Core2Duo on the ArcticSilver website for instructions on applying AS5. All I see is a choice for "Arctic Silver 5 Instructions for Dual Core Intel CPU w/Heatspreader," in which it says to use a straight line. I guess Arctic Silver needs to update their website?

 

[CoW]8(0)]

But have you seen the die of a C2D, it's nothing like a Pentium D which basically has two cores glued together.

 

[engiNURD]

But have you seen the die of a C2D, it's nothing like a Pentium D which basically has two cores glued together.

Yah, the Pentium D has two discrete square dies next to each other. A Core2duo is a rectangle. Since its not a square, I'd still suggest a line rather than a single grain size dab, just not as long of a line.