Overheating Processors

[trainers]

I have 2 AMD Athlon 250 processors i my computer, I have installed a program to see the temp of both of these and have found that they can get to over 100 degrees c resulting in my computer switching itself off (the temp may be higher than this but it switches off before this) Can I fix this by installing a new fan and if so how easy is this and any recommendations for fans?

[VHG]

You sure it is not one CPU with 2 cores?

Does the CPU fan that sits on top of the CPU spin round at the moment, because if not it is no surprise it is getting hot.

In fact I would not run the PC if the fan is not working as it may wreck the CPU.

Make sure the CPU fan cable and plug is seated well into the motherboard socket.

If that still does not fix it then buy a new fan, make sure you get the right one for your CPU. You will need to find out the socket type on your motherboard and buy the right fan for your socket type.

It is fairly easy to take out the new fan and put in a new one, there are plenty of help sites around, and mabye even a video or two on youtube to show how it is done.

[rojash]

Are the fans not working?
If they are not, it's fairly trivial to replace them.
If they are, the problem is probably grot in bewteen the heatsink fins. In which case you need to remove the fans and clean out all the grot, then replace.
I assume you are getting these results with the side off the case?
If not, it could be a problem with the case fans. After all, if you've got to processors side by side pumping out heat, that's a lot of hot air inside the case that needs to be removed.
I believe the max operating temp for the Athlon 250 is 81 degrees.

[trainers]

The fans are all working and the outer case is on, I cleaned the fans etc 2 days ago but did not clean between the fins. This used to happen every now and again but is now getting hot very quickly is there a reason for this?
There are 2 cards in the motherboard, the description of the processors is from my computer where it says x 2. Ive also been told by many people that companies put cheap fans in to save costs plus they are now 3 years old

[VHG]

>>>There are 2 cards in the motherboard

A CPU is not a "card", these cards are probably the memory sticks.

Have you definately got a fan on top of the CPU and is it running. It will look something like this (they do vary in size and shape).

http://media.bestofmicro.com/system-Buider-2009-Gaming,C-5-224645-13.jpg

When a fan is placed on top of the CPU a type of glue is put on the bottom of the fan to get a good seal between the fan base and the CPU.

If the fan has become dislodged from its fixings, and the "glue" separated between the fan and CPU it may not be getting a good "seal" with the CPU.

My main suggestion would be to buy a new fan, you can get one fairly cheaply, and fix this to the CPU. It will probably come with the glue already on it.

I bought a new Akasa fan the other day for an Intel CPU and it only cost me about £5 and came with the "glue" already on the base of the fan.

[VHG]

>the description of the processors is from my computer where it says x 2

I think it means you have ONE CPU but it has TWO cores inside it (inside the one CPU case).

CPUs can come with 1 core, 2 cores, 3 cores, 4 cores and so on.

[VHG]

>>>a type of glue is put on the bottom of the fan

I should perhaps say (before anyone picks up the point) there is a heat sink under the fan and the "glue" (thermal paste) is actually put on the bottom of the heat sink not the fan.

[rojash]

I was assuming from the OPs replies in a previous question that he actually had two physical CPUs (yes, there are motherboards that will take two).

If the OP is under the impression that the cards are CPUs, then it's quite like that he hasn't actually looked at the CPU fan at all.

The CPU will be sitting in the middle of the motherboard. On top is a fan. Under the fan is a heatsink made up of lots of radiator type fins. the fan needs to suck air between those fins. If there is grot between the fins, the fan, even if its whizzing at full speed, will not be serving any purpose. You need to remove the fan (normally just four screws from the heatsink and check that the fins are all clear.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe a picture of the PCs insides might help clear up any confusion.

Fans in the case or above the proessors ? If you didn't clean the grot between the fins it sounds like you didn't remove them to get at everything. That might be a good next step.

If your processors are overheating and if you know the fans are working ok, check the heatsinks are fitted properly.

[SlackAlice]

I thought the poster was referring to a motherboard with 2 CPU's. Could well be a single dual core cpu, found this about AMD Athlon 250 processors.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/popup_image.php?prodid=CP-322-AM&imgID=0&pID=9667&;cat=c435433

May well be the heatsink is blocked up, or the thermal paste is u/s, or the fan is not working.

I'm with VHG's explanation about what to do.

[ABerrant]

A few points:

The AMD Athlon II X2 250 is DEFINITELY a dual core processor.

http://www.amd.com/uk/products/desktop/processors/athlon-ii-x2/Pages/AMD-athlon-ii-x2-processor-model-numbers-feature-comparison.aspx


From trainers' previous thread, the PC is a Mesh Cute mini-ITX small factor with low-profile CPU cooler, a configuration noted for its inefficient cooling.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/desktops/351193/mesh-cute-x215-hd

[trainers]

The last 2 answers are both correct, im going to clean between the fins however, although the fan is working it is obviously not powerful enough to cope, is it worth replacing these fans to solve the problem?

[trainers]

With the case half off the processors get to no more than 60c so I presume the fan is the problem. It seems to vary between 1350 rpm and 1750 rpm but there is no logic to it, ie it doesnt increase as the temp does

[Old_Geezer]

I would hope, went you remove the fans and clear out all the gunk between and underneath, then you may find no need to consider replacement.