Solved Underclocking cpu

[Ash16]

Hey, i've been looking for a way to underclock my cpu for heat reasons but can't find a way how too.

I've tried BIOS but don't think i have the settings in order to do so. I was just wondering if there were any programs I could use ?


Cheers
-Ash

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Ash,

We could do with more information on your system. Is it a laptop or a desktop? Are you getting sufficient airflow through the case? Does any exhausted air feel overly warm?

 

[Ash16]

It's a desktop, windows 7 was just installed on it so its pretty fresh, i think airflow might be the problem. I have a fan installed, goes around 2400 rpm. The cpu temp is around 65 degrees in BIOS :S. The processor is an Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Edition 840 (2M Cache, 3.20 GHz, 800 MHz FSB) and the comps around 3 years old.

I just underclocked it in BIOS to 2.52 ghz, found out it was labelled as core speed or something like that. Ran processor benchmark in PC Wizard 2010 which made the computer always restart before, but didn't this time. Don't know if its working for sure but seems too

The temp is currently at 71c.

Just wanna ask if i underclocked it too much, or missed out on other settings ?

EDIT: Ran the benchmark again, and it turned off at 88c. Dammit.

cheers =)

 

[Cato]

If it were mine, the first thing I would do is remove the heatsink, clean it and the cpu, and re-apply the thermal paste. Obviously I don't know your expertise in that area, but are a couple of links that will show the basics:

Benchmark Reviews Resource Center | How to Apply Thermal Paste - FrozenCPU.com &nbsp
Appling Arctic Silver 5 to an Intel CPU

The next thing I would do is get at least one more fan. You mention "a" fan as if that's all you have. I'm a believer in good air flow, and as long as you can stay away from a negative air flow, I like all the fans I can get.

If the tower is sitting on a carpeted floor, you should find something to sit under it. Not only will it keep it cooler, it will keep it less dusty inside.

The heat problem is not going to be resolved by underclocking.

 

[crazyeyeschase]

71c at 2.5 wow you have a serious problem here. Something is wrong way wrong.

Can we see pics of the PC?
Are all your fans pointed the right way?
Do you have an intake and exhaust fan?
Was the heat sink installed correctly?
You shouldn’t need to under clock anything you are getting a huge performance robbing and a waste of money.

 

[xarden]

You should probably explore upgrading your heatsink instead, to maintain having the performance of 3.2GHz.
Corsair and Antec do very good cooling products.

 

[Sardonicus]

The new Sandy Bridge processors can be underclocked easily.
The multiplier on the i7-2600 can be set from 16 to 42, at least 42 on my motherboard.
It throttles up and down between Speedstep and Hyper-Threading.
It should save on power and heat, considering that the processor is not always running at a fixed speed.

 

[Ash16]

I've changed the heatsink, but now it just restarts even faster. I'm pretty sure i put it in correctly, with the thermo paste i just put a dab in the middle and then attached the heatsink.

I've got a fan for the powersupply, and a fan on the back of the computer. If i added one on the side, would it fix it? All the fans would be around the CPU in that case.

Cheers
-Ash

 

[Lordbob75]

I agree, you have a problem in your case that is causing massive heat buildup. Your idle temps should be LOAD temps (or close).

~Lordbob

 

[Cato]

A fan on the side wouldn't hurt, but it seems there's more going wrong than what a fan can cure. You said you changed the heatsink, was that before your original post or have you done it since then? If it's since, are the temps still about the same?

If you would fill out your system specs it would help quite a bit.

 

[thefabe]

As mentioned above please fill in your system specs here



If you need help with finding out all of them you can use ether one of these programs Download Speccy 1.08.218 - FileHippo.com
Or |MG| HWiNFO32 3.67 Download

Also cpuid is a god program to have CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting
Downlaod the current version on the right hand side of the page.
Thanks. Fabe

 

[Cato]

Thanks, Fabe, I just came back to point out how to do the system specs. Forgot it while I was making the post. Eh, just getting old.

 

[Ash16]

Done. I changed the heat sink after the original post, but now its not even staying on till the windows startup screen comes on. I don't know if its the thermal paste, applied a thin layer of it but the actual paste was pretty thick. I don't think the cpu and heatsink are touching.

What else could it be ?

-Ash

 

[Cato]

Done. I changed the heat sink after the original post, but now its not even staying on till the windows startup screen comes on. I don't know if its the thermal paste, applied a thin layer of it but the actual paste was pretty thick. I don't think the cpu and heatsink are touching.

What else could it be ?

-Ash

Help me out here, when you say "it's not even staying on till the windows startup screen comes on," do you mean that the fan on the heatsink shuts of before the startup screen starts? The fan shouldn't stop for any reason.

You can get too much thermal paste on it, but you said previously that you just put a "dab" on it. Did you clean all the old off completely before re-doing?

I'm still concerned about the heatsink fan thing, so straighten me out if I'm not following you.

 

[Ash16]

The computer just turns off, then the fans and all stop right after.
I took off all the old thermal paste, but it looked like the one i got was old or something so i just went and bought 2 new tubes.

Gonna take some photos then re-edit this post.

EDIT:

-Ash

 

[Cato]

Okay. I'll check back and see if that fixes it for you. Hopefully, it will.

 

[Cato]

You may already have seen this site: Arctic Silver Incorporated - Home#

You will see references sometimes of using cotton swabs and alcohol to clean the old paste off. I prefer a coffee filter, or a paper towel with a like material. Swabs can leave little bits of cotton on the heatsink if you're not careful.

Have you removed the CPU at anytime recently?

 

[Ash16]

Yeh im pretty sure i removed the old paste, and yeh i have. I just applied the thermal paste and now the computer doesn't even stay on for 5 seconds before turning off.


Is it the way i put the processor in?

EDIT: The fan wasnt plugged in, but now it is and the temps still raising. Could it be the new fan?
Pics were updated btw

 

[nitroman84]

Did you use a very thin coat of thermal paste and spread it uniformly to prevent air pockets? A tiny dab is all that's needed.

 

[Ash16]

Just used the old OEM Fan, added no thermal paste too it because there was still some on the cpu and the temp is sitting at 53 degrees moving up and down and i'm acctually on windows.

Is this a good temp ?
-Ash