Overheating

[Brendan M]

Hi there, I am posting here as I think this might be a problem mainly caused by the case.

My system is as follows
OS; Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU; iNTEL cORE i7-920 2.67 GHz
Motherboard; Asus P6T Deluxe V2
Memory; Corsair XMS3 6GB
Graphics Card; Sapphire ATI HD5870
Hard Drive; 2 times Western Digital 1TB PSU; Corsair ATX 850W
Case; Cooler Master Sileo 500
Cooling; Zalman CNPS9900 LED

When I am running "real temp", I am getting unloaded temps around 48 to 52 degree's. If I run a stress test I regularly get into the low 80's. I ran prime 95 and saw a temp of 91. I then shut the test down.
If I run the computer with the side cover off, I get idle temps in the high 40's and stress tests get into the high 70's. The computer is in an airconditioned room.

I have vacuumed out the vents. I have a small fan on the front pulling air in, a large cooling fan in the middle and a small fan at the rear pulling air out.

As you can see in the picture, the case is foam lined so this obviously doesn't help, but high temps with the side case off?

Please do help.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Sorry that you come to us with such a serious problem. Possibly these tips may help
How to Prevent Desktop Computer Overheating | eHow.com

 

[smarteyeball]

Did you build the PC yourself?

How much thermal paste did you use?

Is the cooler properly tensioned?

The case open temps are a little high, but not dangerously so. As you surmised the sound dampening foam doesn't help, nor does the lack of airflow.

Have you left the voltage setting on AUTO in the BIOS? If so what does CPU-Z report the load volts at?

Run the cooldown test function in Real Temp (which uses P95 anyway) to get the load voltage.

 

[Hopalong X]

Looked at your link.
Case might be a small part but not the main problem unless you have the case cooling fans running at low RPM's. With those CPU temps usually the case fans are running at or near 100%.

Two things to check.
I'd think too much paste on CPU/cooler. It only takes enough to show a super thin gray coverage. Apply to CPU only.
Also the cooler can be sitting slightly crooked on CPU. I did that once my self. It looked and felt flat. When I pulled it off to check it the thermal paste was only touching on about half of the cooler.

Fan is not working properly on CPU cooler. This could be as simple as it just needs better RPM control. It isn't increasing properly with the rise of CPU temps.

Mike

 

[Brendan M]

Hi
I would like to thank everyone for their replies. In answer to the questions asked.

I had a pc shop put the computer together to my specifications, which I got off the internet. I use the machine mainly for home video editing, photoshop and some gaming.

I have no idea how much thermal paste was used or if the cooling fan was positioned and tensioned properly.

I can only assume that the voltage setting in the bios is on auto, haven't checked. I will check and get back to you smarteyeball.

I did the cooldown test function in Real temp and I never saw the voltage go above 1.16V. I have no idea if this is good or bad.

So, I'm guessing I will need to purchase some thermal paste, remove the cooling fan, clean and reapply the paste and ensure fan is seated properly. How do I do this???

 

[Brendan M]

Max temps under load.

 

[smarteyeball]

I did the cooldown test function in Real temp and I never saw the voltage go above 1.16V. I have no idea if this is good or bad.

1.16v is good. It means the BIOS is not overvolting on the AUTO setting (the more voltage, the more heat. 1.16v is nice and low)

So, I'm guessing I will need to purchase some thermal paste, remove the cooling fan, clean and reapply the paste and ensure fan is seated properly. How do I do this???

Not necessarily. Not yet at this stage anyway. (plenty of links/ tutorials if need be though)

However it could be a limitation of the cooler itself. They were good for 775/AM2, but they're not as effective for 1366. A quick google gives some mixed results.

With the A/C on - what is the ambient temp in the room ?

As hopalong mentioned, are the fans themselves ramping up?

Are those Real Temp Shots with the side still off?

 

[Brendan M]

Ambient temp in the room is around 22 degrees celcius.

Those temps are with the side on.

I didn't hear the fans ramp up, so to speak, during this test. However I have heard them ramp up from time to time.

I will run the test with the side off and post the temps.

 

[Brendan M]

Second picture show max temp reached 76. This is with the side open.
The fans did ramp up somewhat.

 

[smarteyeball]

The min temps in those shots aren't bad with the side panel on. Even with a 22c ambient, I doubt much of that is making it's way into the case.

While you have the side off, to test the tension - just give the cooler a jiggle. If it feels sturdy (no wiggling) it's secure. But if there is any play in it, then you might want to give the screws a little tightening (do not overtighten. Stop at the first 'bite' of the screw)

Removing the plastic shroud may have a small impact on temps as well (at the cost of noise)

The fans ramping up are a positive sign that they are working fine.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

First off the Zalman is designed to be used with the fan shroud removed so my first idea would be to remove CPU cooler and clean off the base plates first noticing if you got good coverage from the first seating. If you got good coverage of the thermal paste than reapply as before after removing the shroud. As long as before you have the CPU fan exhausting towards the rear case fan then just clean the fan blades on all case fans. Reassemble the system and watch temps. My opinion secondly is that the video card is stealing air flow to the CPU. I would run your GPU in a lower PCI-e card slot and allow better flow to all components. Lastly if after this step you still have high temps at the CPU then I would swap out both front and rear fans with a premium Noctura or Akasa fan set.

 

[1strail]

One other possible change would be to replace the CPU fan with either a corsair h50 using 2 fans or the h70 which comes with 2 fans, push/ pull configuration. This will reduce your CPU temp quite a bit and also force you to re-address the thermal paste possibility as well as the CPU fan seating possibility. I have an h50 and it lowered my CPU temp by 18c right off the bat.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The Zalman will do a good job at cooling though I tossed it for the H50 in push pull setup. The Zalman will do great as long as you not trying to OC to a large extent.

 

[Brendan M]

Problem solved. A new case, the coolermaster 690 advanced. Changed the rear fan for one with a greater airflow rate, added a side fan and another fan inside the case. It's situated in the drive bay area and basically pushes a lot of air towards my zalman cooler which then pushes air to the rear fan. I did remove the plastic shroud off the zalman
My pc now runs about 5 degrees cooler unloaded and when running prime 95 for 2 hours it never got over 71 degrees. I am now ready to think about overclocking.

Dumb question but which is the best thread to read on overclocking. I am a newbie to this and I want to be as careful as possible. Only looking for a mild overclock.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Best thread is "Overclocking and case modifications". Glad to hear your temps are running cooler for you. Your new case sound nice you should post some pic's for use to enjoy in the "Show us your Rig" post. Cheers !