Computer Overheating/Freezing?

Question

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+2.7ghz
Nvidia 7800 SLi 256mb, 2 gb ram, 430 watt PSU, and Windows xp Pro.








So my computer has been overheating and freezing for awhile, I had gone through many steps to find out the problem by reinstalling software, reconnecting hardware, cleaning dust from internal parts and bought a new PSU but still to no avail.

I just ran a stress test from Prime95 and set it full fft's, and it was running at 100% CPU usage and it's froze within a minute. After, I checked it's temp and it was at 76c, motherboard was fine 40c.

It just overheats when using a lot of power, like when burning a cd, playing a graphics intensive game, or simply watching a video. Most times it ends up at 58c from the boot up, to 80c right when you start using a lot of power.

is it possibly a hardware failure? Please offer any suggestions on what to do if you can.

Thank You

yeah, I forgot to add.

I did find a lot of dust on the heatsink and got rid of it but it still freezes up.

All fans are functioning.

Answer 1

Probably your CPU cooler isn't functioning or is undersized.

I have a Dell w/Intel CPU that was having an overheating issue, the CPU cooler had died. Got a new cooler from Dell (~$30 w/shipping) and that fixed the problem.

CPU cooler is usually a fan, sometimes with liquid assist that is mounted directly on top of the CPU.

Answer 2

Check the cpu fan. If it is functioning properly check and see if thier is dust between the fan and heatsink. I had that problem and it wound up being a dust blanket between the fan and heatsink.

I've never personaly seen power cause over heating of the cpu as I have had them too. I would go with a higher rated PS though.

Have you checked and made sure the heatsink is properly fastened down to the cpu and checked to see if the thermal grease is applied properly?

Did it just start doing that after working properly? Did you add any hardware or make any changes to the system around the time this started? When you blew the dust off the heatsink did you remove the fan to see if there was dust stuck between them? Have you removed the cpu/hs/fan and remounted them?

Answer 3

it is not overheating comuters get that hot dont worrie but is there fans in the computer. do you have lights in it. it sounds like it is not geting lots of power for it. remove the lights if you have them if you have 2 dvd drives take one out. get what i am saying and usb has nothing to do with this and drivers dont ether renstall you computer you may have a bug in it
if it is an acer get a new one