CPU running dangerously hot

[Clockwork_Killa]

I was using my computer this morning when my belkin power surge/backup bar started beeping almost continously, it occasionally does odd things so I ignored it, a few minutes later my computer powered down without warning. I thought that was a bit odd and when I powered back on, my fans were making a lot of noise. I thought it was prudent to check my cpu temps, one was running normal, around 40 but the other was running between 85 and 90! I immediately shut down the computer to avoid any damage, and thankfully everything seems to be working, but I really have no idea whats causing the problem.

Both my cpu fans are running fine (both are identical), although the heatsink/heat pipe on one is rather hot. All my case fans are running fine and dont seem particularly dusty.Ive been running the system for months and never had any problems with cpu temperature, Ive not changed anything and I wasnt running anything other than firefox and a torrent client with AVG running a normal scan in the background.

Im really quite concerned here, does anyone have any idea what might be going on?

[llololloy]

no idea what the cause or remedy is, but it might help to swap cpus in sockets to help see if the problem is caused by mobo or cpu.
If the same cpu stays hot then you can be fairly sure it's on its way out, if not you know to look more closely at the mobo.

[smargh]

Disconnect the PSU from all the components, jump the green and neighbouring black wires on the motherboard connector, apply a load of perhaps a couple of fans, and check the voltages are not out of spec (5&#37 with a multimeter. Perhaps the PSU is spewing out lots of voltage. How old is it and what brand?

[Clockwork_Killa]

Well, I left my computer to cool off for a few hours, and now that I turned it back on, the temps have gone down considerably, but they are still running too high. At idle they are around 50 and when I start to do anything they shoot up to around 60 and then up to almost 70 if I even try to run Photshop!
Ive installed extra fans on the side window of my case at the bottom to blow cool air in, but they dont seem to be having much effect.
Im still baffled by the whole thing really, the computer is only a few months old, all the components are new, and the processors are both AMD opteron 2212s which should easily be able to cope with the applications I run. Ive never had issues with cooling before, the problem literally just started the other day.
Ive checked the temperatures with Core Temp and Everest, and they both read the same, the voltages seem fine (about 1.13). The only thing that does seem a little odd is that the fan on the cpu that is running hot is running slightly slower that the other cpu fan. One is running at arpund 1070 rpm and the other at around 1000 rpm, could that make such a massive difference?
The inside of the case isnt really dusty (all my fans have mesh dust guards), would cleaning it out with some compressed air make any difference?
Id really rather not remove the processors, and I dont really like the idea of messing around with the connections on the motherboard. Could the motherboard really be the problem?
Thanks

[jeffel]

Ok.It sound like your cpu cooler has come loose.Are u using the standard intel cooler.They sometimes do come loose.
As u have mentioned one core is 40 and the other are 80,90 's then the cooler might have have loosened on one or two sides where u clip it on the motherboard.
See if thats the reason for it.Hope thats helps.

[llololloy]

Ok.It sound like your cpu cooler has come loose.Are u using the standard intel cooler.They sometimes do come loose.
As u have mentioned one core is 40 and the other are 80,90 's then the cooler might have have loosened on one or two sides where u clip it on the motherboard.
See if thats the reason for it.Hope thats helps.

I doubt it's an intel cooler as he's using dual socket opterons.
You have a point about the cooler though. reseating the hsf / swapping the 2 coolers around, re applying the tim could be the jobbie.

[Clockwork_Killa]

I dont think the cooler is loose, it certainly doesnt feel loose. Im using Akasa revos which have a fairly secure clip system. Ill have a closer look and see if theres any play, but I couldnt feel any the other day.
Is there any way to override the motherboard's fan speed settings? Like I said, one fan is running about 70 to 80 rpm slower than the other which I figure could easily account for the 10 degrees temp difference between the two cpus.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[freddie]

It sounded like Jeffel had the right idea, sometimes the cooler gets nudged by little things! It could judt be one clip that wasnt properly locked.

Also take off the whole cooler and check the clips. Clean it, lap it so it's really flat and apply a good thermal paste. That should lower temps if it was the problem, otherwise at least you know it's not that.

Then contact Intel and your motherboard manufacturer, see if they have had reports of this. Intel has a CPU utility that can check the status of the CPU - I think you can record a history of CPU use as well to see if anything strange is happening between cores.

[Clockwork_Killa]

Ill have to take off and refit the cooler then and see if that makes any difference.
Does AMD have anything similar to the Intel utility? Mine are both AMD opterons, not sure why people seem to think they are intels.
What should I use to take off the old thermal paste?
Thanks again for the help guys.

[heyuptiger]

isopropyl alcohol... is pretty good stuff.. for cleaning
http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?...eria=ISOPROPYL

use cotton buds or lint free clothes... perhaps attempt lapping the processors and or cpu cooler... this will make the surface flat ensuring even coverage of Thermal paste aswell as increasing the suface area in contact. ALTHOUGH It VOIDS WARRANTY. only do if comfortable... lots of tutorials around... www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVXuZTuoEuE

[Clockwork_Killa]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread, but ive finally got the time to refit the heatsinks and I was just wondering if Tim Clean would do the job of removing the thermal compound off my cpu. Ive got a bottle lying around, but I used Akasa AK-tc 5022 on my cpu's which Im pretty sure is silicon based not silver, will it still work or should I just shell out for some isopropyl anyway?
Thanks

[Salazaar]

Either should work fine. Some people say that the TIM cleaner leaves a very thin residue, hence reccommending IPA, but I've never had any problems with it.

[Clockwork_Killa]

OK so today I refitted the coolers, I took them off, cleaned them and both cpus with tim clean, then reapplied the thermal paste and refitted the coolers. I dont think I did anything obviously wrong, I used an antistatic wrist band etc etc so I dont think theres much chance I damaged anything, but now I cant get my machine to boot.
The computer will power on, all the fans are running, and its not shutting itself down/cutting out, so I dont think theres a problem with the cpus still overheating, but it wont boot at all, I cant even get to the bios screen, just nothing. Theres no warning from the motherboard, no cpu warning leds or warning message, but its not even posting.
Has anyone got any ideas whats gone wrong here?

[Zak33]

Power Off. Mains lead out. Hit the On button to emopty the capacitors.

Then reset the CMOS (jumper near the battery) and leave in reset mode for 1 minute, then move it back to normal position.

Cross all your legs, arms etc...and power back up. (remember...you unplugged it)

[Clockwork_Killa]

Ill give that a go, thanks.

I should mention that it was running fine (aside from running too hot) before I refitted the cpus/coolers. Also, I dont know what bearing this has on anything, but in another thread I read where someone was having a similar problem, somebody asked if the cd tray would open when powered on. So for the record, yes my CD tray opens and closes without issue.

[Clockwork_Killa]

Resetting the CMOS didnt change anything, any other suggestions?