CPU overheat/Power cut

[heepajunk]

I built a new computer.

Specs, incase it matters:
P4 3.2GHz prescott (yes, i know they run hot, this is different...)
Asus P5GDC-V deluxe
Radeon x700 pro
1 Gig corsair DDR2 533 PC4200
plextor dvd-rw/cd-rw
Maxtor 160GB hdd
PSU: 450 watts, ATX12V

The problem is this:
When i turn it on, it boots up as it should, and then about 30 seconds into boot-up the computer cuts the power.
I susspected an overheating CPU, so i gave it time to cool off if it needed it, then booted up again. I quickly looked in the bios setting at the CPU temp, and it was rising REALLY FAST. I had just enough time to see it it break the threshold, and the power was cut again.
I re-seated the heatsink a couple times to no-effect (maybe there's something i'm doing fundamentally wrong? but i dont think so since the process is rather straight forward)
The Fan is working.
I re-seated the ram, just to be sure. The RAM also works fine in other computers.
I removed the graphics card and tried again. no change.

one minor note: the mother board calls for a 24pin power connector, and my PSU has a 20-pin. Normally that would freak me out, but the manual says that i can use a 20-pin, so long is it supplies at least 15A on +12V. mine supplies 18A. Regardless, i'm getting a new power supply, just so i dont have to deal with that.

I want to be sure that the heatsink is making adaquate contact to the CPU. I am well aware that a cpu can burn itself out in seconds without correct cooling. I want to varify that the heatsink is doing its job... how can i do that?
Hopefully i gave all the pertinent information. I am looking for help in narrowing down the problem -- right now i'm sure its the CPU, but i dont know why its over heating. Any help is appreciated.

[Flash]

that CPU shouldnt burn out it should throttle when it gets to a certain temp I believe

what hsf have you got?

[utdmleach]

are you using any thermal paste?

[heepajunk]

what hsf have you got?

retail

are you using any thermal paste?

just the conduting material that came with the heatsink.

[utdmleach]

Sounds like the heatsink isn't absorbing the heat correctly. Even though you've done it before, try once more refitting it, trying to make sure it contacts the material. If that fails, Artic Silver thermal paste should do the trick.

[heepajunk]

Sounds like the heatsink isn't absorbing the heat correctly. Even though you've done it before, try once more refitting it, trying to make sure it contacts the material. If that fails, Artic Silver thermal paste should do the trick.

i will try that. how do i get the current material off of the heatsink? i wouldn't want to damage anything, and i imagine the compound would work best with a clean application.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

I used white spirit

[utdmleach]

Never use any oil or petroleum based cleaners (WD-40, citrus oil based cleaners and many automotive degreasers) on the base of a heatsink. The oil, which is engineered to not evaporate, will fill in the microscopic valleys in the metal and significantly reduce the effectiveness of any subsequently applied thermal compound.

If your heatsink has a thermal 'pad' mounted on it, this pad must be removed before using Arctic Silver thermal compound. Thermal pads are made with paraffin wax that melts once it gets hot. When it melts, it will fill in the microscopic valleys in the heatsink with wax. To minimize the permanent contamination of the mounting surface with wax, the thermal pad should be removed before it is used and melted. Never use heat or hot water to remove the pad, the heat will melt the wax into the heatsink.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

[Grey M@a]

to be honest the intel sinks are good for general office use of the pc, everyone i have seen in use after an hour of gaming the chips fly up the heat scale. If you can afford the price buy yourself a ThermalRight XP90 with a 92mm ystech fan, the fan pushes about 50cfm of air and is quiet, i used to run delta fans to keep my 3.2 canterwood happy when i clocked it.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...right_120.html

The second one down is a good performer, if you have the space you could go for the 120 version and get a quiet 120mm fan if you wish. From general experience and seeing others run their intels with the stock coolers its always been a battle with heat issues.

Might be worth a look, I have the 3.2 Canterwood with the xp90 and I idle about 40 - 43c and full load after 24 hours of Prime at about 57c max case always sits between 28 - 34c

[utdmleach]

Got a 2.8@3.36 Northwood P4, idle 28°C, full load 50°C all on the supplied hsf @ 2000rpm max

[Grey M@a]

you must have some serious cooling in that case to keep it that cool, my old 2.53b on the standard sink sat around 40 idle with as3 paste then would jump to 60 - 70 at full load after a few hours of gaming, guess its all down to the chip at the end of the day as the intel chips have always increased in temps from the early northwoods.

If you are keen to keep the standard HS I would do as suggested, clean the heatsink up and remove the tim pad off the bottom them apply artic silver 5 to the chip and see what happens, if push comes to shove replace the fan on the standard cooler. Might be worth a try Clear up any cable mess in your case so there is a clear flow of air through the case, that may help to cool the chip a little bit more.

But from what you have said with it jumping in temp and then throttling and the mobo switching itself off, its a definate problem with the heatsink not being seated properly or it could even be the chip not sitting in the socket correctly. Might be worth a try stripping the computer down and building from scratch double checking everything is secure.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

I'll ditto those temps on a 2.4C --> 3.2

27 idle, 32 small load, and 50ish load on intel HS/F

[heepajunk]

thanks for the replys,
i'm thinking i'll use some rubbing alcohol to clean the heatsink off, and i'll try the arctic silver. hopefully that will work.

[iranu]

Intel stock heatsinks are renowned for their GOOD performance. Too remove the pad and gunk use isopropanol alchohol. I think maplins sells this. At the same time get some quality thermal paste - artic silver is popular and apply thinly to the heatsink.

Take your time installing the chip and heatsink!

[Spud1]

Sounds like a PSU problem more than a CPU one tbh

I had this problem with my psum kept just cutting out, replaced it with a nice enermax and now its running sweet as the olsen twins