High temps or just a bust sensor?

[AD-15]

Hello,

Recently, I purchased the Artic Silver 5 thermal compound. When I applied it, I was positive I had done everything correctly, but when I switched it on, (leaving the case open to make sure the fan was running, which it was) the overheat alarm went off immediately. I went into BIOS to check it out, and the temp had shot to over 97C. It took me a few seconds to switch it off, so I'm sure it went higher. Anyway, I took it off, re-applied the compound, and started again. This time it hovered at 70C. So, I took it to a local shop. They applied the compound, put the cooler on, and they also got 70C. They even used their own cooler and compound, and got the same results. With my previous compund (the stuff that came with my Gigabyte 3D copper cooler) I got temps at about 50C during gaming. Now, it's about 69C during gaming. Would this be because there is something wrong with my CPU, or is it just the temperature sensor on my motherboard? I have tried using temp-monitoring software, BIOS updates, everything.

I am using an ancient Socket A XP 2200+

[scrandman]

Normally a fried CPU means it'll be completely dead, however it is feasible (although unlikely) that you've only partially fried it. I'd reclean the CPU making sure you've got the AS5 off the entire surface and then try re-applying it myself. Failing that, do you have a friend with a socket A board you can try the CPU on?

Also, make sure the HSF is not installed 180 degrees out (i.e. the step is in the wrong place, causing it to be crooked).

[this_is_gav]

You are just using a small blob, spread across the chip, right? You should just be able to read the writing coming through from the die (can't remember if the sock A's had writing or not, but imagine if not).

[AD-15]

hello,

Thanks for your replies!

Yes, I have installed it correctly, and I have applied the compound correctly. I do not know anybody who has a Socket A board, and the shop I went to did not have any I could try as they are being phased out. The performance is the same as usual, which I never really expected as I thought it would being to throttle down when the REPORTED temperature went too high. I'm not really having any problems, I just need to make sure that the CPU isn't overheating.

So, does it sound like a fried sensor? What temps would do that too a sensor, as I don't think 100C is enough to damage it?

[scrandman]

Try touching the heatsink with the computer on. If it's hot as opposed to scalding, then it's probably a sensor problem.

A thermometer will confirm for sure.

[AD-15]

Ok, it's as warm as normal. But, if it was scalding, wouldn't that be a good sign? It would show that the heat transfer through the compound is better, wouldn't it?

[scrandman]

Ok, it's as warm as normal. But, if it was scalding, wouldn't that be a good sign? It would show that the heat transfer through the compound is better, wouldn't it?

Scalding would show temps of 70C. Warm shows temps of 50C. I'd say a sensor is bust.

IMO scalding would be very bad. Different if the CPU was rated to run at such high temperatures.

[Tin Ribs]

I agree if the heatsink is hot to the touch then its sensor, but burning hot would suggest the temperature is correct. If its cold or only slightly warm this would suggest a bad surface contact between heatsink and fan.
Another sign of overheating would be computer crashes or switching off when gaming.

[latrosicarius]

You are just using a small blob, spread across the chip, right? You should just be able to read the writing coming through from the die (can't remember if the sock A's had writing or not, but imagine if not).

It's not as vital to spread it super thin as most people say. This is somewhat of an "old wives tale" for computer nerds.

I've put over 20 computers together over the past 6 years and I've had plenty of success with varying ammounts of thermal paste.

Yes, if you really slather it on, it will do more harm than good, but you really don't have to worry so much about putting a bit too much on. You'll still get good temps either way, especially after the burn-in period.

[FatalSaviour]

With AS5, you might want to worry a bit more about dumping it on. Wouldn't want any of it leaking across traces .
IMHO, it really has made a difference over what kind of thickness I've used, and even to a lesser extent, how I apply it (blob in the centre gently using heatsink to spread out vs spreading with credit card first etc).
Also, the thinner the layer, the more CPUs you can cover .

But yeh, to an extent, don't stress if you use a little more than what's necessary. It's not likely to spontaneously combust your CPU.