New, slow computer overheating?

K

kiz

Geek Trainee
My (newish) computer runs quite sweetly in that it does everything I want with no fuss, but it has a problem with regularly overheating. Now, I live in a hot area and have no air conditioning, but none of my old computers had this much of a problem andI kind of thought with a new(ish) system it would have a cooling system to cope.

It has a 2.4GHz Celeron processor, a Raedon 9550 video card, 528KB RAM, so it's ok but no speed demon. It is not overclocked or modded yet in any way. Every now and then it heats to the point of beeping, and the case is fairly hot to touch. Obviously, this is not good Even though I have not looked in BIOS at the CPU temp or anything else, something tells me my system is running way too hot.

So I'm thinking of a new and/or additional cooling system. With not a lot of cash to spend (I am moving in a few weeks) what would be a good, inexpensive suggestion? What other info do you need to give me good advice?

ETA: Ran speedfan which is reporting the temps are slightly too high at the 51-58 celcius range, which I knew, but the beeping on overheating is the annoying bit. (The speedfan temp taken was a normal day one, not an overheating day one) Touch tells me it is way hotter than that. The computer does not shut down nor play up, nor does the overheating come when I play graphic intense games. It is related to room temperature. Next step is seeing what fans are in there (I just know there are two) but I'm in the middle of using this thing and don't want to open it up just yet! I'll do that pronto and get back to you with what fans are actually in there. The case itself is pretty open and airy, for what it is worth.

Anyways, thanks in advance.
 
50-60*C Sounds Ok for an Idle Pentium (and a celeron at that), would be nice to know the 'overheated' temp if the situation pops up again!

Cooling.... Get the biggest baddest looking heatsink you can afford (with a fan to match) and get a few case fans! Most computers have space for 2 or 3 fans at least (One bottom front, 1 or 2 @ the back).

If this only happens on hot days, you *could* run it if the side fo the case off [not the best of habbits to get into, things fall into my case :x: ]

Was this comp built or bought?
 
Bought. I added the peripherals like DVD burner, and also the HDs, but it's basically a bought system. I already run it with the sides off on hot days. When overheating the case gets very hot to touch. I honestly wasn't interested in the actual temperatures, I just use touch (warm? ok. Case hot enough to melt chocolte? Not ok.) It wasn't till I browsed these forums and I saw the "speedfan" question pop up all the time I thought I'd download it and see what it said.

Your suggestion was what I was thinking of doing, but I've never bought such equipment. Do you have suggestions of reliable, but inexpensive brands? With one of the smalll side panels popped off and a small desk fan close up to it, blowing in, helps a lot and was essentially free but it's really not a long term solution.
 
Nice Fix :P

Brands, ah *dunno* (Sorry!)

Your best bet is to judge the heatsink by what its made from (a metal with a high heat capacity is what your looking for) and the size of the fan attached!

and definetly get some decent thermal paste (or Grease) as this determins

how fast heat can transfer to the heatsink, which in turn determins how much heat the metal can take away (and then your relying on the fan to keep the heatsink cool). Just dont be too heavy handed with the paste! [you only need to cover the square in the middle of the CPU with a thin layer)
 
Depending on what socket celeron you have most likely socket 478 or 775 I suggest the heat sinks with Arctic silver 5 applied to give you the best results. You should definetly find out which socket you have that'll determine the type and price Heatsink cooler you'll need. Throw in a couple 80mm fans any will do just dont go to cheap cause cheap somtimes means LOUD good luck.

Arctic Silver 5 (A must)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007


Socket 478:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835106606

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150062

Socket 775:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150057

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835103001
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top