Did I fry it?

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hedonia

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Dec 29, 2013
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10,510
I would appreciate some help, I'm really not too smart about this stuff. I've been using this same computer for years, occasionally replacing components when they desperately need to be updated. I use it primarily for editing in Photoshop, but I've recently had time to go back to casual gaming. I've been having horrible lag spikes in Photoshop when processing certain filters, and now games that I successfully played in the past on fairly high settings (Diablo III, Skyrim) are completely unplayable even at the lowest settings. I get very jerky video lag, very difficult to accurately aim the mouse, and sometimes even some audio skipping. (I have no problems playing video files).

When I first started having problems with Photoshop, I vaccumed out the whole case, and left both sides off for airflow. It didn't help, so I re-OSed (Win 7). I experienced faster boot times and slightly faster processing in Photoshop, but it's still not where it used to be. The other night I checked temps with HWMonitor, and my CPU temps were in the 90s (C). GPU was in the 80s. I was horrified. I bought some new thermal paste stuff and re-seated the heat sink on the CPU in case that was the problem. Since then it's in the 30s and 40s idle, and up to 60-70 under load, which I think is okay?

However, I still cannot play games I used to play, even on the lowest possible settings. All drivers are up to date, fresh windows install, no weird software. Any ideas? I'll buy a new graphics card if I need to, I know mine is fairly crummy, but I don't want to waste the $$ if it's a different problem entirely.

Processor AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 970 Processor
Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB 7.5
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Primary hard disk 1683GB Free (1863GB Total)
Manufacturer BIOSTAR Group
Model TA880GU3+
Total amount of system memory 16.0 GB RAM
System type 64-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 4

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Solution
clutchc
Modern processor have a built-in safety for over heating. As they near their TjMax, they will throttle down to save themselves. If that doesn't lower the temps enough, the next move will be to shut down.

As long as you weren't O/C'ing the processor by raising its multiplier or core voltage, I suspect it is undamaged. But try to remember how much thermal paste you used. Too much can act as an insulator between surfaces retarding heat transfer from CPU to heat sync. You only want enough to fill in the microscopic pores of the metal. A tiny dab between the size of a BB and a pea.

Have you recently re-installed the operating system? If not, you may need to clean the system of junk files and registry errors. Give CCleaner a run...
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clutchc

clutchc

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70C is still a little warm for that processor. But if it is just at peaks, not to worry. I don't know why the system isn't playing the same games at the same frame rates it did before. Are you sure you played at good fps back then, or were you just remembering it wrong? Did you maybe have a lower resolution monitor back then? And yes, the 9600GT is an anemic gfx card. 80C isn't dangerous for a gfx card GPU. Warm yes, but not unsafe. GPUs run hotter than CPUs. You might want to change the thermal paste on the gfx card too.
 
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hedonia

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Dec 29, 2013
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I'm worried that I damaged it when it was up in the 90s. Is there any way to test it for damage? (I am still using the same monitor w/ same resolution, same mouse and keyboard, etc.)

Good question about mis-remembering the settings. If I am, which is possible, I do know that I was able to play the games without video lag and major mouse drag - they are in a completely unplayable state now, even on the super-lowest settings and 800x640. Can barely even navigate the menu screens.

New thermal paste is a good idea for the graphics card. Would replacing the card entirely with a ~$100 model be a waste of $$ - should I only replace it if I can afford something better than that? I don't want to accidentally side-grade.

 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Modern processor have a built-in safety for over heating. As they near their TjMax, they will throttle down to save themselves. If that doesn't lower the temps enough, the next move will be to shut down.

As long as you weren't O/C'ing the processor by raising its multiplier or core voltage, I suspect it is undamaged. But try to remember how much thermal paste you used. Too much can act as an insulator between surfaces retarding heat transfer from CPU to heat sync. You only want enough to fill in the microscopic pores of the metal. A tiny dab between the size of a BB and a pea.

Have you recently re-installed the operating system? If not, you may need to clean the system of junk files and registry errors. Give CCleaner a run and see how much junk it finds to clean: https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

For $100, you can get a card that is much superior to the old 9600GT. What is the resolution of your monitor?
The HD 7750 goes for less than $100 and is a great 720p card. It can also game nice at 1080p with reduced settings:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&Description=hd%207750&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20
And it will use less power than your old card: http://www.hwcompare.com/11867/geforce-9600-gt-1gb-vs-radeon-hd-7750/

If you have a big enough power supply, $100 will buy you an HD 7770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600298539&IsNodeId=1&Description=hd%207770&name=Radeon%20HD%207770%20GHz%20Edition&Order=PRICE&Pagesize=20
But you will need an aux PCIe 6 pin connector from your PSU.
 
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hedonia

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Dec 29, 2013
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10,510
I have this monitor: ASUS ASVW246H
VW246H 24" Widescreen LCD Computer Display

which is 1920 x 1080. I think I have a 500 watt power supply. I did re-OS a few weeks ago, and while it helped with general boot times and web browsing, etc. it didn't help with this issue.

I think I might take your advice with the video card upgrade. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me =)
 
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