CPU suddenly overheating on low-loads

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

admiralspiffy

Reputable
Feb 8, 2015
3
0
4,510
About a week ago, my CPU began overheating to an absurd extent. When idle, it ranges from 25-40C, and opening heavier programs like Chrome and Steam makes the temperature jump up to 60C. My motherboard is configured to automatically shut down the computer if the CPU temperature exceeds 80C, and has been doing so regularly, mostly while running video games. I noticed it initially while playing Guild Wars 2, by no means a demanding game, but I attributed it to it possibly requiring more processing power due to it's online functionality. However, today, the same thing occurred while playing Lethal League locally.

When the computer shuts down from overheating, it will occasionally fail to start Windows on the reboot, prompting a Startup Repair. The PC has been cleaned recently with computer duster, and the machine is a little over 3 years old.

Here are the specifications: http://imgur.com/eTPFAe1

I already purchased some Arctic Silver 5 to apply, but I get the feeling that it won't fully remedy my problem. Any ideas why my CPU would so suddenly and rapidly begin overheating?

 
Solution
M
What CPU cooler is installed? Normally the AMD stock/boxed cooler is removed and installed with a cam-locking spring clip of sorts, the screws should NOT be removed. When the screws are removed, the backplate will drop from the board. The only way to re-install the cooler will be to gain access to the rear of the motherboard and hold the backplate in place to screw those plastic clips back to the front of the board.

Furthermore, there's no reason to remove the heatsink from the CPU to clean it. Take the whole computer outside with a can of refrigerant and blast it out, or you can use any other source of dry forced air to do the trick. (electric blowers are popular alternatives to the "canned air" products, which are actually cans of...
Sort by date Sort by votes
M

mdocod

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2010
1,797
0
20,460
The factory heat-sink included with the FX-6300 can be borderline inadequate depending on dust load, case airflow, and ambient temps. Obviously the first thing to do is blast ALL of the dust out of the heatsink, all 3 years worth.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

admiralspiffy

Reputable
Feb 8, 2015
3
0
4,510
So, I opened the case and unscrewed the plastic mounts on either side of the heatsink. The screws were secure as I removed it, but now they aren't catching on the other side of the motherboard. I'm afraid I didn't build the PC personally and had help. I blasted the heatsink like you said and I cleaned off the old thermal paste, but now I have the problem of simply reattaching the heatsink, and every tutorial I find seems to skip the part where the plastic mounts are screwed in. I must be missing something. Can you help?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

mdocod

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2010
1,797
0
20,460
What CPU cooler is installed? Normally the AMD stock/boxed cooler is removed and installed with a cam-locking spring clip of sorts, the screws should NOT be removed. When the screws are removed, the backplate will drop from the board. The only way to re-install the cooler will be to gain access to the rear of the motherboard and hold the backplate in place to screw those plastic clips back to the front of the board.

Furthermore, there's no reason to remove the heatsink from the CPU to clean it. Take the whole computer outside with a can of refrigerant and blast it out, or you can use any other source of dry forced air to do the trick. (electric blowers are popular alternatives to the "canned air" products, which are actually cans of refrigerant), you can also use the outflow of a shop vac with a small nozel adapter to produce a good blast of dust bunny pulverization.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
A

admiralspiffy

Reputable
Feb 8, 2015
3
0
4,510
Thanks for your help. My girlfriend eventually figured out to remove the case cover from the other side and hold the backplate in place. I reapplied the new paste and am seeing better temps across the board. I'll be sure to post again if I run into any more problems. Thanks for the assist.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom