Hello,

My PC has been running great recently, but yesterday I had some heavy slow down shile playing TF2. It was late, and I thought it might just need a reboot so I turned it off. This morning when I turned it on it seemed fine, until I played TF2 again. I rebooted once more, and this time it took about 10 mins just booting up. When it did, it was running exremely slow. I tried again in safe mode and the same thing happened.

I disconnected the second monitor as well as disbaing SpeedStep in the bios. It was noticably quicker but still slow. I went to safe mode and restored system to a few days ago, now it gets to the login screen quicker but once I login it's again extremely slow to load up.

I'm at a loss to what this could be. I checked the CPU fan and it seems fine, not dust covered either. I only recently got a replacement GPU (7900GT) so I doubt it could be that. Does it sound like I need a new CPU, or could it be something else?

As it is too slow to load any program up I haven't done a spyware check yet, but there doesn't seem to be any new processes running. Could spyware or a virus have this effect?

Thanks for your help

Quick update, just checked the BIOS and CPU is running at 83C (it's an intel core duo 1.8GHz), is that too high?

83c is way too high. Your CPU is throttling to a lower clock speed. Are you using the stock heatsink?

If you are check the heatsink and make sure its on right. Seems like you are more than likely having a bad heatsink seating.

That's hot!
I think your cooler if FUBAR.
If the temps do not come down by reseating it, DO NOT use your system until it is replaced!!

Dang... looking at the CPU's that are 1.8ghz, the thermal spec is 60-61C.

So it was throttling to save itself for sure.

Wow. Double-dang. Check that HSF. Make sure the fan is still running, and that it is properly seated. You may need to remove it, then clean off the old thermal paste and apply a fresh layer before reseating your HSF. Use 91% isopropyll alcohol for the job.

Thanks for all the responses.

I reseated and its cooled right down to 55C, so that's alright now. It's still very slow on startup though, although I can now start it up so a definite improvement. Do you think it is still throttling? Or is there something else wrong?

@ 1.8ghz... it shouldn't even be idling at 55C, that is if its at idle.

If it's the stock 4 push pin type... take the time to find a 3rd party HSF, that is non-4 push pin, and has a back plate. Although, you may not like taking your system apart, it is the best bet I think.

What I don't understand is it has run fine with exact same CPU and heatsink for over 2 years. I can understand that before it was reseated it was throttling, but now it is close to 30C lower why is it still? Is there any way the throttling hasn't turned itself off whenit should have? (I know nothing about this sort of thing)

I have no probem taking apart the PC, but I'm more worried that something else is the problem as the temperature has dropped so much.

Just don't get Thermaltake Big Typhoon!

They have to be reseated frequently.

Atm, I'm on my E4400 rig. It's OC to 2.8ghz (speed step is off), and its stock is 2ghz, only 200mhz faster then your 1.8ghz CPU.

The idle temp right now on my chip, is 30C, which is the Tcase (what the bios temp would read) sensor, and my ambient temp is 28C.

One difference is, I'm using a tuniq HS on it, and it uses a back plate. The 4 push pins are kinda crappy if you ask me, and will break down in time. I still think your idle temp at 55C indicates that 1 of the pins are not secure.

I guess another thing to think about is why after one night, your CPU temp went to 83C in the first place. I can only conclude that the 4 push pin failed to keep the HS in place.

Edit:

After all, the 4 push pins are made out of plastic, which will get brittle in the heat/cold after so long.

Chalk this one up to good old "socket creep". Happens over time in computers when something like a stick of RAM or CPU or Heatsink that shouldnt move, does due to contraction and expansion (heat and cool) and works it's way loose from the motherboard.

But it's always fun to blame it on a Virus... gives ya an excuse to wipe the system and start fresh... which should be done every so often anyways.


--Shodar

Thanks for the help. I've ordered a new heatsink to be delivered tommorrow so hopefully that will fix the problem, I'll let you know.

Well considering that the CPU allowed itself to run that hot a worst case scenario may be a bad CPU.

But try the new HSF first and lets see if that helps.

Use programs -> accessories -> system tools -> system restore

I will restore back to your previous setting and installed programs. Believe me it helps.

Also, in the interest of safety. Go in your bios and set your shutdown temp @70C. It's good to have something in place should this happen again.
I had a sink come off once while I was at work and when I got home the system was shut down. Checked inside and sure enough, fixed it and never had an issue with cpu or performance.
Hope this helps!