Insufficiently powered fan?

[delakroix]

Hi guys, appreciate your expert advice for this problem I'm facing.

I bought a DIY computer from PC Themes about 2 years ago. The specs are below.

Right from the start, whenever I tried to run graphics intensive stuff (like FPS games), the computer just shut down suddenly after a while. Suspecting it might be due to overheating, I opened up the chasis and used a room fan to cool it. That worked for the first year.

But coming to the 2nd year, even that trick did not work for more recent games like Diablo 3 and most recently, LA Noire, Natural Selection 2. The computer will shut down after less than 15 minutes, even with all graphics options turned to the lowest.

I wonder if the computer that PC Themes built for me had a faulty fan, or simply a fan that is not sufficient for my graphics card.

What would you guys advise? Should I take it back to PC Themes and get them to change the fan, or could it be some other problem?


Thanks!

Specs:

AMD X3 440 CPU
MSI 770-G 45 Mainboard
Kingston DDR3 PC1066/1333Mhz 2GB
500GB Sata WD HDD
MSI 1 GB R5770 DDR5 PCI-E
Cooler Master 550W Extreme

 

[fongwk8]

Do you have any software to measure the temperature of the GPU?

 

[jaywalkra]

Right from the start, whenever I tried to run graphics intensive stuff (like FPS games), the computer just shut down suddenly after a while. Suspecting it might be due to overheating, I opened up the chasis and used a room fan to cool it. That worked for the first year.

But coming to the 2nd year, even that trick did not work for more recent games like Diablo 3 and most recently, LA Noire, Natural Selection 2. The computer will shut down after less than 15 minutes, even with all graphics options turned to the lowest.

Suspect dust build-up in your CPU HSF and/or GPU that causes either or both components to overheat & auto shutdown

 

[jtjt00]

Download HWMonitor.exe and post result here.

 

[delakroix]

Temperature Readings - Need help!

Hi guys, here you go. The first column just say values, 2nd column is min, third column is max. This is the readings after I play Natural Selection 2 for about 5 minutes:


Game2 by




And this is how it is idling...

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/61494044@N02/8329479366/]
Normal by

is this normal, or do I need to change the fan or something?

Thanks!

 

[jaywalkra]

Suspect your CPU heatsink needs some cleaning

 

[ponpokku]

suspect heatsink not seated properly. not in good contact with cpu.

 

[jtjt00]

Suspect thermal grease between HSF and CPU dried up.

 

[delakroix]

Hey thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it.

I think it might be the heatsink not being seated properly. I will try and reposition it, but I don't think it will help a lot.

There was a period when my computer wouldn't even start up at all. You press the on button, the lights come on, but nothing comes onto the screen (but it obviously wasn't the monitor's problem).

So I took out the heatsink to do a bit of DIY cleaning (general dusting with cottonbuds and stuff). After a while, the computer could be turned on.

But it still doesn't solve the inability to run FPS games without shutting down.

And it doesn't explain why the problem occurred when I first got the computer 2 years back (when it was all clean and the heatsink had never been removed).

Any thoughts?

 

[jtjt00]

My idle temperature:

 

[delakroix]

Upgrade advice needed

OMG. My computer's hot like Mila Kunis.

Ok I think the thermal grease sounds like jackpot.

I wonder if PC Themes will do it for me for free. Maybe I might do some basic upgrade too. Would you guys be able to advise what components I can upgrade for the most value for money?

I don't want to do an entire overhaul, just wanna zhng it a little generally for fps games that's been out for a while, like Natural Selection 2, Hitman Absolution, Assassin's Creed III, etc.

Will adding more memory help? Budget about $200+

Thanks guys!

AMD X3 440 CPU
MSI 770-G 45 Mainboard
Kingston DDR3 PC1066/1333Mhz 2GB
500GB Sata WD HDD
MSI 1 GB R5770 DDR5 PCI-E
Cooler Master 550W Extreme

 

[jaywalkra]

Since you know how to remove & place the heatsink, then get some alcohol wipes to clean off the old grease, buy some MX-4 thermal paste and re-apply and re-seat the heatsink. You should get regular temps back

 

[delakroix]

mx4 thermal paste

Thanks jay!

Any idea where can I buy mx4 and for how much? It does seem like a waste to get an entire tube just to use a little eh?

 

[Lippyt]

OMG. My computer's hot like Mila Kunis.

Ok I think the thermal grease sounds like jackpot.

I wonder if PC Themes will do it for me for free. Maybe I might do some basic upgrade too. Would you guys be able to advise what components I can upgrade for the most value for money?

I don't want to do an entire overhaul, just wanna zhng it a little generally for fps games that's been out for a while, like Natural Selection 2, Hitman Absolution, Assassin's Creed III, etc.

Will adding more memory help? Budget about $200+

Solve your current problem before attempting any upgrades.

If you've identified that it is not a problem with your processor's cooling then you have to run other tests to exclude other possible faults.

The problem you described could also be due to a faulty PSU. Older coolermaster PSUs were known to be ****ty parts with a prestigious badge (in fact if old timer bryanwu was around he may be able to identify the exact make)

 

[ponpokku]

mx4 about 16-18 bucks in most shops.

 

[jaywalkra]

Cashtronic selling $15

 

[bemylove]

you cpu settings look odd? fans 100% at idle? very loud leh. then the voltage so high? you overclocking?
even so, also never turn on cool and quiet, it will help drop idle temps alot?

but something is wrong with your cpu fan installation, too hot le. either is loose or the bottom sticker never peel off....

 

[delakroix]

Hi Bemy,

Thanks for your input. To be truthful, I'm pretty much an amateur, so definitely not over-clocking.

I just use the computer as it was built for me by PC Themes. So I'm not quite sure how to adjust the speed of the fans.

I think the high temperature in the CPU is due to the lack of thermal grease. I'll try to fix that and then I'll see if it works.

Thanks!

Trying to find thermal grease near Kovan. SLS is so far away...

 

[naked123]

take train to little india.

from there take bus. about 1 stop. walk also can.

about 30mins.

 

[xhlee87]

Hi Bemy,

Thanks for your input. To be truthful, I'm pretty much an amateur, so definitely not over-clocking.

I just use the computer as it was built for me by PC Themes. So I'm not quite sure how to adjust the speed of the fans.

I think the high temperature in the CPU is due to the lack of thermal grease. I'll try to fix that and then I'll see if it works.

Thanks!

Trying to find thermal grease near Kovan. SLS is so far away...

Most neighborhood computer stores got sell one la. no need go SLS just for 1 thermal paste.