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CPU Question

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by kal_lmn

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Well, I have been experiencing crashes for a while now. They aren't too common. just annoying. They occur mostly during games or after 4-5 hours of my computer being on. They occur usually once or twice every other day, more depending on how long I have been playing games.

I just reinstalled my vista ultimate X64, but have still experience one crash. I don't know if that was a fluke, or still the same problem. I am currently just guessing what may be causing this phenomenon and I dont know too much about cpu related crashes.

I downloaded Core Temp 0.99.3 to see the temp and the clock of my cpu in-use. At idle (0-12% usage with Steam, IE, and boot apps) the temp is ~37C with max being 100C. Is that high for normal?

And VID is 1.2500 V. Also, is the speed supposed to fluctuate? Core Temp shows that my speed is 333.33 X 10 (which is what it is supposed to be, 3.33GHz) but in Core Temp, it fluctuates to 333.33 X 6 (2.0 GHz). Is this normal?

My Specs are:

EVGA 790i FTW Motherboard
4GB Gskill cl8d 1333 RAM
Intel E8600 core 2 (3.33)
Nvidia 9800GTX+
Corsair 750W PSU
Roswell Z3 CPU cooler

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

15 replies

by thumbsup2

While it's possible that crashes can be due to bad hardware (bad address in RAM, CPU, etc...), they're most likely caused by drivers for that hardware which aren't compatible with the program being executed. If you're experiencing crashes when playing a game, check the web site for that game to see if there are patches available for your specific hardware.

If you could give us the specific crash code, that might help locate the cause.

by kal_lmn

Well, there isn't really a crash code. The computer just sort of freezes up, the mouse disappears, it repeats the current sount on an infinite loop, and stays that way until restarted. No code pops up, no blue screen/auto restart. I must physically restart the computer. As for the driver problem you suggested, I thought that as well.

I tried replacing all of the drivers for my video card prior to asking about the possibility of the cpu causing the errors. I have installed several versions of video drivers as well as the factory disk. I also updated the bios(same problem), rolled them back(same problem), and updated once again(still here). Furthermore, It shouldn't be the game, as this happens for ANY game over time (Left 4 Dead, Crysis, Fallout3, Hlaf life 2, Team Fortress, Oblivion, and FEAR have all encountered this problem). I doubt it is the OS, as I have reinstalled twice. But like I said, I am not that intuitive about this type of crash, so whatever you think is the problem, I will go with that.

Thank you for the fast response.

by cg it

if your running an older sound card, consider getting a new one.

Reinstall your 64 bit sound card drivers.

Note: the games you describe are 32 bit games. If your not running a 64 bit version, then your CPU is running them in 32 bit mode. if you overclock the CPU to gain performance on frame rates, you probably are causing the CPU and the OS to "run on the mumbo".

by kal_lmn

Well, I'm not overclocking my processor at all. Same with my video card and my RAm. They are all on factory settings and I plan to keep them that way for a while. As for sound card... I don't have one. Right now I am using the on board sound settings that come with my EVGA 790i FTW. Do you think that that may be what is causing the crashes? Me not having a sound card. If so, I still have an old Sound-Blaster card from my other computer. I'm not sure if it is better than my on board one, but if it will stop the crashes, I say it will be worth it. What do you think?

by cg it

if your using the onboard sound, and running 64 bit OS, you need 64 bit sound card drivers.

Not having a sound card won't cause crashes

but see The Chas's and others posts on CPU operating temperature. That's probably the problem.

by .martin.

but 100 degrees Celsius???

CPU temperatures are not supposed to go over 65

sounds like overheating to me...

as you are not overclocking, turn the computer off, unplug the computer, ground yourself, UNPLUG the CPU fan (don't take it off), and blow on it to see if it spins, try and take notice if it is really dusty. then plug the fan back in, and plug the computer into the power, and turn it on (leave the side of the case off, do not put your hand inside the computer while it is on.) make sure the fan spins.

If the fan is spinning, you might have to reapply thermal paste.

by older mycroft

I assumed it was a 'range' but it seems it could be an actual registered temperature.

If it is - it's about 35' too high for my liking.

Good Call !! ;)

by thechas

Martin is correct.

100?C is way too hot especially for an Intel CPU.

I would like to see a max temp of under 50?C.

Beyond just checking for dust and the fan bearings, I question if the fan is large enough or if there are airflow restrictions in the case.

You should have 1 if not 2 case fans blowing air into the case and out through the power supply fans.

If your video card runs hot, you should install a slot fan next to the video card.

If the CPU fan is good and large enough, make sure that there is enough, but not too much thermal compound between the CPU and the heat-sink. Also make sure that the heat-sink is tight against the CPU.

Depending on how long the CPU has been over-heating, it might be time for a new CPU.

If all of the cooling is good, and the CPU temperature still spikes very high, I would then suspect the core voltage regulator on the motherboard. If that does not control to a stable voltage, it can raise the CPU temp. Unfortunately, the easy fix for a bad core regulator is a new motherboard.

Chas

by rt (panzer time!)

If you're trying to brew coffee or fry eggs with it. If you're trying to play a video game, however, 100 C (212 F) is no good.

by kal_lmn

Well, I am not sure if my cpu actually reached 100, but in core temp, it says that my current twmp is 37-38, and my "tj. max" is 100C. If it really is reaching 100C, then I will take your advice and add some more thermal paste. When I built this computer, the instructions just said to add a coat of it, and I (being my first completely unsupervised computer build) put about half of the thermal paste tube on.

As for air flow, I am POSITIVE I am covered in that area. The roswell Z3 cpu fan has a good size heatsink with a 92mm fan mounted, which works (I verified). As well as the antec 900 case, which has a 200mm top fan (next to the cpu), and three 120mm fans (1 cpu exaust, and 2 front mounted), and finally, there is a side airflow window right above the motherboard (bwtween my video card and my cpu).

PS. Thank you all so very much for the quick responses. The sheer magnitude of responses I got overnight and one day is why I love this place.

by thechas

You do want just a thin layer of thermal paste between the heatsink and the CPU.

Too much paste can make the CPU run hotter than too little.

I was concerned with the 100? C temp that there was no paste.

I recommend that you set the maximum temperature down to 70? or less.

Chas

by oh smeg

Then the Heatsink on the CPU is correctly fitted but that 100C is way tooo hot. you'll have to look at the case and see where it is sucking in Hot Air as well as increase the air flow through it.

I do this by adding Case Fans to the Front of the Case which blow air in. This should allow cool air to be sucked in the front and help keep things cool. Of course the covers need to be on the Tower/Case and it shouldn't be in a position where any hot air blown out of the Power Supply gets sucked back into the case. You may have to block off some vent holes with Packing Tape across them on the inside of the case as a Test. If this works get some Gaffer Tape and reseal the case as the packing Tape will peal off over time and as enough heat is applied.

Col

by jdclyde

To many computer desks are poorly designed for air flow, so make sure it isn't in a closed box.

A computer sitting on the floor will get more dirt and dust into it, hindering the cooling process.

If your cards are packed tightly, try to separate them. I like to get the PCI fan to put next to a hot video card to help kick some of that head directly out of the case.

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