CPU overheating / Frequent Rebooting

[FoxPacific]

I have a similar problem to Mad3329 but I've since unplugged the alarm. The computer frequently reboots itself and gives me stress. The BIOS says the temperature of the CPU is 200+ degrees.... beyond boiling water. When I touch the heatsinks they are cool though. I don't know if maybe the computer is reading the heat incorrectly. I will try switching out the RAM like the respondant to Mad3329 suggested. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Aloha,

James

 

[geniass]

It sounds like the voltage settings may not be correct.
Have a very careful look at the jumpers and make sure your not over-clocking or running over voltage.

Other than that the fan is either a) not up to the job.
b) not seated correctly to it's heatsink. Or the heatsink itself is the wrong type.

Given that the temp is so high I'd suspect the jumpers first.

 

[hotfusion]

It is possible that the heatsink is not in good thermal contact with the metal plate on the top of the chip. If this is the case, it would cause a steep thermal gradient between chip and heatsink, meaning simply that the chip runs very hot because this heat isn't being passed to the heatsink. This could be due to machining tolerances or warping. In either case the solution is to smear a paper-thin layer of heat sink compound between the two surfaces as is normal practice in electronics. Special 'computer' compound is stupidly expensive and does exactly the same job as 'normal' compound which you may be able to scrounge from your local friendly electonics enthusiast. My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my knowledge. Andy.

 

[paparazi]

What processor? what heatsink?
Has the bottem of your heatsink got a step in it?
If so make sure the heatsink is the correct way around!
If it wrong then the heat sink will be tilted (only slightly) not enough that you can see it, but the contact patch on the processor will only be touching on it's edge!!
WARNING!! I am sure you don't need telling how serious this could be.
You also MUST! use thermal compound paste, just the smallest amount on the contact area (the little raised platform in the centre of the processor on T/birds, Durons, P3's & P4's)
If your heat sink had a thermal pad? this is supposed to be used only once, clean it off COMPLETELY! before applying thermal paste.
The other guys allso have some good pointers! but I thought you ought to try the basics first, they juat might prevent you frying your chip!
Martin.