Checking CPU temperature

[Rudyard]

I have one of those early Pentium D dual core processors that run hot.

Usually when I encode video or do something process intensive the fan kicks in and you can really here it.

Just lately ive been encoding some files using Vegas 7 for a mate and it is really slow. As in 3-4 hours for a 20 odd minute video. These are from the import mini dvd disc option in vegas which converts the vobs to mpegs from the disc and then I am doing some stuff and encoding them.

Maybe it is this process that is slower than my normal files I encode (never done these from a mini dvd before) but I also noticed the fan kept going in overdrive even after the encode had finished and I put my hand behind the PC and the hot air was puring out of there.

So I want to know if I can check my CPU temp to find out whether or not the processor is being slowed down to prevent it frying as ive heard the Pentium D's do, which would explain the super slow performance.

If it is heat, would running the PC without the side covers help? Or would that let in to much dust that would damage it?

[redwudz]

Have you pulled the side covers to check on dust accumulation on the CPU cooler? And yes, it would probably help to leave the side covers off and direct a desktop fan in there. A little more dust won't hurt if your CPU is frying anyway. But I would make sure the CPU cooler fins are clean. And if it's been running warm for some time, the thermal compound on the CPU heat sink probably needs replacing. It may be dried out and ineffective.

I would opt for a better cooler if you go that far. If the CPU is running hot, it very likely may be dropping down to a lower speed.

Try this program, Core Temp: http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/CoreTemp/ Others are Motherboard Monitor and Speedfan. You can also run CPU-Z to see what speed your CPU is running at. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Or you may be able to see with Windows 'Control Panel>System'.

If it's a Prescott CPU, they run warm anyway. But temps over 70C are not good for most any CPU.

Also, if you don't have a intake fan in front of your computer and a exhaust fan to the rear, you might want to add one or both.

If it looks like this when you pull off the side covers, you definitely need to do some work.



Thanks again to the original poster for that.

[Rudyard]

Thankyou very much for the detailed reply.

But I would make sure the CPU cooler fins are clean. And if it's been running warm for some time, the thermal compound on the CPU heat sink probably needs replacing. It may be dried out and ineffective.

I will check it out when I get home. I dont know what the thermal compund is, is it expensive or hard to replace?

Also, if you don't have a intake fan in front of your computer and a exhaust fan to the rear, you might want to add one or both.

There is definately an exhaust fan at the rear which is where I feel the hot air coming out. Ive never seen a PC with a fan at the front aswell though.

If it looks like this when you pull off the side covers, you definitely need to do some work.

Crickey! Thats one dusty PC. Is that saveable or is this one going to PC heaven?

[redwudz]

That pic is a extreme case. It shut down after a short time from start up. You can blow out most dust with some 'canned air' from most electronics or hardware stores. But do it outdoors and use a dust mask. You don't want to breathe that stuff.

A small paint brush, maybe 1/2 inch wide helps to free up the crud. You also want to hold the fans from moving when you blow out the fins. I use a plastic zip tie for that, shoved in there. That keeps the fan from running backwards or overspeeding. That can damage them. Be gentle with the fan blade surfaces also or you can damage the bearings.

A front fan helps to keep the hard drives cool as it usually sets in front of them. It sucks air into the case and the exhaust fan blows it out. That gives you a good cross flow.

Thermal compound isn't expensive. Usually about $5US for a tube that will do several coolers. Arctic Silver and Arctic Ceramic are a couple of popular types. You need to pull the CPU cooler off the CPU and it may be stuck tight. Something to be careful about to keep from bending the hundreds of CPU pins. I use common isopropyl alcohol to wash off the surfaces. (Rubbing alcohol) 90% isopropyl is better as it has less water to dilute it. A Q-tip works well for this. The alcohol is available in most any drugstore.

It only takes a thin layer of thermal compound to transfer the heat from the CPU surface to the cooler surface, usually the thickness of a magazine page. Old thermal compound doesn't transfer heat well. Thermal compound fills in the tiny voids between the surfaces of the CPU and the cooler, resulting in good heat transfer.

This guide may give you some basic info about the inside of a PC and how to apply the compound and set the cooler in place. https://forum.videohelp.com/topic315746.html It's for a AMD CPU and a Intel CPU uses a different cooler mount most times. Sorry, it's a bit out of date.

[Lucifers_Ghost]

Here is a good tip (that is if you want any) .... when cleaning out my towers, I will use a can of compressed air and a vacuum cleaner. If you only use the can of air, then you have dust all over the place which inevitably will end up back in your tower.

Essentially, have the can of air and the vacuum hose right next to each other. Like red said, using something to stop the fans from spinning. Blow the air and have the vacuum suck up the dust it is blowing around.

LG

[RickA]

Try a program called ThrottleWatch in addition to running a temperature monitoring program while you do a test encode. It will tell you if your cpu is starting to throttle itself down because it is getting too hot. Which is a good way to find out what max temp range to avoid. If your mobo is nVidia it should have a temp monitor software program you can use.

My D805 overclocked to 4GHz begins to throttle back about 68-69C in tests I've done with both cores at full load on air cooling. Thankfully it is watercooled and never approaches that temp range. Good luck in your troubleshooting.

Cheers,
Rick

[Rudyard]

thanks for the tips, whilst I had work to do last night, I will test over the weekend and post back some results.