Heat from CPU

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Guest

Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and usual. My wife
noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the interior with vacumn.
and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were. The one on the front
was sucking and the one on the back was blowing.
What other reason or how can one find out if it is acutual overheating and
how to solve.
Thanks
 
What kind of indication do you have that makes you concerned?
Is it the heat from the back fan, PC case is warm, etc.

JS
 
Vic Baron said:
Get Speedfan here and install:
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

It will give you CPU & system temps.

Post the results.
Click to expand...

I have only one fan, mounted on the ribbed heat exchanger, and
it has been making noises on startup for a day or two. I removed
it, vacuumed the rather dusty heat exchanger and replaced the
fan for less than $10. The noise has gone. This inexpensive
route might be the best thing for your peace of mind.
 
Our first indication was just heat from somewhere, didn't even think about
the computer at first. The case is not hot, just radiates what appears to be
warmer air than we used to remember.
 
I have only one fan, mounted on the ribbed heat exchanger, and
it has been making noises on startup for a day or two. I removed
it, vacuumed the rather dusty heat exchanger and replaced the
fan for less than $10. The noise has gone. This inexpensive
route might be the best thing for your peace of mind.

--
James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Another possibility is to make more room around the computer. It
needs "air" to circulate around the case. If the computer is stuck
within a narrow furniture opening than move it out to increase the air
flow.
 
Try Vic's suggestion 'SpeedFan' which I use also. Measure the temperatures
when you first boot/logon and again after the PC has been on for a while and
especially when under heavy use.

JS
 
Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and usual.
Click to expand...


First, note that the "CPU" is a small chip inside the computer, not
the computer itself. I assume it's the entire computer you are talking
about. Although the CPU chip *can* emit substantial heat, you wouldn't
be able to tell it was coming from there unless you opened the case.

My wife
noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the interior with vacumn.
Click to expand...


Consider yourself very lucky that you didn't destroy the computer. In
the future, please avoid using a vacuum cleaner inside a computer. It
can easily cause static electricity discharges that can fry
components.

The proper way to remove dust buildup is to blow out the inside with a
can of compressed air (take it outdoors, so you don't blow dust all
over the house).

and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were. The one on the front
was sucking and the one on the back was blowing.
What other reason or how can one find out if it is acutual overheating and
how to solve.
Click to expand...


There are several free programs that can monitor temperature at
various places on the motherboard; they read sensors built-in to the
motherboard. Try Googling for computer temperature.
 
Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:08:39 -0700:

??>> Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and
??>> usual.

KBM> First, note that the "CPU" is a small chip inside the
KBM> computer, not the computer itself. I assume it's the
KBM> entire computer you are talking about. Although the CPU
KBM> chip *can* emit substantial heat, you wouldn't be able to
KBM> tell it was coming from there unless you opened the case.

??>> My wife
??>> noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the
??>> interior with vacumn.

KBM> Consider yourself very lucky that you didn't destroy the
KBM> computer. In the future, please avoid using a vacuum
KBM> cleaner inside a computer. It can easily cause static
KBM> electricity discharges that can fry components.

KBM> The proper way to remove dust buildup is to blow out the
KBM> inside with a can of compressed air (take it outdoors, so
KBM> you don't blow dust all over the house).

??>> and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were.
??>> The one on the front was sucking and the one on the back
??>> was blowing. What other reason or how can one find out if
??>> it is acutual overheating and how to solve.

KBM> There are several free programs that can monitor
KBM> temperature at various places on the motherboard; they
KBM> read sensors built-in to the motherboard. Try Googling for
KBM> computer temperature.

It has been a while since CPUs were small :-) As you say, they
can produce a lot of heat and usually have a metal block (heat
exchanger) attached with heat conducting grease. In many cases,
like mine, there is a small fan that draws air thro' the heat
exchanger. If the heat exchanger gets hot, there is probably
some impediment to the air flow, either dust blockage or an
inefficient fan. In my experience, computers can run for a
considerable time without the outer casing so you can feel the
cooling block just after turning off the machine.

I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum cleaner into
the computer case but a small brush nozzle attached by a
non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause trouble. If you have a
canister vacuum cleaner you can probably dislodge dust by
blowing air in. You don't need to buy cans of air at radon
prices!

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
 
Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:08:39 -0700:

??>> Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and
??>> usual.

KBM> First, note that the "CPU" is a small chip inside the
KBM> computer, not the computer itself. I assume it's the
KBM> entire computer you are talking about. Although the CPU
KBM> chip *can* emit substantial heat, you wouldn't be able to
KBM> tell it was coming from there unless you opened the case.

??>> My wife
??>> noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the
??>> interior with vacumn.

KBM> Consider yourself very lucky that you didn't destroy the
KBM> computer. In the future, please avoid using a vacuum
KBM> cleaner inside a computer. It can easily cause static
KBM> electricity discharges that can fry components.

KBM> The proper way to remove dust buildup is to blow out the
KBM> inside with a can of compressed air (take it outdoors, so
KBM> you don't blow dust all over the house).

??>> and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were.
??>> The one on the front was sucking and the one on the back
??>> was blowing. What other reason or how can one find out if
??>> it is acutual overheating and how to solve.

KBM> There are several free programs that can monitor
KBM> temperature at various places on the motherboard; they
KBM> read sensors built-in to the motherboard. Try Googling for
KBM> computer temperature.

It has been a while since CPUs were small :-)
Click to expand...


I was comparing it to the entire computer case. Yes, it's *much*
smaller than that case.

I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum cleaner into
the computer case but a small brush nozzle attached by a
non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause trouble. If you have a
canister vacuum cleaner you can probably dislodge dust by
blowing air in. You don't need to buy cans of air at radon
prices!
Click to expand...


Your choice of course, but personally I wouldn't use any kind of
vacuum cleaner, regardless of what nozzle it has on. "Unlikely to
cause trouble" isn't good enough for me, and I think canned air is
*much* safer. It also does a better job of cleaning.

Canned air can be bought very cheaply on the internet.
 
Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:31:47 -0700:

??>> Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:08:39 -0700:
??>>
??>>>> Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and
??>>>> usual.
??>>
KBM>>> First, note that the "CPU" is a small chip inside the
KBM>>> computer, not the computer itself. I assume it's the
KBM>>> entire computer you are talking about. Although the CPU
KBM>>> chip *can* emit substantial heat, you wouldn't be able
KBM>>> to tell it was coming from there unless you opened the
KBM>>> case.
??>>
??>>>> My wife
??>>>> noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the
??>>>> interior with vacumn.
??>>
KBM>>> Consider yourself very lucky that you didn't destroy the
KBM>>> computer. In the future, please avoid using a vacuum
KBM>>> cleaner inside a computer. It can easily cause static
KBM>>> electricity discharges that can fry components.
??>>
KBM>>> The proper way to remove dust buildup is to blow out the
KBM>>> inside with a can of compressed air (take it outdoors,
KBM>>> so you don't blow dust all over the house).
??>>
??>>>> and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were.
??>>>> The one on the front was sucking and the one on the back
??>>>> was blowing. What other reason or how can one find out
??>>>> if it is acutual overheating and how to solve.
??>>
KBM>>> There are several free programs that can monitor
KBM>>> temperature at various places on the motherboard; they
KBM>>> read sensors built-in to the motherboard. Try Googling
KBM>>> for computer temperature.
??>>
??>> It has been a while since CPUs were small :-)

KBM> I was comparing it to the entire computer case. Yes, it's
KBM> *much* smaller than that case.

??>> I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum cleaner
??>> into the computer case but a small brush nozzle attached
??>> by a non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause trouble. If
??>> you have a canister vacuum cleaner you can probably
??>> dislodge dust by blowing air in. You don't need to buy
??>> cans of air at radon prices!

KBM> Your choice of course, but personally I wouldn't use any
KBM> kind of vacuum cleaner, regardless of what nozzle it has
KBM> on. "Unlikely to cause trouble" isn't good enough for me,
KBM> and I think canned air is *much* safer. It also does a
KBM> better job of cleaning.

KBM> Canned air can be bought very cheaply on the internet.

I think we should agree to differ since we are not convincing
each other with our *opinions*. I'll continue with my methods
and you with yours. I've only used canned air for photographic
purposes where I want to avoid dust completely.

Have a good weekend!


James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
 
Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:31:47 -0700:

??>> Ken wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:08:39 -0700:
??>>
??>>>> Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and
??>>>> usual.
??>>
KBM>>> First, note that the "CPU" is a small chip inside the
KBM>>> computer, not the computer itself. I assume it's the
KBM>>> entire computer you are talking about. Although the CPU
KBM>>> chip *can* emit substantial heat, you wouldn't be able
KBM>>> to tell it was coming from there unless you opened the
KBM>>> case.
??>>
??>>>> My wife
??>>>> noticed it too. I took off the sides, dusting out the
??>>>> interior with vacumn.
??>>
KBM>>> Consider yourself very lucky that you didn't destroy the
KBM>>> computer. In the future, please avoid using a vacuum
KBM>>> cleaner inside a computer. It can easily cause static
KBM>>> electricity discharges that can fry components.
??>>
KBM>>> The proper way to remove dust buildup is to blow out the
KBM>>> inside with a can of compressed air (take it outdoors,
KBM>>> so you don't blow dust all over the house).
??>>
??>>>> and checked to see if both fans were working. Both were.
??>>>> The one on the front was sucking and the one on the back
??>>>> was blowing. What other reason or how can one find out
??>>>> if it is acutual overheating and how to solve.
??>>
KBM>>> There are several free programs that can monitor
KBM>>> temperature at various places on the motherboard; they
KBM>>> read sensors built-in to the motherboard. Try Googling
KBM>>> for computer temperature.
??>>
??>> It has been a while since CPUs were small :-)

KBM> I was comparing it to the entire computer case. Yes, it's
KBM> *much* smaller than that case.

??>> I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum cleaner
??>> into the computer case but a small brush nozzle attached
??>> by a non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause trouble. If
??>> you have a canister vacuum cleaner you can probably
??>> dislodge dust by blowing air in. You don't need to buy
??>> cans of air at radon prices!

KBM> Your choice of course, but personally I wouldn't use any
KBM> kind of vacuum cleaner, regardless of what nozzle it has
KBM> on. "Unlikely to cause trouble" isn't good enough for me,
KBM> and I think canned air is *much* safer. It also does a
KBM> better job of cleaning.

KBM> Canned air can be bought very cheaply on the internet.

I think we should agree to differ since we are not convincing
each other with our *opinions*. I'll continue with my methods
and you with yours.
Click to expand...


That's fine with me. I'm certainly not interested in fighting about
it.

I've only used canned air for photographic
purposes where I want to avoid dust completely.

Have a good weekend!
Click to expand...


You too!
 
??>> I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum cleaner
??>> into the computer case but a small brush nozzle attached
??>> by a non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause trouble. If
??>> you have a canister vacuum cleaner you can probably
??>> dislodge dust by blowing air in. You don't need to buy
??>> cans of air at radon prices!

KBM> Your choice of course, but personally I wouldn't use any
KBM> kind of vacuum cleaner, regardless of what nozzle it has
KBM> on. "Unlikely to cause trouble" isn't good enough for me,
KBM> and I think canned air is *much* safer. It also does a
KBM> better job of cleaning.

KBM> Canned air can be bought very cheaply on the internet.

I think we should agree to differ since we are not convincing
each other with our *opinions*. I'll continue with my methods
and you with yours. I've only used canned air for photographic
purposes where I want to avoid dust completely.

Have a good weekend!
Click to expand...

We surely can't convince you to use the traditional, common method of
quoting, either. :)
 
Tracy said:
Lately, I seem to feel more heat coming from my CPU and usual.
Click to expand...

From a purely "Physics" point of view, if you are detecting more heat
on the outside you are probably generating more heat on the inside. The
alternative is that the air movement is more sluggish, so whilst the
heat hasn't increased, the lower volume of air moving is hotter, which
you notice.

Other people have addresses the ventilation issue. If you are generating
more heat then the most likely cause is that your PC is busier. One way
to achieve this is to install something that runs all the time in the
background, such as one of those collaborative medical programs, or SETI
(search for extraterrestrials). If I run one of these, my fan (which is
heat sensitive) comes on full and annoys me. My room gets hot. My dog
starts panting, and drinks more water, slobbering it over the house. My
wife slips in the slobber and give me grief. We get divorced.

You could use the built-in "Task Manager" to see if anything is
consuming a large amount of CPU. Or it may be something that uses little
CPU but is making your disk very busy (less likely); in this case,
Process Explorer from Microsoft is a better tool for measuring I/O (look
at the deltas).
 
Zilbandy wrote on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:39:53 -0700:

??>>>> I would not advise putting even a miniature vacuum
??>>>> cleaner into the computer case but a small brush nozzle
??>>>> attached by a non-conducting hose is unlikely to cause
??>>>> trouble. If you have a canister vacuum cleaner you can
??>>>> probably dislodge dust by blowing air in. You don't need
??>>>> to buy cans of air at radon prices!
??>>
KBM>>> Your choice of course, but personally I wouldn't use any
KBM>>> kind of vacuum cleaner, regardless of what nozzle it has
KBM>>> on. "Unlikely to cause trouble" isn't good enough for
KBM>>> me, and I think canned air is *much* safer. It also does
KBM>>> a better job of cleaning.
??>>
KBM>>> Canned air can be bought very cheaply on the internet.
??>>
??>> I think we should agree to differ since we are not
??>> convincing each other with our *opinions*. I'll continue
??>> with my methods and you with yours. I've only used canned
??>> air for photographic purposes where I want to avoid dust
??>> completely.
??>>
??>> Have a good weekend!

Z> We surely can't convince you to use the traditional, common
Z> method of quoting, either. :)

I think I have explained the advantages of FidoLook ad nauseam
and I won't do it again! :-)
I like the royal we too!

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
 
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