Computer Overheating - Which Fan Do I Need?

Browntoa

maplins + staples do them as well

think staples are cheaper

sue5665

DazedByTheLight wrote: »

My computer seems to be overheating because whenever I try running a power-intensive application (mainly games) it crashes and just freezes and I need to reset the power.

I read this idea somewhere and have tried taking the cover off and blowing a desk fan at it. This has solved the problem and I have not had any issues at all since.

Please could someone help by suggesting what is overheating and which fan/type of fan I would need?

Thanks for your help in advance.

DBTL

I had the same problem, I fitted a new fan and now my computer is fine,

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=482304&highlight=sue5665
Have a look at thread, this might help.
Good luck,
Sue

Little_John

Cans of compresed air, I buy them from Tesco £4 each for fellows ones cheapest place I have found.

You need to know whihc fan is causeing your PC to overheat. The pc normally only shuts down if it overheats, a case fan failing is less likely to cause a PC to overheat but they can. I would check the cpu cooler is running ok first, if the pc noisy? a failing fan usually makes a noise so carefully stop the cpu fan and see if it goes quiet, only stop if for seconds then release.

Next I would check the graphics card, most have cooling fans on then again stop the fan and see if it goes quiet.

The other place that will cause a pc to shut down due to heat is the power supply. power supplies do use standard fitting case fans but I wouldnt go opening up a power supply to replace a fan.

then the final place is the chipset cooler normally between the top expansion slot and the cpu some have fans some dont and may just have a heasink.

Once you have found the source of the problem tell us what it is and the type of CPU if its the cpu cooler, graphics card if its the graphics cooler, motherboard make and model if its the chipset. The PSU just skip the psu, replaceing the fan may solve the problem in the short term but you don't know what other dammage has been caused with it running hot, it could blow at any time soon and take the cpu/board and memory with it not to mention anything else that is powered off it.

Cerro

download coretemp - that will tell you the temp of your cpu, tolerances differ for Intels (Old P4s go to about 70C, C2Ds 60C) and AMD processors so its hard to say what the upper limit should be, but usually motherboards have inbuilt alarms which automatically go off should the cpu go above its max temp threshold.

If its getting to the point where your whole PC locks up or reboots then you are doing damage to the cpu's core (reducing its heat tolerance as well).

darich

Little_John wrote: »

You need to know whihc fan is causeing your PC to overheat. The pc normally only shuts down if it overheats, a case fan failing is less likely to cause a PC to overheat but they can. I would check the cpu cooler is running ok first, if the pc noisy? a failing fan usually makes a noise so carefully stop the cpu fan and see if it goes quiet, only stop if for seconds then release..

This must be checked last or even better, by a process of elimination rather than stopping the fan. Stopping the cooler for a CPU can be fatal for the chip in less than a second. If a fan is not fitted properly when the machine is turned on the CPU can last as little as a fraction of a second before dying.
That's why the fans start before the machine starts to boot up.

I'd leave that particular fan to the end - if nothing else reduces the noise (assuming there is noise) then you know the problem without risking frying your CPU.
Alternatively, buy a new fan regardless - they're only a few pounds but make sure it's fitted properly.

DazedByTheLight

Thanks everyone for your comments.

It doesn't seem to be making a noticeably louder noise to earlier so I am unsure whether this method would work in finding the problem.

I have purchased a can of Air Duster (£5 from Staples - wish I had gone to Tesco now!) and sprayed inside; I will see how it goes and report back.

Busy with work so it may be a while!

DBTL

Shackahn

I know I am a bit late catching uo with this thread

My opinion is that its likely to be your graphics card overheating if you have one installed?

The CPU should be fine as the fan does little compared with the heatsink itself.

Another way of checking your computers temperatures is to go into the bios, usually pressing del when the computer first starts up and its normally in there.

please be aware that the temperatures in the bios are the computer under no load

I would deffinetely download coretemp as already suggested its free and easy to use (just double click)

Also make sure you have all the latest drivers as these can often cause system crashes

Another thing to bear in mind is your power supply might not be up to it so if all else fails try unplugging non essential componets ie floppy and cd drives