CPU cooler now less efficient
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CPU cooler now less efficient
I replaced the stock cooler on my Athlon 64 3400+ (Clawhammer) with a XP-120/Nexus combo about a year ago.
Then CPU temp peaked at 47 C (room temp 21 C).
Now it is 59 C (room temp 20 C).
Don't have case temps, but NB and HDs are cooler now than then - opened up the grills and did some cable tidying earlier this year.
Fan appears to be fine, so I'm assuming that there are two options: dust and paste?
I'm hoping it's dust, but fearing it's paste - I'm going to have to strip the machine down to check the Ceramique.
Then CPU temp peaked at 47 C (room temp 21 C).
Now it is 59 C (room temp 20 C).
Don't have case temps, but NB and HDs are cooler now than then - opened up the grills and did some cable tidying earlier this year.
Fan appears to be fine, so I'm assuming that there are two options: dust and paste?
I'm hoping it's dust, but fearing it's paste - I'm going to have to strip the machine down to check the Ceramique.
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- Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:53 pm
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- Posts: 264
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:05 am
- Location: UK
A mere eight months later I've got a can of air and used it.
Very little change: CPU temp cut by 3C, but rise had continued since my first post - load temp now 69C in an approx 24.5C room.
Wondering if it's the paste? I may have damaged the cap when I opened the Ceramique almost two years ago. I can't remember what the consistency was when I first used it, but it's now rather stiff and difficult to move across the heatspreader.
Very little change: CPU temp cut by 3C, but rise had continued since my first post - load temp now 69C in an approx 24.5C room.
Wondering if it's the paste? I may have damaged the cap when I opened the Ceramique almost two years ago. I can't remember what the consistency was when I first used it, but it's now rather stiff and difficult to move across the heatspreader.
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Ceramique should be soft and smooth, almost like toothpaste, and it is very easy to apply. I think your tube has certainly dried out.Derek Baker wrote:Wondering if it's the paste? I may have damaged the cap when I opened the Ceramique almost two years ago. I can't remember what the consistency was when I first used it, but it's now rather stiff and difficult to move across the heatspreader.
If you have some other thermal paste laying around (even cheap stuff) I would recommend using that over dried out ceramique. Only until you get something good to replace it with though.
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- Posts: 264
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:05 am
- Location: UK
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- Posts: 264
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:05 am
- Location: UK
Well there is now a problem with the current one (my upgrade has been pushed to 2008): instability, though not sure it's due or all due to heat
CPU temp is now even higher, both absolutely and relative to ambient: 76-77 C load, with a room temp of just over 23 C.
Just ordered some new Ceramique; going to bresk down the machine, clean it again and remount the CPU and GPU heatsinks.
CPU temp is now even higher, both absolutely and relative to ambient: 76-77 C load, with a room temp of just over 23 C.
Just ordered some new Ceramique; going to bresk down the machine, clean it again and remount the CPU and GPU heatsinks.