Chimpy Chompy on 21/7/2015 at 11:12
Because the stock cooling fan on my CPU (Athlon Phenom II x3) screams like an F-15 at takeoff, I decided to replace with a somewhat quieter Cooler Master Hyper TX3.
Since then I'm having 2 issues:
1: games have started crashing occasionally - obvious conclusion is the CPU is overheating
2: the fan sometimes doesn't run at consistent speed - briefly revs up for a couple seconds, then back to a more idling speed. Then another brief burst. And so on.
Is it maybe getting wrong instructions on when to speed up? Or is it not getting enough power to run consistently? The old cooler, noisy as it was, did its job fine as far as I could tell.
(I'm not overclocking or anything silly like that. Although the PC is sat in a rather warm room).
bikerdude on 23/7/2015 at 07:15
Quote Posted by Chimpy Chompy
* I decided to replace with a somewhat quieter Cooler Master Hyper TX3, since then I'm having 2 issues:
* games have started crashing occasionally - obvious conclusion is the CPU is overheating
* the fan sometimes doesn't run at consistent speed - briefly revs up for a couple seconds, then back to a more idling speed. Then another brief burst. And so on.
* is it brand new and what heatsink pasts did you use when mounting the HS?
* is it, have you checked the idle/load temp via (
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2089/real-temp-3-70/) RealTemp or (
http://www.fosshub.com/HWiNFO.html) HWinfo
* it sounds like the CPU fan speed in the bios is set to either quietest or auto, whats the make/model of your mobo?
Fyi the fan on the Hyper TX3 isnt the quietest at 35db@100%, also it only has 3/6 heatpipes. If its only a few days old see about sending it back and getting a better cooler, where did you buy it from and what did you pay for it.
Chimpy Chompy on 23/7/2015 at 09:41
1: new. I used whatever paste came in the box with it. (if I should get third party, can you recommend a good brand?)
2: I tried monitoring temperatures whilst playing a bit of Arkham City last night. I don't think cpu temps passed 50C. And no crashes.
(but, it was all indoor corridor stuff, which probably doesn't push the system so hard).
3: I had it set to auto in the bios. Then read somewhere that for 4-pin coolers PVM is better? Mobo is Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P.
I've had the fan intalled a while, just only recently put it to the test with high-end gaming, so prolly can't return.
back on temps, I did notice my GPU was running around 80 deg, and idles at 60. This seems rather high? Maybe that's the problem and it's just weirdly coincidentally happened alongside me changing CPU fan.
bikerdude on 23/7/2015 at 14:46
Quote Posted by Chimpy Chompy
* new. I used whatever paste came in the box with it. (if I should get third party, can you recommend a good brand?)
* I tried monitoring temperatures whilst playing a bit of Arkham City last night. I don't think cpu temps passed 50C. And no crashes (but, it was all indoor corridor stuff, which probably doesn't push the system so hard).
* I had it set to auto in the bios. Then read somewhere that for 4-pin coolers PVM is better? Mobo is Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P.
* I've had the fan intalled a while, just only recently put it to the test with high-end gaming, so prolly can't return.
* back on temps, I did notice my GPU was running around 80 deg, and idles at 60. This seems rather high? Maybe that's the problem and it's just weirdly coincidentally happened alongside me changing CPU fan.
* I recommend either Arctic cooling MX-4 or Shin-Etsu.
* 50c is not bad for an AMD cpu, how did you apply the heatsink paste?
* If it has the option, set a minimum fan speed of 40%
* Ok, if the sound from the fan is a bit load underload then get a silent & high CFM fan.
* LOL, Im betting its an AMD/ATI card..? if so which make/model? as we may have to use MSI afterburner to create a custom fan profile. ATI/AMD cards are known for having rubbish coolers/fans most of the time.
Chimpy Chompy on 23/7/2015 at 17:48
The GPU is a radeon 5770 but I was going to upgrade anyway, it's getting a bit long in the tooth...
Is there a correct way to apply thermal paste? I can't remember exactly what I did, tho I would have obv. tried to spread it around evenly.
Renzatic on 23/7/2015 at 21:52
There are all kinds of schools of thought when it come to applying thermal paste. My personal beliefs lean more towards the small dab in the center, with a slight twist of the heatsink before fastening line.
And your GPU idling at 60, 80 under load is on the high end of things, but still within design specs. It could be a helluva lot better, but it's probably not what's crashing your computer.
Chimpy Chompy on 23/7/2015 at 22:46
So now I'm pretty sure it's the GPU fan that's wavering. (I did some very scientific testing, by which I mean temporarily forced each fans to stop to figure out which ones made which noises).
From what I've read, yeah, 80ish on the GPU is more "high end of normal" than "red alert". But I'd have thought if the CPU was overheating enough to crash the system I'd see temperatures above 50 on it?
bikerdude on 24/7/2015 at 06:59
Quote Posted by Renzatic
There are all kinds of schools of thought when it come to applying thermal paste. My personal beliefs lean more towards the small dab in the center, with a slight twist of the heatsink before fastening line.
Correct and the other method is to apply a thin layers across the whole cpu/gpu face.
Quote Posted by Chimpy Chompy
From what I've read, yeah, 80ish on the GPU is more "high end of normal" than "red alert". But I'd have thought if the CPU was overheating enough to crash the system I'd see temperatures above 50 on it?
Well back in the day AMD cpu's didn't like going above 50c, but your (
http://products.amd.com/pages/DesktopCPUDetail.aspx?id=522&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1) Phenom II x3 has a max of 73c, so better HS paste and proper application will lower both the idle and the load temps. I also suggest reapplying the HS paste on the GPU cooler while you at it. Then check your Temps again and you should find lower and more stable.
As for upgrading your GPU, you may want to (
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3005) upgrade the CPU at the same time but what make/model of PSU do you have..? I recommended nothing higher than a AMD R9-270/R7-370 or nVidia GTX-760/750ti (Ive listed the faster GPU first in both cases). Both card are around the £100 mark and consume 100/110W which isnt far off the 108W of the 5770.
Chimpy Chompy on 24/7/2015 at 08:09
My power supply is: Antec - NeoECO 520C. Which is 520W.
[edit]I actually went yesterday and ordered a Radeon R9 380. which is rather more powerful than your recommendation but I wanted something more future-proof in case I decide to upgrade other parts later. It looks like it can draw over 200W going full tilt. But guru3d says a 500W PSU is adequate. (again, I won't be doing overclocking, or crossfire) Or do you reckon more power is a safer bet?
