CPU 'problem'?

[Car712]

Hey, can someone help me? Im running Windows 7 on a old Dell Dimension 4500, and ever since I put a new CPU in (Pentium 4, 3.06 GHz, HT), the fans have been going VERY LOUD and the computer freezes up alot, and for some reason Core Temp cant even get a reading on what the temperature of the CPU is.. Should I seriously consider going back to XP on this computer, with this CPU?

 

And if anyones wondering, it only has a weird metal heatsink on top, and a tiny fan next to the heatsink.

[Spotty]

When you changed the CPUs, did you clean off the old thermal paste and apply new thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink?

 

Based on what you've described, it appears your CPU is overheating. It is freezing and locking up because it is thermal throttling to protect itself. This is also why the fans are running full blast to try and cool it, as the fan RPM will be based on the temperature of the CPU. Hotter = faster fans.

Bad heatsink mount or lack of thermal paste is the likely cause. Try removing the heatsink, reapplying new thermal paste, and remounting it.

[Car712]

3 minutes ago, Spotty said:

When you changed the CPUs, did you clean off the old thermal paste and apply new thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink?

 

Based on what you've described, it appears your CPU is overheating. It is freezing and locking up because it is thermal throttling to protect itself. This is also why the fans are running full blast to try and cool it, as the fan RPM will be based on the temperature of the CPU. Hotter = faster fans.

Bad heatsink mount or lack of thermal paste is the likely cause. Try removing the heatsink, reapplying new thermal paste, and remounting it.

The problem is, I dont have any thermal paste, however underneath the heatsink is a little blob of pink. I will attach a picture, maybe this is the thermal paste?

 

And yes, the CPU was EXTREMELY hot to touch.

[Spotty]

Your new CPU generates about 40% more heat than your old CPU. The new CPU you put in is an 82W TDP CPU. That small, rubbish cooler from the older much lower CPU isn't capable of cooling your new CPU properly.

You will need a better heatsink to be able to use that CPU. I wouldn't even bother putting that one back on to be honest.

Are you in a position to upgrade your system? The system you have at the moment, and I'm not trying to be rude, is very old and poor performing. It's a 15+ year old CPU, so I probably wouldn't recommend spending any money on a new cooler in order to try to get it working and instead just save money towards a newer system (even if it's just a more recent 2nd hand system).

[Car712]

13 minutes ago, Spotty said:

Your new CPU generates about 40% more heat than your old CPU. The new CPU you put in is an 82W TDP CPU. That small, rubbish cooler from the older much lower CPU isn't capable of cooling your new CPU properly.

You will need a better heatsink to be able to use that CPU. I wouldn't even bother putting that one back on to be honest.

Are you in a position to upgrade your system? The system you have at the moment, and I'm not trying to be rude, is very old and poor performing. It's a 15+ year old CPU, so I probably wouldn't recommend spending any money on a new cooler in order to try to get it working and instead just save money towards a newer system (even if it's just a more recent 2nd hand system).

Yes, I am definitely going to build a new system very soon. I see its definitely not worth the time, or money to try and upgrade the Dell Dimension any more lol..

[Spotty]

1 minute ago, bobbyd52 said:

Yes, I am definitely going to build a new system very soon. I see its definitely not worth the time, or money to try and upgrade the Dell Dimension any more lol..

You can probably keep the hard drive out of it if you want to recover any files from it, but the rest is probably destined for the e-waste recyclers.

If you need help planning your new build, check out the New Builds & Planning forum here and people will be happy to help recommend a system to meet your needs.

 

You could possibly try putting your old CPU back in to the dell and seeing if that will run properly. It uses a lot less power and generates a lot less heat than the new one you have so it might work temporarily if you need a computer and don't have another one available, but you will still need to keep an eye on those temps.