Ready to throw my PC out a window...

[noblemountain]

Ok, so here's the deal...I built my first PC a few months ago. Relevant specs below:

Spoiler: show

Gigabyte 770 motherboard
AMD Phenom II x 3 720 BE processor
ATI 5770 gpu
650w power supply
4 gigs RAM
windows 7

So, after having it for about 2 months it started to shut down right after loading into windows. Whole machine just would turn off. I booted into BIOS and checked the PC Health and it is showing the CPU Temp climbing as soon as I turn the machine on steadily until it hits 110 degrees and then powering down. I felt the CPU and it wasn't hot at all, so figured something was wrong with the temp sensor.

I ordered a new motherboard. Same problem. Ordered a new CPU...same problem. Got a new power supply...same problem. I am at a loss what to do next. I have no clue what I could have done that switching out the part wouldn't fix. I have little patience for my own fuckups and am growing frustrated more and more each day this computer sits there like an expensive brick. So I ask you, BG, has anyone heard of anything like this before?

[Binkie]

What about a new CPU HSF?

[jmc]

How much thermal paste are you using on the CPU (if any)?

[noblemountain]

After the initial problem I removed the HSF, which was a cheapie anyway, because I was worried about the paste being applied too thick and causing overheating. I have been doing my tests with no HSF on at all. There is no way in hell it heats from 25-110 in less than 20 seconds though. It isn't hot at all to the touch. Again though, I replaced both the CPU and the MB and am still getting the problem...which to my limited knowledge means I am probably fucking something up. Is there something I could have connected wrong to make it false read?

[Binkie]

The comp crashing after a few secs with no HSF sounds about right, though i'm not sure about the hot to the touch thing.

[fishstix]

you can try updating the bios, I wouldn't recommend it, but I think there's a way in the bios to turn off that safety function if you're sure it's not overheating

[noblemountain]

So, apparently the easiest solution is the right solution. I got out my HSF and put it on with no thermal paste...steady 55 degrees. I remember why I took it off now as well, it doesn't fit the board correctly. I had to rig it up to get it on there, so when the computer got knocked on its side one night while we had people over, it came loose. I took it off and cleaned the TP off of it and the processor...and just didn't put it back on because for some reason I had it in my head that as long as I wasn't OC'ing I didn't need it. Going to order some more TP and another HSF that actually will fit correctly. Thanks a lot guys, Binkie, you are my new favorite BGer for making me slap myself upside the head.

[Cheerios]

There really shouldn't be a reason for a heatsink to not seat correctly. Don't be afraid to use pressure to make sure that shit settles in nicely.

[Dmitry]

I'm pretty sure you should always have a fan on your processor whether your overclocking or not.

[noblemountain]

There really shouldn't be a reason for a heatsink to not seat correctly. Don't be afraid to use pressure to make sure that shit settles in nicely.

Yeah, this one is insane. I just saw the reviews on Newegg, had 2500+ and was a 5 egg, and didn't read the 1 egg reviews. All the 1 egg reviews said that it didn't fit AM3 boards worth a shit...even some people saying it broke their boards or ruined processors. I rigged it where it is solid right now, but don't feel confident in it at all. Going to order a new HSF and some TP...this time reading the reviews to make sure it fits AM3 and not just "says" it does.

[Dmitry]

How big is your case? I have the Coolermaster Hyper 212+ and it's really nice, but also really big.

[noblemountain]

How big is your case? I have the Coolermaster Hyper 212+ and it's really nice, but also really big.

My case is pretty big, the HSF I have now is the AC64 and it's fairly large. I'll have to look into that one, almost ready to say fuck it and get the H50. I am looking at 40-50 bucks for a good HSF anyway...what's another 20-30 for a great one?

[Shojin]

When building a PC a month or so ago I avoided that AC64 on Newegg specifically because of what people said about it with AM3 boards. I went with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118054 it's a little on the pricy side (it was on sale for $15 off when I bought it) and is a little big, but it is extremely quiet, comes with full fittings for both Intel and AMD motherboards and fits my AM3 board very nicely. It's also very good at cooling and looks very nice inside my case.

About the H50, I personally avoid watercooling if possible. Especially if you aren't overclocking it to hell and back. I'm happy with 28c idle and 48c under load on a phenom II x4 965 BE with air cooling.

[Dmitry]

The Hyper 212+ is like $50 on newegg. I got mine from Amazon for $30 I believe, but it took them about a month and a half to ship it. It also comes with fittings for like every socket currently on the market.