AMD k6-2 475 overheating

[DFastLane]

I'm trying to breathe new life into some clunker pc's at work by putting in some epox mvp3c2 boards and amd k6-2 475 processors. I put the first one together and it posted fine but the processor heats up within minutes and the alarm goes off. Core voltage is set for 2.4v - like it says on the processor. Bus speed is at 95 with a multiplier of 5x for the 475 cpu clock speed. Those numbers check out in the BIOS settings. The temp alarm is set for 140. I've never had one overheat, so I'm wondering what I should be looking for as the problem.

[hackercarlos]

Hi Dfastlane (cool name). We need more info. Does the alarm go off when using some programs or after a certain time in Windows will operation of the PC is idle. Does the processor have a heatsink w/ fan, heatsink alone or none at all on it ?

[DFastLane]

I haven't gotten the chance to install anything yet - It heated up before I could even get that far. It has an adequate fan and heatsink. It won't be overclocked, so it should be fine. The processor is just heating up like a toaster oven right now. I'm going to go recheck the settings again to make sure they're ok...

[hackercarlos]

Please do so !!

[DFastLane]

The settings were fine. I'll try another cpu and see what happens....

Lane

[archie]

http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001256.html ... similar story.

[DFastLane]

I popped in a 2.2v 450 and it runs a little cooler - about 51c. I probably need a better quality fan and heatsink rather than the feebie one that came with the cpu for the 2.4v 475. I didn't know it would heat up like that.

-Lane-

[PaulDouglas]

It may be a silly question but did you put any heat sink compound between the CPU and Heatsink. If you didn't you will get hot spots!!

Regards

Paul

[archie]

Heat sink compound, would that make a difference? [no questions are silly, right] http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif I have never tried it.

[rensab]

Yes I believe the material provides a link between the two surfaces of the heat sink and the CPU top so instead of just a small gap of air, the compound makes for better heat transfer. Conduction heat transfer is always better than convection or radiation at low temperatures.

BTW, where can we get these compound?

[wedor]

Try Radio Shack.

[hackercarlos]

You are right rensab. And Radio Shack has the HeatSink compound because I've used it and it works fine.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rensab:
Yes I believe the material provides a link between the two surfaces of the heat sink and the CPU top so instead of just a small gap of air, the compound makes for better heat transfer. Conduction heat transfer is always better than convection or radiation at low temperatures.

BTW, where can we get these compound?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



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For breakfast I fry my eggs on an overclocked pentium.

[PaulDouglas]

To answer your question. Would heatsink compound make a difference ? checkout the article at http://www.isjm.com/tst/heatsink/compound.htm
it explains everything.

Regards

Paul


[This message has been edited by PaulDouglas (edited 05-11-2000).]

[archie]

Thanks for the link and the location where this can be purchased. I picked up 6.5 grams of heatsink compound from Radio Shack [stock #276-1372] and will give it a try 1st on AMD K6-2/500 that is reading 109°F after cooling software is installed and report my findings.

[archie]

I am no longer concerned about the temperature of my CPU (109°F, Asus software is cooling it) but nonetheless tried the heatsink compound out of curiousity about ten days ago. A paper thin layer was applied using a 'flat spatula' (plastic tie for closing breadbag). My observation was that there is no diffence in the temperature.

[archie]

Correction ...
I did forget to mention that the thermal pad on the heatsink was removed before applying the compound. It does appear that there is a difference after all. From previous readings of 109 to 105°F fairly consistently. That would be close to a 5% drop in temp. Of course, results may vary.

[glc]

It might even get cooler if you put enough heatsink paste on it to ooze out when you clamp the fan down.

[Carl Price]

You only need enough to take out all the air gaps and (to a point)the less you use the better off you are. More should not be necessary!

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Carl

I tell my son that grades are a reflection of his attitude on life. If he is willing to accept mediocrity in grades then he will be willing to accept mediocrity the rest of his life.
<A HREF="http://www.alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=eta239

" TARGET=_blank>http://www.alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=eta239

</A>

[archie]

The layer is probably way too thin. I think you're right and will give it a try next time the case is opened ... which should be soon.

[glc]

Very true, Carl, but too little is worse than too much and you can always wipe up the excess that squirts out around the edges. The stuff isn't *that* expensive <g>.

[WJWheels]

Here's the way I do it - http://home.carolina.rr.com/poit/tc.html - Hmmm, he says half the volume of a "P". Is that a regular "P" or a beer "P"?

[glc]

hmm...if you are gonna use the volume of a beer "P" you might as well just spray a can of foam insulation into your case <g>

I use the Radio Shack pen that guy has pictured and like it a lot. I let it dry for about 15 minutes before mounting the heatsink so the stuff thickens.