Processor at 80C, questions

[JimmyDee]

I looked down today at my SpeedFan temp of the processor and the temp had jumped to 80C+. Normally runs in the low 40C range. Thinking that the fan quit on the all copper Zerotherm heat sink, I shut it down. Let it cool down and then restarted it to check the fans. All were working. The AMD 9600 was over clocked from 2.3 to 2.5 and I went back to the default settings. It is now running at 72C. I felt down toward the base of the processor and it felt quit cool and not real hot.
I think a sensor has goon bad because a cold start to the BIOS monitor puts the temp at 70C within seconds.
Do the sensors go bad in these processors? The computer has been running for over 3 hours now with no instability problems at all. Should I be overly concerned or just shut SpeedFan monator off and stick my head in the sand?
Jim

[liambl]

I notice you are running an M3A motherboard in that system. The Asus forum for that mobo is riddled with questions about is showing very high temps with certain BIOSes. You havn't updated the BIOS recently have you?

[JimmyDee]

I have never updated the BIOS. It ran with no problems from day one. The system has run flawlessly since 3-20-08 overclocked to 2.6 from 2.3. I did discover I had the RAM in a single Chanel mode and moved one stick so it would run in duel Chanel, but that was several day ago. I would have updated the BIOS but everything has run just fine and I think if it isn't broke, why fix it.
This problem looks like it is reading double the temp. Where is the sensor physically located that measures the temp of the processor. I'm almost thinking I may need to pull the heat sink and reapply the heat sink compound but I've never known that stuff to go bad.
Jim

[vtfanmv5]

You may well have to remove the HS/F and reinstall it if the temperatures are confirmed, however the point is that the BIOS may be reporting incorrect measurements. Look into updating it to confirm the measurements.

[vtfanmv5]

In addition: yes, a sensor COULD go bad in a processor, but also, the processor could easily heat up to that temperature within a few seconds if the heatsink/fan was seated incorrect or became unseated.

[JimmyDee]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll pull the heat sink and reaply the compound to it. It looks like it is seated on there good but who knows.
Jim

[JimmyDee]

Looks like the weight of the new Zerotherm heat sink was a little too much for the plastic bracket that holds the heat sink in place. It was cracked and the heat sink pulled away from the processor. I may have done it when I was changing the RAM around. Kind of hard on the processor I assume. I just about a month ago threw away 2 Asus AMD mother boards, so no spare parts. JB Weld to the rescue and all is now well. Temp is holding in the low 40C range. I guess I should trust the sensors.
Thanks for the help and suggestions from all.
Jim

[not important]

Perhaps it was broken before and went undetected? That would have caused your high temps.
Anyway, glad you got it figured out.