[anawim]

Hello!

I recently built a PC with a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3l board and Intel Core 2 Duo 6750 2.6 G processor (retail boxed with heatsink/fan) Antec Sonata II case. I have built several PCs (not an expert) but none with this new processor. I followed the instructions and made sure that the pins were all the way through on the motherboard (they snapped in place). When I turned on the PC and went into the BIOS I noticed that the CPU temperature was 90 degrees! Within a few minutes the PC shutdown. I opened the case and pushed down again on the pins and still there was not any change in temperature (and the fan is running on the processor).

So, I have several questions.

1) Is there something I have to change in the BIOS that I don't know about with regards to the CPU?
2) Should I take the motherboard out of the case and remove the heatsink/fan and try to re-seat it (even though I am almost positive it is installed correctly--I don't look forward to doing this!!).
3) If I have to take the heatsink off do I need to put additional thermal paste on? I used the thermal paste that was on the heatsink but I do have a small syringe of artic silver
4) Could there be something wrong with the processor?

Any expert help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Hello!

I recently built a PC with a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3l board and Intel Core 2 Duo 6750 2.6 G processor (retail boxed with heatsink/fan) Antec Sonata II case. I have built several PCs (not an expert) but none with this new processor. I followed the instructions and made sure that the pins were all the way through on the motherboard (they snapped in place). When I turned on the PC and went into the BIOS I noticed that the CPU temperature was 90 degrees! Within a few minutes the PC shutdown. I opened the case and pushed down again on the pins and still there was not any change in temperature (and the fan is running on the processor).

So, I have several questions.


1) Is there something I have to change in the BIOS that I don't know about with regards to the CPU?

Pretty standard setup, so the answer most likely is NO!

2) Should I take the motherboard out of the case and remove the heatsink/fan and try to re-seat it (even though I am almost positive it is installed correctly--I don't look forward to doing this!!).


I think that is what I would do in this case. Just make sure the heatsink is Snapped down tightly and solid. Sounds like you may not have it clear down.

3) If I have to take the heatsink off do I need to put additional thermal paste on? I used the thermal paste that was on the heatsink but I do have a small syringe of artic silver

Unfortunately, you have to clean the old paste off and put on new thermal paste....and, YES, by all means use Artic Silver....that is the best you can get.

4) Could there be something wrong with the processor?

I don't think so from what we so see far, but you may not have enough power with your power supply for this rig. I had one of these cases with the power supply that comes with this case. Took me three returns to get one that worked properly, and then it died a year later. I sent it back with a RMA and sold it, because I had no confidence in that particular power supply.

What video card do you have???? That will tell us a lot more about your situation.

BTW, did you put the extra fan in front on that case, because it does need it badly. There are holes in front to mount one in there.

Any expert help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[anawim]

I have an XFX GeForce 8600... No, I don't have an extra fan. I can't really see where another one would go.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

If you look from the side panel (with the panel off) in the front of that case at the bottom right in front where the drive bays are, there are 4 fan holes there to mount a 120mm fan. You can put one in there and you will be surprised how much air that baby will pull from the front. On the Sonata I, the front air areas were not large, but the Sonata II case has a big filter in front to filter dust out and it really does need this fan to pull in cool air. Be sure your back fan is pulling hot air OUT of the case or blowing out the back of the case. I suggest adding an Antec 3 speed in there, they are great and you can regulate which speed you want it to go after experimenting with what is needed to maintain good temps.

Note: The Sonata II case also has a baffle (included with your case and optional usage) to get cool air to your CPU via the tunnel effect. That way, your CPU pulls air directly from the outside back of the case and blows cool air over the heatsink. I do not use that feature, but have tried it in the past, and it does also help a few degrees. If all else fails, that tunnel baffle has places to set additional fans inside to blow cool air over the CPU that is pulled from the outside of the case. Give some of these things a try to get optimal cooling.

 

[anawim]

I got this case for $50.00 and I can easily sale it. So you recommend the Antec III case? Also, is my video card ok? If you think another case would be better I won't even bother reseating the CPU. Also, the instructions on my CPU state not to wipe off the thermal paste (don't know why)? So I guess that means putting the artic silver over it?

I bought everything (except the case) from newegg so I have until the first week of December to return the processor if I have to. I can't return the Antec II case, I have had it for 4 or 5 months. Thanks for your info!!

 

[Tumbleweed36]

I got this case for $50.00 and I can easily sale it.

There is nothing wrong with that case, it is a great case, but the power supply in those cases are less than great. If you purchased it for fifty bucks, you got a good deal. I am not certain the power supply is your problem at this point, so hold until you try to cool things down and then re-evaluate it.

So you recommend the Antec III case?

Have not had one of those, so don't know about that case, but the PSU in those is a decent one. However, with your rig, I would want something like the Antec Trio 650 in that case. The same PSU will fit in the Antec Sonata II, so why spend money for the Sonata III if you must spend more for a more powerful power supply.

Also, is my video card ok?

Nothing wrong with that video card, is a nice mid-range card.

If you think another case would be better I won't even bother reseating the CPU.

I like the Sonata II, just not the PSU that comes with them.

Also, the instructions on my CPU state not to wipe off the thermal paste (don't know why)? So I guess that means putting the artic silver over it?

NEVER put artic silver over some other paste. Hold on this for the summary below and I will discuss this issue.

I bought everything (except the case) from newegg so I have until the first week of December to return the processor if I have to. I can't return the Antec II case, I have had it for 4 or 5 months. Thanks for your info!!

Here is what I would do knowing your present information:

1) Make sure the heatsink is snapped clear down and is TIGHT.

2) Don't break the seal between the CPU and Heatsink yet to replace Artic Silver.

3) Keep the Sonata II, it is a great case.

4) Go buy a good 3 speed antec fan and place it in the place I mentioned in the front of the case.

5) Make sure the back fan is pulling hot air out of the case and blowing the hot air out the back of the case.

6) Make sure your CPU fan is blowing "down" on the heatsink toward the CPU.

7) Make sure when you put the CPU/Heatsink together, you did not lift it up and check the paste after you put them together...that is a "no - no." Once you break the seal, you must clean and redo the paste.

8) Take the side of the case off and blow a house fan in there and see if the thing stays on....report back with that information.

9) If all else fails, redo the thermal paste as per Artic Silver instructions

Post back with questions/concerns.

 

[anawim]

Thanks so much for the detailed information--that is what I need! I do not have a house fan to blow into the case.

The fan on the back of the power supply is not working--I just feel very hot air. However, the fan inside the case that is part of the power supply is working.

The fan on the inside of the case (in the back) feels as if the air is blowing out the back of the case, however I do feel a little air inside the case with this fan.

I feel a little air coming from fan on the heatsink but I don't know if this is normal or not. How do you change the direction of the airflow?

I again pushed down on the pins of the heatsink. I don't know how much force to use. When I first put the heatsink on I looked under the mother board and made sure that the pins were all the way through and make sure the little black things that lock the pins in place under the motherboard were sticking out. At first only two of the black things were sticking out so I pushed on the pins until all four were the same. That is why I am positive it is on correctly.

One last question... do I have to take the entire motherboard out of the case to remove the heatsink/processor? If you think this is best I will do it.

I definitely want to get the power supply and the fan you mentioned.

Thank you again for all your help!!!!

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Thanks so much for the detailed information--that is what I need! I do not have a house fan to blow into the case.

The fan on the back of the power supply is not working--I just feel very hot air. However, the fan inside the case that is part of the power supply is working.

That particular fan is designed to (the PSU has two in there, one runs full time, the other one when needed) run only when needed, so that might not mean a bad fan. LIke I mentioned, although this is most likely an underpowered power supply of dubvious quality, it may not be bad. That is impossible to tell at this point.

The fan on the inside of the case (in the back) feels as if the air is blowing out the back of the case, however I do feel a little air inside the case with this fan.

Take a kleenex and hold it back there...if it is blowing out, it will readily blow that kleenex. That should tell you the direction. Many of these fans also show you on the fan frame which way the air is blowing. I just don't remember if that one does or not, but try the kleenex trick.


I feel a little air coming from fan on the heatsink but I don't know if this is normal or not. How do you change the direction of the airflow?

To change the direction on any fan, normally, one can just turn the fan around and it will blow the opposite direction.

I again pushed down on the pins of the heatsink. I don't know how much force to use. When I first put the heatsink on I looked under the mother board and made sure that the pins were all the way through and make sure the little black things that lock the pins in place under the motherboard were sticking out. At first only two of the black things were sticking out so I pushed on the pins until all four were the same. That is why I am positive it is on correctly.

Since I can't be there, you have to judge that one. Just make sure the heatsink is clamped down tight.

One last question... do I have to take the entire motherboard out of the case to remove the heatsink/processor? If you think this is best I will do it.

I have changed many without taking them out, but it depends upon how much area you have to work on in that case. YOu know how the layout of the motherboard you have is and what you can do and if you can snap that heatsink in there while in the case.

I definitely want to get the power supply and the fan you mentioned.



When you saw that temp, was it celcius or fahrenheit ???? We have to explore all options before you go out and buy something, so want to know if it is actually the temperature and not something else. Check it again and tell us what it says.

Thank you again for all your help!!!!

 

[anawim]

The temperature is celcius. It slowly counts up several degrees at a time but does not stop. I am watching under the PC Health Status. Also, I noticed a "click" sound when the temperature reaches the 70's. Today I am shuting down before it gets too high. Yesterday it kept shutting off after about 5 minutes. I tried 3 or 4 times and it kept shutting down.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

That could be the power supply not cutting it and causing things to heat up from lack of power. It could be that the thermal paste is not on properly (too much is as bad as not enough), it could be poor case ventilation (we talked about that and fan placements and needs),

Quite frankly, you will need will need a better power supply anyhow for this rig, so I would start there and with the extra case fan. Just so you understand, that may not solve the problem, but you will be on the right track to providing what is needed for this rig. On the converse, it may solve the problem.

My main concern is that if you use an underpowered power supply, you risk damaging other components of your computer, so I would get that done as a FIRST step. If that does not solve it, we can go from there.

Added note: I like my Sonata cases (I and II), so well that I plan on keeping them for my next (my personal computers) build which will be an a couple of weeks or so. I always move my new build up to the Sonata II because of the better ventilation and have my spare computer on the Sonata I. Sure nothing wrong with those cases if you like the door concept.

 

[anawim]

I thank you so much for all the information you have given me. I realize the upgrade may not solve the problem but what you said makes sense. I want this computer to perform and not give me issues down the road. I am going to place the order tonight for the fan and power supply and see what happens. If I still have problems I am going to remove the heatsink/processor and put the grease on according to the instructions (this part sounds so scary). Then I guess if it still doesn't work I will send the processor back and try another one. Again, I appreciate all the advice.