Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cubanlord]

A day ago, I noticed a significant slow down in the speed of my games (fear, zero hour). I tested and retested; installed and reinstalled software and hardware...nothing. Then....I take apart the CPU area and notice that I placed wayyyy too much of that heat gel. I take a substantial amount off leaving a miniscule amount on. I now notice a signifcant decrease in temp. from my processor. Great right? NO.

I ran a utility test on my processor; here are the specs:

Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility
Version: 3.1.20060901
Time Stamp: 2006/10/29 11:59:47
Number of processors in system: 1
Current processor: #1
Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6600 @ 2.40GHz
Type: 0
Family: 6
Model: F
Stepping: 6
Revision: 44
L1 Instruction Cache: 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 32 KB
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Packaging: LGA775
EIST: Yes
MMX(TM): Yes
SIMD: Yes
SIMD2: Yes
SIMD3: Yes
Enhanced Halt State: Yes
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Hyper-Threading Technology: No
Intel(R) Extended Memory 64 Technology: Yes
Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.40 GHz
Reported Processor Frequency: 1.44 GHz
Expected System Bus Frequency: 1066 MHz
Reported System Bus Frequency: 964 MHz

M.O.T.H.E.R.F.U.C.K.E.R.!()@*!)(@*!)*#&@$&*!#()*! My CPU is now running almost a full GHZ less than what it should be running at. I am one pissed off guy. Tomorrow I will be calling INTEL in Korea. Hopefully, I can get a replacement one without having to throw down another $350 for a new one. I can't believe this!!!!!

[SeoulFinn]

Before calling anyone (and probably making an ass out of yourself *Grin!*) check if your PC is using a power scheme to save enery. This can be checked from "Control Panel" => "Power Options."

I'm way more familiar with AMD, but I think Intel calls this feature as "speedstepping" or someting like that. Anyway, what I personally find interesting is that the "Reported Bus Freq." is lower than 1066MHz! I thought that that the power saving feature should lower the multiplier and not FSB... but then again, I'm more familiar with AMD.

Edit: Check what the BIOS says for the memory speed as well. Input right values if necessary.

[cubanlord]

[hanguker]

The gel is important because it improves the contact between the cpu and the heatsink. That is, it ensures a 100% contact vs. ?% contact of imperfectly flat CPU to imperfect heatsink. It's very important.

I'm taking a wild shot here...but when you removed the gel, you may have compromised the heat dissipation of your cooler. Maybe the CPU stepped-down it's speed so as not to cook. Intel chips do that as a safety measure. It's called SpeedStep, but I'm not sure if its only on mobile chips. Google it and see what you get...

BTW - What program are you using to test your PC?

[cubanlord]

[Demophobe]

Too much heatpaste acts as a thermal insulator, helping to fry a CPU. Skin-thin is the way to go here. We aren't talking about filling in a gap, as though the heat spreader was warped or something (they are lapped true), but microgrooves that reduce overall contact between the CPU and the heatsink.

If you can't clearly see the heatspreader through the layer of heat paste, you put on way too much. I put a tiny blob in the center of the heat spreader, then use a credit card to spread it over.

CL, it appears you may have done some damage. Intel won't do anything for you, as you are a DIY builder, and if you read the pamphlet that is inside the CPU box, there is a disclaimer that the CPU should only be installed by a professional.

I have no idea what happened inside the CPU, but it seems as if the speedstep is perma-activated. Odd that it would start to act erratically now, as most heat issues become obvious quickly. Nothing else changed in the environment? Turned on the heating lately? Raise in ambient room temperature that sent it over the edge?

[cubanlord]

[Demophobe]

You said you re-checked your BIOS settings. How about resetting the BIOS? Pull out the mainboard battery for a few minutes or use the jumper. Perhaps that will put it back in line.

[cubanlord]

ok...so i came back and booted up the PC. Bios was reading it at 2.4Ghz. I ran a check; everything was fine. Every 2 minutes thereafter, the performance would drop. I just checked the BIOS and it's back to reading 1.6GHZ. Also, the temp of the CPU has gone up. It's obviously the CPU that is shot. Man.

[hanguker]

[cubanlord]

[Giant]

Just a shot in the dark here, but are you running that Ai app that adjusts the speed according to how it thinks? If so take it off. Maybe its intefering?

[cubanlord]

[SeoulFinn]

Good to hear that the power options are correct. It's set as "always on" or "desktop," right? The power schemes are more important to laptops, coz they need to reserve power while running on batteries. Anyway, your CPU temp (89C) is way too high! This is probably the reason why your CPU is throttled down so that it won't be fried.

Completely remove the old thermal paste/sticker from your CPU and heatsink, apply a new layer of paste (I prefer Arctic Silver 5) only on the CPU heatspreader. Just like some people on this board mentioned, it has to be REALLY thin layer and a credit card helps you to do this. (If you're not sure how to do this, there are tutorials with pictures in the Internet you might want to check before doing anything.) After this, place the heatsink on to of the CPU and twist it a bit so that the miniscule grooves on the heatsink will be filled. Reassemble the system and see if the temp stays lower this time.

If the temp is low and the CPU is running with the rated speed, good. If not, try this ONLY if the temp is REASONABLE UNDER LOAD:

You can force the CPU to run at 2.4 GHz. This is dangerous if the contact isn't good between CPU and heatsink and the temp gets too high... so do it only after you're absolutely sure that the temp is reasonable while the CPU is under full load. Okay, there should be an option in the BIOS to disable "Enhanced Halt State (C1E)." By disabling it your CPU should run at full speed at all times... no matter how hot the CPU it gets! Once again, don't do this if you can't lower that temp first!!! You would only fry your CPU for good!

I hope that you are only suffering from a case of bad connection between CPU and heatsink... good luck!

[SeoulFinn]

Oh, one more thing. I still don't understand why your FSB keeps changing (at least according to the data from your test program) and not the multiplier! It shouldn't do this even when your CPU gets too hot and the protective measures kick in! CB, your CPU might be fried.