Computers processor overheats 160-169 degreesF?

Question

when ever i perform scans or play games it will overheat. It also overheats using the internet watching videos on the internet too. Its just the processor that overheats and the computer gives me a warning with the temp. Its an Intel Pentium 3.4 ghz processor. I even have a big fan ontop of my computer and it still overheats. the processor has a new heatsink with fan? what can i do?? heres some info about my cpu. Its code name is prescott its an intel pentium 4 650 technology 90 nm ?? What can i do? thanks!

Answer 1

Are you over clocking it at all?

Also, take off your heat sink, clean off old thermal paste, put new paste on, then put the heat sink back on again.

Answer 2

How long have you had this processor? If you just got it, the Prescott core has been known to overheat easily and production of the Prescott core was dropped. First it was known as a false reading, That 160-169 degrees Fahrenheit is probably false, but I wouldn't risk it. Read more on the source listed below.

Another problem is that if you just got a new heatsink and fan, was it a sufficient heatsink and fan? Or was it just one of those cheap I don't care about my processor heatsink and fan? You also should check to see if you replaced the thermal paste and check to see if you put too much. Also, check if the heatsink is screwed on properly.

Answer 3

"the processor has a new heatsink with fan"

When you or whoever isntalled this new heatsink with fan. did you remove the old thermal paste and apply new thermal paste? If you did, did you slather the proc with excess thermal paste?

If you did not clean teh proc and heatsink, do so using 80% alcohol from walgreens. Use a prep pad you can get in any first aid kit. Make sure after the proc and heat sink are spotless and dry reassemble using a grain of rice sized drop of thermal paste. Once you seat but have NOT locked the heatsink down, gently twist the heatsink in teh socket so as to spread the thermal paste.