Is the computer freezing due to high temperature?

Question

The problem is that my computer suddenly freezes, the mouse and keyboard halt and nothing works.

So I checked the CPU temperature, and I found that under BIOS H/W monitoring

CPU Temperature -> 94+ -105 Deg C
Internal Temperature -> 45+ Deg C
Remote Temperature  -> 45+ Deg C

Here are computer specs :

Intel Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz
Windows xp sp3
1 GB RAM
256MB Graphics card

I don't have very many programs installed except Visual Studio 2010 , some multimedia players, etc.

Is it OK? Do I need to change thermal paste again?

Answer 1

Temperatures like that can definitely be the cause of poor system performance.

You could look into SpeedFan to monitor your temperatures while you figure out what's wrong. 100^oC can't be good for anything. It's also good to get a second opinion before you go out and spend money.

First thing I would do is check the cooling/Unit or fan that came with your processor; if you didn't get one you should invest in one.

Check the ventilation of your case, make sure it's not being blocked. I don't know what else is inside the case but if it's cramped - big PSU, speedy HDD, and a big graphics card - then you can be generating a ton of heat.

If you built the computer yourself or updated a stock computer with some spiffy components you may also want to look into a more ventilated case.

To summarize I would:

1. Check with SpeedFan
2. Check the CPU fan/coooling unit
3. Test better ventilation methods (move case, open case, new fans)
4. Buy a new case with better fans, vent, etc

Answer 2

95-105^oC is a very, very high temperature for a P4 to be running at, probably near the maximum it can withstand without critically failing. I would take the case off the computer and see if the whole computer needs a clean. Re-applying thermal paste could also be an idea, and consider investing in a new system fan.

Answer 3

The temperatures you are experiencing on your chip are too high.

From here:

The temp can vary by 5-10C based on the specific CPU core and frequency. See http://www.intel.com for the specifics per each CPU. In general, the max temp is around 85-90C, but the maximum temp at which one can expect stable operation (at stock speeds) is closer to 70C, a little higher for the lower speeds in each family and a little higher for the upper speeds per family.

Recommended temps are dependent on the application- one cannot realistically expect some configurations (particuarly low-profile chassis) to provide as much airflow or heatsink clearance as larger chassis. A ballpark might be 46C, in a typical 24C room. IE- 22C over the ambient temp, so if your ambient were 30C, it'd be expected that CPU temp rises to 52C. As a processor's frequency increases (with all other things remaining equal) the heat also linearly increases, so the upper speed Prescotts would have a bit more than 22C rise over ambient.

I would support Tom's ideas of cleaning the case, reapplying thermal paste but also add to check that any fans you have are running and are unobstructed.